Mossy Forest in Cameron Highland

[nitehawk]

Hi All,
I have heard lots about the Mossy Forest in Cameron Highland on their nature beauty. I am making a plan to visit this great place but I can't find many useful information from the local travel agent.

Does anyone here have visited the place before? Any pointers and assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[orionmystery]

Very nice place indeed. You'll find some really tiny pitcher's plants, and some really big ones. Just get a copy of the tourist map. It's en route to Boh's Tea factory, but at one junction, make a left instead. You can even hike to the Mt Brinchang and stay there for a night.

You can go there anytime of the day and it will be cool once you're in the forest!

I googled and found this map:

http://www.mardi.my/tourismch2006/images/map_ch.jpg

Also a few pix of what you can expect to see there.
3724

3722

3723

[noordin]

Hi All,
I have heard lots about the Mossy Forest in Cameron Highland on their nature beauty. I am making a plan to visit this great place but I can't find many useful information from the local travel agent.

Does anyone here have visited the place before? Any pointers and assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I think you can get the information from Majlis Perbandaran Camerons when you're there. A group of us went there in '06 but I can't remember how to get there, only landmark is to get to the Telekoms tranmitting tower/station because the mossy forest is located just before you reach the station.

[The Dark]

Just an interesting fact: Gunung Brinchang is the HIGHEST point in Malaysia that is assessable by road!

[nitehawk]

I think you can get the information from Majlis Perbandaran Camerons when you're there. A group of us went there in '06 but I can't remember how to get there, only landmark is to get to the Telekoms tranmitting tower/station because the mossy forest is located just before you reach the station.

Is it a difficult walk/hike?

[Alan]

It's been a while since I was in Camerons but I remember that you can find guided tours along the main road of Tanah Rata.

[sampoerna]

Going when? ;)

[astroboy]

We organised a trip there last year with the "other" Forum when it was still a fun forum. :p

Noordin was with us, right?

Basically u drive to the foot of Mt Brinchang and there is an open-air carpark lot there. The hill is quite steep, almost 45-degree incline so make sure yours is not small cc car and filled to capacity.

After the rain, it can get very slippery and dangerous, not advisable to bring kids. Be prepared to get all muddy. The further u trek in, the more tricky the path becomes, so make sure u have both hands free (use backpack) and tripod... well bring a small one to strap to yr back.

Make a mental note of your route so u know how to trek in and out. There are markers along the path but dun rely on them 100%. It's very easy to get disorientated in the dense forest. And make sure u inform someone at your hotel or relatives etc that if u r not back by a certain time... then u r officially lost. No kidding. Better be safe and go in a group. :)

[nitehawk]

Going when? ;)

My company is organising a 3D/2N trip to Cameron so I thought I will "disappear" for a day and trek into the mossy forest.

We organised a trip there last year with the "other" Forum when it was still a fun forum. :p

Basically u drive to the foot of Mt Brinchang and there is an open-air carpark lot there. The hill is quite steep, almost 45-degree incline so make sure yours is not small cc car and filled to capacity.

After the rain, it can get very slippery and dangerous, not advisable to bring kids. Be prepared to get all muddy. The further u trek in, the more tricky the path becomes, so make sure u have both hands free (use backpack) and tripod... well bring a small one to strap to yr back.

Make a mental note of your route so u know how to trek in and out. There are markers along the path but dun rely on them 100%. It's very easy to get disorientated in the dense forest. And make sure u inform someone at your hotel or relatives etc that if u r not back by a certain time... then u r officially lost. No kidding. Better be safe and go in a group. :)

Any local tour/guide available to drive and guide? What camera gears do I need?

[nejnoj]

i think the name of the place u are talking about is Irau.. google it and see?

[Aither]

The place you mentioned is Gunung Irau.

Make your way to the top of Gunung Brinchang. There is a huge open air area to park you car. And there is also a small sign board to indicate the entry point into the trail of Gunung Irau. The hike takes approximately 3 to 4 hours one way.....depending on your fitness level.

