Nature is a great therapy for a tired soul. The natural sound of water flowing, the rush of cool water over skin and all-green surroundings will leave you rejuvenated after long hours of work. For a relaxing retreat, visit these 9 waterfalls near Kuala Lumpur which requires less than an hour’s drive!
9 Waterfalls Near Kuala Lumpur / Within Klang Valley
1. Kemensah Waterfalls
Selangor has many waterfalls and rivers that are great to visit and to bathe with friends and family. If you want specifically a waterfall near Kuala Lumpur, you can go to Kemensah Waterfalls. Kemensah is behind the National Zoo which is a famous landmark in KL and Selangor. You have to go through the road leading to the back of Zoo Negara and proceed up a winding road to get to this waterfall.
To get to this waterfall you have two options which is by climbing or riding an ATV at the ATV Recreational Park which costs quite a bit too. If you want to climb on your own, you need to get a permit from the Forestry Department in Cheras. You can’t go as you please because it’s quite dangerous to roam the forest alone without the knowledge of the authorities.
Address: 68000 Ampang Jaya, Selangor.
2. Komanwel Falls
Now we will explore the Komanwel Falls located in the Komanwel Forest, opposite the Kanching Recreational Forest. Many people say that this destination is very suitable for group or private adventure activities. It is one of the nearest waterfalls from KL city centre you can find.
Among the rugged activities you can do here are horse riding, rafting, jungle trekking and flying fox. In addition, if you want to try something new, don’t miss the opportunity to try abseiling and mountain biking on the tracks provided.
For those of you who like relaxing activities, we recommend you to camp at the campsite provided. It will be fun at night. You can chat while sitting by a bonfire!
Address: Kilometer 23, Jalan Kuala Lumpur – Rawang, 48000 Rawang, Selangor.
3. Bukit Saga Waterfalls
For those who love hiking, Bukit Saga is a must-visit location and is likely to be on the list of favorite hiking locations. Bukit Saga has quite a challenging route as well. The tiredness of climbing to reach the top of Bukit Saga is rewarded with the beauty of the stunning scenery.
If you are lucky, you will find a waterfall there. The waterfall is very beautiful with a pleasant atmosphere that relieves the fatigue of climbing. Some climb just to stop and see the beauty of the waterfall and some climb in the early morning just to see the wonder of the sunrise after dawn. No need to worry if you want to bring your children along, every age can come to hike here, but safety must be taken care of individually.
Address: 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor.
4. Kanching Waterfalls
The location of this waterfall is really suitable for those of you with a family because all facilities are provided and access by vehicle here is also easy. Kanching Waterfall is a waterfall that has 7 levels and the lowest catchment area is the friendliest for families picnicking because it’s easy to access from the car parking area without having to walk far.
The main challenge here is the presence of quite a lot of wild monkeys which always watch visitors who bring food. Keep your food in a sealed bag or container. If the main waterfall catchment area is crowded by the time you arrive, don’t be quickly disappointed. Continue climbing through the trail along the river to get to the location of the waterfall on the next level. The hypothesis is that the further you walk to the upper level of the waterfall, the less crowded it will be.
Address: Kilometer 17, Jalan Rawang, Templer Baiduri, 48000 Rawang, Selangor.
5. Sungai Pisang Waterfalls
This waterfall is not recommended for families, especially those with small children because it requires jungle trekking to get to the main location of the waterfall. The location is also not in the countryside and your adventure only starts next to the KL-Karak Highway in Gombak.
The time it takes to walk through the forest to get to the waterfall is only about 30 minutes to 1 hour and the 1.5km track is not difficult and suitable for those who have never done jungle trekking. All it takes is walking without having to climb high hills and steep cliffs. If you are looking for a waterfall in Selangor that is beautiful and not crowded with visitors on the weekend, Sungai Pisang Waterfalls is highly recommended for you to explore with friends. For women, it’s best to be accompanied by a man for safety purposes.
Sungai Pisang Waterfalls is clear and the bathing area is more than enough for soaking, ‘swimming’ or perching on a rock in the river. There are no basic facilities such as toilets or changing rooms. Ideally, bring a tent and set it up in the camping area here to be used as a place to change clothes or to get a ‘feel’ of the camping atmosphere.
Address: E8, 53100 Batu Caves, Selangor.
6. Perdik Falls
Perdik Waterfall is a very suitable area for groups or colleagues who want team building activities. Challenging jungle trekking and climbing activities to Bukit Chenuang which is 850m above sea level will definitely strengthen the relationship between group members.
In addition, the peaceful atmosphere and various facilities provided make Perdik Falls in Hulu Langat an ideal location for recreation with colleagues.
Address: Batu 19 3/4 Ulu Perdik, 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor.
7. Sungai Gabai Waterfalls
If you want peace far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can come here. 23km from Cheras and located within the Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve, this waterfall near Kuala Lumpur is a type of Hill Dipterocarp Forest and Sungai Gabai Waterfall has a height of 50m. Waterfalls that are still clear, cold water, the sustainability of nature, all of this will definitely be mesmerizing to you.
You can not only take a bath with your family, but you can also have a BBQ. In addition, there are other facilities for visitors who come here, for example, parking attendants, surau and toilets. In short, Sungai Gabai Waterfall is fully equipped and you will definitely want to come again.
Address: Air Terjun Sungai Gabai, 41300 Hulu Langat, Selangor.
8. Serendah Waterfalls
If you want to take your family on a picnic at a waterfall near Kuala Lumpur that’s attractive, easy to access, child-friendly and beautiful, Serendah Waterfalls is the answer. Serendah Waterfalls is a very popular picnic destination among the people of Selangor and KL. The location is only about 30 minutes from KL via the Rawang Bypass & about 13km from Rawang City Center. Since the location is strategic and easily accessible by road, don’t be surprised if the waterfall is crowded with visitors on weekends.
Serendah Waterfalls has complete facilities for visitors such as car parking, changing rooms, gazebos, and more. For those with families and small children, you can have a picnic in the lower waterfall area which is close to the car parking area. The catchment of the waterfall below is very wide, not rocky, waist-deep and the current is also not strong.
For a more interesting view of the waterfall and less crowded on the weekend, you can climb and walk through the forest for about 200m to get to the waterfall area at the top. There is also a small, rather hilly path that you can take up to the upper waterfall area by using a vehicle such as a 4-wheel drive. Not far from the car parking area, there is a ‘natural jacuzzi’ called Freedo’s Jacuzzi that will surely make you eager to soak in it. The location of this jacuzzi is about 20-30 minutes through the forest.
Address: Kampung Orang Asli Serendah, 48200 Serendah, Selangor.
9. Sungai Tekala Waterfalls
Within Klang Valley, there are many interesting waterfalls near Kuala Lumpur where you can have a weekend picnic. One of the bathing spots in Selangor that is very easy to access is in the Sungai Tekala Recreational Forest located in Semenyih. From the car parking area, there is no need to hike far to reach the picnic area. It’s suitable for families and children to have fun in the clear river water without having to break a sweat traversing the forest trail. The river water here is also not fast and not deep.
This waterfall in Sungai Tekala is a multi-level waterfall. If the lower area is full of visitors, you can climb a little through the steps to the waterfall area on the upper level. The atmosphere in Sungai Tekala is very peaceful because it’s sheltered by a thicket of forest trees that grow tall. In fact, the riverside area is also spacious for you to spread mats and barbecue while watching the children bathe in the river.
Address: Semenyih, Selangor.
Written by Kartini Kannan
