Trail runners and hikers all over Malaysia can now celebrate the reopening of some trails and parks in the great outdoors!

Such privilege will teach us not to take the little things for granted again.

In this Covid-19 pandemic, we also need to take precautions including social distancing on the trails, keeping a safe 3-metre distance from one another, and not to run or hike in groups of more than 3 persons. Do keep a mask with you to wear when you have stopped your exercise routine.

We have updated trail running routes in the compilation below, but please note, different states have different opening dates for their state forests and parks; so please adhere to the regulations.

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 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.

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

Read Also: Runners Unite to Surpass Global Running Day Pledge with ToughASIA

2. FRIM – Forest Research Institute of Malaysia

Please note that the main campus of FRIM remains closed till year end. Only guided nature trekking is allowed, however the picnic area and waterfall is closed.  From 1st July, only the Kepong Botanical Gardens and Taman Warisan FRIM will be opened with limited visitation times and capacity.

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.

• Opening hours:
  • Kepong Botanical Gardens 7 – 11am & 4 – 6pm (daily), 150 pax capacity.
  • Taman Warisan FRIM 7am – 6pm (daily), unlimited pax.
• Entrance fee applies.

Read Also: Ultrarunner Sets World Record, Completes 64 Marathons in 64 Days

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.

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’.

• Operating hours: 7am – 7pm daily
• 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.

• Open from 1st July
• Entrance is free.

Read Also: Sign Up And Celebrate The Free Gold Coast Virtual Marathon

5. Kota Damansara Community Forest

From 1st July, the Kota Damansara Community Forest (KDCF) will be opened to trail runners once again.

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.

• Open from 1st July
• Entrance is free.

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

6. Shah Alam Community Forest

The Shah Alam Community Forest (SACF) is breathtaking 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.

• Operating hours: 8am – 4.30pm daily
• Entrance is free.

Refer to the SACF Society Facebook page for latest updates.

Read Also: Kenyan Champ Kipruto Targets Medal at Rescheduled Boston Marathon

7. Taman Tugu, Kuala Lumpur

During RMCO, Taman Tugu has only opened the main 3km trek to the public with limited capacity and under a controlled operating environment.

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur currently has around 5km of forest trails within 40 acres and already 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.

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

Read Also: Runners Unite to Surpass Global Running Day Pledge with ToughASIA

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: 7am – 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.

• Operating hours: 7am – 7pm daily
• 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, or plan your weekend escapade. The great outdoors await!