The 100 Most Prominent Mountains in Malaysia

The following article is taken from ‘Exploring Malaysia’s Mountains‘ (2024).

Most hikers in Malaysia are familiar with the concept of the G7, the seven mountains that are over
7,000 feet (2,134 metres) above sea level in Peninsular Malaysia. This list often gets combined with
peaks from Sarawak and Sabah to create a longer list, and one which seems to change frequently or
according to which source you read. The biggest problem with these lists is that there is no criteria
which defines what a separate mountain is from a neighbouring one, so we end up with high peaks on
the list which are really just part of a ridge leading to an even higher peak.

The best way to fix this problem is to cease categorizing peaks based only on their height above sea
level, and instead bring in the concept of topographic prominence. A peak’s prominence, drop, or
relative height is a measure of its dominance over the surroundings. It is formulated by subtracting the
elevation of the peak’s key col (or ‘saddle’) from the peak’s elevation. Every peak which is not the
highest point of an island has a unique key col which is the lowest point on the highest connecting col to
higher ground. A different way of explaining prominence is the height of the mountain’s summit above
the lowest contour line encircling it but containing no higher peak within it. It’s sounds complex but
once familiar it is incredibly intuitive and, best of all, objective.

I have put together a list of the hundred most prominent mountains in Malaysia, based on various
sources. There are several about which very little is known and almost certainly some peaks which have
never been summited as they lie in incredibly remote areas with no trails and do not even have official
names. It is therefore a fantastic challenge, though reaching the top of all 100 might turn out to be
impossible.

Some important information on the data presented below. ‘Gn’ is used for Gunung. ‘Bk’ is used for
Bukit. An asterisk next to a mountain name means it is a derived name from a local landscape feature,
such as a local river or settlement discernible on one of the sources used and may therefore be replaced
in future based on new research. The figures are given to the nearest metre. The data for many cols may
only be accurate to within 10 or 20 metres, depending on the quality of the source, so the order of the
list is almost inevitably going to change in the future. ‘Drop’ is the same as prominence. The locations
are taken as raw data from Andrew Kirmse’s Every Mountain In The World website so in some cases are
only approximate.

The data follows this format:
Rank (prominence order from 1 to 100)
Name
Height (elevation in metres) and drop (prominence or P, in metres)
Region (Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, or Sabah)
Notes and location (co-ordinates)

G1
Gn Kinabalu
4095m, P4095
Sabah
Highest in Malaysia. 6.0858, 116.5772

G2
Gn Tahan
2187m, P2140
Semenanjung
Highest in Peninsular Malaysia. 4.6328, 102.2344

G3
Gn Mulu
2376m, P2025
Sarawak
4.0456, 114.9300

G4
Gn Korbu
2183m, P1993
Semenanjung
Highest in the Titiwangsa Range. 4.6897, 101.2972

G5
Gn Murud
2423m, P1967
Sarawak
Highest in Sarawak. 3.9050, 115.4883

G6
Gn Benum
2107m, P1950
Semenanjung
Highest in Benum Range. 3.8231, 102.0942

G7
Gn Trusmadi
2643m, P1702
Sabah
Second highest in Malaysia. 5.5522, 116.5144

G8
Bk Batu
2040m, P1574
Sarawak
Very little information online. 2.2494, 113.7183

G9
Gn Bintang
1862m, P1566
Semenanjung
Highest in Bintang Range. 5.4286, 100.8658

G10
Gn Kanyi
1570m, P1539
Sarawak
On border w/ West Kalimantan. 1.7208, 109.6683

G11
Gn Bubu
1657m, P1494
Semenanjung
Known for its many leeches. 4.6819, 100.8072

G12
Gn Teranu Indah Abadi
1571m, P1334
Semenanjung
Highest in Pantai Timur Range. 4.7333, 102.8722

G13
Gn Lotung
1805m, P1313
Sabah
4.8694, 116.9822

G14
Gn Monkobo
1830m, P1303
Sabah
5.8200, 116.9558

G15
Gn Lawit
1519m, P1292
Semenanjung
5.4247, 102.5900

G16
Gn Tapis
1512m, P1227
Semenanjung
4.0125, 102.9100

G17
Gn Ledang
1276m, P1204
Semenanjung
2.3728, 102.6078

G18
Gn Jerai
1217m, P1184
Semenanjung
5.7869, 100.4347

G19
Gn Imbak *
1490m, P1168
Sabah
5.0689, 117.2061

G20
Bk Bulud Tawai
1311m, P1168
Sabah
5.5158, 117.1245

G21
Bk Kalulong
1600m, P1149
Sarawak
3.2186, 114.6669

G22
Banjaran Dulit
1461m, P1148
Sarawak
3.1575, 114.3206

G23
Gn Mudung Dadu
2050m, P1131
Sarawak
On border w/ North Kalimantan. 1.5764, 114.6128

