| Location | Cameron Highlands, Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Height | 2,110 m |
| Terrain | Mossy forest trail |
| Recommended duration | 1 day |
| Ease of access | 4-wheel drive to Gunung Brinchang |
| Special equipment | None |
| Good | An adventure through mossy forest. Nice weather. |
| Not so good | Muddy trail, no view from the summit |
Take an adventure away from the tourist trail on Cameron Highlands with a trek to Gunung Irau. Standing next to Gunung Brinchang at 2110 m, this is the highest mountain in Cameron Highlands and the ninth highest in Peninsula Malaysia. This trek is very different from most other treks in Peninsula Malaysia. The whole trek is at an altitude above 1000 m through mossy forest. The air is cool and misty unlike the hot and humid climate of the tropical rainforest treks at lower altitude. Such an environment is ideal for moss to grow and they can be seen growing on the ground and covering the branches of the trees.
The starting point of the trek is near the summit of Gunung Brinchang which is just a few meters lower than Gunung Irau. As you are already starting from a high ground, the trek involves travelling along the ridgeline that connects Gunung Brinchang to Gunung Irau. The trail is distinct with the side covered with dense vegetation which rises above your head. There is no technical section for this trek which requires rope. However, some part of it is steep and it will require you to hold onto roots and branches to get over them.
The cool and misty condition although ideal for moss to grow, also makes the ground muddy on the trail which is devoid of vegetation. The descent down the side of Gunung Brinchang is a very long and muddy journey. Once you reached the saddle, the trail up Gunung Irau is steep and less muddy. At the end of this ascent is the false summit where there is a space for tents. The trail continues on the left side with a very steep descend before ascending to the true summit of Gunung Irau, which is marked by a signboard.
The mossy forest is fragile and stepping on the moss will quickly kill them. Unfortunately, as visitors attempt to avoid stepping on the muddy trail by stepping on the moss covered banks, this inevitably, kills the moss and widen the muddy path. You can help by not creating new path and try to take stepping into the mud in your stride. Since there is no avoiding stepping into the mud, just be prepared to clean your shoe or wear one that you don't mind disposing after the trek.
The trek to the summit takes about four to five hours. Although there is a campsite close to the summit, it is recommended to start early in the morning and make it a day trek instead. There is no water source throughout the trek which means that you will need to carry more water if you intend to set camp. The mossy forest is full of branches and obstacles which cross the path and this makes navigating with a big backpack difficult. You also would not want to take off your muddy shoes until the completion of the trek. Thus it is advisable to bring along a pair of sandals to change into so as not to dirty the vehicle which is bringing you back. Since this trek is from one mountain to the next and back, the time taken to reach the summit of Gunung Irau and back to the starting point is about the same. Make sure you have given sufficient time allowance to complete the trek before night falls. A small team of not more than ten trekkers is recommended.
As cab drivers did not like to drive up the steep road up Gunung Brinchang, you may need to find a 4-wheel drive to go to the starting point, which is at a clearing by the right side of the road close to the summit. Fortunately, it is not difficult to find 4-wheel drivers in the main town of Tanah Rata.
For a little adventure away from the touristy spots of Cameron Highland while still enjoying the cool climate of the highlands, Gunung Irau is the perfect place to go. There are also no mosquitoes, leeches and sandflies which are often found at treks in the lower altitude. Its biggest drawback is its muddy trail which probably brings about an early obsolescence of many trekking shoes. There isn't much view from the summit due to the dense vegetations.
| Date | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 02 October 2015 | Gunung Irau will be closed until mid-2016 for restoration, regeneration and rehabilitation of mossy undergrowth. | Nation |
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- SMUX Trekkers, 15 March 2014.
- My Heart Soars, 09 July 2012.
Take a bus to Tapah1
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Bus company: Super Express Remarks: Super VIP (1 free small mineral water per person) |
From local bus terminal (along Jalan Raja) to Tanah Rata1
To get to local bus terminal, facing the foodstall, go left along the main road. At the first junction where there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), turn right. Local bus terminal is on the left side of the road.
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Bus company: Regal Transport Co. Ltd Cost: RM 4.70 per person (RM 5 per person for air-conditioned bus) Duration: 2 hrs Remarks: Tickets bought on bus |
From Tanah Rata to starting point of trek on Gunung Bringchang,1
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4-Wheel drive Cost: Rm 15 per person (two ways) Duration: 30 mins Remarks: Arrange with the drivers the timing and location to pick up trekkers |
| Duration (mins) | Description | Instructions | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Open patch on the right side of the road near to the summit of Gunung Bringchan | Starting point is on the left side of the open patch, up a small steep slope before descending | |
| 50 | Signboard (1.9km to Gunung Irau) | ||
| 65 | Signboard (To G. Irau 1.55km; From G. Brinchang 0.8km) | ||
| 45 | Bottom of saddle | Steep ascend | |
| 20 | Signboard (To G. Irau 0.95km; Fr. G. Brinchang 1.4km) | ||
| 20 | False summit | Path on the left side, steep descend before ascending | |
| 45 | Signboard (to G. Irau 0.35km; Fr. G. Brinchang 2km) | ||
| 25 | Summit |
| Starting point to saddle | : 2 hours 40 minutes |
| From saddle to false summit | : 40 minutes |
| From false summit to true summit | : 1 hour 10 minutes |
| From starting point to true summit | : 4 hours 30 minutes |
Reach summit by 12.30 pm. Have lunch. Set off by 1.30 pm.
Return to starting point by 6pm
- Light weight clothes
- First Aid Kit
- Extra clothing
- Extra footwear eg. sandals
- Rain gear
- Windbreaker/Jacket
- Swiss Knife
- Water for the trek
- Contingency food
- Torchlight