The trail is also very very very wet.....hence all the moss. So bring a change of clothes as your shoes and baju will be dirty. Start the hike early as it gets dark very fast in there.

Lastly, this is a hike you need to do with caution. There are many not so pleasant things that have happened on the trail.

My usual caution at such places are - Be careful of your speech and refrain from pork.

[nitehawk]

Is there an alternative to hike into the forest? Non of my colleagues are hikers, can we arrange local guide to bring us into the mossy forest?

[astroboy]

It's a "simple" trail in and out of the forest so I guess no local guides are available.

Aither's advice is good. Be respectful of mother nature. Whatever religion u r, say a simple prayer to ask for forgiveness for trespassing. And if u need to relieve yourself, don't just pee into any old tree. Find an open clearing without any "objects".

[Aither]

If you only want to take pictures, then you don't need a guide. Head towards the Police Station on Tanah Rata. Register yourself and your team mates!!! Get the directions from the Police. Then go towards Hotel Equatorial. You should have no problems finding your way as its very well sign posted.

After Hotel Equatorial, follow the road and you should find yourself going down hill. There are lots of shop on your right hand side selling flowers and fruits. This is another good place to stop and ask for directions. The road to Gunung Brinchang is on the left hand side along this stretch of road.

Once inside, you will pass thru farms before reaching a really steep tar road. Make sure your tyres have traction as it can get very slippery. At the top, its a huge clearing.......you will know when you get there.

On the top of Gunung Brinchang clearing, you will see a sign board for the starting trail of Gunung Irau. If the sign board is missing, then.....standing on the open area, you will find one side of the land higher than another side. Gunung Irau, is the high side. Try to find the trail.

Bring in markers or red tapes so that you don't get lost. The first 30 minutes will bring you into very mossy area but the forest there is also very dense and foggy hence lighting may be a problem for photography. You really need to get in at least 45 minutes where the forest is less dense for good natural lighting. Go early so that you can capture the Lord Of The Ring effects. The forest is awesome.

Remember to be careful of your speech whilst in there. And try to refrain from calling names. This is not a joke. Do surf the net for spooky write ups on Gunung Irau.

Lastly, as you leave, please clear off the forest of what ever markings you made for directions. Keep it the way you found it.

Cheeerrrrrrrsssss

[nitehawk]

Your guide and tips are great. If only I am travelling up Cameron Highland by my own vehicle (can Proton Waja make it to Gunung Brinchang?), company is bring us there by bus.

Is there any local tour guide with transport can bring us to there?

[Aither]

Can Proton Waja make it to Gunung Brinchang?
Is there any local tour guide with transport can bring us to there?

Any car can make it up to Gunung Brinchang as long as the tyres are in good condition. Bus.....hmmm, not advisable. The trail is very narrow and some parts have overhanging branches.

For guide information, you can get some from internet. Alternatively, you can hire a local cameron taxi for half a day. He can wait for you while you snap away..........

[nitehawk]

For guide information, you can get some from internet. Alternatively, you can hire a local cameron taxi for half a day. He can wait for you while you snap away..........

How much do you think it is reasonable to pay? What should I ask when checking out local Cameron taki?

[robo]

If it's easy to get lost in the direction, will GPS help while visiting this mossy forest?
I am very interested about it....still can't arrange a trip up there....
Would like to see more photos of it.

Thanks.

[aaronfoo]

wow.. cool place!! I wana go!

[forestang]

You can visit my site to see my pictures here. Taken with cheap Fuji A310 camera in 2003. http://www.worldisround.com/articles/19471/index.html
You hv 3 choices:-
1. Book this guide from Cameron - Mr Kali 016-3440030 (I hv nothing to do with him)
2. Goto Tanah Rata's bus station and enquire for a guide.
3. I guide people to G.Irau occasionally from Penang (need advance booking).

FYI, not advisable to go around Nov-Jan due to monsoon. Hypothermia (http://www.forestexplorers.com/hypothermia.shtml) is a problem.

[lypan]

let me know if u a ll guys wanna go. for sure i can bring up to the peak. we can arrange for wekkend trip :run_away:..

call me 012-696 4345