Hiking Gunung Pulai, Baling

Okay, let’s be real — this time, we weren’t hiking, but we were rock climbing. There, I said it out loud. Gunung Pulai may look small from afar, but trust me, this mountain is about 95% rock, basically a giant chunk of stone sitting proudly next to another chunk of stone called Gunung Baling in the middle of Baling town. And yeah, climbing it? Way tougher than it looks.

If you’re like me, the kind who’s always craving a panoramic view of the town framed by the sea of Butterworth and the Penang Strait, then you have to do Gunung Pulai for the sunset view. I know, I know, it sounds a bit odd to climb in the afternoon, but curiosity got the best of me. I just had to see the sunset from the Butterworth-Penang side.

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Hiking Gunung Fakir Terbang

Gunung Fakir Terbang is located at Tasik Pedu, Padang Terap, Kedah.

It sits next to the Malaysia and Thailand border. You will witness a golden panorama view of Pedu Lake during sunset on Malaysia’s side and a gorgeous view of the green forestry landscape of the Yala province of Thailand during sunrise. The easiest entrance to the trail is through the Mutiara Tasik Pedu main gate. Mutiara Tasik Pedu Resort has long ago closed for business (closed in 2010) but the landowner is still actively guarding the area.

  • Location: Gunung Fakir Terbang, Mutiara Pedu Lake, Tasik Pedu, Kedah (570 meter)
  • How to go: Waze for “Seri Mahawangsa Boathouse” or “Gate Mutiara”, Tasik Pedu
  • Attraction: Thailand and Malaysia border. Panorama view of Tasik Pedu during sunset
  • Difficulty: Moderate hike
  • Distance out and back: ~ 4 km
  • Time spent: half-day trip
  • Caution: Kutu babi/ tick and leeches during the rainy season
  • Tips: Gorgeous view during sunset and sunrise. Discuss with your guide how to maximize your experience while hiking the mountain
  • Leech level: Minimal during the dry season
  • Entrance Fee: No
  • Require Permit: Yes
  • Local Guide: Abang Long Naser 019-506 8667
  • Hiking date: 27 January 2024
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Hiking Bukit Kodiang

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’.

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Hiking 1.0

Being a Doer and not a Talker, I gathered 10 friends and family for a 5D 4N hiking trip to 3 different hills and 1 mountain in Perak, Perlis and Kedah. Do you still remember my ranting about my trip last year (in 2023) to Mong Gajah in Tasik Pedu, Kedah?

Click >> here to read about my first time in >> Mong Gajah.

While I was enjoying my morning light at Mong Gajah, I saw a glimpse of the highest peak of Gunung Fakir Terbang (574 m) located in Tasik Pedu Kedah, hiding behind the thick morning mist. It is a part of the Trans Singgora (Banjaran Kedah Singgora), located at the border of Malaysia and Thailand. Amir, the owner of Tasik Pedu SeriMahawangsa boathouse used to share old folk stories about Tasik Pedu and its surroundings including Gunung Fakir Terbang, relating to the history of the Singgora Sultanate era.

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