At 120 meters tall, Langanan Waterfall is the second tallest waterfall in Sabah, followed by Tawai Waterfall (95 meters), both falling behind the extraordinary 700 meters Kadamaian Falls that plunge from the southern flank of Mount Kinabalu. Nevertheless, the impressive Langanan Waterfall is still the tallest accessible waterfall in Sabah that you can reach on foot.
The hike starts from Poring Hot Springs (entry fee applied), through the smaller Kipungit Waterfall and passes a bat cave. The return hike is around 8km and takes about 3-5 hours round trip. Also, do note that the last entry to Langanan Waterfall hike has changed to 10am (previously 12pm).
Poring Hot Springs to Langanan Waterfall Trailhead
9.33am: Enter the gate to Poring Hot Springs after buying the entry tickets at the car park counter.
Walking over the concrete bridge, you can see the beautiful river below and an old hanging bridge over the side.
9.41am: Use the toilet while you can. Then, follow the signboard to Air Terjun / Langanan Waterfall through the hot springs pool areas.
(+5)9.46am: Walk through the hut and mini gate into the Kipungit Waterfall, Bat Cave, and Langanan Waterfall trail.
Kipungit Waterfall
(+7)9.53am: First, you will arrive at the first waterfall called Air Terjun Kipungit. Cross the river to proceed to the trail towards Langanan Waterfall. You can step on the rocks to cross the river to keep your shoes dry.
(+3)9.56am: On the opposite bank, follow the trail up towards Langanan Waterfall. The uphill climb starts here.
(+11)10.07am: Going past a rocky area which is the bat cave.
(+1)10.08am: As you walk past the back of the bat cave, you may start to smell the scent of guano (bat poo) from the air coming out of the opening.
Bat Cave
(+2)10.10am: Continue walking and you’ll reach the front of the bat cave. It’s not actually a cave but a stack of big rocks with crevices which bats use for shelter. The sign discourages people from entering the cave, and I agree with this as the bats are resting inside the low ceiling: just a single person walking in would be disturbing the whole colony of bats trying to sleep.
(+2)10.12am: Preceding past the bat cave, there is a split trail but both trails rejoin shortly after that (there are a few of these split trails along the way; the trails are clear and easy to follow).
More uphill climbing. The climbs are between (slightly above) gentle and moderate, nothing too difficult for fit hikers.
(+11)10.23am: Second river crossing.
After crossing the river, follow the zigzag trail up the hill.
Some kind of larvae.
I also stumbled upon these rows of ants pulling one another to transport the heavy millipede. Interesting!
(+20)10.43am: Huge trees by the trail can be seen along the way.
(+4)10.47am: At some point, the trail becomes quite flat.
(+2)10.49am: More big trees.
The trail also goes through a section of bamboo forest.
(+20)11.09am
(+11)11.20am
(+8)11.28am: A little more uphill climb on the last stretch to the waterfall.
Closing in towards the waterfall, you’ll find more little cascades along the river close to the trail.
Langanan Waterfall (120 meters tall)
(+31)11.59am: Finally, we arrived at the stunning Langanan Waterfall!
At 120 meters tall, you really have to look up at an almost 90-degree angle to see the top of the waterfall. Flowing down from Mount Kinabalu ranges, it is a nice cold dip at the shallow to deep pool at the bottom of the waterfall.
P.S. The weather had been dry (no rain) for more than a week before our trip, hence the trail was dry and we did not get any leeches on us (yay!).
Accommodation Near Ranau
We stayed a night not too far away from our hike, just outside Ranau, at Hotel O Pogimpaan Homestay. It has great facilities, clean, and well worth the price. You can even see the majestic Mount Kinabalu from here.
The place is situated on a hill, and you’ll get a wide view of Mount Kinabalu’s southern flank.
Other than that, the superb sunrise views are not to be missed!
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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