Facts
- Elevation: 884 m (2,900 ft)
- Prominence: 656 m
- Ribu category: Spesial
- Province: Sabah (Malaysia)
- Google Earth: kml
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Bagging It!
Bukit Silam (Silam Hill) is a small but relatively prominent peak on the north-east coast of Borneo overlooking Darvel Bay. A road leads up to radio masts and Menara Kayangan (Tower of Heaven), a tower that is over 30 metres high and provides excellent views to the coastline. From the top of this tower (which is at 620 metres above sea level at the base) there are two routes to the peak so a circuit is the best option. The Kayangan Trail takes just 45 minutes to the summit and the longer Kalung-Kalungan Trail takes 2 and a half hours. Allow around 4 hours in total from Menara Kayangan including some time spent at the summit itself.
Look out for small red Silam crabs in the forest, which are quite similar to the red crabs found on Indonesia’s Gunung Ranai in the Riau Islands. There are also lots of pitcher plants and orchids.
There is actually accommodation available near the tower and can be booked in advance via Sabah Forestry Dept.
Practicalities
- Getting there: It is less than 30 minutes from Lahad Datu and just over two hours from Tawau.
- Permits: The gates are open daily from 8am – 5pm and you can buy a ticket there.
- Water sources: Currently unknown so take enough bottled water with you.
A Gunung Bagging trip to Bukit Silam is likely to happen on 6th July 2023. If you are interested in joining please reply to this message ASAP or contact via the contact page. Thanks, Dan.