500 meters rambling from Taman Rawang Perdana to the trailhead, pass through a drainage tunnel underneath the Rawang Bypass highway then hike up on a steep wall retainer next to the busy highway on top of Bukit Matt (200m) for a gorgeous view of the highest viaduct highway in Malaysia. Going down is a challenge too. You either choose to hike down from the same route you came from or you could hike down on the other side of the hill and then cross over to the other side of the road through a path under the highway.
- Location: Rawang Bypass aka Rawang-Serendah Highway
- How to go: Waze for “Rawang Bypass Trailhead”
- Attraction: An Instagrammable view of the highest elevated highway in Malaysia
- Difficulty: Easy walk but climbing the steep wall is a bit challenging, and not suitable for children
- Distance out and back: Estimated 3.28 km
- Time spent: Half-day trip
- Caution: Slippery steps in the water tunnel and steps at the retainer wall
- Tips: This place is very crowded during the weekends and public holidays. The best time to enjoy this place is on weekdays.
- Leech level: none
- Entrance Fee: none
View of Rawang Bypass. November 3rd, 2021
Craving for a quick hike around the city? Then you should try this hiking trail. The route is not properly laid out though and I am not sure who discovered this spot first either. Interesting hiking places popped out everywhere on social media during this pandemic. People are looking for more gateway options.
Set your Waze to Rawang Bypass trailhead, park your car and walk for 500 meters along the access path to the highway, walk through the water drainage tunnel on the right side of the highway. There’s a small asphalt road next to the highway, just follow it and you’ll see the tunnel. Out from the tunnel, proceed hiking up the retainer wall.
A short trip like this helped to break my daily ADULT routine and train me to be more spontaneous. I often feel high and dry while handling daily never-ending chores and responsibilities. A spontaneous mentality may sound childish to us adults, while a monotonous lifestyle would seem normal and acceptable.
Spontaneous comes naturally for children, while we adults have to put extra effort into breaking our ‘adult routine’ habits. My tips on how to be more spontaneous in our life :
- Start small. It is okay to start small each time. Try something new every day, and adopt the “there’s always a first time for everything” mentality. I was comfortably stuck at home during the MCOs (movement control order) period, binging on food and Korean dramas. After a year, I felt depressed, useless and trapped. I needed to heal myself and I was looking forward to a long hike in the forest. I started off with a 30-minute walk in the park at least 3 times per week to build my stamina and gradually increase my steps according to my body strength.
- Do what you want. Be a little selfish, do what you want and not what others want you to do. You know yourself better than other people. Be curious and rebellious, do whatever makes you happy.
- Plan things aka dream things. I write down everything that comes to my mind. Ideas, anger, frustration, life dramas, dreams etc. With this busy mind of mine, planning things helped. I plan to be spontaneous.
- Explore. Be present and explore your surroundings. Take note of everything going on around you, notice all the small things and how everything is interconnected to each other.
- Be curious and wonder. The more you explore the world the more curious you become. You’ll be spontaneous effortlessly, blame it on the need to feed your curiosity.
Have you tried this hiking spot before? I would love to hear your hiking story and do share it with me.
Until the next hike … stay safe dear readers.
Cheers
MM
MATSUDA MASHIMARU 