I had heard about a waterfall that pours into an Olympic-sized pool in Bentong, Pahang and set out to find this hidden gem.

It is only a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur followed by a 1.5-hour hike that rewards hikers with the unforgettable experience of a waterfall lagoon in the middle of the forest.

Perting Falls, also known as Lata Hammer, can be reached via the scenic but winding old trunk road that connects Bukit Tinggi to Bentong.

As you head towards Bentong, the Perting Falls turn-off is immediately after the Bentong Hot Springs where an unpaved road stretches another 3km to the Lata Hammer trail head.

Littered with potholes and more suited to 4WD vehicles, the uneven terrain can get extremely muddy when it rains.

Parking at a clearing big enough to fit our convoy of non-4WD cars, we geared up and set off on foot along the bulldozer-widened dirt road.

Further along, the presence of metal bridges built over the river for easy vehicular access were testament to ongoing development in support of farming and 4X4 activities.

Starting out at an easy pace on gentle inclines, we passed fruit orchards and rubber smallholdings with occasional glimpses of the river.

After 40 minutes in the open, we reached the forest trail which starts on the other side of the river.

The second part of the hike began with a descent down a steep embankment onto a sturdy, makeshift bridge straddling partially submerged boulders to get to the other side of the river.

Previously, there was no way to cross the river without getting wet.

The undulating forest trail is well defined, starting with gentle slopes that get steeper, yet never posing any real difficulty.

I thoroughly enjoyed the next 30 minutes in the shady forest canopy, soaking in the forest sounds and being at one with nature.

Here, signs of development were also evident, as the forest trail is wide enough for vehicle access throughout.

A red arrow on a signboard bearing the words ‘Lata Hammer’ pointed us down the ravine on the right. The near vertical path was mercifully short.

A fixed rope helped ease the way down a steep section strewn with roots.

At the bottom, my expectations of ‘big’ still fell short of the actual size of the pool.

A sandy ‘beach’ beckons invitingly at one end while a ‘tiny’ waterfall feeds into the pool at the other.

To get to the beach, you can either wade through the ankle deep water or scramble over huge rocks on the river bed.

The natural pool of the falls is one of the largest I have seen.

Just like a lagoon, the pool has a sandy and deep bank. The beach starts shallow and gets deeper further out.

Ropes strung across the deep end serve as a marker and for support. Visitors are advised to swim within the rope sections. DO NOT jump into the pool from a rocky outcrop.
Nb. Lata Hammer has its share of fatal drownings, as swirling currents in the 3-4 meter deep turbulent water have caught swimmers unawares.

Easing in slowly to adjust to the chilly water, I submerged myself in the shallows, marvelling at the size of the natural pool and its gorgeous wilderness surroundings.

Fully refreshed after an hour, we gathered our things and headed back.

The return journey was much faster and hotter as midday approached. Overall, Lata Hammer is not too difficult a hike and is manageable by all, regardless of fitness level.

Getting there
Perting Falls (Lata Hammer), Bentong, Pahang
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5 hour hiking