Couchsurfing friends on a hike in Ipoh, Malaysia

DIY Hiking Guide To Gunung Keledong or Kledang Hill

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Looking for a rewarding hike with stunning views in Ipoh? Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong is a favorite trail among locals. The multiple hiking trails caters to all levels from easy ones for beginners to harder ones for hiking enthusiasts.

Having hiked Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong myself, we know the best routes, tips, and tricks to help you make the most of your hiking adventure. With its lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere, this hike is the best getaway from the Ipoh city.

Ready to lace up your boots and explore?

Let’s dive into this hiking guide to Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong, where we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the hike!

Gunung Keledong or Kledang Hill Hiking Guide, Ipoh

How To Reach?

There are two trailheads for this hike. One is the main parking lot from where the hike starts, while the other is midway, where people park on the side of the road to start the hike.

The easiest way to reach the base or hike starting point is by Grab taxi services. No direct buses are available to reach the base of the hike. If you own a vehicle, you can reach it by navigating with Google Maps.

To reach the city of Ipoh, refer to the Ipoh Travel Guide.

Gunung Keledong or Kledang Hill Hiking Details

Hiking route of Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong, Ipoh

Cost or Entry Fee

Free entry fee and parking. This is what we love in Malaysia. Most of the hiking trails are well maintained yet are free to explore.

Registration

No registration or pre-online booking is required. You can go directly and start hiking.

Timings

Although there are no strict timing restrictions, we recommend you to hike during the day light between 6 AM and 6 PM.

Maximum Altitude

The peak of Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong is located at an altitude of 810 m. It is the maximum altitude you will reach on this hike.

Hiking Terrain

Jungle, paved road, steps, and stones

Gunung Keledong or Kledang Hill Hiking Routes

Different hiking routes to Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong, Ipoh

There are 5 hiking routes in Gunung Keledong or Kledang Hill. They are,

  • The Main Road
  • Route 42
  • Route 49
  • Route 54
  • Route RTM/ 58

Only the main road and RTM trail go up to the summit. The other three routes cut halfway and join the motorable road to reach the summit. Most of the hike follows a shady route, making the trail perfect for hiking even during dry summers. 

The routes, along with the names, are marked in OSMAND. You can refer to the offline maps whenever there is a trail split or if you’re in doubt. Direction boards are kept at the route splits for routes 42 and 49.

1. The Main Road Route

The main road route to Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong, Ipoh

Since it is a one-way road, a few people park their cars at the parking lot and start hiking from there. They walk along the paved road to reach the summit. Some sections of the paved road are very steep.

There are many resting huts along the way. A few take their two-wheelers to the summit of Kledang Hill. We advise you to exercise caution while driving on the hills, as many hairpin bends exist.

  • Distance: 5.25 Km
  • Hike Duration: 3 – 4 hours one way
  • Max Altitude Reached: 810 m

2. Route 42

View of Ipoh from the Gazebo Viewpoint
View of Ipoh From Gazebo Viewpoint

At the starting point, taking a left leads to the Route 42 trail. If you take a right, you must take a left at this location to join Route 42. Also known as the staircase trail, it contains a series of man-made staircases with rubber tires and concrete steps.

The trail leads you to the Gazebo Viewpoint, the best in the area as the locals say. You can see the Cameron Highlands from this point on a clear day. The trail joins the main road here. You can take the main road route from there to reach the summit.

  • Distance: 1 Km
  • Hike Duration: 40 minutes one way
  • Max Altitude Reached: 370 m

3. Route 49

A stream found en route

From the starting point, take a right to be on Routes 49, 54, and RTM. Follow the route until you reach the stream. After a few meters, the trail splits at this location.

Take a left to follow route 49. The trail goes up until you join the main road here.

  • Distance: 2.66 Km
  • Hike Duration: 40 minutes one way
  • Max Altitude Reached: 460 m

4. Route 54

Route 54 - Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong, Ipoh

After the trail diverges from Route 49, keep hiking straight. The route is frequented only for a few meters; the rest is covered by dried leaves and tree roots.

The trail keeps ascending until you reach a large tree. Shortly after crossing the tree, the trail diverges again. The left path will lead you to the paved road, while the right will lead you to the summit.

