Though this small hill might not appear tall enough to justify a journey to Ipoh, timing your visit for sunrise changes everything. The sight of the sea of clouds, bathed in the intense colors of dawn, makes the trip truly worthwhile. Many hikers pair this trip with the spectacular waterfalls in Lata Penyel around 50km from Sungai Siput. #bukitberekeh
The hike is incredibly scenic, but 80% of the trail is unshaded and the rest meanders through the old palm estate. It can get scorching hot even in the mornings, so bring enough water and cap.
We started our journey from a budget inn in Sungai Siput around 4:15 am, taking about 30 minutes to reach the trailhead via a winding and undulating road that passed through several villages. There used to be a few entry points to the hill, but most have since been closed off due to trespassing on private plantation land.
We parked along the shoulder of the road at an unassuming spot, barely able to make out our surroundings in the pitch darkness. However, the sight of many other cars lined up reassured us—they were likely fellow dawn hikers. Plus, we trusted the GPS wouldn't steer us wrong. #bukitberekehsunrise
Starting point: Starting point Bukit Berekeh
Hike Length: 4.5km on way
End Hike: Backtrack, around 4 hours
Track condition: sandy, rocky, steep
Hike Difficulty: total of 5 peaks
Facilities: None
Scenery Rewards: rolling mountain scenery
What to bring
1. Basic first aid stuff such as disinfectant, ankle guard in case you sprain your ankle, band-aid.
2. Headlamps in start before sunrise
3. At least 1l of water, pack snack!
4. Wind breaker, as it does get cool in the peak
5. Gloves optional
6. Cap
Palm Oil trail
The trail started off easy and flat for about 20 minutes before transitioning into a steady, moderate ascent. Navigating in the dark was challenging, but the path was well-trodden and clear enough to follow.
After 45 minutes, we reached a point where the gradient became noticeably steeper. I spotted a white rope meant to aid the climb but hesitated to use it, unsure of its sturdiness. Fortunately, the steep section was short, and soon we arrived at a clear landing—though not the peak, it was the ridge of the range
Peaks
There are a total of five peaks to cross before reaching the main summit. It reminded me of Hong Kong's very famous dragon back trail minus the sea.
Some can be bypassed by trekking around the grassy areas, avoiding any ascent or descent. However, a few required climbing all the way up craggy rocks, where the trail was less defined.
We began the hike slightly later than planned, and soon found ourselves rushing to reach the summit before dawn. The final peak felt like a race in the dark, navigating steep and rocky terrain that shouldn’t be underestimated; it's best to allocate around two hours to make it before sunrise. As we summited, we discovered the peak was already bustling with hikers who had started much earlier, securing the best spots to witness the colors of dawn. #sunrisehikes
We waited eagerly for the first light, which gradually illuminated the surroundings, revealing a sea of clouds blanketing the valley below and rolling hills beyond. The atmosphere shifted to a warm orange hue as we patiently awaited the sun’s arrival, anticipating the golden 'egg yolk' to rise. Morning came, but the sun never broke through the clouds that day. That's life sometimes! Nevertheless, witnessing the brilliant shift in colors felt invigorating and full of promise.
Date visited: 22th September 2024
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