Bukit Gasing Forest Park

"Nature For Urban Survival"

Bukit Gasing forest park is an urban green lung on life support, but it's still one of Kuala Lumpur's best nature walks.

It's very convenient for those living in KL and easy to find too.

Once a rubber plantation and left idle for 50 years, the course of nature has overtaken the hillsides to produce a lush secondary forest brimming with woody herbs and large tropical trees.

A series of intermingled forest trails traverse the narrow hill ridges to provide excellent paths for walking for exercise. Most people come to the park to get a dose of nature while getting fit on uphill climbs and brisk walks.

With nature sounds and a shady forest canopy overhead, the exercise hours really are a walk in the park.

The real urban jungle

Bukit Gasing Forest Park: Trail Information

The footpaths are well travelled and fairly well marked. There are two main sections to Bukit Gasing Forest Park.

The main entrance area (south) consists of a network of short trails, a watch tower and two wooden bridges over a small stream. These trails are not too difficult and offer good exercise for teenagers and kids.

A long ridge trail takes you to the north end where a loop trail takes you to the suspension bridge and an alternative exit on the residential road back to the main entrance.

A steep drop that cuts the terrain abruptly provides a hard climb up or down. But you can choose to avoid this part of the path.

Surrounded by houses and squeezed in by development projects, this popular forest park is under threat. Several citizen and environmental groups fight to keep the bulldozers out and protect this green oasis amid the concrete jungle.

So first find time to get in shape with nature and then find time to assist the conservation cause.

Bukit Gasing Forest Park: General Information

On the weekends the park gets very busy in the early morning hours. Most visitors are walking for exercise so crowds do not congregate. Traffic along the park road is heavy, but it's easy to find a parking spot on the side roads.

Be aware that sections of the trails are very steep and may be too difficult for young children and senior citizens. Mosquitoes can also be a problem, so wear long sleeves and bring repellent.

The park has open access but the best hours to visit are from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Fees and Facilities

• no entry fee
• no parking fee
• no toilet facilities available
• a few covered shelters along trails for breaks
• drink and snack sellers alongside entrance road usually available on weekends

Three Entry Paths

Main Entrance - Located on Jalan Tanjung (5/4), look for the wooden archway and trail signs.

Take a few minutes to review the park map and then follow the main path near the stream that leads to the wooden footbridges and up to the tower.

Avoid the right path that leads uphill.

Playground Entrance - Located just 50 meters from the main entrance, look for the playground across the street and follow the fence line track uphill that starts next to the house.

Do not enter the property gate and be mindful of nearby residents.

North Entrance - A narrow alley is marked with a
trail map and rubbish bins. A 10-15 minute walk from the main entrance, follow Jalan Tanjung (5/4) north and turn right on Lorong 5/4J and then a quick left to the end house.

Turn right down the alley and look for the signs and small footbridge. This is a residential area with no extra parking, please be mindful not to disturb anyone or block access to their homes.

How To Get There

By Car

• From the federal highway head out to Petaling Jaya and exit at the Jalan Gasing/Jalan University just after passing the Selangor archway
• Turn left onto Jalan Gasing and after 1-2 km turn left on Jalan Chantek (5/13) and pass by LaSalle school on right
• Continue to t-junction and turn right onto Jalan Tanjung (5/4) and follow this road and look for cars parked along roadside near the main entrance across from Jalan Telok
• Alternatively follow Jalan Gasing beyond Jalan Chantek until you reach a Chinese temple on the left. Turn left and follow straight on Jalan Tanjung (5/4) to main entrance

By Bus

• Take Rapid KL bus #30 and #51 or Metrobus #98 to Jalan Gasing and stop at the LaSalle primary school.
• Walk up Jalan Puteri 5/9 for 10-15 minutes to the playground on your right.
• Turn right and look for main entrance on left less than 50 meters away.

Bukit Gasing Forest Park: Activities and Activism

Get involved in saving one of Kuala Lumpur's most treasured forest parks.

Participate in nature activities or add your voice and enthusiasm to environmental activism projects that help protect and keep the green quality of urban life.

Contact one of these organizations and find a way to contribute:

Friends of Bukit Gasing (Kelab Sahabat Bukit Gasing)
116, Jalan Radin Anum Satu
Bandar Seri Petaling
57000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-9058-5488
Fax: 03-9057-1688

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
P.O. Box 10750
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2287-9422
Fax: 03-2287-8773
www.mns.org.my

Save Bukit Gasing
Tel/Fax: 03-77843348
Email: savebukitgasing[at]gmail.com
http://savebukitgasing.wordpress.com