Gunung Jerai Hiking

Gunung Jerai (Kedah) hiking from 14-16 March 2020 ... this is a difficult trip to organize as it involved carpooling, and getting a driver that can drive long distance from Kuala Lumpur is not an easy task. 

After months of planning and organizing with changes in the participants, the trip was finally proceeded as planned amid the scare of the Covid-19 virus pandemic. On 17th March morning, after viewing the Sea of Mist in Betong, we rushed back to Kuala Lumpur. We managed to return to Kuala Lumpur just before the lockdown on 18 March 2020, Wedn.

Special thanks to ChewSC, who led the team in the trails.

Do CLICK HERE to view 208 high-resolution photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

Do Click Here for sunrise photos at The Sea of Mist of Betong. 

The main activities were:

(1) Hiking Puteri Mandi Waterfall – that was a challenging trail as the rocky terrain was quite steep, one required both hands to pull one up. 

 The trail head to Puteri Mandi Waterfall

 Giant tree along the trail

 Puteri Mandi Waterfall - a huge area

 Due to the dry season, not much water is flowing

Partial group photo at Puteri Mandi Waterfall

(2) Hiking up Gunung Jerai from Titi Hayun trailhead – the first part of the trail involved almost one thousand concrete steps in ascending the steep slope, followed by jungle trails gradually gaining elevation; and almost reaching the resorts, there was a small waterfall where one can have a dip in the cold water. 

 A group photo at Regency Jerai Hill Resort before we were been transferred to the trail head

 At Titi Hayun trail head

The waterfall just before arriving at peak

Arriving at the peak where Regency Jerai Hill Resort is located ... (left) Ivy Wong, Michelle Wong, Shu-Lin, Emily Kam

Putting up a night at the executive units

(3) Overnight at the posh Regency Jerai Hill Resort – this is my favourite resort, overlooking the horizon for its beautiful sunset and sunrise.

 Not much vibrant colour of the sunset at around 7:00 p.m.

 A group photo just before the dinner

 At around 7:30 p.m. while we were having dinner, a colourful hue of the sunset appeared across the sky

 Sunrise the following morning ... photo shoot from the balcony of the room

 Regency Jerai Hill Resort

 Regency Jerai Hill Resort

Yeah! We love Jerai Hill! We will sure to return!

Posted by KC Leong

Baling Jerai Penang Hills Hike

Hiking Gunung Baling, Gunung Jerai and Penang Hill from 20 to 23 January 2018 ... the Main Plan:

Day 1 (20 Jan 2018, Saturday) – travel from KL to Sungai Pertani; hike Gunung Baling, stay in Sungai Pertani.
Day 2 (21 Jan, Sunday) – hike Gunung Jerai, stay in Regency Jerai Hill Resort;
Day 3 (22 Jan, Monday) – hike Penang Hill via Bats Trail, stay in Tanjung Bunga area;
Day 4 (23 Jan, Tuesday) – return to Kuala Lumpur.

Gunung Baling was fairly easy to hike with the ascent journey that took 1 hr 30 min. During the descent, it rained for 30 minutes at 4pm, and the dark-brown earth was very slippery. Many of the team members slipped and fell even though there is railing to assist in the descent. 

On Day 2, we hiked Gunung Jerai via Merbok Trail with a distance of 12 km that required 6 hours. It rained quite heavily at 4pm for one hour while we were still in the trail; the drizzle continued until at night. 

On Day 3, with the sunny weather, we hiked up Penang Hill via Bats Trail. One way journey to the peak took 2 hr 30 minutes. This trial eventually joins with the Heritage Trail to reach the peak. 

Special thanks to ChewSC for leading the group for Gunung Baling and Gunung Jerai hike, and Ms SK for the Bats Trail.

Do CLICK HERE to view 190 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 At the trail head of Gunung Baling, Kedah

 The rocky peak of Gunung Baling with a view of the surrounding

 At Regency Jerai Hill Resorts, Kedah

 Getting ready to hike Gunung Jerai 

 At the Merbok trail head of Gunung Jerai; on way ascent journey is 6 hours.

 Dawn at Regency Jerai Hill Resort

 Walking around at the beautiful environment of Regency Jerai Hill Resort

 Hike up Penang Hill via Bats Trail ... passing by the the many mini stupa 

 Enjoying the night view at the peak of Penang Hill

 View of Penang from the hill above with the two bridges linking the mainland

On Day 4 before returning to Kuala Lumpur ... the group put up a night near to Tanjung Bunga beach, Penang

Do CLICK HERE to view photos of the previous Gunung Jerai and Penang Hill hike from 3-5 June 2017.

Posted by KC Leong

Gunung Jerai Hike (Day 1)

Day 1 – Gunung Jerai hike and Regency Jerai Hill Resort ... Three consecutive days of hiking from 3 to 5 June 2017 (Sat to Mon): Gunung Jerai, Kedah; and Penang Hill via Moongate Trail and Heritage Trail.

We drove our cars and park at Regency Jerai Hill Resort; we then took van transport from the resort and transferred to the trail head which was located at Titi Hayun, Yan.

The Team Lead for this trail was Siang Chin, an experienced hiker who lives in Sungai Pertani. One way up to the peak for a distance of 6km was 3 hours, including time spent at the waterfall.

Located at the peak, the well-maintained Regency Jerai Hill Resort is a nice place for holidays and relaxation with a view of the padi fields, the sea and the vibrant sunset.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 (back, left) Shu-Lin, Soek Yan, Yi Ling, Lim Hoe Yin, Karen, Siang Chin (Team Lead), KC Leong;

(front) Voon Lee, Dphany Goh, Josephine, ChanHN, Siang Chin's son, Chong YF

 Trail head for Gunung Jerai hike

 A waterfall along the Gunung Jerai trail

 The trails of Gunung Jerai hike end at the botanical park of Regency Jerai Hill Resort. Gunung Jerai Team Lead, Siang Chin, is at left.

 The sky glows with golden yellow

 Vibrant colour sunset

The Regency Jerai Hill Resort ... (left) Dphany, ChongYF, Shu-Lin, Voon Lee and ChanHN.

Do CLICK HERE for Day 2 hiking (Penang Hill via Moongate trail).

Posted by KC Leong