Visiting Klang Valley or Selangor from out of town or from abroad? If running is part of your daily routine, and you want to squeeze in a session where the locals run, then you will up for a treat!

You may be in town for a day or two for meetings, have that precious available hour or two before the day starts, or your work meeting ends early. You have your running gear with you, and want to experience nature. What would you do? Look no further than the updated trail running routes we have compiled below.

1. Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

If you are in the Petaling Jaya, Mont Kiara or Taman Tun Dr Ismail side of town, our top pick is the Bukit Kiara Park as it is very versatile and caters to everyone from jogging on asphalt, trail running, to mountain biking and hiking with tracks for different fitness levels.

The trails have hosted many trail running races, even ultras like the upcoming Conquer the Trails and the recently concluded Bukit Kiara Ultra. Many newbies have honed their skills here into ‘ultra kakis’, so feel free to venture here with a friend, or join a group. We love running in the forest which gives you a thick canopy cover and lots of positive ions.

p/s: There is a hidden suspension bridge in the park, see if you can find it.

• Entrance is free.

2. FRIM – Forest Research Institute of Malaysia

We rate FRIM as the 5-star running route, home to one of the leading institutions in tropical forestry research in the world. Located 16 km from the heart of Kuala Lumpur, FRIM is an ideal place to run through the trails or tarmac, ride your mountain bike or take a scenic hike.

You can be assured of lush greenery with a variety of forests. We love the pine forest if you’re up for a bit of trail running or a hike.

• Opening hours:
  • 6.00 am – 7.30 am & 8.30 am – 7.00 pm (Monday – Friday)
  • 6.00 am – 7.00 pm (Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays)
• Entrance fee applies.

3. Kemensah, Kuala Lumpur

Just on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and bordering the Zoo Negara, the Kemensah forest trails still stand the test of time and offer a myriad of experiences from trail running, hiking, All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) rides and a majestic waterfall.

The forest has been hosting various running races plus an upcoming off-road duathlon by Run Asia Kemensah.

Whether you have just started out on trail running or a seasoned runner, the forest will offer you different trails to cater for your training needs, or you could just head off towards the sound of the waterfall and ‘fall-in’.

Always open, entrance is free.

4. Gasing Hill

We love recommending Gasing Hill to all levels of trail runners as you can always find a trail which suits your level of fitness. There are many trails to explore with different routes and terrain stretching from Petaling Jaya (PJ) in Selangor all the way to the borders of Kuala Lumpur.

Choose between trails that travel through a suspension bridge, a Telekom tower, and a Hindu temple from where you can spot the PJ skyline and the NPE highway out yonder.

Alas, all ‘greens’ are coveted items, which we should also strive to protect for our future generation. Some concerned citizens have formed Friends of Bukit Gasing (FOBG) to preserve and protect the precious green lung.

Always open, entrance is free.

5. Kota Damansara Community Forest

The Kota Damansara Community Forest (KDCF) has many trails to cater for trail runners and mountain bikers alike. Nestled in Selangor, this forest was wrestled from the wrath of development and turned in a beautiful conservation area with the heart of a community forest.

Managed by the KDCF Society, they have liased with companies to sponsor and build trails of various terrains and difficulty levels to cater to everyone, including children.

Always open, entrance is free.

Refer to the KDCF Society Facebook page for notices of temporary closures and latest updates.

6. Shah Alam Community Forest

The Shah Alam Community Forest (SACF) is breath-taking in more ways than one. The Peak Garden offers a panoramic view of KLCC Towers and even Genting Highlands on a clear day on one side, and as far as the Straits of Malacca on the other side.

Located between Setia Alam (Sect U13), Alam Budiman (Sect U10) and NusaRhu (Sect U10) in Shah Alam, Selangor, this forest is under high risk of development. While the SACF Society is lobbying hard to get our government to conserve it, your best bet is to run or ride its beautiful trails before it’s gone too soon.

Many trail running groups make this their playground especially on weekends, so you can always find a buddy. The trails have hosted a few trail running and mountain biking races, including Spartan Malaysia too.

Always open, entrance is free.

Refer to the SACF Society Facebook page for latest updates.

7. Taman Tugu, Kuala Lumpur

This new park in the heart of Kuala Lumpur currently has around 5km of forest trails within 40 acres. In 2020, they are working to open more trails for everyone of all fitness levels. The parks boasts more than 4,000 trees from the indigenous Malaysian rainforest species to provide a green lung within the city.

If you are new to trail running and work in the city center, this would be the perfect location for you to learn to appreciate nature. The park also has a history dating back to the British administration and you will be able to discover some relics along the way.

Open daily to public from 7am – 6.30pm and admission is free.

8. Taman Rimba Alam, Putrajaya

A well-guarded secret lies in Presinct 14 and Presinct 15 of Putrajaya, spreading almost 400 acres! This metropolitan park consists of more than 400 species of thick wood tress, and has more than 95,000 trees. Fresh air is guaranteed!

This park has also hosted many races during the day and night like Petzl Night Trail Run, Eco Trail Putrajaya and other ultra trail races too. You can explore the four trails marked on their map, and spot the different type of trees including a durian tree.

Entrance is free.

9. Putrajaya Botanical Gardens, Putrajaya

If you work within the administrative capital, Putrajaya – one of 2 green running areas in the vicinity is the Putrajaya Botanical Gardens. Run within the scenic themes – Explorer’s Trail, Palm Hill, Floral Gardens, Sun Garden and the Lakeside. You might even learn a thing or two about trees by the time you finish your run!

• Operating hours: 6am – 7pm daily
• Entrance is free.

10. Saga Hill

What used to be a hiker’s haven, Saga Hill is now frequented by trail runners alike. Straddling the Ampang and Cheras district of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, you can carve out a short (7km) of long trail (15km or more) depending on your training menu for the day.

Once you’ve warmed up your running shoes, you can take a short hiking detour to the Ah Pek waterfall to cool down and rejuvenate with more positive ions.

Always open, entrance is free.

Now that you know where to run if you are around Klang Valley or Selangor, just be sure you have your running gear on standby for that quick session to experience nature.