Activities
If climbing Mount Kinabalu is not your cup of tea, there are also several interesting nature trails within Kinabalu Park you can consider exploring;
Trails |
Distance (Meter) |
Duration |
1. Liwagu Trail |
5009 |
2 hours |
2. Silau silau Trail |
3057 |
1 ½ hours |
3. Bukit Burung Trail |
1082 |
1 hour |
4. Kiau View Trail |
2544 |
1 ½ hours |
5. Bundu Tuhan View (Sunset) |
465 |
15 minutes |
6. Pandanus Trail |
598 |
20 minutes |
7. Bukit Ular Trail |
397 |
30 minutes |
IMPORTANT : All mentioned trails require the hiker to be accompanied by either a Sabah Park Ranger or Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Naturalist.
- LIWAGU RIVER TRAIL
5,009 metres
2 Hours
The trail starts from Kinabalu Balsam Restaurant located at the Park’s Headquarters. The trail leads to Silau-Silau but does not cross until the Liwagu junction. Follow the Liwagu upstream before reaching the Power Station road near Timpohan Gate. It is a steep, narrow and varied trail through a ridge forest, cool stream valley, rattan palms and Liwagu.
- SILAU-SILAU TRAIL
3,057 metres
11/2 Hours
Follow the river from its source below Kiau Gap which junctions with the Liwagu River near the overhanging rock of Liwagu Cave. The trail is linked with other trails at various points, including Bukit Burong, Bukit Tupai and Kiau view.
- BUKIT BURONG TRAIL
1,082 metres
1 Hour
Start from the road, crossing the Silau-Silau stream and trail. Proceed up ridge side to Bukit Burong shelter for a spectacular view of the Park’s Headquarters, Lower Liwagu Valley and Mount Kinabalu. Attractions include easy access to a hill forest, cool stream valleys and dry ridge tops.
- KIAU VIEW TRAIL
2,544 metres
11/2 Hours
From the arch at the park entrance, proceed along a wide undulating ridge trail. Finish just after the 1.5 km mark along the Power Station Road opposite the entrance to Silau-Silau Trail. Attractions include scenic views of the west coast and an assortment of local tree species.
- BUNDU TUHAN VIEW (SUNSET)
465 metres
15 minutes
Take the loop road below the staff quarters near the Conservation Centre. The trail reaches shelter at a ridge top above the main Ranau Highway. Obtain spectacular views of Bundu Tuhan village and southern mountains including Sabah’s second highest peak, Trus Madi (2,642 mtres). Follow the ridge down to Liwagu Trail.
- PANDANUS TRAIL
598 metres
20 minutes
A broad well graded trail offering refreshing views. The Pandanus Trail opened in September 1999 for World Mountain Trophy Race, starting near the car park of the Park’s Headquarters administration building joining the Kiau View Trail at ridge crest.
- BUKIT ULAR HILLSIDE TRAIL
397 metres
30 minutes
A fairly steep trail takes hikers through a journey along a winding road around Bukit Ular from the top of Power Station Road and finally emerging just behind the Power Station. Attempt a challenging 30-minute detour from the top of Bukit Ular for excellent views of a waterfall and mountain.
- MEMPENING TRAIL
2,516 metres
11/2 Hours
Star half way up Power Station Road, trek down ridge through dense oak chestnut forest to Bukit Tupai and Silau-Silau stream. Good view of Park Headquarter and Liwagu Valley.
- BUKIT TUPAI TRAIL
345 metres
15 minutes
From Multipurpose Hall, cross Silau-Silau stream and trail, going straight up to ridge crest and Bukit Tupai Shelter. Splendid view of Park Headquarters and tree canopy area. On clear days, breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu. Ridge crest links to Mempening, and Bukit Burong Trail.
Other Sights and Sounds
Mountain Garden
Guided walks available at 9:00am, 12:00noon & 3:00pm for a nominal fee payable at the Park Headquarters.
An excellent introduction to some of the plants of Kota Kinabalu can be found in the Mountain Garden. It offers a glimpse into the incredible diversity of plant life and showcases plants from all over Kinabalu Park in their natural surroundings. This 2 hectare fenced garden (about 5 acres) was established in 1981.
The garden straddles the Silau-Silau Stream just after the visitor centre. A slightly elevating gravel path leads to plant display houses and an enriched forest.
Plant species to look out for include small trees such as the Kinabalu Nutmeg, Kerosene Tree, Earth Fig and climbers such as the Bauhinia Liana, Bamboo and flowering plants such as the Kinabalu Balsam, Medinella, Lipstick Flower, ginger, ferns, wild bananas, aroids, wild and rare orchids.
Slide Show Presentation
Available at 2:00pm daily & 7:30pm on Weekends & Public Holidays, please enquire with the Park Headquarters for more information.
Start your Kinabalu adventure with an interesting slide show presentation on Sabah and the majestic Mount Kinabalu. Acquire knowledge about the local culture and tradition, familiarize yourself with Borneo's magical rainforest and seek out those who reside within its habitat.
Guided Walks
Available at 11:00am daily, please enquire with the Park Headquarters for more information.