The Rawang Bypass hiking trail has gone viral in recent years and people started to climb to the peak of Bukit Batu / Bukit Kuari for the viewpoint of the Rawang Bypass Highway. Initially, I didn’t consider this viral trail as a ‘hiking spot’, but when my friends invited me there to buka puasa, I knew it’s time to explore it.
Rawang Bypass Hiking Trailhead / Parking
There are a few areas you can park before your hike to Bukit Kuari / Bukit Batu. The first choice (1) is at Rawang Bypass Trailhead. You may park your vehicle at that location which is beside a residential playground by the roadside, and take a long walk to the end (keep to the right at a turning point)
Or you can drive into the road (and keep to the right) to the end and park there (2) to save some walking distance, but the parking space there is very limited.
Another trailhead is at Rawang Bypass Hiking Trailhead (3). This is a little further from the final destination but there is more parking space along the road. The following guide will start from this position.
From GoogleMaps you can see a road connecting point 1 & 3, but it was a very rugged road only for 4-wheel-drives or bikes. If you are driving a normal car, it is best to take the longer way through proper roads (if location 2 is full and you want to move to location 3).
Rawang Bypass Hiking Guide
7.21pm: This guide starts from location 3 (Rawang Bypass Hiking Trailhead). It will also pass by location 2 later.
(+2)7.23pm: Walk to the left side of this red shrine.
(+1)7.24pm: Go down this rocky slope.
(+4)7.28pm: Walk down a second rocky slope.
(+1)7.29pm: Keep to the left at this multi-path section.
On the right is location 2 where some cars are parked there.
(+1)7.30pm: Follow the wide drainway down until the end.
Swiftlets Tunnel
(+1)7.31pm: At the bottom end of the drainway, you will find a drainage tunnel to the left.
Enter the tunnel to the other side.
Do bring a torchlight or use your phone’s light in the tunnel, to be able to see where you step. Also, please be careful not to knock over the bird nests hanging on the low ceiling. You would need to half crouch all the way through the tunnel.
First, we saw many swiftlets flying in the tunnel. And then, we found many of their bird nests along the way! Most of the nests were empty when we first passed through the tunnel in the evening, but when we returned from the peak after dark, most of the nests were occupied with swiftlets!
Please take extra care not to touch or disturb the nest, minimize your movements, don’t shine your lights directly at them, and DON’T SHOUT.
‘Stairways’ to Peak
(+3)7.34pm: At the other end of the tunnel, walk up to the drainage steps.
Continue to climb the steps to the top. Here, the highway is very close to your right.
(+4)7.38pm: These drainage steps are steep, unlike the ‘flat/horizontal’ steps of a walking staircase. You can’t walk them like a normal staircase because these steps slide downward instead of being flat. You’ll need a good grip for your shoes and might need to crawl your way up and down. It could be scary as you constantly feel like you are going to roll down the stairway. Ropes were there to assist you but don’t put 100% trust in them.
(+2)7.40pm: Flat trail at the top end of the stairway.
(+1)7.41pm: Pass through some grassy trails.
(+1) 7.42pm: And then you will reach the peak.
Bukit Batu / Bukit Kuari Peak: Rawang Bypass Highway Night View
(+3) 7.45pm: It was cloudy that evening, so we didn’t get to see a clear sunset. However, the fiery reddish sunset view of the sky was astonishing!
The night view of Rawang Bypass Highway is much more beautiful at night.
A signboard on the peak shows that this hill is called Bukit Batu, though most people call it Bukit Kuari. There is also another trail behind the tree heading down, which brings you Southward to the ‘under the bridge’ path, where you can make a loop back to the starting point.
We set up a ‘kitchen’ to buka puasa at the viewpoint.
Yup, the one and only Jebat brought and set up his fancy light bulbs just like during our Mount Tahan campings.
Making the “signature camping pan mee” that I first made in Jerangkang Waterfalls camping trip, due to popular demand haha.
Rawang Bypass Hiking Loop Guide from the Peak
Here are some photos of my Rawang Bypass morning hike from another day, to guide you on the other trail down from the peak to make a loop.
From the peak, I spotted a few hikers walking beside the highway on the opposite side. That’s the path we will be using to head back to our starting point.
Head down using the drainage steps on the left side of Bukit Batu / Bukit Kuari peak.
Just like the drainage steps of the ones we used to climb up, this side of the steps were steep and slippery too. I couldn’t tell which side is safer, but personally I think this side is less intimidating going down than the other one.
After the slippery concrete steps, there will be a steep dirt trail and a makeshift bridge to cross.
After that, you have to cross under the highway bridge to the other side of the highway.
Then, it will be a straight forward walk back to your starting point.
A quick photoshoot back at the tunnel before leaving the trail, “007 mode” on.
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
Affiliate Links to support this site:
Yay for transparency!: The links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a booking/purchase after clicking the links. I recommend only products and companies I use. Your support helps me keep the site going 🙂
Want to do the same affiliate marketing with your site? Use this AccessTrade platform link to receive RM5 reward.
*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*
