Kinabalu National Park, home to the magnificent Mount Kinabalu, is also Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site. While the main attraction of Kinabalu Park is, of course, the climb up to Mount Kinabalu, the park also offers many hiking trails by the base of the mountain.
There are currently 10 nature trails available for you to explore, ranging from quick and easy hike, to some longer trails:
- Kiau View Trail – 2366m
- Pandanus Trail – 598m
- Silau-Silau Trail – 3057m
- Bundu Tuhan View Trail – 465m
- Bukit Burung Trail – 1082m
- Bukit Tupai Trail – 343m
- Mempening Trail – 2516m
- Bukit Ular Trail – 997m
- Liwagu Trail – 5620m
- Mountain View Trail – 150m
This post covers only the nature trails around the base of Mount Kinabalu. For Mount Kinabalu climb, please click here.
How to get to Kinabalu Park (and other areas in Kundasang/Ranau/Nabalu)
Public Transports
Go By Mini Van / TaxiUnser
To get to Kinabalu Park and the nearby areas, take the mini van or TaxiUnser from Kota Kinabalu Padang Merdeka Bus Terminal. If you are taking a mini van, it will only depart when it has enough passengers. TaxiUnser will also wait for other passengers if you choose to, but you can take them as a private taxi for a higher price if you do not want to wait. The price of these transportations is around RM20 (for sharing ride)
Do note that to return to Kota Kinabalu, it would be difficult to get a mini van from Ranau/Kundasang. You might be able to get a private taxi but the price would be high. A cheaper option is to hop on a bus from Kundasang town.
Return By Bus
Only express buses are available. These are long distance buses that travel from/to districts such as Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Ranau, Keningau and more. There are also express buses that cross the borders through Brunei to Miri (Sarawak). These buses have to pass by Kundasang to get to their destinations and they are usually willing to pick up passengers here. I used to wait somewhere here, right across a bus stop, for the express bus to pass by from Sandakan or Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu. Do ask around the locals to make sure of where to wait for the bus. The bus will stop at Inanam Bus Terminal.
Rent A Vehicle
Car Rental: Great For Group
You can easily find car rental services in Kota Kinabalu. With a group, you split and bear minimal cost, usually save more than taking multiple public transports. You can save a lot of time with the car, and are free to move around without the need to rely on the scarce public transportations.
The view of Mount Kinabalu along the road.
Motorbike Rental: Great For Solo Backpacker
I have spent almost a month traveling around Sabah on a motorbike. There is this motorbike rental company that I highly recommend, read about my reviews on Scooter Monkey!
Do stop by Pekan Nabalu Weekly Market for interesting local snacks and fresh produce. Remember to head to the back for a great view of Mount Kinabalu (try your luck, as the mountain is sometimes fully covered by the clouds).
Joining A Tour
To save the hassle, you could join tour packages, which take you to your destinations, complete with hotel/airport pickup services and highlighted activities. Book you experience with Klook below:
Kinabalu Park Fee
Above is the fees as of September 2020. If you are not climbing Mount Kinabalu, you only have to pay for the conservation fee: RM3 per adult and RM1 per child (Malaysian); RM15 per adult and RM10 per child (Foreigner).
Kinabalu Park Entrance
Potential Mascot For Kinabalu Park? We met this huge friendly dog at the parking area outside Kinabalu Park.
It was at the Kinabalu Park office that I found these great promotions, which I then booked a Mount Kinabalu via Ferrata climb. You can visit MountainTorq.com for the latest promo. Check out my via Ferrata experience!
Kinabalu Park Hiking Trails
Kiau View Trail - 2366m & Pandanus Trail - 598m
Kiau VIew Trail is the nearest trailhead from the park entrance/office.
The trail starts with a series of uphill stairs but it is still a relaxing walk as long as you do not go too fast.
Some shots taken along Kiau View Trail
I have been to this trail once and did not encounter any leech. My friend has walked this path so many times and had never seen a leech before. Somehow, on this day, we encountered countless leeches along the way! There was always at least one leech on the path in every 20 meters we walked, scary! All of them have stripes and their body was in reddish brown, which tells me that they are all Tiger Leech.
At one-third of Kiau View Trail, you have the option to switch to the shorter Pandanus Trail.
Continuing on Kiau View Trail, you will reach a wide area suitable to have a rest.
The path after this will be mostly downhill or flat.
Shots taken along the trail after the wide area. Heavy clouds passed by the canopy, turning the forest dark and misty.
There’s this split path that would join back together. We took the one on the right.
Another split path with a ‘Hanging Rock’ sign to the left path, which has a popped out rock that isn’t very spectacular.
Started to rain when we exited Kiau View Trail.
Silau-Silau Trail - 3057m
Trailhead to Silau-Silau Trail is almost directly opposite of Kiau View Trail exit.
The path is mostly going along a small stream called Silau-Silau River.
Walking from North to South, there is a junction. Turn left to continue the trail, or turn right to end the trail early.
If you leave the trail, you’ll get to the main road. There are different lodges and resorts along the road.
Other Trails To Be Covered In The Future…
Epilogue
With a low conservation fee and no guide needed, Kinabalu National Park’s nature trails are definitely worthwhile for you to enjoy and indulge in the beauty and comfort of nature. What I love most walking about the nature trails here, is that you don’t actually sweat. The weather is so cool, the air is so clean and fresh, that I don’t feel tired walking the whole day.
Tip: Stay in one of the many lodges within Kinabalu Park, so you can spend the whole day from dusk till dawn in the national park without time restriction.
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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