Hiking Wawasan Hill (part of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve) Legally & Responsibly
Also known as Puchong Hill, Wawasan Hill trails are always packed with new and frequent visitors coming to hike during the weekends. The trails, however, are part of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve and the forest is not meant to be open to the public. It is not a recreational forest but the forestry department and Universiti Putra Malaysia have been kind to allow hikers to access only the specific trail loop as below:
The other parts of the forest are restricted, BUUUUT… there are always irresponsible, bullheaded people who just have to abuse their right to hike there and take the opportunity to infiltrate the forest reserve. And the amount of these lawbreakers are concerningly high (just look at all those visitors’ reviews and photos of the waterfalls and blue lake).
A huge part of Wawasan Hill popularity, regrettably, was due to the number of irresponsible fame-seekers who posted the images of the stunningly beautiful ‘Blue Lake’, which they well knew is restricted and illegal to enter without approval for formal reasons. Like a magnet for social media’s ‘popularity-seekers’, they effectively attract and encourage more irresponsible people to break into the restricted forest reserve.
Why should you stay off the restricted areas?
Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve is managed by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for research purposes, approval given by Selangor state government in 1996, to last for 99 years. The forest is an academic and scientific treasure for forestry. To further understand how rare and precious yet fragile is Ayer HItam Forest Reserve, please read this article from RainforestJournal.com.
Other than absorbing harmful gases and providing clean air, Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve is also a source of rare Class 1 fresh water, which explains the super clean and clear water of the lake, rivers and waterfalls. This will definitely be compromised if people disturb the areas. We cannot afford to lose such precious gifts given by nature.
‘Those who enter the restricted areas, may receive a fine of up to RM10,000 or 3 years in prison or both.’
Here, I would like to urge everyone to respect nature. Stop trying to go to the restricted blue lake and waterfalls. If you’ve been to those places, stop sharing the photos, you wouldn’t know when these ‘hard evidences’ may be used against you in a court of law. Thank you.
Other relevant sources:
Wawasan Hill Hiking Trail (Loop)
Trail entrance before Covid-19
Main entrance blocked during Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), which is now used as exit only.
The entrance is now at the right side, with a register counter and new operating hour from 8am to 4.30pm (daily).
Before the pandemic, you enter the main entrance and get to choose either left or right to start your hiking loop
With the new RMCO entrance, you’ll start with some rocky climbs. It was raining earlier that day so it was pretty slippery.
Soon, you’ll get to a point where there’s an open area with beautiful scenery.
The looped trail became one-way to minimize close contacts during RMCO
Mixed trail types. The trail will be muddy and slippery after rain. More rocky & muddy ups and downs.
Wawasan Hill Summit
One-way exit during RMCO
Beautiful spider and its web
Last stretch of downhill before the exit
End of loop
There’s this spot for hikers to wash their shoes with the brushes.
Epilogue
Wawasan Hill is suitable for beginners to get a taste of hiking. Again, I would like to remind everyone to stay on the main trail and not to enter restricted areas. With the new implementation of trail usage during RMCO, I hope this could stop the ignorant habits of rulebreakers. How often are we allowed to hike in a forest reserve? Let’s all be responsible hikers who will do the best, to minimize damage towards nature.
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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*
Hi, is Kinrara Hill, opposite side of Wawasan hill entrance accessible ?
Hi! The trails of Wawasan Hill are only accessible through the one official main entrance. Other trails or entrances may be illegal / trespassing the forest reserve.