Pine Tree Trail – A Step Into Enchanted Forest

Disclaimer: This is a throwback post on a hike I did on 31 August 2016

About Pine Tree Trail

Located in Fraser Hill, Pine Tree Trail is a scenic hiking trail, suitable for beginner and seasoned hikers looking for a leisure hike with chilling temperature. None of us have been there before and we were excited to explore this new gem (at least for us) after reading it online. It's said to be chilling (yes, after being there, i concur) and the entire hike will take approximately 3-4 hrs to the peak and another 3-4hrs to descend. The hike is about 5.5km one way, making it a total 11km for the entire hike.

The Trail’s highest point is 1500m above sea level. Although this is only 300 metres higher than the starting altitude of around 1200m, the path undulates considerably and the actual height climbed is probably closer to 1500m.

Pine Tree Trail Entrance (trail head) | 49000 Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia

The trail

We departed from KL as early as 5 in the morning and arrived at 7.30am. After filling up our stomach with breakfast from a nearby Malay warung, we drove to the trail entrance which is located just after the Telekom Malaysia Bungalow on High Pines Road.

The entrance to Pine Tree Trail

It was 8.15am when we set off from the trail head. The trail towards Pine Tree Peak is very straightforward and wide. From the entrance, we first passed by several gazebos, before walking down a couple of stone stairs, then ascending uphill again, and down another stone stairs, then going up again. It doesn’t feel taxing on the way in, but this repeating descent-ascent-descent-ascent is quite arduous on our way out.

Clear, wide pathway

The alpine climate of Fraser Hill is quite pleasing, as we did not sweat that much. It was cooling when we started but as we moved on, our body generated heat, but this was countered by the cool weather. Therefore, you neither perspire or shiver. It’s the perfect weather for hiking. Nonetheless, it is still advisable to bring jackets in case the temperature drops too much. Although it’s not a long hike, other emergency gears such as headlights, raincoats, food supplies is also recommended. 

Beautiful tree along the way

A nice photo spot

  

There were quite a number of uphill climbs, followed by steep, slick downhill terrain to overcome. But this constant undulating trek is distracted by the beautiful forest.

Both of us using decathlon bag

The forest is full of lianas, or affectionately known as “Tarzan’s Ropes” which are various woody vines that are long-stemmed and rooted at ground level. They are typical in the rainforest of South East Asia and use trees for vertical support to get the light they need through the canopy of the forest.

Fallen tree

As we ventured deeper into the forest, it is engulfed in the midst of a thick canopy of tall trees with sun light creeping through. The forest is also full of insects, birds and beautiful plants, which is a good distraction from the long distance to the peak. With all these and the chilling weather, I can’t help but felt like I had stepped into an enchanted forest!

So beautiful

Pine Tree Peak – 1456m

Right before Pine Tree Peak, we would need to climb up a steep slope with rope. Ropes are installed at both sides, so we needed to find steady foothold, then grab tightly to the ropes or lianas and haul ourselves up.

Traffic congestion here

It doesn’t take too long for all three of us as we have had some experience in hiking small hills, but it could be challenging to newbies. I honestly enjoyed this type of trail.

Reach Pine Tree Peak!

We reached the first peak (Pine Tree - elevation 1448m) at 10.30am, which is just right after the rope section. The peak is hidden and could easily be missed if we weren’t reminded by a group of hikers in front of us. Once there, we saw beautiful mountain view with telecommunication towers and houses from afar. 

Smiley, happy us

Twin Peak – 1505m 1440m

Following Pine Tree Peak, we hike further to the second peak (Twin Peak - elevation 1505m). The trail heading towards Twin Peak is now a beautiful mossy forest since we are more than 1400m above sea level. The entire forest has this mysterious vibe as if we were in fairy tale. It kinda resembles Cameron Highland’s Mossy Forest which I had been dying to visit!

Update as at Aug 2018: The elevation for Twin Peak is actually only 1440m.

The hike to Twin Peak only took us another 30 minutes and voila! We reached there at 11am. There were already a group of KL elderly hikers who reached before us, and they were so kind to share with us their kuehs, fruits and snacks. The view at Twin Peak is supposed to be a 270-degree panoramic view but it was very cloudy and misty that day that we weren’t able to see a single thing.

