Bukit Repin via Kemensah - The Mean Trail

Kampung Kemensah located behind National Zoo (Zoo Negara) in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Kemensah is a known hot spot for it's waterfall, river chalet and vast trails.

Among popular trails in Kemensah are Bukit Pau/paw, Bukit Tabur Extreme and Tabur Far East, Bamboo Trail, Sungai Pusu trail, Pondok Repin trail, Bukit Repin Trail which can be extended to Gunung Nuang.

Teratak Angah street view via google map

Teratak Angah location in google map

My point of view on categorizing how hard or easy the trails :

• Easy Trail (beginner level) - Bukit Pau/Paw to the Lake, Bamboo Trail
• Moderate Trail (intermediate level) - Lubuk Tedung, Tabur Extreme/far east
• Hard Trail (expert Level) - Pondok Repin, Bukit Repin, Gunung Nuang and Beyond

Of course, if you're going for expert level, you may need special preparation in term of fitness and better preparation.

Total distance in Strave

You may find the gpx file of the trail complete with waypoints here : Wikiloc-Kemensah Bkt Repin

Going back to the Bukit Repin hike, the journey started from "Teratak Angah", one of popular picnic spot river chalet, heading to Lubuk Tedung, then Pondok Repin and advance to Bukit Repin.

There will be 4 river crossings which you may get your shoes wet - at Lubuk Tedung and another one after Lubuk Tedung - wet guaranteed.

3 major hills after Lubuk Tedung :

Bukit Merah (manageable but hard)

Bukit Korea (mean and long ascending)

Bukit S (Manageable but hard)

Then, the mother of all hills you need to climb is - after Pondok Repin all the way up to Bukit Repin, the whole 3 km of it!

As it's a long journey ahead, we started as early as 6.00am.

Summary of hike:

17km in 5 hours in 53 minutes (one Way)

33.6km in 10 hours 48 minutes (return)

Breakdown of Hike :

Teratak Angah (starting point) to Bukit Roket
Distance From Start to Bukit Roket : 5.4km
Duration from Start to Bukit Roket : 1 hour 3 minutes
Trail condition : mostly dry, little bit muddy at certain section
Trail Difficulty : few small inclination

Bukit Roket to Lubuk Tedung
Distance From Bukit Roket to Lubuk Tedung : 900 metres
Duration from Bukit Roket to Lubuk Tedung : 12 minutes
Distance from Start : 6.3km
Duration from Start : 1 hour 15 minutes
Trail condition : mostly dry, little bit muddy at certain section
Trail Difficulty : easy, mostly downhill

From Lubuk Tedung follow the arrow to make your way to Pondok Repin. There are trail markers too at the trees.

Lubuk Tedung to Bukit Merah
(crossing the river at Lubuk Tedung and onother one towards Bukit Merah)
Distance From Lubuk Tedung to Bukit Merah : 1.1km
Duration from Lubuk Tedung to Bukit Merah : 22 minutes
Distance from Start : 7.4km
Duration from Start : 1 hour 37 minutes
Trail condition : mostly dry, little bit muddy at certain section
Trail Difficulty : easy to moderate

jangan buat main dengan budak ni, laju nak mampus!

Bukit Merah to Bukit Korea

Distance from Bukit Merah to Bukit Korea : 1.4 km

Duration from Bukit Merah to Bukit Korea : 18 minutes

Distance from Start : 8.8km

Duration from Start : 1 hour 55 minutes

Trail condition : mostly dry, little bit muddy at certain section

Trail Difficulty : hard inclination

At bukit Korea...the 2nd meanest hill (the first one which we discovered later on the way up to Bukit Repin)

Bukit Korea to Bukit S
Distance From Bukit Korea to Bukit S : 3.1km
Duration from Bukit Korea to Bukit S : 43 minutes
Distance from Start : 11.9km
Duration from Start : 2 hours 38 minutes
Trail condition : mostly dry, little bit muddy at certain section
Trail Difficulty : long and hard inclination

