Not every hiking trip is about reaching a summit with spectacular panoramic views. Sometimes, the real attraction lies in the challenge of getting there, the obstacles along the trail, and the unexpected things we encounter along the way.
That was pretty much our experience hiking Bukit Gua Kambing in Kelantan, Malaysia.
Located near Ketereh, this hill offers a different kind of hiking experience. Rather than a scenic trail with beautiful viewpoints, we found a rugged jungle route with steep climbs, tree roots, large boulders, and muddy sections that required us to watch every step carefully.
The hike itself was not particularly long, covering approximately 5 km round trip. However, don’t let the distance fool you. The steep ascent and uneven terrain made it a more demanding adventure than the distance might suggest.
We spent around five hours completing the hike, including our stops along the way.
Content
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- From Kota Bharu to Ketereh – Finding the Trailhead
- The Real Hike Begins – A Muddy Trail and a Steep Climb
- Tree Roots, Large Boulders, and Millipedes Along the Trail
- Reaching Gua Kambing – A Rock Shelter Rather Than a Deep Cave
- Taking a Different Trail Down and Visiting Lupuk Lesong Waterfall
- Crossing the Construction Site Again and Returning to the Trailhead
- Our Hiking Experience at Bukit Gua Kambing
- A Quick Guide to Hiking Bukit Gua Kambing
- 🎬Watch our video
From Kota Bharu to Ketereh – Finding the Trailhead
We started our journey in the morning, traveling from Kota Bharu toward Ketereh in Kelantan.
After leaving the main road, we continued along a narrow, bumpy road for more than 2 km before finally reaching the trailhead.
There was nobody around when we arrived, so we parked our car and got ready for the hike. At this point, everything seemed pretty normal. We had reached the trailhead, and all that remained was to start walking uphill.
Well, that was what we thought!
An Unexpected Detour Through a Highway Construction Site
Instead of entering the jungle, we soon found ourselves at a highway construction site.
It turned out that we had to cross the construction area and make our way to the other side before we could begin the actual hike. This was certainly not what we had expected.
The Real Hike Begins – A Muddy Trail and a Steep Climb
Once we had crossed the construction site, we started walking along a muddy trail through an open area.
The surroundings gradually changed as we moved farther along. The open ground gave way to a narrower trail, with bushes growing on both sides.
And then the climbing began.
The trail became steep almost immediately. Short metal ladders had been installed to help us negotiate the more difficult sections.
Before long, we reached a junction with a yellow signboard pointing toward the peak. We followed the direction indicated by the sign and continued our ascent.
From this point onward, the trail was predominantly uphill, with very few flat sections where we could catch our breath.
The climb required a fair amount of effort, and we had to pace ourselves as we continued toward the top.
Tree Roots, Large Boulders, and Millipedes Along the Trail
Tree roots crisscrossed the trail everywhere, sometimes forming natural steps and sometimes lying across the path where we least expected them.
We also had to make our way across large boulders, which added another challenge to the climb.
It had rained the previous night, leaving some sections muddy and slippery. Walking uphill on such ground was challenging enough, but we were glad to have ropes and sturdy trees nearby to hold on to for support.
It was a relatively quiet day. We encountered only two or three other hiking groups along the way.
Another thing that caught our attention was the number of millipedes along the trail.
Some were surprisingly beautiful, with attractive colors and patterns. Others were moving together in such large numbers that they resembled a mass of wriggling worms. It was quite an unusual sight!
We wondered whether it might have been their mating season, which could explain why we encountered so many of them in one area.
These little creatures became one of the unexpected highlights of our hike. Sometimes, it’s the small things we notice along the way that make a hiking adventure more interesting.
Reaching Gua Kambing – A Rock Shelter Rather Than a Deep Cave
After a fair amount of climbing, we finally arrived at Gua Kambing, one of the destinations on this hike.
The word gua means cave in Malay. When we hear the word cave, we might imagine a deep opening in a mountain, perhaps extending some distance into the rock. However, Gua Kambing is more like a rock shelter, formed by a large rock that protrudes outward and creates a sheltered space underneath.
Not far from there, we came across another large rock with a signboard. Naturally, we stopped to take a few photographs to remember our visit.
But we weren’t finished yet. The summit was still a little farther uphill.
Continuing to the Summit of Bukit Gua Kambing
After visiting Gua Kambing, we continued uphill for a short distance until we reached the peak. There was another signboard at the top, providing another spot for photographs.
Now, if you’re expecting a beautiful panoramic view from the summit, you might be disappointed.
There was no sweeping view of the surrounding hills or valleys. Instead, the summit was simply the upper part of the hill, surrounded by forest.
But for us, the challenge of reaching the top was part of the experience. Bukit Gua Kambing is more about the challenge of the trail than the scenery at the summit.
Taking a Different Trail Down and Visiting Lupuk Lesong Waterfall
For our return journey, we took a different trail down the hill.
Although this route wasn’t as steep as the one we had taken on the way up, it was still challenging. By this point, we were beginning to feel tired.
Walking downhill required just as much concentration as climbing up. With tree roots, uneven ground, and slippery patches underfoot, we had to watch our footing carefully.
Before returning to the highway construction area, we stopped at a small waterfall and pool known as Lupuk Lesong.
Getting down to the waterfall wasn’t easy because the descent was steep.
One interesting thing we noticed was a pipe installed by local villagers to collect fresh water for their daily use.
After spending some time there, we continued along the trail toward the construction area.
Crossing the Construction Site Again and Returning to the Trailhead
Eventually, we made our way back to the highway construction area.
We had to pass through it again, and it took us approximately 15 minutes to reach the trailhead.
And that marked the end of our hike.
Our Hiking Experience at Bukit Gua Kambing
If you’re looking for a rugged trail that offers a good physical challenge rather than spectacular scenery, Bukit Gua Kambing is worth considering. Just be prepared for the steep ascent, uneven terrain, and muddy conditions, especially after rain.
One practical point worth remembering is that there are no toilets on the hill, so make sure you use the toilet before starting the hike.
Have you hiked Bukit Gua Kambing before? I’d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to share your thoughts or any useful tips in the comments below.
A Quick Guide to Hiking Bukit Gua KambingA Quick Guide to Hiking Bukit Gua Kambing
Here is a quick overview of our hiking experience for anyone planning a visit.
- Location: Near Ketereh, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Starting point: The trailhead, reached via a narrow, bumpy road
- Round-trip distance: Approximately 5 km
- Total hiking time: Around five hours, including stops
- Trail difficulty: Challenging, particularly because of the steep ascent and uneven terrain
- Main attractions: Gua Kambing rock shelter, the summit signboard, and Lupuk Lesong Waterfall
- Trail conditions: Muddy and slippery in some sections, especially after rain
- Facilities: No toilets on the hill
These details are based on our experience during this particular hike. Trail conditions may vary depending on the weather and other circumstances.
🎬Watch our video
We’ve put together a video from this trip, which you can watch on YouTube by clicking the image below.
If you enjoy hiking, I highly recommend checking out Gunung Stong in Kelantan too! It has a beautiful hiking trail, stunning waterfalls, and breathtaking sunrise views.
