Desa Petaling Hiking Trail

Now that the trails are ready, please invite your friends to come over. All are welcome. I am happy to share Desa Petaling Hiking Trail with the community and hope to see more people on the trails, enjoying the fresh air and nature. Take a walk, enjoy the view and stay healthy!
Sabah Keong

The Idea
Once upon a time, a small hill (1/10th the size of Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur) was known only to the few who hiked there regularly. One day, one of the regulars (Sabah Keong) invited a friend (Chan Kok Wai) to this little unknown hill and while hiking, mooted the idea of expanding the trail on a voluntary basis.

The idea took root, with the ultimate goal being to promote recreational activities among the community at a nearby site instead of travelling to a location far away. And that is how Desa Petaling joined the Cheras neighbourhood community forest trails of Apek Hill, Ketumbar and Bukit Besi.

Following that fortuitous day in August, the core team of Chan Wai Kok, Sabah Keong & wife and Ah Ngan got to work, mapping out a trail and making it user friendly. For the next 3 months, the volunteers wholeheartedly put in a minimum of 2 hours daily, surveying, marking routes and clearing fallen branches, leaves and protruding stumps off the path. Additionally, steps were cut into slopes with rope support for added safety.

By September, the Desa Petaling FB page was set up to create awareness and to share the vision and progress of the project, attracting friends and members to join the volunteer effort.

I have included some work-in-progress pictures of overgrown and debris-obstructed trails (courtesy of Desa Petaling FB page), to give you an idea of the mammoth task involved in expanding the trails and making it safe for hikers.

7 November 2020
At a loose end on a Saturday afternoon, I readily agreed to check-out Desa Petaling as this new hike site had been widely shared among the hiking community.

I easily ‘wazed’ my way there in record time as the Conditional MCO was still in effect with fewer cars on the road.

Desa Petaling Hiking Trail

The trailhead is at the end of the road, beyond the barrier gate.

On the left, the main trail ‘Long Champ Road’ is clearly marked and well sign-posted at regular intervals thereafter.

Following the arrows, we descended some cut steps into the forest canopy, walking on a narrow path fringed by trees, before heading down more cut steps. At the bottom, we turned right and found ourselves walking along the top of a retaining wall with an expansive view of KL city and beyond.

An inviting rest-stop tempts you to relax, chill and soak in the horizon stretching vista.

At the end of the retaining wall, the trail takes us down several meters before heading upwards again. While at the bottom, we ‘bumped’ into Sabah Keong, who was in the midst of tracking the time needed to complete a loop, at running pace, therefore did not stop.

At the top of the rectangular hill, a power transmission line runs through its entire length.

Stretching approximately seven football field lengths, the vegetation on the flat open area is never allowed to grow too tall, in compliance with electrical safety standards.

The new trails meanders up and down the slope on the side facing Salak South new village (top of picture). From the top, existing footpaths and concrete steps lead to a cluster of homes run by the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society in Salak South Bahru (Desa Petaling).

The expanded route boasts an interesting mix of terrain ranging from narrow dirt path to scaling down a concrete slope, cut steps (earth / concrete) & cascade drain, before weaving amongst trees on the flat, and emerging by the side of a temple.

I liked that care was taken to preserve the natural environment, with the path winding around the trees rather than the other way round. Only items that pose a danger such as rotting trunks, jutting branches and stumps were removed.

The temple marks the end of the trail and as we turned back, we met Sabah Keong again and this time he offered to guide us to the punishing uphill portion of Long Champ Road. We gamely followed and for the next 30 minutes, were enlightened on how the project came about, the people behind it, the dedication and hard work.

He also fondly recounted the great lengths he and Ah Ngan undertook, hauling up discarded logs and repurposing the tree trunks into a rustic sitting area at the viewpoint.

Though it seemed like a crazy idea then, watching people’s appreciation and enjoyment made the effort absolutely worthwhile.

Below is the video shared on Desa Petaling FB page.

Sabah Keong proudly told us that the new and improved hike site was finally ready that day – well marked and swept clean according to his exacting standards. A full loop can be completed between 30 minutes to an hour.

We were fortunate to have the privilege to experience the pristine condition of brand new trails.

We rounded up our visit by exploring the transmission line passage. At it was almost 6pm, the regulars were out in full force, engaging in a host of activities such as running, hiking and walking the dog.

Kudos to Chan Wai Kok, Sabah Keong & wife, Ah Ngan for being so generous with their time and effort to transform and share this beautiful spot with the community. They demonstrate exemplary community spirit and I look forward to hiking at Desa Petaling again.

Getting There
Desa Petaling Hiking Trail, Jalan 5/125, Desa Petaling