I love exploring the outdoors, especially if it’s something to do with nature. I remember before the pandemic, I travelled to certain parts of the world and enjoyed whatever nature had to offer. However, since Covid-19, for the last two years, I wasn’t able to truly enjoy the outdoors, and that has been kinda frustrating. That was until last Saturday. I’ve always wanted to hike, as I’ve never been on one. So, with a couple of friends, we made plans to go for a beginner’s hike at Sungai Pisang.
Why Sungai Pisang? I came across this location on TikTok and saw many hikers exploring the forest and having fun at the fresh waterfalls hidden in the forest. Sg Pisang is a popular hiking spot or day trip destination for residents of the Klang Valley, because it is located on the outskirts of Selangor and is only a half-hour drive from KL. In addition, the route to the waterfall is pretty straightforward. This makes it ideal for newcomers.
Since it has become a popular spot, Sg Pisang can become insanely crowded on weekends and public holidays. To avoid the crowds, arrive early in the morning or late in the evening. Basically, there are two entrances: one by the Karak highway, and the other via the old Gombak routes. This area can be found by searching for Sungai Pisang on Waze or Google Maps. Because parking is scarce in this area, it is important to arrive early. A RM5 fee for each automobile is levied as support for the residents. As you drive down the road leading to Sungai Pisang, the road gets narrower and there isn’t much space to park. Here, I would suggest you carpool or park by the roadside and walk in. Just be sure you don’t bring your valuables, as there’s no one to look after your car while you hike.
Also, here are some things you should consider bringing:
- extra clothes
- water bottle
- insect repellent (it’s a freaking jungle and you might not know what to expect!)
- hiking stick (to make it easier for you to climb)
- hat/cap
- shoes (avoid slippers. The path might be muddy and slippery)
- light food (just in case you get hungry)
- waterproof phone pouch (water all the way, might need something to protect your phone)
Let the hiking commence!
My companions and I started trekking around 7.30a.m. on a Saturday morning, and the crowd seemed to be reasonable. Day time is more suitable, as the area is brighter and you can enjoy more time at the waterfalls. Keep in mind that hiking in the evening means less time at the waterfalls and it’ll be slightly darker. Plus, if you’re unfamiliar with the route, there may not be many people nearby who can give you directions (as was the case for us! ), so this may not be the greatest option.
Starting from the car park area, walk further on the road and you’ll notice a banner and a gate right in front. The gate is the entrance to a water plant, so that’s not your path. Turn to your left and you’ll see a little trail that’ll take you down to the river. It’s quite steep and if it had rained earlier, you might want to be extra careful, cause it gets slippery. Once you walk down, you’ll see the river and designated platforms.
Day-trippers can set up their picnic spread or tents on the riverbank on the designated platform provided. If you don’t want to hike further in, you can settle down at this spot. This spot is also ideal for families with young children. The water is shallow and tranquil, making it suitable for even small children to swim in. But what’s the fun in that, right? There’s more to see!
From the designated area, you’ll need to cross the river to get to the other side. The water-level and current depend on the weather. Why I say this is because, on that day, it was slightly rainy, so the water level was above my knees and the current was strong. I had difficulty battling the strong current – not to mention, the water was freezing cold, but thank God for my hiking stick, because I managed to make it across.
Ok, just to give you a heads up, beyond this point, don’t bother about saving your shoes or attire, because you’ll definitely get wet. Once you cross the river, you’ll see a yellow signboard, so just walk upwards and take the trail on your right. The path from there is very clear and exposed; simply follow the track and, after a brief 100m hike, you’ll come to another river. Simply go down the river’s banks until you notice an opening on your left. And there you are, walking alongside Karak Highway. And this is only the beginning.
The next part was my absolute favourite. It’s like I’m being transported into another realm. After a brief hike, you’ll reach two unlit tunnels. At first I thought it was some sewer, but the waters were so clean and fresh, you could even take a dip there (like I did!). If you’re hiking in broad daylight, the tunnel is slightly bright, but for safety, you could always use a torchlight. Right across those tunnels is a beautiful paradise. Suddenly, we were surrounded by sounds of the forest, crystal clear water and greenery. The feeling was just amazing.
From there, your have two options: the river route and the highway route. The river route is much more scenic and relaxing. However, since there was no visible signage or markings along this path, it may be confusing, especially for first-timers. We simply followed a group of hikers (since they seemed like professionals) along the river. We had been on the river trail for more than an hour and we felt like we took the wrong path. And if that wasn’t enough, halfway through, one of my friends had a nasty fall. So, we had to stop for a while while she regained her strength. As a result, we were separated from the rest of the party and found ourselves in the middle of nowhere.
We couldn’t decide whether to go deeper or wait a little longer, so we made a U-turn and walked back the way we came from. We were advised that the river route would take about 45 minutes for us to reach the waterfall, but I believe it took longer. I read online that many hikers managed to find their way using the river trail, but on that day, we found it difficult, not to mention it was our first time. I only wish they had clear landmarks or signs to show direction. There was literally nothing besides trees and river everywhere. Sadly, we could not reach the waterfall hidden in the forest. However, we did take a quick dip in the river during some stops and it was super fun.
For those who don’t want to end up unfortunate like us, you can follow the second route. If you’re a first-timer, this will save you from getting lost.
The second and most recommended route for beginners would be the highway route. The highway trip is significantly more straightforward and shorter. You’ll need to climb a series of steps on your right side once you emerge from the tunnels to get to the highway path. Although the stairs appear to be steep, they are nevertheless climbable. You’ll come to take what appears to be a dead end if you walk straight up. But hold on, you’re not through yet. Walk further and tadaaa…. you’re right next to the Karak Highway!
Keep on walking and you’ll see an opening. Follow this straightforward path for about 15 minutes. As you walk deeper and deeper, you can already hear the gushing sounds of the waterfalls. And soon enough, you’ll finally see it. You can either descend to the base of the waterfall or go on to the top of the waterfall by following the trail ahead. I strongly advise visiting the top of the waterfall; there are likely to be fewer people and it is cleaner up there.
This location is ideal for beginners. If you enjoy the outdoors, this is a great hike for individuals who wish to put their toes in the river near the waterfall. I will definitely go back again and this time, would make sure I reach the waterfalls. For those of you planning to go there, good luck and happy hiking!
