NATURE

BUKIT BROGA HILL 

( Semenyih )

Bukit Broga, also known as 'Bukit Lalang' - after the local species of grass that grows abundantly here, is a hill in Semenyih, at 400 meters high and 40 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur on the trunk road to Broga. It can be reached a short distance later after University of Nottingham, where the entrance starts at left from an oil palm estate opposite a rabbit park. Famed for its incredibly panoramic views (especially at dawn) along with easy accessibility on foot, the hill is a popular tourist attraction among locals; the estate owner cashes on the glut of visitors during weekends and public holidays by charging MYR2 per vehicle that parks on his grounds.

From the peak, visitors get a spacious view of the plains, coated by a mixture of rainforest, oil palm plantations, villages and towns, along with distant mountains. At dawn, mist rising from the ground from the warmth of the sun envelops the landscape in a carpet of white, evoking a surreal atmosphere. The hike while steep is relatively easy, taking anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes to reach the highest peak depending on one's fitness level, or photo stops. There are three peaks in total, each one ascends above the other through a clear path fringed by tall grass at each side. From the summit, a proper jungle trail leads through primary rainforest to Gunung Tok Wan (675 meters), a roughly one and a half hour hike on meandering slopes.

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BUKIT TABUR 

( Crystall Hill )

Bukit Tabur is a magnificent limestone ridge at Taman Melawati in Kuala Lumpur. It may possibly be the longest crystal quartz outcrop in the world, a geological wonder right next to the city. The ridge supports a type of heath forest, characterised by dry vegetation and plants that have adapted to growing on steep and harsh terrain. Climbing up the hill, visitors can see 250 species of small coniferous-like trees, shrubs, creepers, orchids and moss, including five endemic species of plants. Contained within much of the limestone are beautiful (but commercially worthless) quartz crystals, many which have been chipped off by visitors at exposed areas.

The highest peak, Tabur 'Extreme' as called by the Internet hiking community, lies at the end of the Eastern ridge.Running in a semi-circle at more than 14 km long and 200 meters wide, the most prominent section is the middle 5 km span that lies behind Taman Melawati all the way to the National Zoo. The sheer size of the ridge provides a dramatic backdrop to Kuala Lumpur, while home to many different types of mammals (including the rare mountain serow), birds, insects and other wildlife. While trekking here, dusky langurs can often be spotted making a ruckus among the trees while wild boars frequently dart away at the sound of footsteps. This section consists of several peaks that can be traversed via a few trails; the most popular route, Tabur West, begins at left from the Klang Gates entrance. This is followed by Tabur East, which can be accessed by climbing down the hill next to the Klang Gates entrance (at right), crossing a small stream and looking for a small but clear trail past the massive drain pipes.

Writing by :

WAN ARUSSANI FADIHA BIN WAN HASHIM

MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ BIN NORZAIDI

MOHAMAD ASHRAF BIN MOHD RIDZUAN

NA'IMAN BIN ISMAYUDIN