View from the path in front of Cicely bungalow
This is a mountain village in Pahang, two hours away from Kuala Lumpur, Peninsular Malaysia, 400km away from Singapore. It is known for its highland rainforest and extensive birdlife. The place is not well developed, does not have public transport routes from major destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. For most visitors to Fraser's Hill, either self driving or hire vehicle with driver. There are no taxi service available in town as well. A very a limited range of hotels and resorts here. I will talk about my favorited stay in next post.
There are no WIFI in all hotels, Don't have network coverage most of the time during my stay, though I bought data roaming in Singapore. The only one Chinese restaurant near the clock tower (center of town) open once a year during Bird Race.
Basically, it is just a very quiet small town, a paradise for nature lovers but not for city babies.
Talk about nature, except bird watching, there are many other wild life here, beautiful wild flowers, unique insects, and several nature hiking trails for you to explore. According to the information on the Pahang tourist web site, There are 8 trails that have been developed for visitors over the years. I make a simple list below for my next visit.
1. Hemmant Trail
This is the easiest one km trail to walk. One of the entrance is located behind the Sultan Mahmud Mosque, which you can park the car near by. The other entrance is located at the junction towards Jalan Valley which leading to Whittington Bungalow, another quiet path for birding.
The path along the trail mainly flat though have some ups and downs stairs, slippery at parts. Beware of leeches and falling down trees during monsoon seasons. Primary rainforest mostly unspoiled here, we have some birds observed and photographed along this trail while we enjoying bird chirping and insect humming.
2. Abu Suradi Trail
The entrance is located just opposite the Sultan Mahmud Mosque. This is a short trail about 500m long but has many steps ups and downs, slippery at some points, certain stretch of the trail has ropes for you to hold on to. The shelters and benches along the trail are all spoiled. Not well maintained trails.
I have hiked through this trail last year, can't find anything special. We went in from another entrance just next to Mager trail ( Opposite the entrance to old Jelai Highland Resort) after passing Allen's water area and exit at the mosque.
3. Mager Trail
This a continuation of the Abu Suradi Trail and will lead you all the way down to the Gap. The Gap used to be the place where vehicles queued up to Fraser hill when there was only one road that was used by both traffic. Another road has been constructed and we do not have to queue up to go up or down the hill now. Again, I was told that Gap is a good bird watching point too. We saw some birders taking photographs on the last day when we drove down from Fraser Hill.
4. Bishop Trail
It is about 1.5km trail, 150m from Silver Park Resort. Popular birding point at the entrance of the trail which is quite near to the Hemmant Trail, Bishop trail exit from opposite of Muar Cottage.
There are quite a bit of steep inclines and descend, It is not easy for going uphill and downhill if you not fit enough. Overall this is a nice trail worth for trying though I couldnt finish a complete loop. Thick tropical rain forest with all the sounds of the jungle surrounding us, Birds singing everywhere but need sharp eyes to see them, dim light and thick forest made photographing birds very challenging. Nice lush vegetation all the way. We met a family of three who have completed Bishop trail told us that some parts of the trail before Muar Cottage are the most difficult to walk, you have to crawl through a tunnel of vegetation at one point. So I think keep myself fit and not growing fat is very important. By the way this trail is "famous" of leeches too, do wear long sleeve tops and track bottoms, long socks and shoes.
Muar Cottage
5. Rompin Trail (To be explored next round)
It is not far from The Smokehouse Semantan bungalow (now Ye Olde Smokehouse)
"The Rompin Trail is the name given to a short and incredibly steep jungle trail linking the Rompin corner, halfway at the Semantan Road, to the Taman Sungai Hijau flats. The trail is literally vertical, with steps actually dug out in the cliffs and in some parts wooden ladders and railings are added." the trail is almost abandoned except for a few weekend tourists who try the trail now and then. The trail is extremely slippery and quite dangerous during the rainy season."
6. Kindersley Trail (To be explored next round)
The 0.3-kilometer trail is one of the shortest trail of all Frasers Hill trails. It connects Lady Guillemard Road at Aubyn Corner (now there is a Telecom sub-station opposite the entrance of the trail) to the access road of the Methodist Mission Bungalow.
7. Maxwell Trail (To be explored next round)
This 2km long trail begins at an opening immediately off the boundary of Whittington bungalow and Muar Cottage, passes Cicely bungalow (now renamed Kuantan bungalow) and the Staff House (Jerantut), another entrance near the Pine Resort beside the compound of Tamil school
View from the path in front of Cicely bungalow
8. Pine Tree Hill trail (Close now! To be explored next round)
This is the longest and also the most challenging trail in Fraser's Hill. The trail is 5.5km long and most people take 7 to 8 hours to trek to the summit and back again. I am not sure if I would able to make it though. The Trail's highest point is 1505m above sea level. It can be accessed near the end of the High Pines road, just before the bungalow after Seri Intan.
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