Bako National Park Day Tour
from MYR 230
TREKS AND TRAILS
Bako's extensive trail system is made up of 16 colour-coded jungle trails which offer a range of walking and hiking options. The fit and adventurous can opt for full-day jungle hikes or overnight camping expeditions, whilst those who prefer to take it easy can opt for a relaxing jungle walk. The following table provides details of approximate trekking times and distances and the colour codes used in the park.
The following paragraphs provide brief details of each of the trails. If you require further information, please consult with the park wardens.
Tanjung Sapi
Short but steep climb through cliff vegetation. Excellent views of Telok Assam, the South China Sea and Santubong. Proboscis monkeys can occasionally be heard crashing amongst the trees, especially early morning.
Trail length: 0.5 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 30 minutes (0.8 km)
Telok Paku
Passes through cliff forest before reaching a small secluded beach. Proboscis monkeys are often seen during early morning or late afternoon. One of the best trails for seeing proboscis monkeys. Move slowly, keep as quiet as possible and listen out for strange grunts or movements in the canopy.
Trail length: 0.8 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 1 hour (1.2 km)
Ulu Assam
Passes at first through swamp forest and a flat section where proboscis monkeys are sometimes seen. The trail then climbs steeply and at times you must hang on to tree roots to keep your balance. At the top you are rewarded with breathtaking views of Bako’s coastline.
Trail length: 0.8 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 1 ¼ hours (1.4 km)
Telok Delima
Another excellent trail for spotting proboscis monkeys. As the Lintang trail bears right and climbs a small hill you are in prime proboscis territory. Listen out for strange grunting noises or the crash of vegetation. If you hear something, stop, keep as quiet as possible and scan the forest. Try to ‘follow’ the strange noises with your eyes. If you are lucky you may see a harem of proboscis monkeys.
Trail length: 0.25 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 45 minutes (1 km)
Telok Pandan Besar
This trail ascends the forested hills overlooking Telok Assam, reaching a plateau covered in scrub vegetation, and continues along a sandy path lined with carnivorous pitcher plants, before reaching a cliff top with stunning views of the secluded bay below and the famous sea stack just offshore.
Trail length: 0.75 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 1 hour (1.75 km)
Telok Pandan Kecil
The trek to Telok Pandan Kecil is one of Bako’s most popular. It ascends the forested hills overlooking Telok Assam, reaching a plateau covered in scrub vegetation, and continues along a sandy path lined with carnivorous pitcher plants, before reaching a cliff top with stunning views of the secluded bay below and the famous sea stack just offshore. A 10-minute descent through cliff vegetation brings you to one of the best beaches in the park. Whilst swimming, watch out for monkeys who steal unguarded bags.
Trail length: 1.5 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 1 ½ hours (2.5 km)
Ulu Serait
This trail connects the Lintang trail with the Bukit Gondol hill walk. It is deep inside the park and passes through scrub, padang vegetation and swamp forest. From the Lintang junction to the base of Bukit Gondol is about one and a half hours.
Trail length: 1.25 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 1 ½ hours (2.2 km)
Lintang
The Lintang loop trail is a very popular trek as it passes through nearly all of the vegetation types found at Bako. The whole trek takes between 3 and 4 hours, so it is probably the best choice if you can only visit for a day. The section between the Ulu Assam and Serait junctions is another good spot for seeing proboscis monkeys. The Bukit Tambi viewpoint is a short detour off the main trail and overlooks the western part of the park.
Trail length: 5.25 km
One Way Time from HQ: 3 ½ hours
Tajor
The Tajor trail passes scrub and padang vegetation and ends with a steep climb down to a small beach. Take a hat as the sun can be quite fierce on the exposed sections of the trail. The trail also passes the Tajor Waterfall, a popular resting spot. The waterfall is quite small (and best after heavy rain) but it has a beautiful jungle setting and a small dip pool. Watch out for slippery rocks along the Tajor stream.
Trail length: 2.75 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 2 ½ hours (3.5 km)
Tanjung Rhu
This trail branches off the Tajor trail and leads across open country to the rocky Rhu peninsula and a small headland where you can see wave-cut platforms and rock pools. It takes about 45 minutes from the Tajor junction.
