We made a pact to have at least one adventurous hiking trip every year, no excuses, just a bunch of us pretending to be outdoorsy for a weekend.
We’re not hardcore hikers by any stretch; we hike for the snacks, the laughs, and that glorious moment at the peak when we can finally say, “Yeah! Totally worth it!” (and later goofing around with our limping legs for days). This year marks my second time organising our annual hiking trip with a bunch of thrill seekers, but not ‘physically fit’ best friends.
This time around, I decided to spice things up for our 5-day, 4-night adventure. One mountain? Too easy. I told the team, “We’ve got five days gais, let’s make our legs regret it!” So, we set our sights on 2 mountains around Gerik, Perak, and another one at Baling, Kedah.
- 🔗Gunung Bubu, Gerik, Perak. 619 meter
- 🔗Gunung Alai, Gerik, Perak. 719 meter
- 🔗Gunung Pulai, Baling, Kedah. 620 meter
(Click each link ⬆️ for more stories)
- 06.02.2025, Thursday. Drive from Kuala Lumpur to Gerik, Perak
- 06:00 pm – Reached D’KCC Campsite. Contact number: 013 521 9956
- 07.02.2025, Friday. 04:00 am – Started our hike to Gunung Bubu for sunrise
- 06:30 am – Reached peak
- 11:00 am – Reached starting point
- 08.02. 2025, Saturday. 04:00 am – Hike to Gunung Alai for sunrise
- 06:50 am – Reached the peak
- 11:30 am – Reached starting point
- 09.02.2025, Sunday: 11:00 am – Drive 1 hour to Baling, Kedah
- 12:15 pm – Reached homestay at Kampung Pantai Pulai, Pengkalan Hulu, Baling, Kedah.
- 05:00 pm – Start our hike to Gunung Pulai for sunset
- 07:00 pm – Reached the peak
- 09:00 pm – Going down from the peak
- 12:20 am – Reached the starting point
- 10.02.2025. Monday. 12:45 am – Drive out of Baling, Kedah
After the COVID years, a new regulation was introduced for hiking most mountains in Malaysia.
Every hikers now needs to hire a certified mountain guide, with a ratio of one guide for every seven hikers (1:7). On top of the usual hiking permit, transport, and accommodation costs, we now have to budget at least RM250 extra for the Malim Gunung fee, making our “simple” hobby of hiking and reconnecting with nature a lot pricier than before. The ruling was introduced after an increase in missing persons and emergency incidents during mountain hikes. The presence of rangers helps ensure hikers’ safety as they explore our wild tropical forests.
Our adventure began with the easiest climb, an early morning hike to Gunung Bubu. The next morning, we pushed a little higher with Gunung Alai, and after a well-earned day of rest, we made our way to Baling, Kedah ( An hour drive from Gerik), to take on our final challenge: the famously rocky Gunung Pulai.
Planning a hiking trip that matches everyone’s fitness level, so each person can truly enjoy it and get the full health benefits, is not an easy task. I need to ensure the chosen mountains challenge us just enough to build both our physical and mental strength, while still keeping everyone motivated and excited (and confident!) to hike even more mountains after this trip.
I’ve passed through the small town of Gerik several times while travelling from Kedah to Kelantan, and once stopped there for a short transit before boarding a boathouse at the Pulau Banding Public Jetty to enter the Royal Belum Forest.
This time, I decided to stay for three nights at a homestay called Dango Keluarga Cikgu Cik (D’KCC) in Gerik. I chose this place because it offers accommodation right in front of a small river. I could already picture my team and me camping and unwinding by the riverside after our hike, using the cool river water for some relaxing water therapy to soothe our sore muscles.
When we travel locally, let’s not forget that we’re indirectly contributing to the local economy.
Eat at the local food stalls, grab snacks at the grocery stores, wander through the pasar malam, and pasar tani, and spend like a happy local. Even if our main goal is to conquer mountains, it doesn’t hurt to explore what’s beyond the trail, especially if that means more food, new friends, and maybe a funny conversation with a makcik selling goreng pisang.
Though I live in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, I have to admit that small towns like Gerik have their own kind of magic. You don’t need to fly overseas to experience a different culture. Right here in Malaysia, every state has its own vibe, its own dialect, and sometimes even its own version of food. Trust me, exploring our own backyard can be just as exciting (and much easier on the wallet).
During our stay in Gerik, we chose a peaceful little village where the people are descendants of the Patani community, whose roots trace back to the south of Thailand. The locals here are warm, humble, and full of stories. You’ll hear a mix of Malay with a hint of Patani accent, and you’ll enjoy the local Malay hospitality. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a slower, simpler world.
To survive a long, adventure-filled trip, the kind that involves hiking, exploring, and pretending you’re totally fine while secretly gasping for air halfway up the mountain, you need a team that’s on the same wavelength. Planning isn’t something to take lightly. You’ve got to study the mountain’s character, plan your meals like a pro nutritionist, and make sure there’s enough protein and electrolytes to keep everyone functioning (and hopefully, not fainting).
Recovery is just as important. Proper rest is a must, and nothing beats some on-the-go muscle therapy like dipping in a cold river or soaking in a hot spring to get those tired legs back in action.
Let me wrap up our 5D4N hiking adventure, from conquering Gunung Bubu and Gunung Alai in Gerik to taking on the mighty Gunung Pulai in Baling, Kedah.
The mountains in Gerik were friendly enough to let us feel like pros… until Gunung Pulai came along to humble us. That rocky trail of Gunung Pulai was no joke. Steep, slippery, and full of “why did I sign up for this?” moments. In the end, only the headstrong (Sally, Zura, Sarah, and Qisha) powered through like true mountain warriors, while the other three beginner hikers made the very wise (and very comfortable) decision to stop at the trail entrance.
No shame there.
Sometimes, knowing when to quit is also part of the adventure! 😆
Any hiking trip reminded me that adventure isn’t just about reaching the top. It’s about the people you share the trail with (and I am blessed with the best team). We laughed, struggled, dipped in freezing rivers, and learned that teamwork sometimes means cheering from the sidelines.
Gerik and Baling, you’ve been wild, beautiful, and absolutely worth every drop of our sweat.
I’m closing the chapter on our Bubu–Alai–Pulai hike with a full belly, sore legs, and a heart ready for the next adventure
NEXT!
Sincerely yours,
Sallymatsuda
MATSUDA MASHIMARU 