Bukit Saga - My First Hike

Happy Labour Day! Not that I do not appreciate the public holiday, but still, a public holiday in the middle of the week is not very exciting. In my old posts, you would have read that I trekked to Mount Rinjani in Bali in May 2010, and trekked to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal in September 2011. I have trekked some other hills and mountains but those are the ones I have written so far. 

I would not have made it to these places if not for my initial start in this little hill in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur in 2009. 

It all started when my friend asked me if I am interested to join them to hike up the Pinnacles Summit Trek in Miri, Sarawak (located in East Malaysia). My friend said that I have the build and I probably need to just practise. I thought it was going to be easy, but boy, was I wrong.. My friend brought me to the little hill in Cheras to get a 'feel' of hiking. 

So, on 5th May 2009 (I am not that good in remembering the dates, but it's printed on the photo.. haha!), after work, she brought me to one of the popular hiking spots in Cheras - Bukit Ketumbar. She said it's easy, and can be finished in 30 minutes. I hiked up, and all I could think was rolling down the hill. It was so tiring. It was getting dark soon. But she waited for me. At that point of time, I asked to myself - Can I really do hiking? It is so difficult. Instead of 30 minutes, I did it in slightly more than an hour. Most of the residents in Cheras, young and old, frequent Bukit Ketumbar as a leisure activity. 

I reached the top of the hill, and got a nice view of Kuala Lumpur. I looked back at the first time I started hiking, and I am proud to say that I have improved so much, but still I am not as good as my friend. I am very thankful to have known her, as I would not have seen this part of the world - hills, mountains, waterfalls. She has taught me a lot. 

After Bukit Ketumbar, she brought me to a slightly-challenging place - Bukit Saga. It was challenging then. Now, it's just a easy trek. :-) It is a 20 minute trek to the peak. And on the peak of the hill is a small playground. People exercise. There are hammocks. I love the hammocks! Everytime I go to the peak, I will lie down on the hammock. :-) There are places to sit and eat. 

There are many routes in Bukit Saga. About 10 minutes walking downhill from the peak, one can reach a make-shift kitchen. Men can be seen steaming fish! Amazing! There is even a pond where the fish is bred.

About 45 minutes downhill from the peak, one can go to the Waterfalls. There are 2 routes to the Waterfall. We used the shortcut. Shortcut involves walking on tree trunks. Kinda scary the first time, and after that, there is nothing to fear. The longer route takes about an hour plus. I feel like I was walking around the hill.

And right beside me, is my friend who introduced me to the hills in Cheras. :-) 

I have tried walking the entire hill, and it takes about 3 hours. There are many stations that are clearly stated. There are places to stop and rest. Although this place is 45 minutes drive from my house, but it is worth driving to - just to hang out with my friend. :-)