Starbuczs swing~ Bukit Kiara via Mont Kiara (Opposite Kiaramas Ayuria)

Here's some quick snapshots of the jungle trail in Bukit Kiara via Mont Kiara side that I back to hike biweekly starting early this year. I've give a skip hiking here for more a year ago and change to brisk walk furthest up to Jalan Kiara 8 & Kg Palimbayan. Now I am back again because I miss the jungle. However, sad to know that there is a proposed development of 60 to 65 floors condominiums near the entrance (opposite Ayuria) via community page. Before another part of the jungle of Bukit Kiara disappears (just like what happen to the part of the jungle in current Jalan Kiara 8), I will do more hikes nowadays. Today's hike I met a couple from Singapore who purposely came for a hike of several mountains nearby during their stay in KL. They are heading to Starbuczs swing so we walk together since we are on the same trail (just go straight all the way for approx.20 mins). Thanks to them I get a picture of myself with the Starbuczs swing after helping them to take photos.

Urban Forest Public Park~ Taman Tugu

I've been waiting for this 650mil estimation cost Taman tugu project to be complete since I first find out about it from a news article in 2016 when I was writing a post for my visit to Tugu negara. It's a non profit initiative lead by Khazanah - turn this illegal dumpsite or future commercial land which was once governments quarters into urban forest park. Finally, it is officially open to the public in September 2019 and before I knew it, pandemic hits at the end of the year. After lockdowns unlock and life slowly back to normal, finally I am here during this long break of Raya holidays. Its a public park so entry and parking is FOC. Park open at 7am and close at 6.30pm. The hiking trails begins from the concrete slab wall with Taman Tugu words (refer to 1st and 2nd photo) before reaching the carpark~ a few meters walk away from the carpark. However the exit point is at the public rest area with the yellow arch next to the carpark. 

There are a few spots in the jungle to be discover along the hike. First one is this concrete retaining wall that look a water dam from far. After a 15 mins hike in the jungle, the jungle trail turn into concrete path that required to ascend in order to cross over to the otherside then descend and back to jungle path again. The bonus point of this path is able to see the city view while standing at the highest point. There's a little bit of KL Tower and Petronas twin towers view from certain angle but I did not stop to take more photos after taken one photo.

The second spot is the bamboo trail after walk across the stream via a wooden bridge, which also my favourite spot in the jungle. Here you can slow down your steps a little and enjoy the tranquil moment listening to sounds of bamboo leaves swaying in the wind, and the crunch sound from slow gravel walk. 

 

Third spot is the concrete slabs from former government quarters (homes to Malaysian government officials including Malaysia’s 1st Lord President, Malaysia’s 1st Director of Agriculture and Finance Minister Tun Tan Siew Sin) which also was home to British residences before independence.

And last spot is this observatory, few minutes hike away after these swings where I enjoyed swinging in the middle of nowhere in the jungle. Seeing this observatory also means that exit point (the yellow arch) is not far away. Don't miss to climb up to the top of this steel observatory to see the old trees that is taller than the observatory before the hike come to an end. 

Total time spent approx. one hour including those longer stops at the attraction spots. Trails are well-marked, easy route with low difficulty, even parents come with their children to enjoy the jungle park. Worth to pay a visit if you looking for a easy hike or a walk in the jungle without have to travel out from KL city. 

Sunday Hike~ Bukit Kiara via Kiaramas Ayuria

March 2021. My Sunday hike with Christal who first time came here. Hikers are getting more and more just like Saturday hikes. Less mountain bikers but more dogs lately. Today's trail is wet and muddy due to the rain a day before, I skidded several times during descending. On my way down, stopped by and step inside the bushes that full with blossoms and I love what I see. 

Today's hike : Total 8.08 km | 2 hours 41 mins 33 seconds

Bukit Gasing Forest Park~ Telecommunication Tower / Indian Temple Trail

June 2016. My parents are in town. Instead of the usual activity~ shopping and food hunting, we bring them, together with my bro, to Bukit Gasing for a hike since they never been to any park and forest in KL before. After our last hike in Bukit Gasing to the watch tower and suspension bridge one and a half year, Hubby and I have not been come to Bukit Gasing since our last hike to watch tower and suspension bridge in August 2014. We begin from main entrance, it was an easy walk until we reach the intersection where turn left will be the trail to watch tower and suspension bridge; and turn right will lead us to telecommunication tower / Indian temple. First few minutes it is still easy trail, then suddenly it turns into steep slopes inside the jungle and it become a tough hike. We take a break several times in between as its too tough for my mom who hardly workout. We practically climbing up by holding onto the roots and trees for the last 50 meter before reaching the top. 

And this is what is what we see at the top - concrete pillars and walls of the Indian temple, telecommunication tower and city view of KL and PJ in wide angle from the highest point of Bukit Gasing Forest Park. Total journey takes about 20 minutes when we reach the top. Too bad my mom can't see this view from top as the last 50 meters is too steep for her, she decided to give up and wait for us. After spending about 5 minutes on top (under burning hot sun), we went down via the same route (see last picture) since my mom is waiting. Prompt into a frequent hiker and he told us that there is another longer but slightly easier trail that can reach the top next to the Indian Temple. Still have no clear idea about Bukit Gasing trail, we shall come back again next time to try again other trails.

Hikes at Bukit Gasing~ Watch Tower & Suspension Bridge

August 2014. We went to Bukit Gasing twice this month. It says to have easy to moderate hiking trails where we can do a short hike in an hour or longer hike probably 2 hours by going for a loop. First visit we couldn't locate the main entrance as google map has few staring point when we search for Bukit Gasing hiking trail. We chose the nearest one and end up begin at a path between old bungalows or residential house with a signage says Trail 4. It has a red color bridge that lead us into jungle and the suspension bridge is just few meters away from where we start. Second time we arrived the main entrance with no mistake after studied all the starting points one by one on google map. It is the one located along Jalan Tanjong 5/4 intersection with Jalan Telok. There is a children playground less than 2 mins walk away where you can use it as "landmark" to locate the main gate. There's no parking area so everyone just park along the roadside near the park entrance as long as it is not obstruct traffic. The trails are not marked but seems like everyone is familiar with park? We just follow anyone walk along the proper trail, try out different route by turn left or turn right when we reach an intersection. We reach the watch tower and the suspension bridge in our second time here.

It's an easy trail, with very little ascending and descending. In about 20 minutes we arrived at the watch tower. The staircase only can allow one person up or down each time, also quite small space to fit many people. We took a short break with the jungle and greenery view from top. From here we could see the telecommunication tower and Indian temple which is also one of destination we want to reach in Bukit Gasing. We then leave the watch tower to give way to others who also coming up to enjoy it the view and continue our walk further up. In another 20 mins later we reach the suspension bridge that we were here before in our first visit. After crossing to the other side of the suspension bridge, a familiar red wooden bridge appears and we confirmed that's trail 4 where we begin in our first visit. We did not go further and decided to return to park entrance since we only aim to hike for an hour today. I will blog again when we hike to the telecommunication tower next time.