GUNUNG DATUK

LOCATION
Located in Rembau, it's one of the highest mountains in Negeri Sembilan. It's 880 meters above sea level. Some people will not even call it a mountain. According to history, it's here in the 18th century that Penghulu Rembau signed a pact to join forces against the Dutch.

HOW TO GO FROM KUALA LUMPUR?
1. Use KL-Seremban highway heading south towards Melaka.
2. Exit at Pedas Linggi (Exit 223).
3. After paying the toll, drive towards a T-Junction and turn left.
4. Drive along the road until reaching a roundabout, take a 3 o'clock turn.
5. Drive along until you reach a T-junction with traffic lights, turn to the right, you will pass a set of traffic lights and be on the look out of the signboard of Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk.
6. Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk is on the left side of the road.


THE TREKS

Before starting your climb, you need to pay the fee of RM1 to the ranger/caretaker at a makeshift counter. It's a popular spot, you can expect to see 50 - 70 people on a weekend. Be there early or else you will not find parking spot!


The treks are challenging with steep slope almost all the way up, with occasional flat stretches. To those with weak knees, coming down is very challenging. Hiking stick will help.

You can do your pit stop as and when you like it. As the forest is thick you don't feel the scorching sun above you. A liter of drinking water or isotonic drink will definitely help. Don't forget to bring small towel, it'll be very handy to wipe off your sweats. You'll be sweating a lot!

THE PEAK
The peak is just rocks! And you need to do a little bit of rock climbing! Don't worry as you can see, metal steps are already there to help you to ascend to the peak! The view from the peak is breathtaking. Even though, no tall trees to cover the sunlight, you don't feel it at all. It's cooling as the cold sweeps through every now and then. it'd remind you of some other highlands!


This is the place for you to have your snack, in may case, an energy bar! of course, please avoid to litter the place. It's sad when I see disused mineral bottles here and there! The trip to the peak is all worth it. You'd forget the price (tough climbing) that you paid instantly!


On a clear day, you can even see Straits of Melaka from here! We didn't see it, of course!