A City Jungle Trail . Bukit Gasing Forest Reserve is a 100 hectare stretch of green belt dividing the city of Petaling Jaya (Selangor state) from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
It was once a rubber estate but, in the intervening 60 years, the miraculous restorative powers of nature have been allowed to work their magic and the park is now a haven of lush secondary forest including some pretty large trees.
Being surrounded by heavily populated areas, Bukit Gasing is a popular place for nearby residents to stretch legs, get the lungs and heart working and sweat off any extra weight.
There is a beautiful garden at the entrance to Gasing Hill from Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi.
Take the 15-minute pavement walk leading into the woods, which eventually emerge from the other side of the garden.
There is an abandoned house (somewhat creepy) midway. Take the fork that will lead you to the trails deep into Bukit Gasing.
Signboards and maps
There are undoubtedly insufficient signboards and maps at Gasing Hill. So far, I only found few maps and a few signboards along the trail. So i lost few time in the jungle . Fortunately, this is not a big jungle, and many trails will eventually join at a certain point .So end up we sill manage to find our way out.
The trails
Soon after you cross the archway of the main entrance, the pavement will eventually turn into nature’s pathway. Here you will be greeted by different trails. These trials will join at specific points in front as they are relatively close to each other.
Some of the sections of the trails have steps, but you still require a certain level of fitness to climb.
Suspension bridge
The trail is ideal for hiking. If you start your hike from the Main Entrance, you will pass by the trail with Labah-Labah signboard and then up the famous “cardiac hill” that is full of step and steep climb. Enjoy the scenery at a slow pace, which will take you to the suspension bridge.
Internet access
There is Internet access at most of the spots inside the hill. My Google Map was working .
The peak of the hill
There are many trails at Gasing Hills, but you won’t find any real peak of the hill. This place is a vantage point of Gasing Hills, which was once a watchtower. It is now a favorite pit stop for the hikers.
Bukit Gasing Site Map
Bukit Gasing Entrance
Bukit Gasing have 3 entrance
The Main Entrance (The Archway)
Gasing Hill has multiple entrances. One is the main entrance located at Petaling Jaya, with a simple archway. The other two is at Kuala Lumpur side of the hill, which is referred to as the back entrance. There are a few smaller trails that lead to some tar roads.
There is insufficient parking space at this entrance. You may have to park along the roadside or at the small parking area about a hundred meters away from the entrance.
Pantai Hill Entrance
Lembah Pantai Community Center (GPS: 3.103800, 101.661053)
The second entrance is from Pantai Hill. The trail starts right in front of the Lembah Pantai Community Center. There are plenty of parking lots along the way leading to the trail.
Entrance from Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi
This entrance is less popular, but it is easier to get a parking lot. It is also where the Steel Bridge is located. Steel Bridge at Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi: (GPS: 3.096630, 101.662852)
Activities
Explore an Urban Forest
Jungle tracks
Excellent place for hiking training
Family outings , picnic and camping
Photographer
What to bring
There aren’t many facilities at Gasing Hill. Bring along some drinking water and wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes.
There is no toilet in Gasing Hill. Make sure you use the lavatory somewhere else before entering their Hill. The nearest is at a car park about one hundred meters towards the left of the entrance, if you’re facing outside the hill.
There are quite a lot of mosquitoes so remember to bring along the insect repellant. I do not encounter any leeches here.
There is a Camping site at the garden entrance to Gasing Hill from Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi.
Get to Bukit Gasing Forest Park
Address: Bukit Gasing, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Geographic coordinates: Main entrance: 3.095138, 101.656131. Opening hours: Always open. Go by taxi: the Best way is to take a taxi as there is no bus and MRT to Bukit Gasing Best time to visit: Arrive before 10 AM to avoid crowds. Entrance fee: Free Website: www.bukitgasing.org/bukitgasingforestpark.htm