Folded between Desa Parkcity and Kepong this twin peak is easily accessible for urban hikers, not needing to venture across borders for a good quad workout. It is actually part of a more extensive forested area which extends south as far as Bukit Kiara and is separated from this area by the North-South Expressway.
Sri Bintang, what use to be the northern tip of Bukit Kiara Forest Reserve
If you are looking for something more challenging you could hike all the way to Kiara and back or from Kiara to Sri Bintang and back. This journey best to be undertaken early in the morning as there are some exposed parts that can be scorching in the sun!
Sweeping views of Kuala Lumpur and Kepong, Batu Caves rewards you at the top of this short and sweet hike during trying times!
Starting point: Google Sri Bintang trailhead, it starts at Jalan Sri Bintang 8
Hike Duration: 1.5 hours
End Hike: Backtrack about 3.5km, you could repeat the loop.
Hike Difficulty: 2/5 although some part is rather steep!
Scenery Rewards: 4/5
Tips: Come early as the parking gets quite full due to the popularity of the location.
What to bring
1. Good pair of hiking shoes
2. Cap is necessary as there is a part without canopy and can get really hot
3. Check the weather forecast
4. 1 litre of water (if you are doing Reverse Trans, bring 2 litres of water)
5. Mosquito Repellent
6. A GOOD ADVENTURE SPIRIT
Start hike
We took the left canopy path, stopped at a lookout point towards Kepong town, and proceeded up till we reach a flat barren dirt land. ( badly eroded and by the look of it, earmarked for future housing development) #sribintangtrail
We reached this flatten area full of stone cairns left behind by hikers, each more remarkably balanced than the other. Interestingly you can find many strange land formation here and crystalized quarts amongst the soil.
This trail has few rope challenges where you need to ascend at 70-85 degree angles. Although the slopes are not formidable enough to scare you off but it promises an exhilarating rush! The first slope is an easy one, about 65 degree angle. From here 2 paths, the right leads to the exhilarating slope.
The first part of the slope is a little scramble but the second part requires some guts and a wide stretch in your thighs. If all fails, you can still enjoy the view by taking the left path up. Which is a gentle trail to Peak 1.
Peak 1
The top of this peak is towered by a huge pylon and power lines that run across Kepong to Segambut. I have to say the power lines are a real spoiler to an otherwise perfect city view of Kuala Lumpur!
There are not many trees at the peak, so it is important to bring a cap or better still, a parasol. Further on towards the wooded area, there is an outdoor gym with concrete weights for those who can muster more energy!
From the peak 1, we re-entered the wooded area and headed all the way down almost to the point where we entered. But this time we took a different path and head up to the next hill.
Peak 2
It is always a challenge to gain back the elevation after descending too quick too soon. The initial ascend is in wooded area and therefore shaded. But it clears up at some point and you will be completely exposed to the elements. During this ardous and hot upward trail, don't miss the views on the right. You will see Batu Caves and yonder more mountain range, and below the city. Simply breathtaking and short of breath all at once!
At the second hill there is more shade for rest and relax. The community of Sri Bintang has utilized this area well by planting a wide variety of plants and herbs on Peak 2.
From here, the trail is pretty self-explanatory. Some descend and ascend and you will find yourself back at the point where you started.
However, if you wish to venture further, there is a path behind the (I love Sri Bintang) tree that will lead you all the way to Mt. Kiara. You will traverse on the same trail whichever way you begin from!
Trans Sri Bintang or Kiara reverse
This 8km hike, depending on your start point from Peak 2 in Sri Bintang or from Bukit Kiara Ayuria is not for the faint-hearted! This reverse trans will take about 2-4 hours depending on your fitness level and will leave you exhausted and pumped-up for more!
Traversing this trail is exciting as it is picturesque with many vantage points. If you are attempting this, do make sure you pack enough water (2 liter minimum) and loads of mosquito repellent and a cap.
Starting point: Mt Kiara Serene Residence
Hike Duration: 4 hours
End Hike: Backtrack about 8km
Hike Difficulty: 3/5
Scenery Rewards: 3/5
We attempted this from Bukit Kiara, however, it would be the same if you take it from Peak 2 in Sri Bintang, just opposite. I would divide the hike into 3 parts.
