Malaysia Hiking has seen an increase in people since 2006 making it as among the top outdoor activities in Malaysia. Though it is just a walk, the activity happens in the wilderness instead of the sidewalk and has inspired a lot of people to go for a healthier life.
Outdoor activity like hiking is beneficial to humans both physically and mentally. Study has shown that doing activity in the forest actually reduces physiological stress and anxiety, improves mood and sleep quality and also increases the feeling of liveness. In terms of physical exercise, hiking regularly can help improve fitness, burn calories to help reduce weight and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Malaysia is considered to be among the well-known destinations for outdoor activities due to its tropical climate and the diversity of flora and fauna unique to this region. It is the perfect place for an off-the-beaten path hiking experience. Ranging from mountains to beaches and forest, there are plenty of diverse and scenic landscapes to explore on foot. The rainforest of Malaysia is mostly dominated by Dipterocarpaceae family, thus the term Dipterocarp forest is widely used to describe the vegetation occurring in this country. It Is a type of forest that has the highest concentration of wildlife that creates a structure known as a web of life.
Taman Negeri Rompin, Pahang in Malaysia is a part of a bigger complex of Endau-Rompin forest blessed with amazing nature and is among the only lowland dipterocarp forest left in Peninsular Malaysia. Taman Negeri Rompin Pahang is as well covered by hill dipterocarp forest with the elevation begins from 300 meters to 750 meters above the sea level which is suitable for hiking activities with a wide array of plant species to discover. Thus, while hiking at the rainforest, some wildlife including fauna might be encountered. Watch out for the beautiful birds, squirrels, spiders, butterflies, mammals such as macaque or langur and unique plants like lianas, palm, carnivorous pitcher plant that you might encounter along the trail.
The vegetation of our tropical rainforest that is very dense makes the trails for hiking can be a bit challenging as you will come across tangled roots or loose pebble rocks, which is perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts who love to test their ultimatum. It can be a little bit hot when hiking due to the high humidity as the rainforest receives high amounts of rainfall throughout the whole year. Therefore it is suggested to bring plenty of water, raincoat, insect repellent and wear dry-fit clothes when hiking.
Before going hiking, visitors should do a little bit of study with do and don’t in the forest. Usually, if you go with a local guide, they will brief the rules and regulations before starting. But here’s a quick guide for the rules in the jungle especially for newbie hikers which is “Leave no trace”.
Here are among the “Leave no trace” principles that can be applied before hiking.
- Plan and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surface
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
Among the best trails available within Taman Negeri Rompin Pahang is Padang Tujuh, with its own unique characteristic that is not commonly seen in Malaysia. During hiking, people will notice the changes from dipterocarp forest to palm vegetation and finally the “Padang” area with its dry heath stunted forest. The difference in soil condition has caused Padang Tujuh trail to mesmerize anyone who loves hiking and has appreciation towards nature.
