As Muir once expressed, "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." Follow DAVID BOWDEN as he embarks on a journey to discover the many experiential pathways in Southeast Asia.

Written by David Bowden on 16 Mar 2009 with 0 comments. Be the first!

Walking is a popular recreational activity in most temperate climates but in the tropics it's far too humid and hot for most people. Students of high school geography appreciate when temperatures drop with altitude making mountainous areas a popular spot for keen walkers. Fortunately, there are several mountainous areas so a walking holiday is possible in several parts of the region from conquering some of the highest peaks to extended jungle walks into remote areas. While there are few truly great walks in a global sense, the ascent of peaks like Sabah's Mount Kinabalu is on the "must do" list of many visitors. Like all strenuous activities, climbing and walking should only be attempted by those who are fit enough and employing local guides is always recommended for both safety reasons and for cautioning when traversing through tricky terrain.

Bario, Sarawak, Malaysia

Bario is located in the remote highlands of Sarawak and is only accessible by flights from Miri. At 1,500m altitude, Bario has a refreshingly cool ambience and the most popular walk is a pleasant but demanding four-hour trek across undulating hills to a longhouse called Pa' Lungun where there's a guesthouse for an overnight stay. It is recommended that trekkers dine here on Bario's famous upland rice. Lodgings are extremely reasonable in price both in Bario and Pa' Lungun with twin sharing rooms plus three delicious home-cooked meals costing about RM50 per person. Stay in guesthouses such as Gem's in Bario (Tel: +6019 815 5779) or Batu Ritung Lodge in Pa' Lungun which is best be arranged once you reach Bario. Malaysia Airlines has daily flights, weather permitting, with two on some days. Contact: The Kelabit Net

Dalat, Vietnam

Dalat is former French hill station located at between 1,500m to 2,000m above sea level, 300km north of Ho Chi Minh City. The small town is lined with old buildings and makes a charming base for heading out into the surrounding hills for a little trekking. Phat Tire Ventures has a well-established operation offering trekking, cycling and kayaking. Their "Dirt Bag", three-day/two-night treks heads off 18km south of Dalat. It caters to those with a reasonable degree of fitness and passes through pine forests, lakes, waterfalls, padi fields and small farms and culminates in a gentle ascent on day three of Mount Langbian (2,169m). Trekkers camp out at a base camp around the foreshores of Tuyen Lam Lake where it's possible to swim and kayak. Contact: The Passplanet

Luang Nam Tha: Nam Ha, Lao PDR

Just travelling to Lao PDR (or Laos) offers adventurous souls pioneering status but the untouched Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA) is about as remote as it gets in the region. Luang Nam Tha is the gateway to this 2,224km square wilderness area that is gaining a reputation for trekking, rafting, kayaking and biking. Its remote access will keep the masses at bay at least until the airport is extended. It's possible to see hill tribe people and some spectacular landscape that is well off the beaten track. Well-considered ecotourism principles are practiced here too on treks that can last for several days.Contact: UNESCO Bangkok: Nam Ha

Mae Hong Son, Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand is a well-established walking area with the highlands between Chiang Mai and the Myanmar border, criss-crossed with well-trodden trails. These hills are home to many hill tribe communities including Akha, Lisu and Karen people. Chiang Mai is the base for trekking companies with Pai and Mae Hong Son presenting less-visited options. These treks can last from a few hours to a week with most including accommodation in rustic villages, meals, guide, elephant rides and river rafting. Trekking here isn't for everyone as there are few authentic cultural experiences remaining - many villagers watch cable TV in their thatched huts. One dilemma trekkers confront is whether to visit the long-necked Padaung people or not - is it a freak show or a real cultural encounter?Contact: TourismThailand.Org

Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site the park is recognised as an epicentre of biological diversity as well as a venue for various adventure activities. Being Malaysia's highest peak at (4,101m) conquering the mountain is a challenge answered by thousands each year. There are two ascent routes with the Mesilau Trail being the longer but less busy of the two. The climb along the main route normally takes two days with an overnight stop in comfortable accommodation at Laban Rata (the annual mountain race sees athletes cover the distance in just a few hours). Head off in the darkness of the second morning to reach the summit in time for the sunrise. While the climb doesn't require mountaineering skills climbers need to be fit as it's not a stroll in the park. All groups require a guide, foreigners pay double the rates of locals and you must take warm clothing as temperatures are quite low at the summit of Low's Peak. Contact: Sabah Parks

Mount Rinjani, Lombok, Indonesia

Being located in an active volcanic region, Indonesia has many great climbing mountains including Mount Bromo (Java) and Mount Agung (Bali). Mount Rinjani on Lombok is a little more remote and therefore less visited. Towering 3,726m high, the active volcanic cone (it last erupted in 2004) dominates the island. Rinjani is a sacred mountain to the people so visitors may share the trails with pilgrims who travel here to pay respects to their deities and bathe in hot springs. Experienced guides should accompany all groups and wet season rains (November to March) can make the trails treacherous. Three day/two night treks from Senaru to Sembalun Lawang include climbing the summit and peering into the crescent-shaped caldera and 6km wide lake.Contact: Rinjani Trekking Club

Mount Tahan, Pahang, Malaysia

There are many good reasons for visiting Malaysia's largest national park of Taman Negara. Various trails provide opportunities for walks lasting from a few hours to the daddy of all; the nine-day ascent of peninsular Malaysia's highest peak of Mount Tahan at 2,187m. This isn't for the faint-hearted as it's a long, hard, steep and often wet slog with all your equipment on your back. This should only be attempted by experienced walkers but the adventure through pristine forests and along mountain streams is without equal. It's mandatory to be accompanied by a guide. Contact: Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel

Sapa, Vietnam

This former French hill station in northwest Vietnam has been on the adventurous tourists' radar for awhile. While the hill tribe minority groups of northern Thailand have been well and truly discovered there's still a sense of being in unchartered waters once you move away from the rather touristy town of Sapa. At 1,650m it can get quite chilly and for those who attempt the three-day challenge of scaling Vietnam's highest peak of Mount Fansipan (3,143m), it can get very cold, rugged and wet. The Tram Ton trek heads out of Sapa and walkers will pass colourful hill tribe people, rice terraces and mountains shrouded in mist. Porters will carry the camping equipment as there's no accommodation along the way. Some treks also take in the Sunday markets in Bac Ha; a small village near Lao Cai located near the Chinese border. It's a long way from Hanoi to Sapa (best accessed by the overnight train) and the area is best for those looking for isolation, basic facilities but without too many other tourists.Contact: Buffalo Tours

Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei

While better known for its vast oil reserves, Brunei also has one of the best preserved tracts of lowland tropical forests in the region. The Ulu Temburong National Park covers 50,000ha of primary rainforest and is located just one hour's boat ride from the capital making it one of the most accessible parks in the region. A series of boardwalks leads into the rainforest and to the Belalong Canopy Walk for a unique primate's view of the misty forests. While not an easy walk in the humidity, it's worth the effort. Contact: Brunei Tourism

Support Responsible Tourism when choosing your hike operator

Wild Asia believes that tourism can be a vehicle for boost and encourage rural communities in their development to enhance their way of life. Hiking is one of the ways you can explore a country, culture and people best. The next time you plan a hiking holiday, choose responsible travel. Select your tour operators and destinations carefully, consider which ones work to protect the environment and benefit local cultures and communities.

Anyone can be a responsible traveler! You can get back to nature, hike into the rainforest, or explore the mountains. Responsible travel provides many options and is often very affordable. Learn more about Wild Asia's Responsible Tourism Award that aims to support the creation of sustainable destinations in Asia.

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