Fast foward 2022, you could drive and park at the edge of the new housing area (Serene Residence) and skip the Kampung Palimbayang session! However, this would mean you'll skip the orchards and a chance to see durians or mangosteens hanging from the trees. This stretch of the new housing estate is barren is extremely hot! Bring enough water!
Kiara Boner Right
If you are coming from Kiara this would be a downhill slope. However, the return league can be exhausting as this would be an upward climb when you are all worn out. Instead of joining Bukit Kiara Park make a right at the fork towards the construction site. ( it is a housing area now)
There is a vantage point here toward Kepong/Desa Park City and few big boulders as you decent to Kampung Palimbayan.
Palimbayan orchards/construction site (housing area)
The downward path will meet a stream that boarders Kampung Palimbayan. Huge durian trees tower the slopes leading down to the village. We cross the stream and trek up another hill towards the housing estate. This hill is filled with lush mangosteen trees and was bursting with a sweet scent when we passed the orchard. (if in season)
The undulating land is perfect for durian and mangosteen farming. This session will take about 30 minutes, but now with the opening of the new housing estate, you could skip the area entirely)
***Mosquito attack, swarms of mosquitos will attack you if you are not properly covered! Make sure you are well prepared with repellent here! Try not to stop!
Despite the fact that the Government has gazetted Kampung Sungai Penchala as one of the Malay Reserve Lands in Kuala Lumpur, this village is being actively developed and is arguably the most rapidly developed areas in the past 10 years with many developments having taken place.
This part is a downhill slope, traipse along a dried-up stream, and up again at the construction workers barracks (the squatters are long gone now, just traces of garbage on a flatten land).
Rubber fields/Sri Bintang
The rubber trees area is the most pleasant part, due to the fact that it is flat and rather spaced out with not much undergrowth. Just follow the pink ribbons that mark the trail!
walk thought the rubber fields, roundabout tree and the trail slopes down.
This part of the jungle was full will geranium and coffee plants! So intense the bright orange/yellow colour!
At some point, the trail drops as it nears the highway. The descent took about 10 minutes as the sound of the passing car becomes more distinct. We passed a little stream and headed under the highway!
After the bridge, this part would be the hottest with no tree canopy. However, there is a sense of wildness. Being right next to a bustling highway, larger than life billboard, it all seems so surreal?? (maybe it is just me)
The alternate way through water drainage across the highway
If you are looking for some adventure, want to experience jailbreak, perhaps you could take the drainage route. Instead of heading left after the stream towards under the highway, go straight and take the drainage step up, and crawl through the drainage! It is about a 30m crawl in the dark.
It's a black hole but at least you see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Don't need a headlamp since you can clearly see the light at the end of the tunnel
You will end up on the other side of the highway. Now, find a gap between the fence, try to squeeze through and head up to the Sri Bintang hill! We did a boot camping crawl through the pried fence, into Sri Bintang vicinity! At that moment, I understood how it felt to be a robber!
From the billboards, we hiked up the hill, reached a tarmac road that leads to the Desa Parkcity reservoir, scramble a little more to reach the tree with the swing and with one last push, reached Peak 2 of Sri Bintang. (We took about 1 half hour to reach Sri Bintang)
We took a short break, restore our energy and headed back. Except, this time was much hotter! Therefore it is wise to start as early as possible to avoid the unbearable heat!
The return leg journey is indeed tougher, as we were fatigued and dehydrated! With that in mind, remember to reserve some energy & water for the return!
Reflections
You are never far from civilization when hiking here. You may not find that wild cry of nature or get lost from the city, simply due to the proximity from the city and development around this prime area and the constant bustling from the motorways!
However, the Trans Bukit Kiara/Sri Bintang has a magnetic appeal and is extremely popular among weekend hikers perhaps due to its easy accessibility. This hike treads along some less explored areas in an urban city and you will come out accomplished and satisfied although it is only a mere 8km to and fro!
However, if you are looking to clock more miles, you could do Peak 1 and 2 at Sri Bintang, but I would suggest you safe some energy!
It was such a pleasurable yet challenging hike with Alex Goh and the Sunday lady hikers who normally took more pictures than pant, but not this time!
Date visited: November, December, March 2020, 2021, 2022
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