Pelepah Waterfall - Johor's Mini CBL?

About Pelepah Waterfall

Pelepah waterfalls, also known as Lombong waterfalls, is located in Gunung Panti Recreational Forest, about 15km from the town of Kota Tinggi, Johor. The trail head lies just next to the Kota Tinggi Waterfall Resort, the entrance into the Kota Tinggi waterfall where most people are more familiar with.

There are 3 main waterfalls on this hike and approximately 12 tiers. It takes about 2 hours of hiking to reach the last main waterfall. It is a popular place for locals and Singaporean alike. Once again, it was thanks to MMC that I was able to explore this place I otherwise wouldn’t know existed.

Address: Gunung Panti Recreational Forest, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia

Trailhead GPS: 1.825955, 103.835774 (estimation)

Palm Plantation

07:55 Start hike from trailhead

One of the tricky part of this hike is that the actual trail head lies inside a private palm plantation. In order to get there, one would need to pass through the plantation. Due to this reason, most people would refer to entrance to the plantation as the trail head.

Walking into the plantation

However, as the plantation is privately owned, it is considered trespassing, and in the management of the plantation had always kept the gate closed. Hikers who are familiar with the way would walk towards the bridge and enter through the stream.

Follow the waterway, look out for the waterpipes under the bridge

When one door is closed, open another

For parking, there is a free space near the Kota Tinggi Waterfall entrance, which is just right opposite the trail head.

Parking area just outside Kota Tinggi Waterfall entrance

We parked our car there and got in by going under the bridge and into the waterway. We could either follow the waterway until we reach the trail head but walking in the stream was quite tiring, so we happily walked through the plantation instead. Luckily for us, there were no guards there on the day of our hike. 

Entering the plantation from the waterway

08:25 Enter forest

After almost half an hour of trekking in the plantation, we finally reached the forest. The initial track was through leafy forest, but we soon crossed the stream and entered rocky terrain.

Stream crossing

However, it is important to be cautious when crossing the streams and rivers as it can be slippery and beware of flash flood during raining season.

Look at the crystal clear water!

Beware of slippery rocks and hold on to the ropes

80% of the time we had to cross streams and sometimes even walk in the water

08:40 Pond with fallen log

Small pond

As we walked deeper and deeper into the jungle, the river water gets cleaner and clearer. Half way through the trek, we finally reached a small little pond with a fallen log. The water is turquoise colour and this reminded me of Kem Y of CBL.

Kampung Adidas recommended for a visit to waterfall

The water was crystal clear and very clean as it is not a commercialised waterfall. Hopefully, the place stays as clean even if its popularity grows in the future. Let us all be responsible hikers and keep our Mother Nature clean!

You can either walk on the log

Or walk on the rock

First hike with Joan, despite knowing each other for almost 2 years

River Valley

08:50 River valley

Entering the river valley

As we continue climbing up by grabbing on tree roots and branches, we soon reached a river valley which resembles Sungai Bangang of CBL. The only difference is that the water isn’t turquoise in colour nor was it crystal clear.

Slowing wading through the valley

We had to be careful as we waded through the valley as the water was almost waist level. When it rains, it could get as high as chest level and we might not be able to cross. In order to keep our backpack dry, we half-lifted our backpacks while we walked slowly and cautiously in the water. There are rocks on the bottom of the water and we had to be careful with our footing, so not to step wrongly and risk twisting our legs.

09:00 Fallen trunk

At the end of the valley, we came across a fallen tree trunk. Here, one can either choose to walk on the trunk on the right, or choose the left path which looks safe at first but was actually pretty slippery. I opted for the trunk since I believed it was more photo-worthy and it turned out to be the easier of the two. There are even ropes in place to assist us.

Walking on the tree trunk

Waterfalls

09:05 First waterfall – logs, logs and logs

First waterfall

Finally, after another 5 minutes trek from the fallen tree trunk, we reached the first waterfall, where we took 20 minutes break to soak in the water.

With tutters gang

It’s a straight waterfall with the fallen logs everywhere, and we had great fun taking photo while climbing all over the logs. Ykai who brought his drone also captured some beautiful shots here.

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Take 4

The water wasn’t too deep unless if you go nearer to the waterfall. As I can’t swim, I made sure that I only made it to areas which are not higher than my chest level.

Waist level is safe for me who can't swim

Know your limit, never cross the line

Continuing our way towards second waterfall

09:25 Second waterfall – multi-tier cascading waterfall, the doppelganger of Chemerong waterfall

Second waterfall

Satisfied with our crazy photos, we moved on until we reached the second waterfall. This one wasn’t a vertical waterfall but a series of cascading falls, and the shape resembles that of Chemerong waterfall in CBL. Oh my god, is this place a mini CBL?

Doesn't this look like Chemerong?

My exhausted face

Here, the only way to proceed is to walk on the side of the waterfall, stepping onto rocks, with most of them covered with algae and could be very slippery and dangerous if wet! For safety reason, there are ropes in place to help us along the way.

Looking back down from the upper tier

This is the most picturesque waterfall among the three, with its gentle gradient and rapid water pounding rocks. Some hikers choose to stop here for picnic, as we encountered on our way down. We however, did not make a stop here but continued until we reach the last waterfall. 

