Gunung Arong Day Hike - The Love of Tanjung Resang

Ever wanted to climb a mountain, but do not know which one to begin? 

Dream of a beautiful panoramic view up on the mountain but not sure whether you are physically fit for a several hours hike?

Bringing small children for some hiking adventure but ain’t sure if they could handle a rough hike?

Fret not, as there’s a small hike at the east coast of Johor state which you could consider hiking. It’s only less than an hour to the peak yet giving you a lovely panoramic view from the top. Read on!

Gunung Arong – Is it a hill or a mountain?

Gunung Arong as highlighted in yellow

Located 17km from Mersing town and 22km from Endau, Gunung Arong or literally translated as “Mount Arong” (Gunung = Mountain in Malay Language) is technically a small hill with height measures only at 274m or 898 feet (though my Suunto watch recorded 292m). So why is this small little hill being called Gunung? 

The name of the mountain was originated from a man called Harun from Terengganu who is believed to be the first person who discovered the peak of the hill. In Terengganu, his nickname was Arong, hence the hill was named after him. 

As for why it is called Gunung Arong instead of Bukit Arong is due to the fact that it is the highest peak in Tanjung Resang, where the hill lies. 

Gunung Arong

The Team

I’ve long heard of Gunung Arong ever since I started actively hiking 2 years ago. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to have the opportunity to hike this mountain (technically it’s a hill but since it’s named Gunung Arong, I’ll stick to mountain hereon), until Joan from Tutters Group invited me to this event. In case you are wondering, it’s a closed event for close friends, not a public event. 

Joan was the host of the event, while Kenny was the leader of the pack to guide us to the mountain. Overall, there are 2 groups of hikers, one from KL and another from JB, with me and Joan being members of both hiking groups.

Team 1 – from KL, Tutter Groups 

E.C Choi and family

Joan

Tara

Crystal

Huei Min

Terry

Seung Fei and MJ

Eric and Stephanie

Angeline

KP Lee

Team 2 – from JB, Max Mountain Club 

Kenny The Cockroach

Vambly

Crazy Joe

Momo

Ykai

Jesy

Jacklyn

Fenny

Joyce and her friends

Me

It’s almost two-and-a-half-hour drive from Johor Bahru and a whopping 5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. If you are traveling from Mersing, it is only a short 40 minutes drive. Mersing folks, lucky you!

How to get there

It’s recommended to get to Mersing a day before, so that you could get enough rest before going for a hike the next morning. Alternatively, you may depart early in the morning for an afternoon hike. The choice is yours to make, but we always prefer to start our hike early to beat the heat. Imagine hiking under the sun in the afternoon. That’s way too hot!

Teluk Sari was where we camped

So, our plan was to camp at Teluk Sari the night before, which is only about 10-minute drive away from the trail head. Click here (link) for my Pulau Mawar and Teluk Sari blog post.  

Gunung Arong is accessible via two different entrance. One is the official trailhead at Kampung Tanjung Resang, while the other is Teluk Gorek beach. 

Our hiking route is the most commonly trekked one, where we ascent via Kampung Tanjung Resang and descent via Teluk Gorek beach. The reverse route can also be done but do take note that it’s only 30 minutes ascent from trailhead to the peak, yet it’s almost one hour walk from the beach exit to the carpark.

My trail as recorded by my Suunto watch

As we enter and exit via two different location, we parked our car at the main road by Teluk Gorek beach, and Kenny dropped us by batches to the trailhead at Kampung Tanjung Resang. The two locations are only about 10 minutes away by car. 

Directions:

Trail head | Kampung Tanjung Resang, 86900 Mersing, Johor (GPS: 2°34'20.3"N 103°48'28.6"E)

Teluk Gorek | Jalan Teluk Gorek, 86900 Mersing, Johor (GPS: 2°34'29.7"N 103°48'54.6"E)

Ascending at dawn

We reached trailhead at approximately 6am and we started our hike as soon as everyone has assembled. The trail is pretty straightforward, relatively wide and gently sloping and does not require any scrambling (climbing on four).

Tara, me, and Crystal

The only place to be careful is the steep descent from the peak to the bridge. More about that later.

The Peak

We went slow and steady on the day we hiked, as we were bringing two kids with us. Nonetheless, we still made it to the peak in 40 minutes. The sun has just risen, so we took the chance to take a group photo at the gazebo before proceeding to the bridge. 

The one and only group photo at the peak

If it was still dark by the time you get to the peak, and you would like to see sunrise from the bridge, you can return to the peak after that for photos. It’s just 10 minutes away anyway. We initially planned to do that but remembering that we were bringing kids and that the way back is quite steep, we decided to skip sunrise at the bridge and took whatever photo needed at the peak once and for all, then moved on to Lover’s Bridge. 

