Climbing The World's Longest Quartz Ridge: Bukit Tabur, Kuala Lumpur

Bukit Tabur quartz ridge is located between Ampang and Klang Gates Dam and an attraction for city dwellers to enjoy panorama of nature and fresh air. Bukit Tabur is part of Klang Gates Quartz Ridge namely the longest quartz ridge in the world with 16 km length and 200 m wide.

 

     I recently climbed Bukit Tabur few days ago. I've already climbed this ridge three times and this entry is about my first Bukit Tabur climb more than two years ago. Since six months before the climb, I'd already planned to try climbing this hill which became a hot topic among bloggers. Bukit Tabur is divided to Tabur West and Tabur East. 

     The West is more challenging but both would give climbers magnificent views from the top. Given that I do not have my own vehicle, I went there with LRT and buses. I took Rapid KL bus T304 from Wangsa Maju LRT station which passes through Taman Melawati. Once the bus passed a mosque, there was a bus stop. And from there I walked about 1.5 km to the foothill of Bukit Tabur. I've made a "google research" that's why I knew everything about this trip.

       

  As expected, many cars were parked in front of the entrance to the climbing trail, which meant that I was not alone. The climb began at 9:40 am. The first challenge was trekking a 30 degrees steep slope. There are several locations along the trail marked with spray paint arrows and checkpoint numbers. There are 13 checkpoints overall. This really helps climbers to know their locations along the trail.

       

Steep slopes were really tiring my legs

     

     Starting from checkpoint #5, the climbing steepened with big rocks ahead. The views of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur on the left and the Klang Gates Dam on the right can be seen from here. It's amazing. You would not regret doing the 2 hour climb. However, I started to feel exhausted due to the steep slope although I hadn't got halfway there. I did not expect the trail in Bukit Tabur would be more difficult than any climbing before.

The view of Klang Gates Dam

      I stopped at the 6th checkpoint to chat with two older men who were taking a break. Based on our conversation, they love hiking there oftenly. One of them used to work in Sarawak and recognizes the city of my birth, Limbang. The other man told me about his experience climbing Bukit Tabur for the first time with a friend from Sarawak as a guide.

A friend sat on a rock at the edge of a cliff. Don't try this! 
*This photo was taken from my third Tabur West hike.

    There are some spots that need your full attention to continue the climb. The slope reaches 90 degrees and I was only a few centimeters from a death drop. There were some fatal incidents before that involved Tabur climbers. In some locations, large boulders block the way of the ascent. I was like, "How do I get through this?" 

     And for those who are not so sure, I advise you to stop the climbing and turn back. There were cases where climbers fell off a cliff. However, some spots are provided with  ropes and steel staircases for descending to continue the hike. At some points, I had to climb up and few meters ahead I had to climb down again to reach the end.

    

I could see the view of my university (UIAM) from the top

Some spots are provided with  ropes and steel staircases for descending to continue the hike.

      

      The finish line of the climb is located at checkpoint #13. I sat down to relieve tired legs and celebrate my first successful climb of Tabur West. Fuhhh. It was nearly two hours of climbing. Unfortunately, there was nothing interesting at the end of the trail due to the dam view impeded by small trees. 

     20 minutes later, I started climbing down. However, my right leg was suffering from cramp in the calf and the knee. I was the only one left at the top. The other climbers were already on their way back. As a result, I had to wait almost half an hour to relieve both legs. 

Bukit Tabur is part of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge. 
A fact about this ridge that makes me wondering 
 is the presence of a rare animal, the serow.  
A National Parks and Wildlife Department survey carried out in 1985 found the tracks 
of five serows, but it's anyone's guess how many exist today. 
Hmm that's really interesting.

 

A hut that marks halfway of the descent

     I limped heavily as I walked down the hill. It was already midday. Black clouds appear overhead. Oh no! Worst case scenario. There are two options to descend.  

     The first option is to walk on the same trail you climb up and another trail starts from the checkpoint #12. I chose the second trail. The trail passes through a fruit orchard and it is easier. You would see trees of Durian, Jackfruit, Lansium (langsat), Cempedak and Breadfruit at some locations along the trail. I stopped several times due to the cramp that still stings. I finally arrived at a hut that marks halfway of the descent before continuing until arrived at Klang Gates Village. Fuhhh! I was very relieved.

     
                                                   *** IMPORTANT NOTES ***

Make sure you are prepared physically before climbing. If your fitness is not well prepared, you would end just like me. Do some jogging 2-3 days before the hike.

Bring an adequate water supply, at least 1 liter and an additional food supply.

Do not forget to bring cramp lotion with you and other items like bandage, sunblock lotion, headgear (handkerchief).

Hike in a group.

Do not continue if you are not sure of your safety.

And that is a view!!