Bunga Buah

Facts

• Elevation: 1,430 m (4,692 ft)
• Prominence: 502 m
• Ribu category: Spesial
• Province: Peninsular Malaysia
• Malaysian state: Selangor
• Range: Banjaran Titiwangsa / Main Range
• Google Earth kml
• Rating: (1 votes) Add your rating
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• Other names: none.

Photos

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Gunung Bunga Buah (‘mountain of flowers and fruit’) is the best hike near Genting Highlands, and that is not only because the highest peak of Gunung Ulu Kali is out of bounds. The mountain has a huge amount to recommend it and it’s one of the easiest to navigate of any peaks in Malaysia. Access remains a grey area but it is hoped that responsible use of the pleasant trail will eventually lead to a more official arrangement.

The trail begins in Gohtong Jaya, which is approximately halfway up to the top of Genting Highlands and was named after the founder Lim Goh Tong. As Wikipedia states, “he was renowned for transforming Genting Highlands from an unexplored hilltop into one of the world’s most successful casino resorts.” That sentence is likely to evoke a mixture of emotions in the hearts of those who love hiking in wild places. Genting Highlands includes Gunung Bunga Buah. You cannot get a regular forestry permit for this hike but trekking here appears to be tolerated though the Malaysian firefighers supposedly occasionally use this trail for training.

The F30 Chinese restaurant (Foodtaste Thirty) in Gohtong Jaya is the best place to park, though you are advised to get some parking coupons from the local shop just in case and also be mindful of what appears to be a planned new development nearby named Breez Hill. As the trailhead is at an elevation of nearly 900 metres above sea level, the amount of ascent required on this hike is much less than normal and the conditions are less humid than is the norm. Sometimes a dog from F30 will follow you on the hike and sometimes not. Interestingly, the trailhead is in Pahang but the peak is in Selangor. Behind the restaurant is a small Buddhist shrine. You can head steeply up the hillside to the left or the right, but the left is recommended as it is less steep and features an open, grassy area (thanks to the cogon grass known as ‘lalang’) with some views.

After around 20 minutes of fairly steep ascent you will find yourself on asphalt (1,068m). An old road. Indeed, this is the original road up to Genting Highlands, now long abandoned to Mother Nature. It is quite peculiar to imagine cars travelling along this way but they certainly once did in considerable number. Be sure to remember this point for your descent.

Follow the road to the left, and stay left at a junction, as the old road leads gently up past an old quarry (1,090m). Look out for orchids in this area. This is fairly easy walking and there are occasional moments where you may have a view on either side of the old road. Some parts of the road have already turned into rubble whereas others remain in quite good condition. The road leads below a minor peak called Gunung Rawang Matahari (apprximately 1,224m), which on Google translates to either the somewhat dark ‘hollow sun’ or the inspiring ‘solar plexus’. Mount Solar Plexus sounds worth a visit and it’s only 15 minutes each way (from the junction at 1,138m) but there are no views at the top so it should really only be considered on your descent if you remain hungry for more.

Straight on along the old road eventually leads to a sign on the right (1,128m) for Gunung Bunga Buah. You should have reached this spot in about 1 hour total from the trailhead. This is the real trailhead, the real point at which you head off-road and into the forest. And the first section is steep and muddy up to a minor peak (1,164m) and comes before a significant descent. Once past the col (1,059m) and onto the re-ascent, Checkpoint 1 / Pertama (1,105m) is soon reached, after only 20 minutes from the old road. The trail continues past a water source sign on the left (1,148m) and in another 20 minutes you will be at Checkpoint 2 / Kedua (1,226m). Not long after Checkpoint 2 are a couple of wildlife camera traps (1,214m) in a little dip and after a third 20 minutes you will be at the very scenic Rock Garden (1,249m), an hour from the old Genting road, or two hours from the trailhead. 

Rock Garden is the place for photos, with Gunung Ulu Kali up at the top of Genting Highlands clearly visible on the right side of the narrow, rocky ridge. There are some beautifully gnarled tree branches here which make for wonderful images. The rock, the branches, and the hills in the distance.

From Rock Garden to the summit is less than an hour. There are a few muddy places and some spots where you need to crouch down to get through. Just two minutes prior to the true summit is a grassy opening (1,429m) with some excellent views on the left to the edge of Kuala Lumpur. And the true summit itself is crowned not only with summit signs and a beirut but also with a lime tree.

Most hikers should be at the top in around 3 hours. The descent is faster, closer to 2 or 2.5 hours.

Bagging information by Dan Quinn (August 2024)

Practicalities

• Getting there: Gohtong Jaya is easy to reach from Kuala Lumpur, being located on the main road up to Genting Highlands. For Malaysian domestic flights and flights within Southeast Asia, for example to Kuala Lumpur, we recommend Baolau.
• Guides and GPS Tracks: Want a PDF version for your phone? Looking for a guide? Need GPS tracks and waypoints? Gunung Bunga Buah information pack can be downloaded here.
• Permits: Forestry permits cannot be issued for Gunung Bunga Buah as it is part of Genting. Technically it is private land but responsible access appears to be tolerated and will hopefully be more formally accepted in the near future.
• Water sources: Available off the trail on the left between Checkpoints 1 and 2. But it is much easier to bring sufficient supplies with you.
• Accommodation: Try the Booking.com map above or use this link to search for suitable hotels, homestays, resorts and apartments for your trip.
• We recommend Safety Wing as travel insurance for overseas travellers and tourists hiking up to elevations not exceeding 4500 metres.

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