Bukit S to Batu Landak
Distance From Bukit S to Batu Landak : 600 meters
Duration from Bukit S to Batu Landak : 14 minutes
Distance from Start : 12.5km
Duration from Start : 2 hour 52 minutes
Trail condition : mostly dry, little bit muddy at certain section
Trail Difficulty : moderate inclination

Batu Landak to Pondok Repin

Distance From Batu Landak to Pondok Repin : 1km
Duration from Batu Landak to Pondok Repin : 18 minutes
Distance from Start : 13.5km
Duration from Start : 3 hours 10 minutes
Trail condition : mostly dry
Trail Difficulty : moderate to hard, 2 short and brief hills

A well kept hut - please don't litter here,bring along your unwanted items back

Pondok Repin to Bukit Repin - Hard mode, be prepared!
(We rested for a while at Pondok Repin and started our journey to Bukit Repin around 9.27am)

Distance From Pondok Repin to Bukit Repin : 3.6km
Duration from Pondok Repin to Bukit Repin : 2 hours 30 minutes
Distance from Start : 17.1km
Duration from Start : 5 hours 53 minutes
Trail condition : mostly dry, slippery - please wear glove
Trail Difficulty : hard and long inclination

Brotherhood at the top

As I laid my ground sheet to sit down, suddenly emerged these ultra runners out of nowhere!

It took them 4 hours to reached top of Bukit Repin from Teratak Angah..imagine how fast there were!!!

This is the view point at Bukit Repin, make sure you take a selfie

Rested few minutes at the top, we started going down at 12.17pm.
Going down is a little bit faster as its all the way down, but be careful of the trails as it is slippery.

Reached back at Pondok Repin at 1.38pm
Duration taken from Bukit Repin to Pondok Repin : 1 hour 21 minutes
Distance from Start : 20.2km
duration from Start : 7 hours 36 minutes

Bumped into my long time friend during Mount Rinjani climb years back - Mr Jaz Jerry, known as one of the fast hiker. Laju ya amat!

Finally back at Pondok Repin

Rested few minutes at Pondok Repin, we started back at 1.50pm
Making few stops at Lubuk Tedung and in the middle of the track after lubuk tedung as my body felt very weak...haha...

Finally we ended our journey at 4.51pm, after a grueling 33.6km and 10 hours 48 minutes.
From Pondok Repin to finish : 13.4km
Duration from Pondok Repin to Finish : 3 hours

Few tips on hiking to Bukit Repin

• Water supply is aplenty - top up station at Lubuk Tedung and Pondok Repin
• From Pondok Repin to Bukit Repin - No Water point - bring at least 1 litre
• Please also include isotonic, sour and sweet, minty and sweet taste in your drinks
• Food - heavy food is essential - Nasi Lemak, roti canai telur, burger are recommended - consume it on top of Bukit Repin, you won't regret it.
• Leech was not that many on that day - one bite and 1 attempted bite...was a bonus
• Hot Cream for massage - in case of cramp, one of our team member suffered a burning calf muscle which had slow us down during Bukit Repin hike.

Bukit Repin and Gunung Lentang Legong – A Torture To Remember

the scratches mark at my arm (degil

taknak pakai long sleeve)

Bukit Repin located at Janda Baik Pahang standing 1341 meters and Gunung Lentang Legong also in Janda Baik standing at 1360 meters. My previous Bukit Repin journey is here.

The GPX file is here : gpx file (taken from wikiloc)

Our mission this time around to conquer 3 mountains at one go. Mission number one, climbing Bukit Repin then proceed to Bukit Lentang Legong (mission two) subsequently to Gunung Nuang (mission three). Total journey estimated 20km within 20 hours.

Photo credit : Dendang

Meanwhile, I have my own mission whereby hiking Bukit Repin and Lentang Legong only.

Initially we have 5 or 6 of crazy hikers, then added up to a total 11 hikers with a mixture of conventional runners, ultra runners and podium winners. The team lead by team leader En Khalil whom I had hiked before climbing mount Tahan daypack years back.

Tagging along are Zulfazli (ijoi), Asyraf Ghazali (Acap) and Saifuddin Ramli (Dendang) which were among known podium runners/hikers.