G24
Bk Meliat
1593m, P1117
Sabah
4.4153, 116.9517

G25
Gn Melatai
1923m, P1104
Sarawak
On border w/ West Kalimantan. 1.3100, 113.5670

G26
Gn Ulu Soh
1324m, P1090
Semenanjung
5.0833, 101.0978

G27
Gn Bujang Melaka
1234m, P1083
Semenanjung
4.3336, 101.2017

G28
Gn Magdalena
1312m, P1065
Sabah
4.4978, 117.9281

G29
Gn Ulu Titi Basah
1533m, P1059
Semenanjung
5.8053, 101.3072

G30
Gn Antulai
1609m, P1043
Sabah
4.6767, 116.3478

G31
Gn Chamah
2171m, P1041
Semenanjung
5.2283, 101.5731

G32
Gn Kajang
1038m, P1038
Semenanjung
Highest point of Tioman island. 2.7697, 104.1536

G33
Gn Ulu Bakar / Palas
1391m, P1029
Semenanjung
4.3031, 102.9172

G34
Gn Liang
1933m, P1020
Semenanjung
3.8025, 101.5919

G35
Gn Murud Kecil
1626m, P1020
Sarawak
3.3342, 115.1367

G36
Bk Kana
1073m, P1019
Sarawak
2.6661, 112.8564

G37
Bk Pelamau
1265m, P999
Sarawak
3.9392, 114.8497

G38
Bk Mererong
1235m, P991
Sarawak
3.1725, 113.9397

G39
Gn Besar
1036m, P986
Semenanjung
Endau-Rompin National Park. 2.5197, 103.1478

G40
Gn Sarut
1229m, P985
Semenanjung
5.3311, 102.7225

G41
Gn Rabong
1538m, P980
Semenanjung
4.8461, 102.0633

G42
Gn Belukun *
1345m, P979
Sarawak
3.1164, 114.9564

G43
Gn Belumut
1010m, P975
Semenanjung
2.0425, 103.5611

G44
Gn Batu Putih
2130m, P974
Semenanjung
4.2239, 101.4414

G45
Gn Apad Runan
2099m, P973
Sarawak
On border w/ North Kalimantan. 3.4506, 115.5869

G46
Gn Bahau *
1896m, P970
Sarawak
On border w/ North Kalimantan. 2.1944, 114.7514

G47
Gn Inarat *
1427m, P969
Sabah
4.9889, 117.0583

G48
Gn Peninjau
1058m, P966
Semenanjung
Highest in Kledang range. 4.7125, 101.0469

G49
Minduk Sirung
2081m, P960
Sabah
5.8183, 116.3730

G50
Gn Pedian *
1264m, P960
Sarawak
2.8925, 114.0197

G51
Bk Pagon
1875m, P955
Sarawak
Lower peak is highest in Brunei. 4.2928, 115.3219

G52
Gn Nenggiri *
1291m, P951
Semenanjung
5.1236, 101.9267

G53
Gn Malubuk *
1277m, P946
Sabah
4.9514, 117.5158

G54
Gn Lerek
1031m, P926
Semenanjung
3.7883, 102.7381

G55
Gn Betong *
1265m, P924
Semenanjung
5.9133, 101.0436

G56
Gn Gerah
2103m, P917
Semenanjung
5.0169, 101.4453

G57
Gn Entangai *
1018m, P917
Sarawak
2.1883, 112.6320

G58
Bk Meliau
1321m, P912
Sabah
5.8511, 117.1219

G59
Gn Ulu Kali
1772m, P910
Semenanjung
At Genting Highlands. 3.4358, 101.7845

G60
Gn Lemanak *
1270m, P909
Sarawak
1.4669, 111.9683

G61
Gn Mayeng *
1013m, P909
Sarawak
2.5161, 113.1067

G62
Gn Gagau
1376m, P908
Semenanjung
4.7617, 102.6544

G63
Gn Kenderong
1223m, P903
Semenanjung
5.5119, 101.0764

G64
Gn Lumaku
1953m, P895
Sabah
4.8411, 115.7608

G65
Gn Penrissen
1326m, P893
Sarawak
On border w/ West Kalimantan. 1.1133, 110.2247

