The Best Hikes and Walks in and Around Kuala Lumpur

Located just a steps away from the Kuala Lumpur Tower, KL Forest Eco Park is one of the oldest permanent forest reserves in the country. With its convenient location, the park is the perfect place to take a break from the concrete jungle. The best location to enjoy sweeping views of the KL Skyline is at the Canopy Walk, a wood-and-steel bridge about 200 metres in height. The park is great for a casual walk and for new hikers.

The beautiful sunrise at the peak of Broga Hill is worth waking up for at the wee hours of the morning. One of the most popular places to hike in the Klang Valley, Broga Hill is easy to hike with steep challenges along the way to keep your heart pumping. At only 1,312 feet high, it takes about an hour to get to the top where you can enjoy charming views of the countryside.

Immerse yourself in nature at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia. With just a small fee, visitors can enjoy various activities like jogging, hiking, cycling or a leisure stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens here. There are several trails for hikers to choose from – Keruing, Salleh, Engkabang, Sebasah and Razak.

Just an hour away from city centre, Shah Alam Botanical Park is a popular place among the locals for a leisure day out with the family. The park remains an important habitat for many wildlife in the region, including lowland forest birds, insects and small mammals like macaques, squirrels and monitor lizards. Visitors will find various arboretums, a handful of ponds and lakes and even an animal park on the compound. For a touch of action, head over to Skytrex Adventure and work your way through their obstacle courses high up in the middle of a tropical forest.

Located in the Ampang and Cheras districts, there are several entry points for Saga Hill that offer varying degrees of difficulty and distance. All trails lead to the same destination at the summit of the hill. Visitors can spot many wildlife, including macaques and gibbons, as they make their way to the peak. Some trails will bring you through picnic spots and waterfalls where you can rest your feet and take in the peaceful sounds of nature.

Bukit Tabur, known as The Dragon’s Backbone, is a limestone ridge with five different peaks, suitable for challenging hikers who can go through intense boulder crossing. The Tabur West trail is commonly used by hikers (two hours hiking to the viewpoint). Tabur East and Far East trails are suitable for experienced hikers as they have plenty of rocky terrain. You will see an amazing sunset view along with the luscious greenery and tranquil water of the Kluang Gate Reservoir. Reward yourself by cooling off at the natural pool by following the stairs down from the viewpoint.

Tucked away in Puchong, Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve is a hidden gem, frequented mostly by local residents in the area. This forest reserve, jointly managed by the Forestry Ministry and UPM, offers a quick respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The marked trail, about 2.8km long, is an easy hike up to the peak.

Unlike other hills in the city, Bukit Besi offers the best panoramic views at the checkpoint instead of the peak. There are no markings for the trail. To get started, follow the tarmac road on a steep hill next to Altitude 126, a residential tower. Hikers should also stick to the well-trodden path on their climb up. A beautiful view of the city unfolds itself as hikers reach Checkpoint 1, a clear landing that has a makeshift table. It takes about an hour to reach the summit where three communication towers are located. The towers are restricted areas and surrounded by barbed wire fences.

Located in Petaling Jaya, Bukit Gasing is a green belt of lush tropical forest popular among many hikers in the city. There are multiple routes of various difficulties and ranges for hikers to try out. The forest reserve also has ample rest stops for hikers to take a break. For an extra dash of adventure, head to the suspension bridge, and if you’re looking for beautiful views of the city, the lookout point at the Telekom Towers is not to be missed.

A well-known picnic spot among locals, Kanching Recreational Forest is a forest reserve located just north of Kuala Lumpur. On weekends, the area is bustling with people who are looking to escape the concrete jungle and fully immerse themselves in nature. You will find families camping nearby waterfalls and children enjoying the cool waters in the fresh pools.