The rest of the team are En Nosly (Wak), Elle Nash, Khairul ezwan, Muhd Ezwan and Norsharina who had the courage to follow (or being forced to follow !)

Wak and Elle admiring the beauty of forest flower power

photo credit : dendang

Caution!

The Lentang Legong route are treacherous and haven’t being used for a long time. We will un-chartered this trail route and equip it with proper trail mark – lead by our trail marker master – En ijoi.

Few machete or ‘Parang’ needed to re-open the trail thus a good and strong pair of hand with inter-exchangeable ‘swinging’ duty among team members are an added advantage.

Need to be physically fit like crazy, able to carry medium weight with food and drinks ration among others basic survival and basic first aid kit. Few of us also brought cooking stove, ground and fly sheet just in case things don’t go in our way for some reason.

leeches hunter at Repin's Peak

The most important thing in this journey is the Navigation. Most of us have navigator wrist watches but only some of us knew how to properly translate it to a useful detail. This job is being handled by our team leader, En Khalil with the assistance of Acap, dendang and wan. They will be mostly in front of us.

Strategy

Logistics

In view that we will be starting at Bukit Repin trailhead and end up at Nuang via janda Baik trailhead, we parked 2 cars at one point and the rest, at the other point - to take care of the logistics arrangement.

Navigation

As I mentioned earlier, the Navigation is the most crucial aspect in the whole journey, thus, it will be based on suunto movescount route pre-installed in suunto device with added navigation by handheld device of En Khalil’s (‘view ranger’ – a Gps device apps installed in handphone).

Analysis had been done prior, for proper trail route, topo map, weather condition, what to expect and how to manage every condition in case of emergency.

the parang in action

Photo credit : dendang

Cut-off time

Time Management is also plays important role whereby each point of destination need to be measured – how long it takes to reach, how long we supposed to rest and cut-off time to turn back at some point.

Head lights

One of the important device as we will be walking in wee hours in the morning and estimated completion around 1.00am. A good head lights are important – Petzl nao (high end) or Fenix (medium end) may assist you in the darkness. Please do be mindful of your battery life as most conventional battery will only last around 4-5 hours burning time. Getting your battery where the slot that you can easily reach is the best strategy to change your battery in a nick of time.

Fire-cracker

This is important as to shock audio level with excessive explosion sound – it will scare away our number one enemy – WILD BEAST.

The Journey

We started at 6.00am from Bukit Repin trail head heading towards Bukit Repin peak – 5.76km. We reached there within 3 hours. A slow ascending route at the beginning to a hardcore straight up nearly to the end. The leeches are everywhere! Equipped yourselves with leech socks and insect repellent.

We rested around 30 minutes here and proceeded to Gunung Lentang Legong – around 3km away. This was where it became tougher. The route had been covered by re-grown bushes and trees with unclear trail and trail marker.

Duration, distance and time of the day

Kindly take note that from Puncak Bukit Repin there are 2 exits – the one we came from and another to Lentang Legong. Another trail route to Kemensah (pondok repin) is at one of the junction not much further down where we came from Repin Janda Baik.

Yes, finally at Lentang Legong 

total journey so far : 8.09km

Our move became very slow here as few of our team member cutting tree branches in front while navigating to the correct path. We reached Lentang Legong around 4 hours, the time was 2.10pm. Not much time wasted here. We proceeded to Simpang Nuang – Repin – expected few kilometres away.

The “parang’ action continues until dark. At one point we seems lost, this was the part where En Khalil and the team gear up figuring out how to get back to the trail path and we succeeded! The night walk continues like forever. Looking at my watch, its 8.00pm, then 11pm, then 12am…..we are still in the wild jungle!

At 12.00am, we reached the Nuang – Repin junction. Finally! En Khalil and few others decided to proceed to Nuang Peak another 0.92km or so while others decided to go back to Janda Baik. En Khalil’s team will catch up with us later on the way back.

