Introduction to Ketumbar Hill
When you are in the forest and suddenly you see a wild boar, what would you do? When we encounter wild animals like this, our first action is to stop, slowly step back and to avoid them. But have you ever thought of hiking carefreely while wild boars are passing by and roaming freely around you? Ketumbar Hill is the place to experience this.
Used to be connected to Saga Hill and Apek trails, Ketumbar Hill is now cut off by the ongoing construction of the new highway, and I think all the wild boars are trapped in this small area here.
Free car parks are available here but it will be full, usually you can still find parking spots further away from the trailhead. There is also a paid parking area right beside the free parking space.
Ketumbar Hill Quick Walkthrough
7.26am: Start
7.28am: Split Paths
7.49am: City View Rest Stop
8.01am: Bayu Curve
8.06am: First Wild Boar Encounter
8.12am: Peak
8.24am: Going Down (opposite) & Piglets!
8.36am: Rest Stop Gym
8.43am: Doggos!
8.49am: Exit
Ketumbar Hill Detailed Walkthrough
7.26am: Starting point (trailhead). There is a shrine here.
(+2)7.28am: Very soon, there are two split paths for you to choose. Left: Shorter distance to the peak; consistent moderate inclines; there is a rest stop with some bench and handmade exercise equipment. Right: Longer distance to the peak; mix of moderate inclines, short steep inclines, and flat paths; there is a rest stop with a great view of the city. My favorite way is to go up through the longer path on the right, and come down through the shorter path. Here we are going up using the path on the right.
(+3)7.31am: A little distant of rocky and flat dirt path.
(+3)7.34am: Stairs going all the way down before going up again.
(+9)7.43am: Start of the steepest climb of Ketumbar Hill.
(+4)7.47am: Some view half-way through the climb.
City View Rest Stop
(+2)7.49am: At the end of the steepest climb, there is the side path to the rest stop.
(+1)7.50am: The city view from the rest stop.
(+2)7.52am: The paths up ahead will be quite easy after the rest stop, with some flat paths and moderate inclines.
(+9)8.01am: Reaching a slightly open area called ‘Bayu Curve’.
(+1)8.02am: Then, back to the shady path. All along the hiking paths, you will often see marks of wild boars where they dig the soil with their tusk & snout.
(+2)8.04am: There is this side path on the right. Just follow the main path (left/straight).
That side path leads to an uncommon exit near some private factories.
(+1)8.05am: Flat and easy path ahead.
Wild Boars: First Encounter
(+1)8.06am: Suddenly, little wild boars appeared!
They are so used to humans.
Ketumbar Hill Peak
(+6)8.12am: We continued our walk and finally reached the peak. Immediately we saw wild boars roaming around here.
Look at the number of wild boars here! (Also monkeys)
People frequently bring food and water for these wild boars.
Misophonia alert: Loud chewing noise
There are quite many exercise equipment here for you to use.
8.24am: Going back down, we used the other path which is shorter. Just head to the opposite side of the peak where you came from.
We encountered a group of piglets!
Encountering a lone big boar
Rest Stop Gym
(+10)8.34am: Constant downhill with moderate declines (wear a sturdy and less slippery shoe)
(+2)8.36am: This is a rest stop with some exercise equipment.
There is also a swing here
The view
(+7)8.43am: Also encountered a few dogs.
(+5)8.48am: We reached the junction where we first encountered at the start of the hike, we came down from the short path.
(+1)8.49am: Exit from Ketumbar Hill
Epilogue
While it is a fun experience encountering wild boars and having a chance to get so close to them, we still need to practice caution and keep a safe distance from the wild boars so that they do not feel threatened or uncomfortable. In general, the wild boars here are pretty tame and used to being around with humans but sometimes they do fight/play among themselves and you would not want to be in the middle when that happens. Also, there might be a dominant boar among the group and it might get aggressive (especially the big ones with tusks).
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
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For those who intend to feed wild boars, please stop doing so, and please leave wild animals alone. Wild animals do not need humans to feed them to survive, your action will only disturb nature and cause problems to both animals and humans.
You are right! Sometimes we tend to feel pity and obligated to feed these animals but we forget that they are experts in finding their own food and thrive.
I am worried about the eagles in Langkawi, as tour operators keep feeding them very unhealthy chicken fat(because it floats), to enable tourists to see them in action. If this continues, one day the eagles might not know how to hunt anymore (plus severe health complications from unhealthy diet).