As part of our preparation for our big trip to Europe later this month, we decided to go for a leisure hiking trip at Pine Tree Trail, Fraser Hill. It was Mira who insisted as according to her, the trail has clear path which was true. I was not aware that it requires 8 hours to complete the trail.
Getting to Fraser’s Hill
We departed at 7am from Kuala Lumpur city; we took the winding road to Fraser’s Hill vide Kuala Kubu Bharu. The distance is approximately 100kms passing a winding road from Gap. Other alternative for transportation is to catch a bus from Pudu Central bus terminal heading towards Kuala Kubu Bharu. It also has commuter from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kubu Bharu. From there, opt for a taxi to Fraser’s Hill.
At 10am, we were still enjoying our nasi lemak at Hamzah’s restaurant, located behind the Fraser’s Hill’s mosque. I would not call it a leisure trip without any reason.
Nicknamed The Little England of Malaysia, the colonial roots of Fraser’s Hill began from the discovery of the liveable plateau bordered by the seven hills by its namesake, Louis James Fraser. This turn of the last century adventurer never for once thought that his stumbling upon the place would lay the grounds for what the place was to become in later years.
The small hamlet of Fraser’s Hill revolves around the market square dominated by a small clock tower surrounded by picturesque colonial-style buildings which have been meticulously conserved and used as post office, police station, medical clinic, tourist information centre, inns, cafes and restaurants.
The first thing we did when we arrived at Fraser’s Hill was to register and inform the police officer at Fraser’s Hill police station that we would trek Pine Tree Trail. This is a standard procedure if you want to trek at any hills/mountains in Malaysia for the authorities would be alerted if you end up lost in the jungle especially if you trek without a qualified guide. You have to also inform the police station again once you have finished your trekking. In case anything happens, it would be easier for the authorities to arrange a rescue mission.
Nature Trail in Fraser’s Hill
There are eight nature trails named after a pioneer naturalist marked around Fraser’s Hill. Popular trails include the Kindersley Trail, Mager Trail, Abu Suradi Trail, Rompin Trail, Bishop’s Trail, Hemmant Trail, Maxwell Trail and Pine Tree Trail.
Pine Tree Trail
A 1,500 meter high mountain can be accessed near the end of the High Pines road, just before the bungalow after Seri Intan and next to TM Bungalow. The trail begins at a dead end. It is advisable that you park your car in front of the TM Bungalow. The trail is about 5.5 km long and takes about 7-8 hours and it remains the most challenging and toughest path in Fraser’s Hill. The pine tree trail is inspired by the coniferous plants that used to dot the peak.
The name is inspired by the coniferous plants that used to dot the peak. Of special note were five endemic conifer species of dacrydiums, which have all but disappeared from the peak today.The trail winds up and down across several tops and ridges before hitting the peak. The view from the peak is a panoramic vista of the surrounding landscape of forests and mountains on clear days.
Apart from the information board at 800m, there are lack of signage along the Pine Tree Trail. There are few boundary stones if you wish to take photographs with one leg in Selangor and another in Pahang. Among the flora which can be found along this trail are fan palm, pandanus, creeper plants known as lyana, wild bananas and tree ferns.
4 Comments
Never been to Bukit Fraser. Btw bila big trip to Europe? (feeling mak jemah kecoh, hiks)
You should consider going to Bukit Fraser. Cantik!
Dah balik dah, sis!
is it a hard path, if we don’t have any people to guide?
It can be considered a difficult path for amateur hikers. Boleh DIY kalau berani tapi not advisable kalau belum pernah ke sana.