Penang Hill - Teluk Bahang Challenge

PROPOSED NEXT CHALLENGE

Teluk Bahang - Penang Hill

The longest forest trail in Penang

Tentative date : 11th July 2009

Distance - 11.3 kilometers,

-- 6.6km jungle track, 4.7km tar road
Duration - 5 + 1 hours,
Difficulty - Moderate to Tough

Return : By train or walk down

Fitness - min 2 hours hiking ability

Preparation for this hike :

1. Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip & last on wet ground

2. Drinking water of 2-3 litres (prefer some 100Plus drink)

3. Hiking Pole, if necessary

4. Salt/Ginger (help to prevent muscle cramp)

5. Wear breathable long pants/long sleeve t-shirt and bring towel

6. Gloves (cotton)

7. Knee guard and ankle guard

8. Raincoat/Umbrella/Hat

9. Food (minus biscuits)/Energy bars (to avoid low sugar level)

10. Environmental friendly insect repellent

11. Torch light and Whistle (optional)

12. Rubber Band/Thread/Needle (optional)

13. A set of change e.g. socks/clothes

14. Basic first aid kits e.g. hand plaster

15. Have walkie-talkie for communication, if any

16. Camera – to capture the moments - important

17. Packed in a comfortable knapsack

18. Stay in group

This forest trail, called the Penang Hill Forest Challenge, is developed by the State Forestry Department. It starts at the

Forest Park, winds through eight stops before reaching Bukit Laksmana and the permanent forest reserve. After reaching Western Hill, you continue your hike on a tarred jeep track until you reach the Upper Railway Station. From there you can use the jeep track to descend to the Botanical Gardens or Air Itam town (via Hye Keat). If you are too tired to walk down, you can always use the funicular railway. Apparently there are two ways of tackling this challenging trail. One is the tough version, which starts from the Forest Park and involves an uphill climb all the way. The other is the easier version, which starts from Western Hill and goes downhill until you reach the Forest Park.

More information will be updating in June.