Gunung Hitam 1220m, lives up to it's name!

Updated: Apr 22

Gunung Hitam, straddled on the Selangor/Negeri Sembilan boarder is relatively unpopular among hikers. Like an ugly sister of Gunung Nuang, Gunung Hitam probably received it's name as the shadow of Nuang?

This area was once known for Air Terjun Sungai Gabai recreational park, which unfortunately closed in January 2022 due to a terrifying erosion and flood. #gununghitam

Gunung Hitam is my first long hike (above 10km) in 2024.

Initially, I did not expect much of Gunung Hitam and assumed it to be relatively moderate. My assumptions were far from accurate. Gunung Hitam shares notable similarities with Gunung Nuang particularly the section from Camp Lolo to Peak, the latter being more demanding, steep and ardours!

Park car opposite Ikan Bakar Seri Nikat, 10rm, with toilet facilities

Starting point: Gunung Hitam Trail head

Hike Duration: 15km

Stream Crossing: 2 small streams

End Hike: Backtrack

Track condition: Raw at parts, top soil is dry

Hike Difficulty: of the 7.5km on way, 3km is steep inclination! HARD

Toilet facilities: Available at car park (10rm) bath & toilet

Break it into 4 parts,

Part 1- orchard, durian hut, bamboo grove (easy but overgrown)
Part 2- 2nd stream to boulder (steep inclination)
Part 3- Boulders to peak ( moderately steep inclination)
Part 4- Gua Jepun ( undulating on the the ridge)

Scenery Rewards: KL view, Semenyih dam, Genting Highlands

Note: A permit and a guide is needed to hike Gunung Hitam from 2024 (DM me for guide info)

What to bring

1. Basic first aid stuff such as disinfectant, ankle guard in case you sprain your ankle, band-aid.

2. Walking stick

3. Raincoat and Poncho,

4. Head-Torch, if you start before 7am

5. At least 2l of water, pack lunch, snack!

6. Change of clothes

7. Good pair of hiking shoes is absolutely necessary

8. Gloves optional

9. Leech Alert! So do bring a Dettol or Listerine spray. Tiger leech spotted!

10. Check the weather forecast

PART 1 - Carpark, orchard, bamboo groves

We took a 4x4 from the bottom car park area to the trailhead to conserve some energy. It wouldn't be possible on a normal saloon car as the road is unpaved and uneven.

The short ride covered approximately 2km of our total hike. We parked at a flat clearance with a dilapidated pavilion. We headed down from the car park, crossed the steel bridge and enter the trailhead on the left.

Sungai Lei, one of the tributaries of Sungai Gabai! Perfect place to cool down after hike

The initial 2km of the hike was a steady ascent passing overgrown groves, durain orchards and bamboo thickets. We crossed a rickety wooden bridge that was at the brink of collapse. Each of our steps felt like a gamble, but thankfully it remained intact even on our return journey.

As we progressed beyond the second stream crossing, the terrain begins to incline steadily and increasingly steep. As we passed old bamboo groves, the orchestra of nature unfolded around us with buzzing of cicadas and crickets and the unmistakable mating call of the Great Argus Bird (listen to the birds call) and troupes of gibbons echoing on the canopy top. #gibbons

Many obstacles, fallen bamboo, trees, high slopes along the trail! Rather raw

PART 2: Steep Ascend to the boulders 850m

The hardest part of the hike begins as we crossed the 2nd stream. It was a 2km stretch of pure ascent! The gradients were unforgiving with no flat landing in between!

After the durian orchard, towering dipterocarp trees, such as Meranti replaces the fruit trees

After 2km of relentless steep inclines we finally approached a lookout point offering a much-needed moment of respite and water break. This is a good point to refill because we are only 2/3 of the way!

Sweeping views of the sea of trees below and KL views and Genting Highland further at the horizon

The terrain from the boulders was less steep but still demanding

PART 3: Ascend to the Peak 1220

Just beyond the lookout point a few meters upwards at approximately 850m in elevation, loomed the colossal boulder. Beyond this imposing landmark lays another gruelling one hour climb. It is especially painful because the ridge was in sight, but the trail stretched endless before us! I had to dig deep to focus and push onward, one step at the time.

The group of us ascended with heavy legs and deep sighs punctuated the air before we finally reached the cloud shrouded summit, with an exception of one hiker! (Micheal, the mountain goat)

As we ascended pass 850, the tempreture was significantly cooler

Part 4: Gua Jepun 1181m

When you see the faded Gunung Hitam arrow sign at the ridge, you're about 5minutes away, but save enough energy for the final push! As we approached 1000m, we entered a different tree zone, where the trees, dwarfed, bottom soil damp, wrangled root system and boulders carpeted with thick moss! We had entered into the cloud forest! #mossyforest

Finally, after enduring what felt like eternity, we emerged triumphed in the cloud shrouded summit at 1130.

Gunung Hitam was enveloped by an eerie white mist. We, in our sweaty clothes started to feel the chills, and it is advisable to bring along a dry tee to change into.

We quickly regrouped, took the obligatory group photo, refuelled and dashed off to explore Gua Jepun. Gua Jepun nestled en route to Trans Langat, which covers Gunung Hitam 1220m, Bukit Resam Ambat 1149m, Bukit Bati Bulan 1008m and ending at Genting Peres (B32.N32 trunkroad). While we weren't embarking on a Trans hike, the thought of it sparked interest, particularly considering the possibility of arranging a vehicle pick-up at Genting Peres. Without such arrangements, however, completing the trek would entail an 11 kilometers walk along the trunk road back to the carpark.

Thank you Pipi malim for bringing us to Gunung Hitam and back safely

The trek to Gua Jepun, spanning 700 meters from the Gunung Hitam peak, proved to be a short but rewarding journey, especially considering the "no view" at the summit. The sight of the boulder balancing formation made the extra mile entirely worthwhile. It took us a mere 20 minutes to make the round trip from the peak to explore these fascinating geological feature.

While exploring the cave, I had a startling encounter with a hungry tiger leech as it crept up my shoe. I was a nervous wreck and quickly flicked it off, and thankfully it did come off! YIKES! Although I had never encountered this particular "tiger" species before, its distinct stripes and size, as large as my thumb, made it unmistakable.

Given that the reserve forest had recently reopened and few hikers had ventured beyond Gua Jepun, the trail felt raw and untamed, teeming with hungry leeches eager to feast on unsuspecting hikers.

RETURN

We left the peak around 1230. It took around 1 hour to navigate back to the big boulders. A another hour to reach the dilapidated bridge, and over 30 minutes to exit the jungle. By 3pm we were dipping in the cool river and freshening up! Aroudn 3.45pm we reached the lower car park, but Ikan Bakar Seri Nikat was still not ready to cook out their meals! We decided to head to the closest town for a well deserved meal!

The journey downhill, sapped a lot of energy and most of us were drained but glad we made it in good time. Despite Gunung Hitam's relatively short distance, it more than compensates for in the intensity of its gradient. If you are new to hiking or have not hiked more than 10km before, do not do this hike! You will need to be comfortable hiking 6 hours or more continuously. Start by doing 5km hikes and gradually increase the length of your hikes. Proper preparation is key to am enjoyable and fun hike! YEAHHHH we did it!!