Must have one photo at the peak

As mentioned, the downward slope could be rather steep for beginners, but there is handrail installed which could be very helpful. However, it is advisable to make sure they are sturdy before putting all your weight on them. Who knows, as time passes, they could be loose. After all, it’s to assist you if necessary, and you are not supposed to rely on them fully. 

Lover’s Bridge – 180 degree panoramic view 

In 10 minutes time, we reached the highlight of the mountain – Lover’s Bridge. Right before the bridge is a beautiful cliff, a viewpoint where you are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of South China Sea and its neighbouring islands. 

Panoramic view. Can you see the heart-shape beach?

Me and my signature back pose

It was quite misty on the day we hiked, but I heard that one could see as far as Tioman Island when the sky is clear. But looking at the map, it could possibly be Pulau Seri Buat or Pulau Sembilang which they saw as they could have mistaken them as Tioman Island. I’ll have to return another day to confirm on this. As for Pulau Aur and Pulau Rawa, they are not in the direction where they would be visible from the cliff.

Update 2020: After my visit to Pantai Penyabong, it is now confirmed that Tioman is indeed visible from Endau and Mersing and therefore on clear weather, you would definitely be able to see Tioman from Gunung Arong. More about my second visit here

Island near Gunung Arong

Though you can see those islands only in good-weather, the signature heart-shape of Pantai Tanjung Resang (Resang Cape beach) is visible even on a misty day.

The locations which made up the signature heart-shape view

On the map, it’s not a heart shape but when view from the Gunung Arong, a small unknown hill (my presumption, see below) covers the southern part of the beach, forming what looks like an incomplete heart-shape, with an opening on the right. Beautiful isn’t it?

My presumption of the locations as seen from the viewpoint:

🔼 Pulau Mawar

This is the top of the heart-shape. It is only accessible during low tide and it’s where the famous Gate of Heaven is located. Read more here.

🔼 Teluk Sari

The outer left curve of the heart shape is bay called Teluk Sari. This is the stretch of beach where we camped the night before. It’s the point of access to Pulau Mawar. There’s an interesting story behind this place. Read more here.

🔼 Bukit Tioman Darat

Not to be mistaken by the name, this small hill with elevation of 41m is that tiny little hill you see at the left of the photo, covering part of Teluk Sari. 

🔼 Pantai Tanjung Resang

The whole stretch of beach from Kampung Mawar to Kampung Sisek to Tanjung Resang is the Tanjung Resang beach. From Gunung Arong, the section after Kampung Sisek is covered by a hill. This resembled the pointed shape of a heart.

The road which extends from Tanjung Resang all the way up north to Kampung Penyabong is called Jalan Penyabong-Tanjung Resang, as it connects both beaches.

🔼 Unknown hill

Judging from several maps found online such as TripCarta and MapCarta and google map itself, and combining with my recorded trail on Suunto Movescount, I’m pretty confident that the small hill which covers the southern part of Tanjung beach is the one I circled in the map. Located at Kampung Tanjung Resang and pretty near to the trailhead, this hill stands right in front of Gunung Arong from the direction (northwest of Arong) overlooking Pulau Mawar. As a result, it blocked part of Tanjung Resang beach and giving us this beautiful heart-shape view. Unfortunately, I’m still not able to find the name of the hill. So, if any of you know of the name, do let me know, so that I can update this post accordingly.

At your own risk ya

My favourite shot of the day

It’s okay to stand or sit on the cliff to get a nice photo, but always be extra cautious as it’s rather dangerous. One wrong footing or losing your balance, and you may fall.

Lover's bridge

Lovers on Lover's Bridge

We spent a long time at the bridge, chilling out and having second light breakfast (someone prepared hard-boiled egg and sweet potatoes) with hot coffee or tea. As it’s a pretty leisure, no one was in a rush and we took our sweet time enjoying the view from the bridge. We probably sat there for an hour before descending to Teluk Gorek.

Stand firmly and don't fall

Good photo at the peak!

One last shot before descending

Descent – Lover’s Bridge > Tanjung Puchong > Teluk Gorek

The trail down was similar with the one we took to go up, which is wide like highway. The whole journey should take about 45 minutes to Tanjung Puchong for a person with average fitness.

Descending to Tanjung Puchong

You would know you have come to the right exit easily, as there is a swing on a tree just right at the exit. From there, it’s approximate 30-min to 45-min stroll along the beach until we reach the Teluk Gorek beach, where our cars were parked.