G66
Gn Hijau
1448m, P892
Semenanjung
Highest peak at Bukit Larut. 4.8589, 100.8156

G67
Gn Benarat
1615m, P890
Sarawak
At Mulu Park. 4.1606, 114.9236

G68
Gn Mubau
1265m, P889
Sarawak
On border w/ West Kalimantan. 1.5703, 112.6489

G69
Gn Pandiwan *
1418m, P887
Sabah
4.8939, 116.3753

G70
Gn Katih Patah *
1582m, P885
Sarawak
3.5869, 115.1500

G71
Gn Raya
881m, P881
Semenanjung
Highest point of Langkawi island. 6.3689, 99.8186

G72
Gn Rek *
1298m, P878
Semenanjung
5.3914, 102.4208

G73
Gn Bela Ujan *
1263m, P871
Sarawak
1.6856, 112.8564

G74
Gn Tinjar *
1092m, P871
Sarawak
3.3344, 114.3628

G75
Gn Laris
1073m, P870
Semenanjung
4.1319, 102.6783

G76
Gn Serapi
911m, P868
Sarawak
1.5847, 110.1939

G77
Gn Irong
1190m, P866
Semenanjung
4.1475, 102.8136

G78
Bk Tantelawan *
1360m, P865
Sabah
On border w/ North Kalimantan. 4.3836, 116.7458

G79
Gn Inas
1801m, P862
Semenanjung
5.2647, 100.9514

G80
Gn Gading
892m, P861
Sarawak
1.7136, 109.8364

G81
Bk Ulu Lalat
1042m, P860
Semenanjung
4.9914, 101.8772

G82
Gn Lebayo *
985m, P858
Sabah
4.4142, 117.3339

G83
Gn Nuang
1493m, P856
Semenanjung
3.2639, 101.9058

G84
Gn Santubong
850m, P850
Sarawak
1.7356, 110.3331

G85
Bk Batu Lawun
1215m, P847
Sarawak
3.6939, 114.8250

G86
Gn Tambuyukon
2579m, P844
Sabah
6.2039, 116.6597

G87
Gn Meranto *
1194m, P836
Semenanjung
5.1950, 101.9680

G88
Mudung Keluan
1540m, P835
Sarawak
3.2278, 114.7278

G89
Gn Koyan *
1237m, P834
Sarawak
3.1392, 114.0178

G90
Western Hill
833m, P833
Semenanjung
Highest point of Penang island. 5.4269, 100.2525

G91
Gn Kermas *
1518m, P831
Semenanjung
4.7647, 102.1161

G92
Gn Temadoh *
966m, P821
Sarawak
3.3972, 114.2558

G93
Gn Lesong
830m, P813
Sarawak
1.2625, 111.1567

G94
Gn Rawan
910m, P811
Sarawak
On border w/ West Kalimantan. 0.9069, 110.4461

G95
Gn Apeng
930m, P805
Sarawak
On border w/ West Kalimantan. 1.0433, 111.0572

G96
Gn Bunan *
1290m, P797
Sarawak
3.4714, 114.9019

G97
Gn Noring
1889m, P794
Semenanjung
5.3964, 101.7386

G98
Gn Tungku
928m, P794
Semenanjung
3.8656, 102.2480

G99
Gn Telapak Buruk
1193m, P790
Semenanjung
2.8411, 102.0689

G100
Gn Unyok Tapang
1990m, P790
Sarawak
Close to North Kalimantan. 2.8167, 115.0831

Given the inaccuracies in data, it’s possible the list may get a little reordered, so here are the next 10
that currently appear to miss out on being in the top 100 but may get promoted based on new data.

G101
Gn Perak
865m, P789
Semenanjung
5.9647, 100.6364

G102
Gn Semuja Tamiang
817m, P789
Sarawak
1.1128, 110.5800

G103
Gn Jelangai *
1583m, P785
Sarawak
2.0242, 114.4267

G104
Gn Bedung
1469m, P779
Semenanjung
4.5869, 101.6711

G105
Bk Brentin
973m, P777
Semenanjung
4.6772, 101.9447

G106
Gn Ulu Sepat
2161m, P775
Semenanjung
5.1400, 101.4833

G107
Bk Lanas *
862m, P773
Semenanjung
5.7844, 101.9289

G108
Bk Batu Iran
2018m, P773
Sarawak
3.8683, 115.2739

G109
Bk Pemancar *
1004m, P763
Semenanjung
4.8425, 101.9086

G110
Gn Serudong *
1484m, P762
Sabah
4.4817, 117.1056