HUTAN LIPUR LATA BAYU - BALING - KEDAH

If you are already in Baling, make sure you allocate yourself some free time to visit Hutan Lipur Lata Bayu. Located 30km from the town of Baling, this place is very popular among locals. What so special about this place is that it have a waterfall that reach 20 meters hight, with a pool that is deep enough for you to swim. Other then that, the view is spectacular, and its infrastructure like toilet, halls, changing room, camping site, souvenir shops, surau, gazebo, etc are well located here.

You can also hike your way to the top here is the trail is well organise and easy to follow.

This place is a popular destination, and can be crowded during weekends. But on weekdays, it is a nice and quiet spot.

Entrance is FREE, and it open from 7.00am to 6.00pm.

For more information, feel free to call +604 - 4903 760, or visit their office at Pejabat Hutan Daerah Kedah Selatan, 09000 Kulim, Kedah.

GUNUNG BALING - BALING, KEDAH DARUL AMAN

Gunung Baling is also one of the famous mountain in northern state of Kedah. Located inside the district of Baling, this mountain is quite near to the nearby town. Well, you don't need to worry about buying any food supplies as you can find a lot of it here.

Different from its neighbour Gunung Pulai, Gunung Baling is only 546 metre high. The track is quite easy and straight forward I might say. Just that you will meet some obstacle along the way, like climbing rocks, tree roots, crawl inside a hole, etc. All this sure will given you some adventure.

We started our journey at 4.30am. From the parking lot, you will be walking roughly half an hour on a mud road, until you reach a cement stairs area. You might have to spend some time here climbing the stairs, probably 15 minutes.

Right after the stairs, there is a small area where you can rest. Most people will rest here before they continue their journey.

From here, you will have to climb your way thru the roots. Some area have a rope to hold-on to. Others, well, have to use your hand and feet to climb. Climb you way up until you meet a small stone blocks, or cave, which local refer to as Gua Kambing. The hole is quite small, so, be prepared.

After the cave you will have to walk thru an open jungle until you reach the other hole upfront. This track might take you 20 minutes or more. After the hole, you will have to climb your way up thru the lime stone area. From here, it is near to the peak. Even though it looks like near, but it is really time consuming, because you have to climb all the way. You know your reach the end spot until you reach an opening area, where all the area is covered with stones. Keep climb yourself up until you reach the marker. ( a light with Kedah & Malaysian Flag ).

We manage to reach the peak after 2 hours of walking. The view up here is wonderful. You can see a 360 degree view, and also, Gunung Pulai. The space is quite big, enough for many people to camp.
We reach around 7am. Camping, breakfast, and also take photo (well, roughly 2 hours) then we make our way back to the parking lot.

This mountain doesn't require any permit or entry fees. So, feel free to come and climb whenever you feel necessary. Hope it give an adventure to you, and do take care while climbing.

Enjoy the trip guys !