Is that oysters, cockles or clams?

Close up

At some park of the beach, you may need to walk on beach stones, so be extra careful of algae which may be slippery. The last thing you want is to slip, fall and injure yourself. It was extremely sunny that day, and everyone have different means of covering themselves from the hot scorching sun. Haha!

I'm the only one exposed

We didn’t take a dip in the sea water, but you may feel free to do so. It must be fun to cool down the heat by dipping yourself into the cold sea. 

Fun fact about Teluk GorekTeluk Gorek is a bay named after Pokok Buah Gorek, or what in English called Nicker (scientific name: Caesalpinia Bonduc (L.) Roxb), a spiny, sprawling shrub that grows along the shores. It produces nickernut, which the is believed has many health benefits. It is said that the nickernut can be boiled and the one can consume the drink for treating high blood pressure, diabetes and malaria.

Shower at Teluk Gorek Chalet & Campsite

There is no public toilet for us to take a shower, but a few hundred meters away is a chalet – Teluk Gorek Chalet & Campsite, where one can use the toilet or shower room for RM2, and there’s where we went to clean up, before driving to Mersing town for lunch.

The chalet is only few minutes walk from the car park

Teluk Gorek Chalet & Campsite
Address: Jln Teluk Gorek Chalet & Camp Site, 86900 Endau, Johor

Lunch at Restoran Loke Tien Yuen

If you googled for the best restaurant in Mersing town, chances are you will stumbled upon recommendation on a Chinese restaurant (sorry, it’s non-halal) called “Restoran Loke Tien Yuen”, and that is exactly where we fed our hungry stomach for the day. 

Restoran Loke Tien Yuen

It’s the same restaurant MJ and I wanted to try during our Johor road trip (link) back in Dec 2016, which we didn’t get to. If you have read that post, or have ever heard of this famous restaurant, you should know that walk-in is not possible as they are always full. Reservation by phone call is recommended and to be honest, I’m not sure how long in advance you would need to make your booking, but Kenny booked 3 tables about 3 weeks before our visit, since our Gunung Arong trip was pretty much firmed up at that point. 

Not only that you need to reserve your table early, you also need to pre-order your dishes and they will also prepare the ingredients according to the dishes you book. This is a good sign that they keep their stock only according to order and they are all fresh, I supposed.

braised duck with lotus seed

stir-fry pork ribs with bittergourd

char siew and steamed chicken platter

We had braised duck with lotus seed, stir-fry pork ribs with bittergourd, sweet and sour pork, steamed grouper, char siew and steamed chicken platter, and sambal kangkong. Overall, it’s RM38 per pax and they all tasted really good, especially the sweet and sour pork. My only complaint would probably be the small portion for its price. 

steamed grouper

sweet and sour pork

sambal morning glory aka kangkung

With our tummy filled, we said goodbye to everyone, and headed separate direction home. KL group heading north while JB group heading south.

Restoran Loke Tien Yuen 

Address: 55, Jalan Abu Bakar, Mersing, Johor

GPS: 2°25'58.9"N 103°50'18.1"E

Operating Hours: 12:30pm - 3:30pm and 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Epilogue

Gunung Arong is a perfect example of a leisure hike with rewarding view. The hike is fairly easy which is manageable even to beginners, yet the stunning panoramic view beat many other higher mountains, making it a worthwhile trip for hikers or photo enthusiast. Combining the trip with a visit to Pulau Mawar and Teluk Sari will make your weekend very well-spent and I was glad to have been a part of this trip.

I was glad to have found out the location of the heart-shape view and was surprised to know that it was made out of Pulau Mawar, Tanjung Resang beach and Bukit Tioman Darat. I may not be a famous blogger, but the passion in writing has always been rewarding to me as I discover new knowledge with every new place I visited. 

Never stop learning because life never stops teaching

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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? 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 (estimation as I didn’t record the time accurately). So please take it with a grain of salt, as everyone is different. Have fun hiking this mountain. *wink*

Day Hike (5/8/2018)

Total distance hiked: 5.5km (no river crossing) 

0600: Ascend from Kampung Tanjung Resang trail head

0640: Reach Gunung Arong Peak / Gazebo

0650: Continue to Lover’s Bridge 

0700: Reach Lover’s Bridge and Viewpoint

0800: Descent to Tanjung Puchong

0845: Reach foot of mountain / Tanjung Puchong

0930: Reach Teluk Gorek

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-Thanks for reading-

Related entries:

Pulau Mawar & Teluk Sari– Gate To Heaven and A Stargazing Rendezvous
Pantai Penyabong & Pulau Mawar (Revisit)

Johor Road Trip