Treks & Trails
Bako National Park's extensive trail system is made up of 16 colour-coded jungle trails which offer a range of walking and hiking options. There are 16 trails, covering 25 kilometres in the park. While out trekking on the trails, visitors may see otters, squirrels, proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, bearded pigs, and giant monitor lizards.
Tanjung Api
A short but steep climb through cliff vegetation. About 30 minutes and rewards with excellent views of Telok Assam, Santubong, and the South China Sea.
Telok Paku
Takes about an hour and passes through cliff forests before reaching a small secluded beach. Proboscis monkeys are often seen during the early morning or late afternoon. Move slowly, keep as quite as possible and listen out for strange grunts or movements in the canopy.
Ulu Assam
Passes at first through swamp forest and a flat section where proboscis monkeys are sometimes seen. The trail climbs steeply and at times uoy must hang on to tree roots to keep your balance. At the top you are rewarded with breathtaking views of Bako’s coastline.
Telok Delima
One of the best trails in the park for spotting proboscis monkeys and only 45 minutes from the park HQ. As the Lintang trail bears right and climbs a small hill you are in prime proboscis territory. Listen for the strange grunting noises or the crash of vegetation. If you hear something, keep as quiet as possible and scan the forest. Follow the strange noises with you eyes. If you are lucky you will see a harm of proboscis monkeys.
Serait
This trail takes about 1.5 hours and ends at the park boundary. IT is not frequently used and is somewhat secluded. Good for seeing some of
Bako’s rainforest giants.
Telok Pandan Kecil & Telok Pandan Besar
The 1.5 hour trek to Telok Pandan Kecil is one of Bako’s most popular. It ascends the forested hills overlooking Telok Assam, reaching a plateau covered in scrub vegetation, and continues along a sandy path lined with carnivorous pitcher plants, before reaching a cliff top with stunning views of the secluded bay below and the famous sea stack just offshore. A 10 minute descent through cliff vegetation brings you to one of the best beaches in the park. Whilst swimming, watch out for monkeys who steal unguarded bags. The Telok Pandan Besar trail ends at a cliff top with views of the beach below.
Lintang
The Lintang loop trail is a very popular trek as it passes through nearly all of the vegetation types found at Bako. The whole trek takes between 3-4 hours. The section between the Ulu Assam and Serait junctions is another good spot for seeing proboscis monkeys. The Bukit Tambi viewpoint is a short detour
off the main trail.
Tajor
The Tajor trail passes scrub and padang vegetation and ends with a steep climb down to a small beach. Take a hat, as the sun can be quite fierce on the exposed sections of the trail. The trail also passes the Tajor Waterfall, a popular resting spot. The waterfall is quite small, and best after a heavy rain, but it has a beautiful jungle setting and a small dip pool. From the park HQ it takes about 2.5 hours
to reach the waterfall.
Tanjung Rhu
This trail branches off the Tajor trail and leads across open country to the rocky Rhu peninsula and a small headland where you can see wave-cut platforms and rock pools. From the park HQ it takes about 2.5 hours, or 45 minutes
from the Tajor junction.
Ulu Serait
This trail connects the Lintang trail with the Bukit Gondol hill walk. It is deep inside the park and passes through scrub, padang vegetation and swamp forest. From the Lintang junction to the base of Bukit Gondol is about 1.5 hours.
Bukit Gondol
This semi-circular loop trail passes over Bukit Gondol, the highest point in Bako at 260 meters. From the top of the hill there are excellent views of Pulau Lakei and Muara Tebas. The loop trek takes about 45 minutes.
Paya Jelutong
This trail is actually a short cut for those who do not wish to climb Bukit Gondol. Although it is a very short trail it offers the opportunity of seeing a freshwater swamp forest. The most dominant species in the area is Jelutong, softwood used from making pencils.
Bukit Keruing
This trail connects Bukit Gondol with Tajor and passes some mighty rainforest giants. It passes along the slopes of Bukit Keruing, the second highest point in Bako. From Paya Jelutong to the Tajor waterfall takes about 1.5 hours.
Telok Sibur
This trail is a full day trek. From the park HQ it takes about 3.5 hours to reach the end of Telok Sibur trail, first following the Tajor trail to the waterfall. Continue along the main trail for another 45 minutes until you reach a junction and the start of the Sibur trail. After a very steep 45 minute descent, a walk through the mangroves and a wade across a river and you finally reach the longest beach in Bako National Park.
Telok Limau
This is Bako’s long distance trail, 6-7 hours from park HQ to the small beach at Telok Limau. You pass through rich rainforest, scrub land, swamp forest, cross small streams and climb a number of hilly sections affording excellent views of the whole Muara Tebas peninsula. You can camp at Telok Limau and return the next day or arrange for a boat to pick you up.
Telok Keruin
Being so far from the park HQ, the Telok Keruin trail is rarely used. It is usually done as a side trek from Telok Limau. From Telok Limau, the first section is a 15-20 minute climb through the forest until you reach a scrub section. You must then trek for another 25 minutes before you reach the Telok Keruin trail. Shortly after the junction the trail descends to an area of scrub vegetation. Look out for pitcher plants that line the side of the trail. There are four short side-trails, which lead to the Bukit Keruin lookout, a small rock pool, the Muara Tebas lookout point, and the Tanjung Keruin and Tanjung Po viewpoints. The last section of the trail is a very steep descent to a mangrove forest. The trail then continues through the mangroves. Look out for the marks on the trees, which show the way to a deserted beach, one of the best in the park.
Pulau Lakei
This small island has a superb white sand beach. The National Parks Department has a small guardhouse located on the island. Trips to the island can be arranged by boat. There are some mysterious rock paintings just a short walk
from the beach.
There is an entry fee. Upon arrival visitors are required to register at the Park HQ. Next to the registration there is an excellent information centre.
Getting There