Them in Nuang Peak with ijoi falling asleep

Photo Credit : Acap

We have another 6km to reach Janda Baik (Nuang) trailhead. It was the longest night ever! We reached Chemperoh Waterfall few hours later and suddenly En Khalil’s team emerged from the darkness! They only took 20 – 30 minutes from Simpang Nuang – Repin to Nuang Peak. Then, fast walk – run to us with a staggering amount of speed. Yes, this wasn’t my game lah.

photo credit : either dendang or khalil

We continued to Nuang Janda Baik trailhead few hours later and finished around 3.00am. We ended the journey with tears and smile in our face…haha. The total journey is 25.5km within 21 hours (Parking Janda Baik to Bukit Repin – Gunung Lentang Legong – Parking Nuang Janda Baik). En Khalil’s route may have extra 2km plus for his crazy effort to Nuang Peak.

Special shout out to En Khalil for being a tremendous leader and the rest of the team who had assisted him in achieving the same goal and to those who braved enough to take the challenge.

completed in 21 hours, 18km
(It's actually 25.5km according to most navigation devices within team members, maybe mine need to calibrate)

Complete log based on En Khalil's data :

Parking Bukit Repin to Bukit Repin Peak
Time start : 6.00am
Distance : 5.6km
Time Taken : 3 hours

Bukit Repin Peak to Lentang Legong Peak
Distance from Bukit Repin peak to Lentang Legong Peak : 4.1km
Time Taken : 5 hours
Time of the day : 2.00pm

Lentang Legong Peak to Simpang Nuang-Repin - 10km
Time Taken : 10 hours
Time of the day : 12.00am

Simpang Nuang - Repin to Nuang Janda Baik Trailhead - 6km
Time Taken : 3 hours
Time of the day : 3.00am

* Nuang - Repin Junction to Nuang Peak - 920 meters
   Time taken : 36 minutes

Gunung Lentang Legong is NOT for the faint hearted hikers as the route is confusing and risk of being lost is extremely high without proper guide and navigation device (to my opinion).

Nevertheless, it was a great hike, great company and great experience.

Stay tune for route GPX file

Pondok Repin via Kampung Kemensah

Introduction

Pondok Repin situated at Kg Kemensah (behind national Zoo) with the height of (700 meters - will update later)
The distance is 12.5km one way with lots of killer hills! The total journey is a staggering 25km! (distance wise, it is similar to Gunung Nuang, altitude wise, it is a little bit higher than broga hill).
I would advise hikers to prepare themselves with adequate fitness to conquer Pondok Repin as the trails are mean, requires long hours of trekking and might end up after sun set.

Initially, our intention is to get to Bukit Repin, however, our journey only ended at Pondok Repin, We unable to continue to Bukit Repin as there was no proper trail (or we just can't find it), insufficient trail marker and insufficient of time.

Pondok Repin (or Repin's Hut) is a man made wooden hut. It was built by orang asli here (early settlement's folks) for  a resting station. Looking at the structure, we acknowledged that the hut is properly taken care of.

Pondok Repin, Kemensah trail are being projected as a trail running event called "King of Kampung Kemensah". Being held annually for the past 2, 3 years organized by Team Pacat.

This is where it all begins....

Starting Point to Bukit Roket

We started at Kampung Kemensah, a placed called "Jinbara" - a river chalet (GPS coordinate 3.225344, 101.780303). It was raining that morning. A little bit worried of the leech and muddy trails.

You will be coming from Jinbara (from the black car)

 or you can park at the road side here

Distance from Trail Head to Bukit Roket : 5km
Time taken : 1 hour 16 minutes
Trail condition : muddy, slippery
Trail difficulty : moderate. up and down but manageable
Time taken from Trail head to Bukit Roket : 1 hour 16 minutes

It's called Bukit Roket (Rocket Hill) because of a tree that has shape like a rocket.


Bukit Roket To Lubuk Tedung

Distance from Trail Head  to Lubuk Tedung : approximately 6km
Distance from Bukit Roket to Lubuk Tedung : 1km
Trail condition : muddy, slippery
Trail difficulty : moderate, up and down - manageable
Time taken from Bukit Roket to Lubuk Tedung : approximately 15 minutes

Lubuk Tedung is a name of a location where a crystal clear river flowing through. You may have a dip in the cool water if you wish to.

