It was still dark at 6.30am when I reached the rendezvous to carpool to Karak town before trekking to the Sungai Kerau Falls.

Upon reaching Karak, and after a quick breakfast, we headed for the trailhead and set off shortly after 9am.

Having been told it was a three-hour trek each way to the falls, I was prepared and even looked forward to the hike, which would include several river crossings.

I totally enjoyed meandering along the shaded paths, listening to the forest sounds as the path wound around the side of the slope into a valley.

Every so often, we would have to negotiate an obstacle, further enhancing the hiking experience.

Take, for example, the time we scrambled down and had to squeeze through huge boulders, looking for firm footholds and using our hands for additional support.

Fallen trunks, 2m deep ditches, log bridges and river crossings were some of the other challenges along the way.

Given the terrain and conditions, leeches and mosquitoes were almost guaranteed.

The 7km route traverses a variety of terrain from hard-packed dirt to grassy trails and from muddy ground to the sandy banks of the river.

After passing through a lovely bamboo forest, we came upon the first river crossing.

At the next crossing, we walked upriver a little way, looking for a suitable spot to cross.

All in all, there are four river crossings to get to the base of the waterfall — a large natural pool with a 30-foot tall thundering waterfalls looming over it.

Fearful but determined, I sealed my camera in a waterproof bag, strapped my waist pouch over my shoulder, climbed down the rocks and carefully entered the water.

I gladly accepted a helping hand from a fellow hiker, and went along with his prescribed route to the other side. Safely on land again, I refused to dwell on the return crossing.

The path to the upper falls is steep and narrow.

It was also the most strenuous part of the entire hike, with tight trails hemmed in by trees, rock faces and low shrubs.

At the upper level, the river flattens out in the upstream direction.

Downstream, the rushing water flows into a series of cascading pools, gathering momentum before disappearing over the edge.

The highlight of the day was to dip in the icy cold water and be buffeted by the forceful spray of the waterfalls.

After chilling for 30 minutes, I felt ready to take on the world again. I also learnt of another way to get back on-trail without getting wet. A fallen tree wedged between huge boulders was my bridge across the water.

The journey back took two-and-a-half hours, compared to the three hours going in. We got back to the trail head at 5pm, having trekked an amazing 15.5km.

Sungai Kerau Falls is located within the Kerau Forest Reserve in Pahang and the nearest town is Karak.