Pine Hill & Twin Peak trail at Fraser's Hill

If I had to pick the best hike in Malaysia as yet, this would be one of them! Simply due to the cool highland weather, rich vegetation, majestic Titiwangsa mountain range views and the vertical cliff climb as the cherry on the cake.

It is demanding and challenging, and follows the border of Pahang and Selangor state and totally worthwhile with a climax climb just before summiting Pine Hill Peak.

Final ascent up PINE tree peak! What goes up must come down!

Starting point: End of High Pines Road, park along the bungalow houses, you will find the PINE TREE TRAIL arch. We started around 8.50 am

Hike Duration: Allow around 8 hours from the entrance of the jungle, approximately 13.5km in and out, 5km to PINE TREE peak 1448m, 1km to Twin Peak 1505m.

End Hike: It is a backtrack. And each of us completed the hike at different timing from 4.30 pm-6.00 pm

Hike Difficulty: 3.5/5

The13km hike to Pine Tree and Twin Peaks and back is arduous. But the terrain is moderate.

Scenery Rewards: 4/5 Sweeping views of the Titiwangsa Range

PERMIT: Needed, please click here to apply through Pahang Forestry (payment only through bank draft or postal order)

Note: The trail winds up and down across several tops and ridges before hitting the peak. It is not a straight-forward hike!

What to bring

1. Basic first aid utilities

2. Walking stick no really necessary as the ground is rather hollow

3. Raincoat and Pancho ( you will be able to find them at any convenience store or Daiso shops for about RM6.00)

4. Torch if you are starting early in the morning

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

6. Change of clothes, especially if you want to refresh yourself by the waterfalls at the end of the hike.

7. Good pair of hiking shoes is absolutely necessary

8. Gloves are absolutely necessary as you will be abseiling at a very interesting point!

9. Check the weather forecast

10. The weather can range between 18-22 degrees Celcius, bring a warm jacket in case it gets windy!

Start hike

The PINE TREE trail starts at a height of 1329meters and summits at 1488meters. I was deceived to think that this hike was a direct stroll with only 127m elevation gain over 5.5Km and an extra 1Km to the Twin peak and back, but was totally wrong!

Imagine PINE TREE peak and Twin Peak as a HUGE W alphabet.

Pine Tree, Fraser's Hill Trail in the morning mist

The start of the hike was a walk in a cool forest in a rather flat terrain, filled with flowers and spider webs. You'll reach an uneven flight of stairs downhill, and more sheer descend before you reach a winding flat area filled with roots and moss!

Sun Rays

The winding flat area gradually ascents uphill and winds up to a ridge. On the right side on a clear day, you could peek through the curtain of leaves with magnificent Titiwangsa Range in view.

Rolling Hills of Titiwangsa Range

Shortly you will reach a funny looking tree with shelter and a sign about the link between nature and humanity.... deep stuff and my brain is shouting for oxygen, can't interpret such profound words!

Tree Shelter

DEEP STUFF

From here it is an upward hike. At this stage the ground of the forest starts to change and they are filled with green moss. You will pass through more roots and fallen orchid epiphytes, pitcher plant along the way.

In about 2 half hours into the hike, you will reach one final rock face that will lift you up to the enchanted forest. This is when your gloves will come in handy, and the ropes are definitely necessary! The only way to conquer this formidable craggy cliff would be a good buddy to hold firm the ropes, some courage and one step at the time!

PINE TREE PEAK 1448m

Sweeping Views of the Titiwanga Range

Twin PEAK 1505m

The Pine Tree Peak to Twin Peak starts with a descend into the furry mossy forest! Approximately 1Km, allocate about 1 hour back and forth from Pine Tree Peak.

The descending part from Pine Tree peak was totally enchanting. The weather up here is cool and damp and perfect condition for mossy habitat. As you descend the moss slowly disappears and you will ascend again to a clearing known as Twin Peak 1505M.

State borders at the peak, Selangor to the left and Pahang to the right!

Habitats

If you appreciate plants, this hike would be deeply rewarding! The hills is filled with so many species of wild jungle orchids, monkey pitcher plant, flowers, palm, bamboo, wild bananas, wild ginger, ferns, moss and more moss......

Wild Jungle Orchids

Pitcher Plant/ Napenthes

Return Leg

We start the daunting abseiling down from the cliff backtrack where we came from and then..... the steps up!! At this point, you are exhausted and the stairs up seem to go on forever! All of us managed to muster this last upward track with whatever energy was left in us.

Stairway to HOME

Reflections

I came rather unprepared for this and under-estimated the 13km double peak hike. However, I am totally delighted to bag 2 peaks in a day!!

In the time of a worldwide pandemic the rules and regulation of the forestry department in every state changes in flux. We were very fortunate to find trust-worthy and credible organizers for a hike that requires a guide (5 to one guide) and proper entry permit to the trail!

Peaks Outdoor Malaysia organizes regular hikes to different peaks and mountains!

Group Photo in Twin Peak

This hike, although rated by many organizers as moderate, is in fact mentally demanding. The sheer cliff at the base of Pine Tree and the flight of steps on the return leg summons some courage and mental strength! KEEP GOING!!

We had a huge feast at Kuala Kubu Bharu town at a classic Kopi-Tiam shop that serves scrumptious authentic home-cooked food!

Wong Ng Kee Chicken Chop

I came home invigorated and stoke on this epic hike! I loved it!

Date visited: 1st August 2020