Dan's Adventure

The Cameron Highlands sit high above the rest of peninsular Malaysia in a cool calm that is a welcome break from the Asian heat. Scones and jam, tea plantations and strawberry farms all hint towards the British past. Most of the towns are a bit on the over developed side with large hotels, golf courses, starbucks and KFC all having a presence, but just beyond the town limits lies a jungle waiting to be explored.

Tanah Rata is probably the best places to use as a base in the Cameron Highlands if walking is your plan. From town there are around 16 numbered trails ranging from a one hour stroll to full day climbs. The majority of the trails are not very well marked and finding the trail head can often be the most difficult part. With fallen trees blocking the path, stream crossings where the trail seems to disappear and unmarked intersections where several trails meet, it can be difficult to know which way to go.

Several companies and guest houses in Tanah Rata offer daily guided walks along various trails, usually leaving around 10am and returning in the early afternoon. If you are not comfortable walking on your own, fear getting lost, or just want to be with someone that can tell you about the animals and plants that you see then this is a good way to go.

The Cameron Highlands can be accessed from either the north or the south. There are daily bus services to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Butterworth, and tourist mini buses go to Taman Negara. I arrived from the north, from Ipoh which took just over 2 hours.