09:35 Third waterfall – you jump, I jump

Third waterfall

The last waterfall is the smallest of the three but with the most rapid water flow. Here, we stopped for photos and the daredevils even jumped and dipped into the pool.

Let's dip in

After being assured that it was only waist-level, I followed suit and launches myself into the waterfall. The cool temperature of the water was perfect to cool us down from the hot weather, with temperature just nice and not too freezing.

Luckily hiking mate brought along Gopro, which is waterproof

Photo is a must

Free jacuzzi

While taking photos on a rock in the middle of the pond, I even saw a water snake wade through the river heading downstream. Luckily no one was harmed or bitten. However, several hikers in the water did in fact felt it brushing through their waist and was surprised to find out that it was a snake that swam through. *shivers shivers*

Before a snake swam passed

Feeling uneasy about the snake, we quickly came out of the water and moved on to our next destination.

Off to the campsite

Drone flying at campsite

10:20 Reach campsite

After the final waterfall, the path was quite flat, and it was an easy trek along the stream until we reach the campsite. It is an open, flat, sandy area, big enough to accommodate 30 trekkers. The campsite is surrounded by hills and it can get quite cold in the open, as the mist tend to gather in the early morning. As this place used to be a quarry, it is covered with soft sand. 

Playing with drone

From there we could see Bukit Sisek from afar. Even so, the view isn’t pretty and there are no trees for firewood and hammock. Nonetheless, the open unobstructed area made it the perfect spot for a drone video.

Bukit Sisek spotted

Tea time and Mannequin Challenge

10:40 Tea break at resting hut

Too lazy to get a proper photo

There is a large pool of water located at the campsite, but it is not advisable to use stagnant water. From the pond, we walked further until we reach a small stream with crystal clear water. This is where campers can collect water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

This is where we make some tea and rest before descending

There is a hut nearby providing shelter and as a resting area. We decided to take a break here and started brewing tea and coffee while also making a mannequin challenge video.

Descent 

11:30 Descend

After resting for close to an hour, we descended from the same way we came up. Descent was always faster than ascent as we weren’t fighting against gravity.

Going back to where we came from

However, the slippery rocks are something to be mindful off and it is always advisable to hold on to the roots, branches, trunks and ropes as we make our way down.

Following Kenny, our leader

Black is the new trend?

13:10 Reach trailhead

By 1.10pm, we made it out to the trail head when the it started to drizzle. 

Lunch at Ming Xiang Bak Kut Teh

Just as we were reaching our car, it started raining cats and dogs and we quickly get into our cars and drove off to Ming Xiang Bak Kut Teh for lunch.

Bak Kut Teh for lunch

While at the restaurant, a few of us used their toilet to take a quick shower. Luckily, upon inspection, I was among the very few who survived leech bites. Yes! You read that right. There are leeches at Pelepah and the chances of being bitten by them were quite high.

This leach on Kenny's back is as big as my thumb

After lunch, Kenny dropped Jesy, Jojo and I at JB Sentral, where the three of us crossed the causeway back to the Merlion City, ready to start work the next Monday. 

Epilogue

It’s been a while since I been to a waterfall, and the last one I remember enjoying was CBL in April 2017. Despite not knowing how to swim, I found joy immersing in the picturesque view and being surrounded with fun and laughter. Finding resemblance to CBL, Pelepah waterfall is like a mini doppelganger, which can be done as a day hike, or more relaxed as a 2D1N camping trip. The hike was easy and enjoyable and I could see myself coming back again in the future.

As the place is not too accessible since the trail head is not an obvious one, the place was able to be left untouched for now, while retaining its natural beauty. Unlike other commercialised waterfalls, this place is still very clean. All I hope is that it stays as clean and beautiful for as long as it can, even if it becomes more popular in the future. I therefore plead that every one of you who discover this place through my blog, to be a responsible hiker. Remember:

Leave nothing but footprint. Take nothing but photos

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? Well, 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 waterfall.

Day Hike (27/5/2018)

Total distance hiked: 11.82km

07:55 Start hike from trailhead / waterpipe / Kota Tinggi Waterfall Resort carpark

08:05 First stream crossing (in oil palm plantation)

08:25 First stream crossing (in jungle)

08:35 Second stream crossing

08:40 Pond with fallen log

08:50 River valley 

09:00 Fallen trunk

09:05 First waterfall

09:25 Second waterfall 

09:35 Third waterfall

10:20 Campsite

10:40 Resting Hut

11:30 Descend

12:15 River valley

13:10 Reach trailhead / waterpipe

PS: Be cautious of flash floods. The water may rise and become rapid, making river crossing difficult and dangerous.

Things you should bring:

🔼 Go Pro / underwater camera / waterproof phone – because you know, you are bound to get wet and at some section you even have to submerge into the water

🔼 A good drybag – to keep your stuffs (phone especially) dry

🔼 A set of dry clothing (you can keep them in your car) 

🔼 Hiking or trekking shoes with a good grip – Kampung Adidas is a great choice

🔼 Wear long pants and gloves (if you are concerned) to keep yourself away from cuts and scratches, and also to keep yourself protected from leeches

🔼 Enough water to keep yourself hydrated

🔼 Keep your hiking pole at home, it’s a burden. You will be using your hands the most as you grab on tree roots, branches, trunks and rocks

🔼 A like-minded friend – for a good companion brighten up your day

🔼 And most importantly – YOURSELF