  • Distance: 3.5 Km
  • Hike Duration: 2 hours one-way
  • Max Altitude Reached: 540 m

5. The RTM Route/ Route 58

After the Route 54 divergence, proceed straight to follow Route 58 or the RTM route. Shortly after, when the trail splits, take the right path to reach the summit. Keep ascending until you reach the Kledang peak.

There is also another old RTM route that diverges to the right shortly after you cross the stream. It is comparatively easier to cover a distance of 3 Km. It takes about 2 hours to reach the summit via the old RTM route.

  • Distance: 4.5 Km
  • Hike Duration: 3 hours one-way
  • Max Altitude Reached: 810 m

Our Hiking Route

Mushrooms on the hike

We hiked up via Route 54, descended the main road route for some distance, and took a left to join Route 42. After enjoying the aerial view of the Ipoh City at Gazebo Viewpoint, we reached the parking lot after descending a lot of stairs

Although we didn’t reach the summit due to time constraints, the hike felt refreshing and offbeat, with few tourists. The trail was serene yet vibrant, with the flowing water, chirping birds, exotic mushrooms, and tall trees.

We did this hike as a group through a Couchsurfing event and absolutely love it!

Important Things to Remember

  • A guide is not mandatory to hike Kledang Hill. Still, it is easy to lose track, so we highly recommend you download the GPS file or offline maps before hitting the trail. Otherwise, join someone familiar with the trail.
  • The use of plastics and smoking are strictly prohibited. As a hiker, it is your responsibility to keep the trail clean. Bring your waste back and dispose of it in the proper dedicated bins.
  • We highly recommend you wear proper hiking shoes. The terrain can be slippery even during the dry season.
  • There are a lot of snakes in these jungles. Although most of them are harmless, exercise caution.

Essential Things To Carry

  • Ensure you carry at least 1 L of water per person.
  • Take some energy bars and snacks.
  • Have your first aid kit handy.
  • Cap, sunscreen & sunglasses are essential to ward off the summer heat.
  • Carry a poncho or raincoat in case of rain.
  • Above all, ensure you wear comfortable shoes with good traction and grip.

Read the blog to know more about what we usually carry for day hikes.

Best Time To Visit Kledang Hill Ipoh

Kledang Hill or Gunung Keledong, Ipoh, Malaysia

The best time to hike the Gunung Keledong or Kledang Hill is during the dry summer months from December to May and June to September. Ipoh experiences a pleasant climate most of the year.

Most of the trail is shaded, which shields you from the sun even in summer months and provides a much more temperate climate experience.

It rains heavily in April, May, October, and November. During the rainy season, the trail is slippery.

Network Availability

There will be intermittent loss of network along the trail, so it is best to download offline maps for navigation.

ATM Availability

There are many ATMs available in Ipoh City. Although there is no entry fee for the hike, the vendors at the base accept only cash. So, it is better to always carry some cash on you.

Languages Spoken

While the vendors mostly speak Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil are also widely spoken here.

Parking Availability

There is a dedicated parking space available at the trailhead. A few people park on either side of the road and start the hike from midway.

Restroom Facilities

No restrooms are available. You’re dependent on nature throughout the hike until the end.

Restaurants and Eateries

There are a few shops at the trailhead, and shops selling snacks, coconuts, and fresh juice are found at the base. However, there are no shops or street vendors along the trail.

Carry adequate water and bars or snacks, especially if you have kids. You’ll come across many water streams while hiking, but they might be dry during summer.

Hotels in Ipoh

 

Ipoh is a huge city with several options for visitors to stay. You can choose your accommodation from several hostels to resorts. We stayed at the Beds In Garden Hostel ($).

Here are a few other recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a guide required to hike the Kledang Hill?

You do not need a guide to hike Kledang Hill. However, we highly recommend you download the offline maps before hitting the trail. Otherwise, join someone familiar with the trail.

Check the route wherever needed. Although you can see people on weekends, they might take different routes.

Can you do the Kledang Hill hike in a day?

The hike can be completed in one day.

What are the other things to do in Ipoh?

On our way back, we visited Buntong Falls. The guide has a list of 10 must-do activities in Ipoh.

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