Page Type:
|
Route |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
4.47400°N / 101.40130°E |
Route Type:
|
Hiking, Mountaineering, Scrambling |
Season:
|
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
|
Time Required:
|
Most of a day |
|
Overview
If it weren’t for one difficult gorge to cross not far from junction with the path (Trail #9) to the Robinson Waterfall, this would probably be the easiest route to the summit of Gunung Beremban. After crossing a very steep gorge (often with a fixed rope present), the rest of the route is fairly easy, albeit steep in places.
Part of the steep and slippery slope at the gorge crossing.Getting There
The first destinations in the Cameron Highlands to reach are Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Since this is a popular tourist area, even though the town are small, direct busses link both towns to places such as Kuala Lumpur and even one nightly bus from Singapore (we took a direct bus from Singapore).Several bus options are on the website below:
Bus Information
Ipoh is the nearest large city in the region and is served by many bus companies as well as an airport. There are four daily busses (Kita Omnibus) from Ipoh to Tanah Rata between 8 am and 6 pm. Finding a bus out of the Cameron Highlands is always easy since every hotel in Tanah Rata can either sell you a bus ticket or call the bus company for you. Out of the two towns in the area, Tanah Rata is supposed to be a better choice to stay than Brinchang, though both towns seem rather nice.
Once in Tanah Rata, there are several trailheads available for climbing Gunung Beremban. Make sure to buy a local map from any of the hotels in Tanah Rata. The Lonely Planet has an acceptable map as well. The best map seems to be the Cameron Highlands Discover Map and it cost less than $1 (3R).
Trail #8 begins east of Tanah Rata on the same road going to the Hospital. This is the most popular trailhead in the area since it serves as the main trailhead to the popular Robinson Waterfall. Nearly all locals know where the Robinson Waterfall is, so it’s easy to ask for directions (if you need them). Otherwise, just follow the road east of Tanah Rata towards the hospital, but turn right just before the hospital on the road that follows the creek.
This is the Robinson Waterfall, near the trailhead.Route Description
Once at the Robinson Waterfall Trailhead, follow trail #9 towards the waterfall. Just before the falls (make sure to visit it before climbing the mountain), trail #8 turns left and climbs towards Gunung Beremban.The trail towards the mountain starts out very steeply. Not long after starting up the mountain there is a gorge to cross which is the most difficult part of the climb. The climb in and out of the gorge is extremely steep and hopefully there will still be a fixed rope there when you arrive. If you can make it past this point, you can climb the mountain.
After the gorge, the trail continues the climbs up the mountain more or less directly. There are several steep sections, but most of them are aided by the fact that there are many tree roots to use as footholds. Overall, it becomes a much easier climb than the part of the trail before the gorge.
Towards the summit of the peak the trail veers east just after a junction with trail #7. The summit is only a short climb after reaching Trail #7.
It usually takes about 3 hours one way to get to the summit. Enjoy the summit and consider taking a different route back on the return. Trail #7 ends near the same location so would make a fine loop hike. A descent using Trail #2 or #3 would make a nice traverse of the mountain.
Cameron Highlands Trekking Map. Notice Trail #8.
Descending part of the steep Trail #8 on Gunung Beremban.Essential Gear
A good pair of boots is needed. A trekking pole comes in very handy as well.
Kessler holds a giant roly poly bug he found while climbing Gunung Beremban.