The Best Hike in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia: Brinchang Mountain
The Cameron Highlands in Malaysia are a popular vacationing spot for Malays and other tourists. Only 200 km from Kuala Lumpur, the area is an easy bus ride from Pudu Sentral Bus Station (about 40 MYR, multiple buses in the first half of the day, takes about 4.5 hours). Most people head to the largest city in the highlands, Tanah Rata. We decided to go to Brinchang instead, mainly because we wanted to hike to the top of Brinchang Gunung (Brinchang mountain), which for novice hikers like us, is the best hike in the Cameron Highlands.
The peak of Brinchang mountain is about 2000 meters above sea level, but the hike is only about 500 meters up. The start of the trail is on the far side of Brinchang town. This map will help you find it. Once you’re on the trail (you’ll see a sign), it’s hard to get lost.
Itchy feet on the cheap in malaysia. S03E02 #BrinchangHike #travel #cameronhighlands
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The hike starts out relatively easy, but it gets harder the higher you climb. We didn’t struggle too much though, and we’re not regular hikers. I actually found it better than a normal hike along a flat path. There are a lot of decision-making moments where you have to stop and think about the best approach to take, which forced us to slow down and allowed us to catch our breath before we got too out-of-breath.
As we got higher up the mountain, the vegetation changed and the air got wetter. We even noticed a difference in the insects we were seeing. There are a few great viewpoints that need to be felt, and not just viewed on a camera phone.
Itchy feet on the cheap in malaysia. S03E04 #BrinchangHike #travel
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After about 2 hours we made it to the top where we found… a freaking road?! Oh yeah, it’s possible to take a taxi there, but what fun is that? The observation tower at the peak will give you a great view of the surrounding area. Pleases resist the urge to throw people who took there cars there to their death.
After resting at the observation tower, we started our way back down, this time using the paved road. At one point along the road, it’s possible to detour to the Mossy Forest trail, but when we reached it there were a couple van-loads of tourists about to start it, so we decided to skip it and continue down the windy road.
Itchy feet on the cheap in malaysia. S03E06 #BrinchangHike #travel #tea
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The BOH tea plantation is the largest tea plantation in Malaysia. The tea fields roll up and down the hills in perfect lines. It’s the most beautiful agricultural landscape that I’ve ever seen. The walk from Brinchang’s peak to the plantation is about 1 hour. On top of that, it’s another half hour to the factory and cafe.
The tea at the cafe is very very tasty. The food was also good and much needed. After hiking for about 3.5 hours, we were spent. We called a taxi to pick us up and take us back to our hotel where we would sleep for 4 months.
September 9, 2016 @ 12:25 am
Hey really enjoyed the article and vids. I made my own wee vid about my trip there, you guys might like it https://youtu.be/NV0m3VcXs-c
September 10, 2016 @ 7:14 pm
I did like it. Thanks!
May 16, 2019 @ 4:08 pm
Probably a stupid question, but how did you call a taxi?
May 16, 2019 @ 6:25 pm
Actually a good question. We had a cell phone and some help from someone, but the taxi was kind of expensive. I think he wanted extra to come up and get us. I can’t remember exactly how much.