Rawang for nature lovers

It is no doubt that Rawang is one of the most rapidly growing areas in the Klang Valley today. The former tin-mining town used to be made up of a few rows of shophouses, but today Rawang has grown and developed into a vibrant address for homebuyers and businesses alike. This is largely due to improvements in amenities and connectivity, as well as the variety of properties available there.

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Rawang is blessed by nature, especially if one stays in Templer Park, east of Rawang, which is nestled between the Bukit Lagong Recreational Forest and Sungai Tua Recreational Forest — two major forest reserves in the Klang Valley and home to many outdoor recreational and nature spots including Templer Park, Kanching Eco-Forest Park and the Commonwealth Forest Park.

Templer Park is indeed a unique place to stay, yet it is only 23km away from Kuala Lumpur city centre via toll-free roads.

One could enjoy the morning mist, fresh air and waterfalls while engaging in jungle trekking, camping and other activities in and around Templer Park. Here are some places to go and things to do there.

ATTRACTIONS

Rock climbing in Bukit Takun

Bukit Takun is an icon of the Templer Park Country Club, in fact, of the entire Templer Park. Bukit Takun is a beautiful 300m high limestone hill which became the first rock climbing site in Malaysia with routes bolted in since 1985.

Climbers often consider it a clean and quiet place offering magnificent views along the way. 

Trekking in Taman Rimba Templer 

Taman Rimba Templer, better known as Templer Park, offers beginners or intermediate hikers a trek of an asphalt path that gradates into concrete, then ascending stairs that lead to the jungle trail. There are a few halfway points on the entire 4.5km loop trek, but be ready to cross several streams. This is a good choice if you want a dash of adventure in the rainforest.

Camping at the Commonwealth Forest Park

The Commonwealth Forest Park was established in 1993 to mark the 14th Commonwealth Forest Conference that was held in Malaysia. Part of the park has been taken over and is being managed by a private company, but the public can still frequent and camp in certain allocated areas of the park.

If you fancy spending a night camping in the woods, the campsites are available for rent at RM10 per day from the park’s management office, the Hulu Selangor district forest office. The campsite comes with basic toilet and bathroom facilities.

Picnic at Kanching waterfalls

Kanching waterfalls is located in the Kanching Eco-Forest Park. The falls offer seven levels and it takes around one hour to reach the top. However, the trail could be slippery and challenging as the trail is next to the waterfall.

Nevertheless, it is a popular picnic spot, especially level 4 where the waterfall offers a spacious natural platform and a pool where visitors sit and relax with their feet in the cool water.

Scenic drive on the Rawang Bypass

The Rawang Bypass, also known as the Rawang-Serendah Highway, is a toll-free highway that took 12 years to complete. It opened at the end of 2017.

About 2.7km of the 10km Rawang Bypass is an elevated viaduct with its tallest pillar coming in at 58.2 meters, making it the tallest toll-free highway in Malaysia. It offers unobstructed picturesque views of the Serendah area and the forest reserves of Templer Park. 

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my pullout on Aug 23, 2019. You can access back issues here.