When asked what are the mountains or hills you can hike in JB, the first one which come to your mind is probably Gunung Pulai. However, JB is more than just Gunung Pulai, and with just an hour drive to Kota Tinggi, you can find many beautiful treks suitable for a day trip. One of such is Gunung Panti. A one way trek takes only around 2 to 2.5 hours, making it a 4-5 hours round trip, hence Gunung Panti is many hikers’ favourite leisure day hike on a Sunday morning. It’s famous among local hikers as the entrance is free and it’s short yet steep enough to pose some level of challenge, making it a good training ground for those looking to summit higher, more difficult mountains.

Bukit Payung, which literally translates to “Umbrella Hills” in Malay Language is a small hill in Parit Sulong, Batu Pahat. With an elevation of less than 300m, the hills on this part of the trail is overshadowed by the many other popular mountains in Johor (think Gunung Ledang, Gunung Lambak and Gunung Belumut), and therefore, a lesser known group of hills among non-locals.

Just shy of two hours away from Melaka, Batu Pahat was like a second home to me during my employment in an audit firm in Melaka. With many of our clients based in Batu Pahat, I ended up travelling to Batu Pahat and spending most of my weekdays there. From Otak Bun to Tonic Soup, I’ve tried many of the delicious local delicacies there but after moving to Singapore 5 years ago, I’ve never once stepped foot into this lovely town.

Sungai Bantang Waterfall is a waterfall within Sungai Bantang Recreational Forest, in the town of Bekok, near Labis. Well known for being one of the gateway to Endau-Rompin National Park, this sleepy town is also home to the refreshing Sungai Bantang Waterfall. Unlike the other waterfalls in the National Park, which requires permit application, entrance via 4wd and a 2-3 hours long hike on jungle trail, this waterfall is very accessible. Within minutes of walking distance from the car park, anyone can easily pay a visit and have a quick rendezvous with Mother Nature.

I used to think that there is only one national park in Malaysia – Taman Negara National Park in Pahang, Malaysia. Truth is, there is another national park closer to Singapore – the Endau-Rompin National Park. Taught in secondary school as I now recalled, this beautiful national park in the southeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, is unfortunately easily forgotten by tourists and hikers alike, perhaps due to its not-so-easy access (4wd is required).

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!

Forming the whole southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, Johor is surrounded with coastline on its three sides – the west coast, the Straits of Johor on the south, and the east coast. Though Mersing is well-known as the gateway to nearby islands, this little fishing town has several beautiful natural attractions of its own. And one which caught my attention is Pulau Mawar.

About Tengkil Waterfalls

Located in Gunung Panti Recreational Forest, Tengkil Falls is yet another waterfalls in the same range of Kota Tinggi Waterfalls. However, instead of located near the entrance of Kota Tinggi Waterfalls (like Pelepah Waterfalls), Tengkil Falls lies on the western slope of Gunung Muntahak.

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.

About Mount Pulai

Gunung Pulai, or Mount Pulai is a 654 meters tall mountain located in Johor. Located in Kampung Sri Gunung Pulai, about 12km south-west of Kulai town, or 19km north west from Johor Bahru central, it is a popular hiking spot among the locals and Singaporean hikers due to its proximity and easy access.

That was the question that popped up in my mind, when we finalised the people who will be doing this road trip together - Chin, Eunice, Kai Sin, MJ, Sebastian and I. The only person I truly know is Eunice who hiked Tahan with me back in September (read about it here), while Chin, Kai Sin and Sebastian are fellow hiker friends of the Tahan gang (Eunice included). I met both Kai Sin and Chin from a movie outing in October (though we didn’t talk) and only maintained contact through WhatsApp and Facebook, while Sebastian and I have not met each other prior to this trip despite hearing a lot about this “fast leg” from fellow hikers. So how did we end up together?