Among backpackers, climbers, and camping enthusiasts, the “G7” are the seven highest mountains in Peninsular Malaysia, each exceeding 7,000 feet (2,134m)
As part of BEST@ Malaysia, the latest instalment in the BEST@ series, we took a look at the "G7" – collectively one of the many reasons that so many Malaysians are avid eco-adventurers.
The ‘G’ is short for “gunung”, which means “mountain” in the Malay language – and the "G7" are the seven peaks distributed across the verdant northern half of Peninsular Malaysia. Each of the G7 peaks is still dwarfed by Malaysia’s highest summit, Mount Kinabalu, which towers above the jungles of Sabah at the height of 13,435 feet (or around 4,095 metres). Conquering the G7 is seen as a mark of achievement among Malaysian mountaineers – so we packed our carabiners and cordelettes and explored the G7 peaks for the benefit of those who consider mountain climbing a form of recreation.
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Gunung Tahan
Elevation: 2,187m (7,175ft)
Location: Taman Negara National Park, Pahang
An overview of the tallest peak in Peninsular Malaysia, the 2,187m high Gunung Tahan.
In the Malay language, "tahan" means “to endure”. The highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, Gunung Tahan, even requires a physical training regiment that shares the mountain’s name – which should impart an idea of this mountain’s high degree of difficulty. Gunung Tahan is considered by many to be one of the toughest treks that exist on any mountain in Peninsular Malaysia. Prepare for the possibility of frost on the summit, especially at night – and allow for up to a week to reach the summit on foot via any of the three familiar trails to the top.
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Gunung Korbu
Elevation: 2,183m (7,162ft)
Location: Perak
A panoramic view of Gunung Korbu, which is part of the National Geopark.
The Titiwangsa Range is that chain of limestone peaks that run the length of the peninsula, and located about 25km from Ipoh is Gunung Korbu – the highest peak of the range and only a few metres lower than Gunung Tahan. As with the other G7 peaks, this mountain requires a high level of physical fitness. Being comparable to the toughest of the G7 peaks, this mountain is not recommended for first-time climbers. It used to be the case that local guides were required to scale this mountain, but the trails have become so well-travelled that a trek to the summit can be completed in as little as 12 hours.
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Gunung Yong Belar
Elevation: 2,181m (7,156ft
Location: Kelantan-Perak Border
The picture shows the starting route to Gunung Yong Belar.
Gunung Yong Belar is another of the Titiwangsa Range’s most prominent peaks, situated on the state border between Kelantan and Perak only 8km away from Gunung Korbu. A trek to the summit typically requires two days and one night’s stay on the mountain, but some attempt to scale the mountain within a single day – and hardcore mountaineers will climb a gauntlet of nearby peaks, including Gunung Yong Belar, Gunung Korbu, and Gunung Gayong, in a journey known as the “Trans Titiwangsa V1”.
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Gunung Gayong
Elevation: 2,173m (7,129ft)
Location: Perak
A view of the Gunung Korbu peak from Gunung Gayong.
Gunung Gayong has always been paired with Gunung Korbu in the minds of mountaineers as the two peaks share the same views. Gunung Gayong is in the middle of the chain of peaks between Gunung Korbu and Gunung Yong Belar – which would mean that one would have to scale Gunung Korbu or Gunung Yong Belar to get to the summit of Gunung Gayong. Gunung Gayong can be reached in about an hour's trek from the top of Gunung Korbu. The average climber would need at least four days and three nights for a return trip to Gunung Korbu and Gunung Gayong.
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Gunung Chamah
Elevation: 2,171m (7,123ft)
Location: Kelantan
The sunrise, as seen from the summit of Gunung Chamah, Kelantan.
The title of one of the G7’s toughest peaks to conquer goes to Gunung Chamah – mainly on account of climbers having to navigate a dense jungle before getting to the trail leading to the summit. Having been off-limits during the days of communist insurgencies, the jungle has been left relatively untouched. The jungles around Gunung Chamah are now famed for sightings of wild tigers and elephants, with tiger footprints being quite a common sight along the trekking route.
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Gunung Yong Yap
Elevation: 2,168m (7,113ft)
Location: Kelantan-Perak Border
Penang Adventurers Club(PAC) posing for a group photo on one of the trails during their Gunung Yong Yap expedition in February, 2004.
A serious contender for the single most challenging peak of the G7, the conical shape of Gunung Yong Yap presents a steep climb to the summit – and that says nothing of how the flora and fauna will fight any attempt at the peak. The mountain is populated by sandflies, leeches, and the occasional tiger. The jungle surrounding Gunung Yong Yap is thick with bamboo and thorny foliage, with only logging trails accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles.
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Gunung Ulu Sepat
Elevation: 2,161m (7,090ft)
Location: Kelantan-Perak Border
Hikers who want to take on Gunung Ulu Sepat need to begin the journey to the mountain's base with a four-wheel drive.
In stark contrast with the previous mountain in this list, Gunung Ulu Sepat is probably the easiest among the G7 – but it is still not recommended for beginner mountaineers. Gunung Ulu Sepat is the furthest removed of the G7 mountains from any roadway – access to the mountain is easiest from across the human-made lake, Tasik Temenggor, and down the river of the same name (Sungai Temenggor). The peak is thickly overgrown, and the view from the summit is obscured with foliage fed by an extraordinary rate of rainfall. Those that expect a scenic view from the summit need to take note of this information.
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