I first saw this place on Instagram, posted by my fellow photographer friend.
The view of the flat agricultural landscape during sunrise and sunset from the peak of Bukit Kodiang is gorgeous. A chunk of a giant limestone sits in the middle of acres and acres of paddy fields in Kodiang, Kedah. This small hill is popularly known as Bukit Mok Cun, named after a famous local TV series ‘Mok Cun’.
- Location: Bukit Kodiang aka Bukit Mok Cun, Kodiang Kedah (140 M)
- How to go: 6 hours drive from KL. Waze for “Bukit Kodiang”
- Attraction: 1 huge chunk of limestone/ rock sits in the middle of paddy fields.
- Difficulty: This place is not meant for hiking but rock climbing
- Distance out and back: +- 1 km
- Time spent: 30-60 minutes to the top depending on your rock climbing fitness
- Caution: Be extra cautious about the steep slopes and sharp rocky edges. This place is definitely not a playground. Please be extra careful in your steps
- Tips: For safety reasons please hire a local guide. The guides will help you to get to the most difficult spot in this place.
- Leech level: None
- Entrance Fee: No entrance fee.
- Parking Fee: RM3
- Permit: No permit is required
- My Local Guide: Hamzah (Am Kodiang) 011-33136413
- Hiking date: 26 January 2024
Walk 200 meters from the entrance and you will be greeted with the first 90-degree steep metal stair fixed against some sharp edges stones. You will climb 3 more steep stairs before reaching the peak of Bukit Kodiang. You will not do hiking here but rock climbing instead. You will rely on your hands and upper body strength to safely pull you up and down the metal stairs.
Be cautious when hiking around limestone areas. This type of rock is highly susceptible to the dissolution of acidic rainwater, which gradually erodes its structure. The weathering process of limestone can loosen rocks leading to sudden rockfalls.
Beware of the surrounding rocks when you are climbing at Bukit Kodiang.
Regardless, this place has a stunning Instagram-able view for your social media feed. The Instagram-able spots sit on the edges of the rocky limestone slope and no safety measurements were in place to assist climbers. As I climbed higher to the top I noticed no safety strings or safety nets attached to any of the edges of the cliffs where I saw people sitting freely while enjoying the view and posing for social media posts.
As an overthinker, this place is scary for me.
Accidents are bound to happen anytime here if you are not careful, curious climbers please be extra cautious when you are here ya.
For your safety, please hire experienced local guides to help maximize your climbing experience at Bukit Kodiang and minimize your risk of injury. My local guide, Hamzah stayed a few meters away from the hill. The hill is his playground, so I was less worried about our safety when I had him as my guide.
Not only did he guide us on our steps but he was our personal photographer and videographer too. Sitting at the edges of the sharp cliff with your camera is dangerous and scary, Tbh, I shivered while posing for my poses.
What do you need to prepare for this hike?
- Upper body strength. You need a strong upper body build and strong knees to be able to enjoy climbing Bukit Kodiang
- Safety gears. Climbing gloves, knee guards to protect your knees, the right hiking shoes, the proper hiking clothing and whistles (in case you get lost). The best shoes for hiking and climbing are the ones that can protect your ankles. Mine is a mid-cut mountain walking boots from Decathlon.
- Enough food and water. You need more energy for the climbing.
- Muscle cooling gel/ spray to soothe your tired muscles after the climbing.
- Positive attitude. The climbing might look easy but my legs were a bit jiggy after climbing up and down the cliffs. On our way down, I flopped (landed on my knees) on the sharp rocky edges and tore off my knees. I ended up with swollen and bleeding knees.
What I would suggest you to do when you are here:
- Experience the sunset and sunrise moments during the season when the paddy field turns golden, a week before the harvest season.
- Spend more time admiring the view of the golden agricultural landscape. I plan to set up my tent or hammock at the foothill and spend a few days flying my drone and enjoying the morning and afternoon light.
- Support the local economy by purchasing the lokal Kodiang products such as Ikan Pekasam (salted fish) and the dry local snakehead fish (ikan haruan). Ask your guide about this.
- Take it slow. Don’t rush things
In Sha Allah.
Cheers
MM
MATSUDA MASHIMARU 
[…] Hiking Bukit Kodiang, Kedah […]
LikeLike