Penang Sports Travel
Tips on Penang sports and recreation, posted by real travelers and Penang locals.
Local Time 7:11 pm Saturday, July 26, 2008
Penang Map
Penang Map
on May 17, 2007
This trail is named the Longest Trail. It begins in Penang Hill and ends in the Telok Bahang national park or you can begin from the park. It is all of 11 km and the hike is mostly uphills and downhills. Which makes it tough! And which is why we took almost 6 hours to finish! The organisers who are ardent hikers said our group was fast. So it is safer to give yourself more time to complete at a more leisurely pace if you don't hike often or isn't as fit.
1/3 of the way is moderate while the remaining killers! Many are 45 degree slopes. Luckily the forestry dept. maintains the path quite well with lots of ropes for hikers to hold on to.
The scenery and the flora just ok. We only saw a few monkey cups. You need to concentrate on your feet as there are lots of tree roots in the path, crumbling steps and fallen trees. The path is also slippery due to fallen leaves.
I was drenched by sweat within an hour and by the 2nd half of the hike, gave up trying to stop the rivers of sweat.
There are no toilets along the way.
Lunch was what each hiker had taken along. We ate 'pau' (Chinese flour dumpling with meat). Some ate nasi lemak and one even took along a loaf of bread and made her sandwiches there! Everyone was friendly. Food, fruits and chocs were passed around.
Four hours into the hike, I was only interested in one thing - finish as fast as possible! It was made harder for me because halfway, the sole of one shoe threatened to run away. My ever resourceful better half cut off straps from his back pack and tied it up for me. Later the other shoe threatened to do the same.
There are toilets and bathrooms in the national park. Cost of use of toilet is 30 sen while bathing is RM1.00. Toiletries also sold there.
Light clothing. I wore long sleeved T and long pants and they served to protect my body very well from scratches and cuts that I saw on some of those who wore shorts. There are many trees with thorns along the way so keep your eyes open.
At least 2 litres of water. Put some powdered glucose into it for instant energy and you also don't feel so thirsty when you drink this. No streams along the way.
Energy food that is convenient and light.
Good reliable shoes and thick socks or two layers of socks to protect your toes from all those downhill pressure.
Torchlight and whistle. Quite a number of people have gotten lost in the hills in Penang. Raincoat.
Small towels for your sweat.
Small amount of money. You won't need more than RM10.
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