A photo with a group of KL hikers. After one year, finally realised that I've met Uncle Tan one month before our Tahan hike

We took an hour rest at Twin Peak just to enjoy the chilling weather of Fraser Hill, and to wait for the clouds to clear so that we could see the view. Unfortunately, the sky remained cloudy for the one hour we stayed there and refused to budge. As we were taking photos, we notice a border stone marking one side with “Pahang” and another with “Selangor”.

Pahang = me, Selangor = MJ

In fact, we had been walking along the border since we got in as the border was drawn along this trail. So, if you want to be in two places at the same time, this is one of those places you can consider. *wink* 

Gunung Semangkok – 1824m

We were told that ahead of Twin Peak, we could see the peak of another mountain called Gunung Semangkok, which is at least another half a day to reach its peak. We were tempted to hike that but knew better than we weren’t prepared for a long hike for that day. After all, we didn’t bring enough water and we are almost finishing what we had.

Update as at Aug 2018: I finally made it to this mountain in July 2018. Read about it here.

Return Journey

We have not prepared headlights and raincoat that day (I was still an inexperienced hiker back then), so we decided to retreat back to trail head. The return journey was not any easier due to the undulating trail. Instead of going uphill all the way to the peak then hiking downhill to trail head, a trail that undulates goes uphill and downhill several times before ever reaching the peak.

We were wearing running shoes, which are not recommended. Please wear proper footwear ya

This repeating up and down is okay for the ascent but could be quite arduous for the return journey. While it will take 3-4 hours for most hikers to reach the summit of Pine Tree Hill, it will take them 5-6 hours to trek on the same trail back to the trail head.

Descending with the help of ropes

Slipped but managed to hold on tight to the branches

We notice our speed gradually decrease on our way out, especially after Pine Tree Peak. It could probably due to the build-up exhaustion or the gentle rain which decided to shower on us. We had also finished our water supply half way and dehydration did play a part. Luckily the rain soon fizzled out as we neared the last staircase.

Tired looking face. Oh my!

Overall, it took us only 6 hours (including one-hour break at Twin Peak) to complete the hike, not the original 8-10 hours we thought we would needed. We then drove to a nearby public toilet to clean up before driving back to KL for late lunch and movie, and called it a day.

Epilogue

It was 31 August 2016.
It was our beloved country’s Independence Day. 
It’s a Wednesday and an off day.

Thanks babe. Love you as always *muacks*

And we spent it at a mountain, simply because my BFF knows how much I love the mountain. 11km hike on a chilling Public Holiday, What’s a better of celebrating Merdeka?

Happy 60th Birthday, Malaysia. I love you always :) 

See how happy I was? #mountainlover

The Rumour

There’s a rumour that Pine Tree Trail is haunted as many hikers reportedly saw spirits in the forest, particularly in front of the gazebos near the trail head. One famous rumour is a lady in red in a swing at the gazebo waving at the hiker. But the truth is there is no swing! There is also rumour about hikers getting lost in the forest while trying to find their way out. Apparently, the hiker is said to go around the forest, going back to the same spot repeatedly and unable to get out for a considerable period of time before finally finding his way again. Interestingly, the trail is clear and straightforward without any diverging routes. Sounds spooky?

Enchanted forest

Honestly, we were not aware of the rumours during our visit and hence we didn’t find the forest spooky at all. The mossy forest, misty weather, and the tall canopy which blocks much of the light does gives it an ethereal vibe that is quite out of the world and it’s understandable to frighten anyone hiking there in the dark. It is especially so if you have ever heard of these ghost stories as it affects us psychologically. I did feel a little spooked out when I read about it upon my return.

Update as at Aug 2018: During my night descent from Semangkok, the entire forest was pitch dark, and honestly the ghost stories I heard did made me a little scared from time to time. By eventually, I came to realise it’s really psychological. 

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Thank you for reading all the way till the end. Too much info and you just want a summarised itinerary but too lazy to scroll back up? Here’s a summary I’ve drafted up for you. Hope it helps you with your planning.

Itinerary:
**Disclaimer: Below is my timing according to my speed. So please take it with a grain of salt, as everyone is different. Have fun hiking this mountain. *wink*

Day Hike (31/8/2016)
Total distance hiked: 11km (no river crossing)
0815: Start hiking from trail head
1030: Reach Pine Tree Peak
1100: Reach Twin Peak (1 hour break)
1200: Leave Twin Peak
1430: Reach trail head, back to KL

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-Thanks for reading-