The Cameron Highlands is a region located in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. Situated at about 1,500 meters above sea level, it is renowned for its cool climate, lush greenery, and scenic landscapes. Many people plan their visit based on hoping to see the mossy forest and explore the many tea plantations. It has become a hotspot for backpackers in the last couple of years for these reasons. If you are planning a trip to this gorgeous location, there are a few key things to know before your visit!
1. Hiking in the Mossy Forest
A big part of visiting the Cameron Highlands is experiencing the unique Mossy Forest. It was a prime reason for why we visited. What we didn’t know beforehand was the difficulties we would encounter once we arrived. So here is a quick breakdown of struggles and how to possibly mitigate them if you desire.
- Illegal Trails – Over the last couple of years, multiple of the most popular trails are no longer legal. This is due to the trails not being safe to travel through.
- Permit Only Trails – Multiple trails require permits. These must be obtained in person at least a week in advance. There is a location near the town to obtain them but it is not located directly in town. If you are like us and only plan to visit for a few days, it makes it hard to obtain one a full week in advance. Here is their address: Tanah Rata, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang, Malaysia.
- Short Trek Option – If you go to the location that comes up on Google when you type in ‘Mossy Forest Cameron Highlands’ you will find the boardwalk area. This one requires going up a very large hill (more on this below) to get to the entrance. It costs RM30 ($6) for non-citizens. The walk takes less than an hour and is overall easy. Possibly a bit slick due to the moisture in the forest.
If you choose to visit the area, be prepared to make a decision on how comfortable you are with different trail options.
2. Transportation in Cameron
Highlands Town Area
Renting a motorcycle is a very cheap option for exploring the Cameron Highlands. It is also an option where you are likely to get wet. It rained (really down poured if we are honest) everyday during our visit. The roads are also very rough in some areas. Expect tight corners that are hard to see around and large potholes. Often times the last bit of road was in even worse condition than the main roads. The bike we rented stated we couldn’t take it up the hill to the Mossy Forest. We decided to walk up the hill only to see that everyone else was on their motorcycles. Use your judgement to decide what is best for you.
If you are not comfortable riding a motorcycle in harsh, uncomfortable conditions then this is not the place to rent one.
2A. Lack of public transportation
Along with the possibility of renting some form of transportation there is slim pickings for public transportation. We did not see any bus system during our stay. Grab is not very reliable as there are very few drivers in that area. Expect to more than likely rent your transport during your stay.
If you don’t have it yet, we always recommend getting an international driver’s license. Some people don’t care and won’t ask and others will request to see a license.
3. Urbanization of Cameron
Highlands Town
Cameron Highlands is waaay more urbanized than you’d expect. When looking at photos it seems very country and spread out. The reality is it is mostly like driving around a bigger town that has multiple fast food restaurants. This is great as it is easier to get from one side to the other but it does not provide the ‘middle of nowhere’ feeling we were seeking. The strawberry farms are really just potted plants that you walk through in an outdoor greenhouse. There’s also one on every corner. The most accessible part of the forest is a boardwalk. There were quite a few shops and a few bigger shopping centers.
General Recommendations
Visiting the highlands can be really enjoyable! Be prepared for rain, cold, and sun. Expect to do some walking to explore the more in-town areas where you can find shops and steamboat restaurants. The whole town is very cheap so expect to give your wallet a nice break during the visit! Plan ahead on if you are comfortable riding a motorcycle. If yes, make sure to have a good raincoat or a poncho. These can be bought for a great price at the markets in town.
Don’t want to plan a whole visit? Check out the links below for a guided tour from Kuala Lumpur out to the Cameron Highlands!!!
For more information on things to do, check out our other blog post below!
We hope you found this information helpful! Give us a shout on social media or drop a comment below to help us learn more about your upcoming trip plans!
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