Mount Santubong, standing at 810m (2658ft) above sea level is not an exceptionally high mountain, but legend has it that it is not as easily conquered as one assumed it would be. Officially owned by the Sarawak Forestry, the Santubong National Park is about 45 minutes’ drive from Kuching town. You will reach the entrance some way before the famous and tranquil Damai Resort.
You are required to register your name at the Santubong National Park entrance before proceeding to the mountain trek (red colour coded). There are 3 trails in total; the red trail which is the mountain trek, the blue trail or the waterfall trail and the red/blue trail which is the jungle trail. Make sure you stay vigilant throughout the trek as the rocky and root-filled trail may distract your attention from the navigation provided. Faithfully trailing the red-coded trail for approximately 1-1.5 hours will lead you to the F7 check point named Bukit Puteri. Here, you may get a panoramic view of Kampung Santubong, the golf course and coastal view of nearby beaches. Many hikers will take a short break here before heading up as it gets technical beyond this point.
Beyond F7 checkpoint, the trail gradually gets tougher. Larger boulders with rope will guide hikers along the trek and after checkpoint F9, we get rope ladders for vertical climbing. Most of the rope ladders at 90 degrees’ angle with the highest one situated at F11. This rope ladder is approximately 2 storeys high. You may want to reconsider this trail if you have acrophobia (fear of heights). Many hikers stalled and hesitated when it comes to the rope ladders of Santubong. There are 14 rope ladders to conquer in total with steep hiking trail along the way. However, resting benches are located at checkpoint F8, F9, F10 and subsequently to ease exhausted hikers throughout the day.
It takes both arm strength and full body balance to climb the swaying rope ladders of Santubong. The rope ladders differ from other trails such as Mulu Pinnacles in Miri and The Penrissen Summit Trail at Borneo Highlands in Kuching, where stable metal rung ladders are available for these trails. The key to conquer these ladders is to stop feeling anxious and focus on each rung ladder as you ascend or descend. After the highest rope ladder, you will continue to proceed to F13 through a few more rope ladders and finally to the summit at F15. It takes one approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the summit from F7, depending on your fitness level. A small hut is available at the summit with a view of Kuching city when the weather is clear. Fellow hikers usually take their lunches here before heading back. However, do keep track of your rest time as it is not advisable to descend this mountain when darkness falls.
Just when you thought that your biggest nightmare was finally over, many claimed that descending the mountain is much more challenging than ascending it. Descending those rope ladders from where you came from is a totally different ordeal altogether. While ascending may allow you to focus on what is in front of you, descending forces you to look and face those heart breaking ladders. It takes ample of patience to climb down this mountain which may again take you approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to scale down depending on your speed.
Upon trekking back to the Bukit Puteri Junction, if time permits, trekkers may make a sweet detour to the Red/Blue Jungle Trek trail to find a jungle gem. From the junction, one will encounter a trail of jungle roots and large rocks along the way before reaching a suspension bridge. A duration of one hour may be required for this endeavour. Crossing the bridge will lead you to the Permai Rainforest through the Jungle Trek trail. A right detour immediately before this bridge will lead you to a whole new adventure altogether. A dynamic change from the obnoxious and challenging mountain trail, this waterfall trail offers you a refreshing rocks-in-water trail. Don’t worry too much about stamina at this point as it is basically a flat route. A good pair of sneaker with powerful grip is essential though. The locally available rubber bowling shoes or widely known as ‘Adidas Kampung’ would do the trick.
As this is a detour from the original jungle trek with tags, you will encounter a primary forest from here onwards. It is advisable for someone experienced to lead the way from this point onwards. You will walk on huge wet rocks immersed in clear mountain streams along the way. You will see natural crystal clear and icy cold ponds along this trail. Walking along this trail, you may also encounter landslides and erosions but fear not, as these are part and parcel of a primary forest. Keep walking for approximately 45 minutes and you will reach a hidden waterfall or the Gem of Santubong.
The crystal clear, emerald green mountain eu de natural pond will blow your mind away. The desire to immerse yourself in this magnificent pool is almost irresistible (especially after an arduous and sweaty mountain climbing journey). Do spare some time here regardless – the peaceful energy emitted by this pool is truly amazing. Listening to the sounds of waterfall while lying on one of the rocks may erase all your troubled and stressful thoughts. It truly is the ultimate reward after a long day’s hike. Rumour has it that the guardian of this mountain, a princess named Puteri Santubong, safeguards this mountain. Perhaps, just perhaps…we have located the crown gem of our dear princess.
Hiking back to the National Park will take you approximately 1.5 hours.