 This is bukit roket

The Famous 'Rocket' tree

oookkkaaayy...that's a deer ...phew..

Lubuk Tedung to Bukit Dogol

Need to cross the river to get to the other side, please look for the trail marker and please be careful while crossing. Prepare to get wet, you have no choice.

Distance from Trail Head to Bukit Dogol : approximately 6.24km
Distance from Lubuk Tedung to Bukit Dogol : approximately 200 meters
Trail condition : River crossing. Muddy and slippery.
Trail difficulty  :easy
Time taken from Lubuk Tedung to Bukit Dogol : less than 10 minutes

 River Crossing at Lubuk Tedung

 Lubuk Tedung surrounding

Lubuk Tedung Surrounding - its being used for one of the checkpoint during Kemensah Trail run

Oh yeah...cry me a river...

Bukit Dogol to Bukit Merah

The mini hills at earlier stage are nothing. Bukit Merah is the beginning of the climb. Stay slow, take your time as there are more hills to come up ahead.

Distance from Trail Head to Bukit Merah : 6.82km
Distance from Bukit Dogol to Bukit Merah :  600 meters
Trail condition : muddy and slippery.
Trail difficulty : slow ascending. Moderate
Time taken from Bukit Dogol to Bukit Merah : 13 minutes

There you go...Bring it on 

6.24km from Start 

Its 'slippery when wet' meaning

Bukit Merah to Bukit Korea

Bukit Merah is one hell of a climb! prepare for more!
I don't really know why its called korea.

Distance from Trail Head to Bukit Korea  : 8.17km
Distance from Bukit Merah to Bukit Korea : 1.3km
Trail condition : muddy, slippery
Trail difficulty : Hard climb,
Time taken from Bukit Merah to Bukit Korea : 34 minutes

Wak Nosly is fighting his inner demon to overcome the hill...haha 

Yay..Bukit Merah! 6.82km from start. Going up and up

Bukit Korea to Bukit 'S"

Killer hill no 2! Bukit Korea also known to be the toughest incline in this trail. Just be patience.

Distance from Trail head to Bukit Korea : 10.97km
Distance from Bukit Korea to Bukit S : 2.8km
Trail condition : muddy, slippery
Trail difficulty : very hard climb
Time taken from Bukit Korea to Bukit S : 47 minutes

Another killer hill - Bukit Korea, 8.17km from start in 2.14 hours

Finally, Bukit S to Pondok Repin

Killer hill no. 3 (Bukit S). Hard climb. Torture your hamstring to the limit.

Distance from trail head to Pondok Repin  : 12.5km
Distance from Bukit S to Pondok Repin : 1.5km
Trail condition : muddy at certain part. Dry at most part
Trail difficulty : hard climb
Time taken from Bukit S to Pondok : 33 minutes

 Killer hill ahead...oh my hamstring!

Okay...thats one hell of a climb...! 

Big tree spotted 

Pondok Repin from afar...getting there..

We started at 7.40am and ended at 11.21am (pondok repin).

This is the u-turn for 50km during Kemensah trail run. I can imagine their suffering 

Its dry ground. But still leeches are playing around 

Ample space

after a gruelling 12.5km, we finally reached here 

 View from the pondok

We continued our journey to Bukit Repin. The entrance is from the top part of the pondok. Trail marker can be seen on the tree. Following the trail markers will lead you higher ground until you reach a point that there was no trail marker left and there was no clear/proper trail. We headed back to Pondok Repin and decided not to proceed to Bukit Repin.

This is the trail path to Bukit Repin, just behind the pondok with trail marker tight on the tree 

This is the view from the trail leading to Bukit Repin.

The construction is ongoing

The leeches are attacking us!

I have more than 10 bites. A 'mossy guard' spray should come in handy at this point. Wak Nosly offered his insect bite repellent, the leeches let go of its bite when sprayed.

11 bites and counting

The journey back to trail head was mostly downhill and we managed to get to the car park at around 4.05pm (3 hours 20 minutes).

Completed! 25.87km in total, 8 hours and 20 minutes.

Thank you.