Located in Mesilou, Kundasang, Maragang Hill sits between the town and Mount Kinabalu. This hill has gained its popularity due to the beautiful view at the top. While some would start their hike very early to catch the sunrise, some would go for the hike at a later time to enjoy the scenery and nice weather along the trail. There are also people who stay at the top in the darkest hours, to photograph amazing shots of the milky way.
Maragang Hill Trails
There were two trail options. The most common one is the normal trail (hike 1.31km to the top and going back down via the same route). Another option is the loop trail, where you hike up the same route as the normal trail, but going down through another longer, steeper and more challenging 2.03km trail. I went for the normal trail and it was pretty easy. A casual speed would take around 1.5 hours. According to my guide, the loop trail is more challenging but for frequent hikers, it still falls under easy/moderate difficulty.
Moreover, you can choose the sunrise or day package. To catch the sunrise, you will need to arrive at Maragang Hill Office at 3-3.30am and start the hike at around 4am+. For the day trip, you need to arrive at the office at around 6am.
How to Hike Maragang Hill
While the trail is rather easy and obvious, a guide is necessary for people to hike Maragang Hill. Advance booking has to be made through Maragang Hill Office, formed by Mesilou Eco Tourism Association. You can book via their website. Here are the fees and details as of March 2022:
Conservation Fee: RM10 (Malaysian) / RM15 (Non-Malaysian Adult) / RM10 (Non-Malaysian Child)
Fee per guide: RM70 (Normal Trail Day Trip) / RM100 (Normal Trail Sunrise Trip / Loop Trail)
Transportation (From Maragang Hill Office, a vehicle will pick you up and drive 3.75km to the starting point): RM30 (Normal Trail Day Trip) / RM40 (Normal Trail Sunrise Trip / Loop Trail)
Certificate (optional): RM5
Other than that, camping and overnight (stargazing) options are possible and you can contact Ikhwan (+6016-280 0959) / Jisam (+6011-3160 3983) / Uden (+6010-959 7846) directly for booking and details for the details and availability.
Alternatively, you can book your Maragang Hill hiking activity on Klook.
Normal Trail Day Trip
Arrive Maragang Hill Office at 6am. Nice view of Mount Kinabalu at the back.
6.18am: Arrived at the trailhead by 4WD. There are toilets here.
6.25am: Start hiking to Maragang Hill.
6.31am: Nice view at the beginning of the hike.
6.36am: The starting part is quite steep but the steps are not too difficult to walk.
6.47am: The path is not that steep from here.
6.55am: We reached the first rest stop. It has a toilet here.
6.56am: Continuing the hike in the cool forest.
6.59am: Reached Pegimpaan Point with a view through the trees.
The sceneries in the forest are beautiful, plus you get to enjoy them in the nice cold weather.
7.24am: Moderate uphill walk.
Some paths could be muddy if it rains earlier.
7.30am: We reached a junction where we could walk past a campsite.
There are wide huts here for campers to set up their tents.
A basic toilet near the campsite. There is a tap but the guide mentioned that it might not have water sometimes.
7.48am: We continued our hike toward the peak. The views, especially near the top, are wonderful! This place can be another Mossy Forest!
Maragang Hill Peak
7.51am: We reached the top!
Platforms are built here for us to walk and look at the views around the peak.
One of them is named Hachiko, guess which one?
The view from the first platform facing the magnificent Mount Kinabalu.
We could still see the devastating marks from the 2015 Sabah earthquake.
As you see this, you might be thinking: “Wait, are you wearing a singlet!?” I had my windbreaker in my bag, which I only wore before the hike. Once I started hiking, my body was warm enough to stay comfortable in the cold forest. It was a hike during the day so it was not too cold or windy. I still got weird/surprised looks from the sunrise trip hikers coming down though haha.
At the platform on the other side, you get to view the villages, the town and the many marvelous mountains far away.
Just look at that!
Behind us, Mount Kinabalu slowly gets covered by the clouds.
9.33am: After enjoying the views at the top for quite some time, we went back down via the same path and exited the trail.
9.49am: The 4WD brought us back to the office. The majestic Mount Kinabalu has disappeared in the clouds.
Epilogue
I’m gonna call this the Mossy Forest of Sabah. It has nice mossy sceneries, and the weather is nice and cold. What’s best here are the views you’ll get at the top of Maragang Hill! Also, I enjoyed hiking here as I don’t sweat in this weather, and the air is so fresh, it felt like I could just walk all day in the forest.
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*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*
