Hutan Pendidikan Bukit Gasing

A forest, part in PJ, part in KL.

This forest is situated at the border between Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur where is around southwest of KL. Back then, I knew this place as a favourite spot for joggers and people looking for exercise activities, but knowing the existence of a rich forest. It caught my attention when I was setting up eXP and doing some information gathering.

Here is the simple profile of Bukit Gasing forest.

Once a rubber plantation and left idel for 50 years.

The PJ side of the forest is ~36 hectares and being gazette in 1961, but the KL side remains unprotected.

The entrance is easily being spotted as there will be a signboard as long as you know how to get to Jalan Gasing through Federal Highway or Old Klang Road. After getting into Jalan Gasing, look for a primary school (SMK La Salle) and turn into that road. Drive straight into the last junction and start to look for parking space. Then, follow the crowd or ask around for the entrance. Park accordingly in the neighbourhood.  

There is a forest map at the entrance (photo above). Taking a photo snap or a simple sketch will guide our way through the forest. The place was not that crowded but we still can see people going in or out from the forest. I guessed most them were coming to exercise. Maybe because it is near to the residential area, the area around the entrance has a well-managed garden with some ornamental objects and structures. You can see dragonflies or damselflies hovering around the pond and the stream. The surrounding is really refreshing.

As we went in further, the forest trail started. We did not follow the forest map but choosing the path instinctively. At the beginning, we went up the stairs and came to a main detour with a signboard (see photo on the left, sorry for the overexposure). The left path is connecting to the exit and also Trail 2 while the right path is to Trail 1. We took the right path. Trail 1 will lead you to the watchtower and also around the lower part of the forest. As for Trail 2, it will be covering the upper part of the forest and also to a suspension bridge.

The trail is an easy one, just a typical forest trail. Most of the terrains are flat and have enough space to examine the plants and insects or even taking photos. As for the elevation, the steepness is not bad. As long as you get a good hold on the ground and also maintain a wide body base, there is no worry about it.

The watchtower is a key spot for Bukit Gasing. You can have a break and enjoy the breeze. You can see the telecommunication tower just opposite your place. Down the watchtower is just the vast area of forest. As for the far view, you can see Old Klang Road. Anyway, the view is not spectacular. During our visit, the hazy weather across the city worsened the landscape.

When I came across signboards stating the direction to a stream, I had a picture of a large flow of water gushing through rocks and we might have to carefully cross it. I just could not wait longer to see the stream. As we got closer, I heard the sound of children playing and I guessed it must be a nice stream. After walking out of the trees, I paused for a while and the excitement went off like a puff. Well, it was just a tiny little stream. Despite of the disappointment, I was still glad with the crystal clear water of the stream. In my mind, I wished to take a gulp of the water. From the stream, you can either go upstream through the stream or continue the trail along the stream. Anyhow, both will lead you back to the entrance.

In this forest, there are many surprises of flora and fauna. With patient, keen eyes and a little luck, you can spot many fascinating plant that you never see before. For us, we spotted lizards, a white-skinned frog and giant ants we never saw before. The size of the ants is really terrifying. Other than that, there were varieties of fungus, yellow, brown, white, black, on dead trunks. Let the photos tell the story.

As we walked through the trail, there were many detours to smaller trails. To be safe, we just followed the main trail. Even if we wanted to traverse all of them, time would be never enough. That was why we did not go to the upper part of the forest where there is a suspension bridge. I hoped a revisit in the future will let us complete the whole forest. A nice forest, suitable for a weekend visit and for exercise activities.




More photos on Facebook.
Kwang Han
eXP

Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve

 A forest in a big city, under a tall tower

This forest reserve is situated at Bukit Nanas which is also the foot of Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower). Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, was used to be tin mines near the rivers and forests. Its name directly means “muddy estuary” due to the mines. Now, it is a well-developed city and still growing. Most of the people just know about Kuala Lumpur as a prosperous city with buildings all around the region. But, they do not realize the existence of a forest residing the heart of the city.

Here is a brief history of the forest reserve.

1906 – gazetted as Bucket Weld Forest Reserve

1934 – recognized as a wildlife reserve and bird sanctuary

1950 - ~5 hectares was declared as Virgin Jungle Reserve

Now – the area is ~10.5 hectares  

The main entrance to the forest is just by the parking lots of KL Tower. For those who take the train service, it is easier to access the forest through the side entrance (via MTIB Wariseni Gallery). Anyway, the whole forest paths are interconnected so I will start from the main entrance.

At the entrance, there is a forest map (photo above). Having a sketch or a photo snap of the map will easily guide you through the forest and identify some of the attractions. Two paths are available here. One is the Sindora Track and another is the Arboretum Trail. It is better to take the Sindora Track first then only backtrack to Arboretum Trail. This will directly lead you to another area of the forest. The Sindora Track is just pavement with staircases and will lead us to the Herbs Garden and the Wild Orchid Garden. Unfortunately, the Herbs Garden was still under construction so there is nothing to see for the moment. As for the Wild Orchid Garden, it is just an enclosed caged with some orchid plants. Nothing was really attractive. At the end of the track is the information center where you can ask about the forest and also get a brochure.

The Arboretum Trails is more interesting as you truly walk inside the forest. The trail is easy and the path is obvious. The only concern is mosquitoes, lots and lots of mosquitoes once you step into the forest. It is advisable to bring along insect repellant. Because it is a walk more than trekking, we could spend more time to look for unusual insects or animals. So far, we spotted a centipede in a dead bark, a lizard, an unknown insect hanging on a thin lining of silk, and a squirrel. We also saw some monkeys loitering around. It is best not to interact with them as in giving food or harassing them. This trail is a circle so we were back at the entrance.

By following the tarmac road, it will lead you to another area of the forest. You can choose either the Hopea Track or the Penarahan Trail. We did not enter the Penarahan Trail but choosing the track. Nothing much about the track until the Bamboo Walk. It is not what you imagine of a bamboo forest but a pavement with few bamboo plants at the side. After that it is another detour. Jelutong Trail or Shorea Track. Due to lack of time, we took the track.

The Shorea Track is just another usual track. It will lead to a hall and an exercising compound. The end of the track will the side entrance as mentioned above with MTIB Wariseni Gallery over there. After backtracking to the detour just now, there will be a large compound which is a camping ground. Here, you can see the tower clearly. Passing the compound is the suspension bridge which connects to the foot of KL Tower. That is all about the forest.

Upon exiting, there is a small bird park. However, visitors need to pay to enter. The last place to visit is the Jelutong century tree next to restaurants and cafes. A signboard states that the tree is around 95-year-old and RM 430,000.00 was spent to conserve it during KL Tower construction.

Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is a good place to escape the city. However, constructions and roads around the forest disrupt the harmony of the forest. You can still hear cicada ‘singing’ but the pounding sound of piling machines and vehicles ‘roaring’ through the streets ruin the environment. I was a bit disappointed not to walk in the Penarahan Trail and Jelutong Trail because of the lack of time. Maybe a revisit in the future to finish both of the trails.