The peninsula has a range of scenic accessible heights as well as steep shrouded mountains.
For starters, there are less arduous climbs with well-marked trails at popular sites such as the legendary Gunung Ledang in Johor, historic Gunung Jerai in Kedah or Gunung Angsi in Negeri Sembilan where trips take several hours to a day to complete. These are easily accessible and guides are not compulsory.
Gunung Berembun and Gunung Brinchang in the Cameron Highlands offer sweeping views of tea and vegetable plantations and are ideal for those who prefer light trekking. The latter at 2032m is the highest point that can be reached by road in Peninsular Malaysia.
Those who want more than a leisure outing can choose a summit that requires a journey through the wilderness first. Gunung Gagau in Taman Negara is a day’s climb, but to reach the base you need to traverse lake, river and jungle and throw in a cave or two along the way before the peak rewards you with a view of three states.
For a bigger challenge, head to Gunung Tahan, the highest point in the peninsula. The 130km return journey takes up to eight days and traverses over rainforests, tricky rivers and mountain ridges in the unspoilt heart of Taman Negara. It is compulsory to hire an experienced guide.