Hiking is one of the best activities to work up a sweat besides taking IG-worthy photos of scenery. If you are ever in The Land Below The Wind, have a go at any one of these 9 scenic Sabah hiking trails for your next hiking trip!
9 Scenic Sabah Hiking Trails
1. Mount Kinabalu Trail
The activity of climbing Mount Kinabalu is a must in a lifetime for hiking fans or for those who like extreme activities.
Mount Kinabalu is the highest in Southeast Asia and is a magnificent mountain located on the West Coast of Sabah. As the most famous among Sabah hiking trails, it’s protected as a World Heritage Site. In addition, Mount Kinabalu is also one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia with a height of 4095.2m above sea level.
First-time climbers are usually advised to stay at Taman Kinabalu or the highland resort in Kundasang one night before the climb for the purpose of acclimatization to the high altitude.
Address: Ranau, Sabah.
2. Bukit Sim Sim
Along the way to climb this hill, there are many facilities provided such as stairs to make it easier for visitors to climb this hill. There are rest huts provided for those who want to rest. You may also have the chance to see some types of orchids that grow wild while hiking.
From the top of Bukit Sim Sim, visitors can see the beauty of the vast sea view, visitors will be able to see Pulau Berhala Laut and other small islands around Sandakan. In addition, you can also see the beauty of the Sandakan District Mosque, Sim Sim Village and other surrounding areas.
Address: 147, Lor Astana Heights 3, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah.
3. Bukit Botak Trail
Located about 21km from Kota Kinabalu, Bukit Bonduk (aka Bukit Botak/Gundul) in Sepanggar is one of the best hiking spots you can visit while in the city. The length of the trail is about 1.5km (one way) and it will take less than an hour for an average fit person to reach the top.
The view from above will overlook Sepanggar Bay which houses the Sepanggar Bay Container Terminal, the main naval base for the Royal Malaysian Navy as well as the Sepanggar Bay Oil Terminal.
Address: 89200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
4. Bukit Padang
Bukit Padang is located inside Tun Fuad Stephens Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. In this park you can jog, hike and there’s also a seafood restaurant. The path has two branches, choose any one to reach the top.
Throughout the climb to the top of Bukit Padang, we can enjoy nature with the sound of crickets and the refreshing sound of waterfalls. Inhale the air to your heart’s content because the air here is not polluted by smoke.
Address: 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
5. Bukit Kopungit
Bukit Kopungit is usually the focus of hikers who live near the center of Kota Kinabalu. The hiking trail is 2.3km long with an elevation of 176m above sea level. The view is beautiful and amazing in the evening.
Address: 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
6. Bukit Janggut
Climbing Bukit Janggut is no different from some of the hills around Sepanggar Bay. In addition to the challenging route and when you are at the top you are presented with a beautiful view around Sepanggar Bay and Menggatal, Bukit Janggut has its own attraction which is romantic verses that are either written on a sign placed on a tree, a climbing route or mounted on a hanger during the climb to the top of the hill.
Among the pleasing verses are “Be careful, getting lost in the forest is not as beautiful as getting lost in your heart”, “When your heart and my heart meet on the road, there are two hearts there, which is to be careful on the road”, “How far is it?, Ok bah kalau kau” and “Climbers never complain because they appreciate the blessing when they reach the top”.
Address: Malawa, Sepanggar Bay Road, 88450 Kota Kinabalu.
7. Nuluh Lapai
Although it’s said to be located in Tuaran, but if you observe the hill gets its name from the Kadazandusun language, which is Nuluh meaning hill, while the climbing Lapai is actually shared with Sepanggar and Tuaran.
Although the climb starts in Kampung Gayang, when going down the hill, hikers use a different route than the climbing expedition entering Kampung Lapasan before going to Kampung Gayang which is the starting and ending location of the climb.
The ascent of the hill is not difficult as most of the route is sloping, while the descent using a separate route has some steep slopes and requires the use of a rope.
Address: Jalan Sulaman, 89200 Tuaran, Sabah.
8. Bukit Perahu
This hill is quite high and it seems that throughout the journey there’s no flat road to pamper the feet to relax for a while from constantly trying to hike. The time to climb Bukit Perahu is less than an hour. Not too hard but helpful enough to force the sweat out of the pores of the skin.
Every peak is always presented with a beautiful view as far as the eye can see. At the top of Bukit Perahu, you can see the entire Tamparuli area. Sunrise and sunset from the top of this hill look more luxurious than when we see it from a lower place.
Address: 89250 Tamparuli, Sabah.
9. Maragang Hill
The hiking trail to Maragang Hill was opened on 16 September 2017 by the local community there and managed by Mevoc Kg Mesilou, Kundasang. The word maragang is taken in conjunction with the name Lotong Merah which is only found in the Borneo area. This animal is difficult to find because of its unfriendly nature. Originally this track was opened for the local community for recreation. However, it became so popular because of its beauty.
Address: 89308 Kundasang, Sabah.
Written by Kartini Kannan
Which of these Sabah hiking trails are you ready to explore?
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