uneventful vs spectacularThere are two possible routes from Valbona to Cerem: the ‘low/official’ (valley) route vs the ‘high/optional’ route via Persllopi Pass, that promises rare views of the Accursed Mountains bare stone harsh peaks. This alternate trail is one of the steepest of the Peaks of the Balkans and involves crossing from Albania to Montenegro …
Continue reading POB Day 3 : Valbona – Cerem via Persllopi Pass
Billed as the most popular day hike within Albania, the route moves up through the mountains, passing through forests, grasslands, bubbling streams, and meadows full of flowers and boulders. Apart from the incredibly rewarding views, you also get to see a different side of Albania. HIKE DETAILSDuration | 7 hoursDistance | 16.3kmElevation 🡩 …
Continue reading POB Day 2 : Theth – Valbona via Valbona Pass
Peaks of the Balkans (POB) The 192km POB trail loops through the spectacular borderlands of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro in the Prokletije ("Accursed") Mountain Range. Connecting characterful mountain villages by way of shepherd’s paths and unpaved forest roads, this circular hiking trail traverses breathtaking mountain passes, pine forests, high alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and green …
18 July 2023My cousin wanted to see wild boars at the peak, so we did not waste time, taking the most direct (and steeper) trail to the top. Midway, we allowed ourselves a brief stop when a break in the foliage revealed the city skyline. Ten minutes later, we reached the peak only to learn …
I got my first taste of hiking in South Korea in 2016 at Jaunbong Peak, Dobongsan. The experience was so memorable I vowed to return, setting my sights on Baegundae Peak, which finally materialised on 11 September 2023. Highest point of Seoul At 836m (2,744ft), Baegundae Peak is 280m higher than the Lotte World Tower, …
I felt very small and insignificant when I hiked Bukit Cerakah. The vast openness of the area, coupled with gigantic trees, boulders, borderless grassy plains and endless rows of palm oil effectively reduced me to Liliputian size. The trail head is easily accessible from Persiaran Puncak Alam 11, immediately going uphill along a double track …
Though rare, there are positives arising from the pandemic. Bukit Pudu Ulu is one fine example. This little known hill experienced a revival and gained popularity as a neighbourhood hiking destination at the height of Covid-19 restrictions in 2020/21. Established by the community with an existing trail of about 700m, this small hill (172m) nestled …
A glimpse of Mirror Lake from a week ago, inspired this 4-5 hour hike from Alam Budiman trailhead. The budgeted time was based on taking the most direct approach and omitting Bukit Sapu Tangan. Starting from the double-track Trail 10, we stayed on the lower contour for its more gradual incline though longer meander to …
My previous three visits to Shah Alam Community Forest (SACF) formerly known as Setia Alam Community Trails were in 2015, via Setia Ecopark. This is the first time I am accessing from Alam Budiman and hopefully, it will not take another 7 years for my next visit. View of Budiman Lake from Budiman Peak, fringed …
Continue reading Shah Alam Community Forest via Alam Budiman
Once upon a time, a developer built a lake as a green oasis for 2,000 families in the vicinity. It had a jogging track surrounding it and residents could even canoe in the lake. Today, Cova Lake is a pale shadow of the landscape paradise intended for the surrounding residential areas of Tropicana Indah, Cova …
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