REZA AZMI taps into the rich resource base of trail guides contributed by mountain biker Joe Adnan, and presents a review of offroad trails around Malaysia. Included are single-track jungle trails and old logging roads.

Written by Reza Azmi on 25 Oct 2002 with 1 comment. Contribute!

About Our Offroad Trails

One of my most enjoyable parts of this site that I love to add to, a listing of new cycle routes around Malaysia. All jungle trails attempted using these guides are taken at your own risk! For some trails, several pointers have been given including kilometer readings or GPS waypoints to help you along. They merely serve as guides but it still helps to pay attention to the trail ahead and keep that brain in gear. Moreover, print out the trail guide and have it handy with you. That at least takes care of not getting lost. The rest is all about being jungle-savvy. Trail Updates can be left or read online, so if you have ridden any of these rides recenty, please help others by leaving an update. If you fancy some road-rides, try looking up our review of cycle-friendly routes.

Batu Dam, Selangor

The forested area surrounding the Batu Dam contains scenic singletrack trails that wind along the Batu Lake shore and into the surrounding hills. These trails, which are 100% singletrack, are excellent: beautiful scenery, fast and swoopy descents, and sufficiently challenging climbs. Though not as technically demanding as Bukit Kiara, these trails are nevertheless highly enjoyable. The shaded lakeshore singletrack is incomparably scenic. The trails cross several streams, all of which are crystal clear, offering opportunities for cool dips at convenient intervals. The ascent into the hills will take you past serene bamboo groves and into secondary and rejuvenated jungle. The descents are fast - smooth and sinuous, like Boner in Bukit Kiara, only much longer. Batu Dam is one of the best riding areas near KL. If you are a visitor to KL and only have a day to ride, this trail would be it, as it effectively conveys the essence of mountain biking in the tropical jungle.

Sg. Dua, Pahang

Kampung Sungai Dua is located in Pahang, near the town of Karak, slightly over an hour's drive out of KL. The Sungai Dua trail, located just past Kg Sungai Dua, is an arduous 40 kilometre out-and-back 4wd trail that goes deep into the Lentang forest reserve. The principal attraction of the trail is the impressive 100-foot Kerau waterfall located at its end. Another notable feature is its numerous stream crossings.

Kg. Pusu, Selangor

Kampung Sungai Pusu provides access to the jungle trails in the Hulu Gombak Forest Reserve. The trails pass through lowland and hill forests. Some of the trails will take you into the Klang Gates water catchment area, and ultimately to the lake itself. There are two areas that will be dealt with separately, the trails south-east of Kg Sg Pusu, and those heading north and north-west of the village.

Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

The trails of Kiara have attained a somewhat exalted status among the mountain biking cognoscenti in KL. But let's have a little perspective, North Shore it ain't. Nevertheless, within the comfortable confines of our very own tempurung, Bukit Kiara is da bomb. The trails comprise mainly of singletrack. Technical singletrack. Well, as technical as it gets without 7 inches of suspension and 5 kgs of body armour, that is.

Gombak forests, Kuala Lumpur

This trail is a 25km-plus trail (estimated, may be much longer) that traverses the Ulu Gombak Reserve, from Kampung Kemensah in Ulu Klang, to Kampung Sungai Pusu in Gombak. The trail may be ridden in both directions; more of the trail is rideable if ridden from Pusu, but if starting from Kemensah, you'll be rewarded with a fast, 4km off-road downhill at the end. Either way, you'll have to cycle about 10km on the road between Pusu and Kemensah, unless you've arranged a shuttle beforehand.

mtbcorner

Guest

Sunday, 28 February 2010 at 10:55 PM:

lately the trail was very disappointed and tiredness for mountain biking. First 6km was a fun ride but after a few km a head the trail was a messy with fallen bamboo tree and big log across. A few times across landslides and not very recommended for a mountain biking beginner.

Sorry. We've been getting a lot of junk comments lately. So commenting has been turned off for now