Trail length: 1.8 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 2 ½ hours (4.2 km)
Bukit Keruing
This trail connects Bukit Gondol with Tajor and passes some mighty rainforest giants. It passes along the slopes of Bukit Keruing, the second highest point in Bako. From Paya Jelutong to the Tajor waterfall takes about one and half hours.
Trail length: 2.25 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 3 ½ hours (5.5 km)
Paya Jelutong
This trail is actually a short cut for those who do not wish to climb Bukit Gondol. Although it is a very short trail it offers the opportunity of seeing fresh water swamp forest in unique setting that is extremely high above the sea level. The most dominant species in the area is Jelutong, a softwood species used for making pencils and the latex for chewing gum.
Trail length: 0.2 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 3 ½ hours (5.7 km)
Bukit Gondol
This semi-circular loop trail passes over Bukit Gondol, the highest point in Bako at 260 metres. From the top of the hill there are excellent views of Pulau Lakei and the Muara Tebas areas. The loop trek takes about 45 minutes.
Trail length: 2 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 4 ½ hours (7.7 km)
Ulu Serait
This trail connects the Lintang trail with the Bukit Gondol hill walk. It is deep inside the park and passes through scrub, padang vegetation and swamp forest. From the Lintang junction to the base of Bukit Gondol is about one and a half hours.
Trail length: 2.75 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 3 hours (4.8 km)
Telok Sibur
A full day trek. From the park HQ it takes about three and half hours to reach the end of Telok Sibur trail, first following the Tajor trail to the waterfall. Continue along the main trail for another 45 minutes until you reach a junction and the start of the Sibur trail. After a very steep 45-minute descent, a walk through the mangroves and a wade across a the Sibur river you finally reach the longest beach in Bako.
Trail length: 0.8 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 3 ½ hours (5.3 km)
Telok Limau
This is Bako’s long distance trail, leading to the small beach at Telok Limau. You pass through rich rainforest, scrub land and swamp forest, cross small streams and climb a number of hilly sections affording excellent views of the whole Muara Tebas peninsula. You can camp at Telok Limau and return the next day or arrange for a boat to pick you up, or the trip can be made vice-versa; using a boat to Telok Limau and then trekking back to the park HQ. Only physically fit, experienced trekkers should attempt this trail, and must inform the park management before leaving.
Trail length: 5.75 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 7 hours (10 km)
Telok Keruin
This small island at the northeastern tip of the Bako Peninsuala has a delightful white sand beach and crystal clear waters for swimming. At the highest point on the island, at the top of a 160-step wooden ladder, is the grave of a legendary Malay warrior. Datuk Ibrahim was an early resident of the island, and believed to be so strong that he could engrave Islamic ‘khats’ (religious calligraphy) on rocks with his bare fingers, such as those found at the Salamun Pool on the island. The pool is popular with local visitors, some of whom believe that the water in the pool has spiritual and curative powers. The grave also attracts devotees seeking to have wishes granted or to see into the future. The Pa’ Amit Trail, the only trail on the island, leads to two viewpoints that offer excellent photo-opportunities when as the sun sets over Mount Santubong. Accommodation is available on the island but space is limited.
Trail length: 1.0 km
One Way Time from Base: 30 minutes
Pa'Amit Trail
Being so far from the park HQ, the Telok Keruin trail is rarely used. It is usually done as a side trek from Telok Limau. From Telok Limau, the first section is a 15 to 20-minute climb through the forest until you reach a scrub section. You must then trek for another 25 minutes before you reach the Telok Keruin trail. Shortly after the junction the trail descends to an area of scrub vegetation. Look out for pitcher plants that line the side of the trail. There are four short side-trails which lead to the Bukit Kruin lookout, a small rock pool, the Muara Tebas lookout point, and the Tanjung Keruin and Tanjung Po viewpoints. The last section of the trail is a very steep descent to a mangrove forest. The trail then continues through the mangroves. Look out for the marks on the trees that show the way to the deserted beach – one of the best in the park.
Trail length: 1.5 km
One Way Time & Distance from HQ: 7 ¼ hours (10.5 km)
Pulau Lakei
This small island has a superb white sand beach. The National Parks department has a small guard house located on the island. Trips to the island can be arranged with your boatman. There are some mysterious rock paintings just a short walk from the beach.
