Wawasan Hill in Puchong is perhaps one of the best hiking trails in Selangor with rugged charms. Void of paved tracks or steps, this closed trail within a green lung can turn into a muddy challenge after a rainy night.
There was constant rain for more than one hour the day before I hiked Wawasan Hill. Sure enough, the orange, mud-slicked trails proved to be quite a challenge for my poorly-threaded Nike soles!
Is Wawasan Hill suitable for newbies or irregular hikers like me? Did I get lost in the maze of tracks as a solo hiker? Was the elevation breath-sapping and most importantly could I complete the trail? Read on as I review what was it like hiking Wawasan Hill and why the experience was cathartic!
About Wawasan Hill
Wawasan Hill is a green pocket nestled at the edge of a residential neighborhood at Persiaran Bukit, Pusat Bandar Puchong. It is also known as the Ayer Hitam Forest trail.
Apart from Trail A and B, other trails within the Hutan Simpanan Ayer Hitam and Wawasan Hill are restricted. The infamous Wawasan Hill Blue Lagoon which is revered for its calm emerald water is prohibited from entering, alongside other trails for safe purposes.
In addition, the restricted trails are accessible only with permission from the forestry department and University Putra Malaysia.
Sungai Rasau cuts through part of the tracks as evident from the small streams that meanders at the start and the Chinese shrine.
Featuring a good mix of flats and steep climbs, be forewarned that Wawasan Hill is not for first-time hikers, and it is not an easy climb. Be prepared to huff and puff a little. But the experience of immersing oneself within the verdant greenery and cold jungle air is mind-blowing!
Getting To Wawasan Hill
There is no public transport to Wawasan Hill. However, navigating your way here is relatively easy via Waze.
For directions, just key in “Wawasan Hill entrance”. This hiking spot is located 10km from the heart of Petaling Jaya and takes approximately 20 minutes to get here.
Facilities at Wawasan Hill Puchong
There are no public toilets in front of the hill's entrance. Instead, you'll have to drive five minutes from the trailhead to the nearest public toilet at Taman Wawasan.
At the entrance, you'll find a stall selling coconut water and some cold drinks, with a table and some chairs for hikers to slurp down. Street parking is available but it is insufficient to cater to the crowd.
As such, most hikers park along the main road and walk to the entrance.
Trails at Wawasan Hill
Due to the moonsoon season and constant rain, the trails are slippery and muddy. You’ll need a pair of good hiking shoes to prevent slipping.
Some of the paths have an uneven “drainage” that runs in the center of barren, muddy surfaces.
To say that the trail isn’t accessible after a rainy day is a misrepresentation as season hikers traverse the trails with ease, armed with good hiking shoes. In fact, the hash harriers zoom past me running as they descended – a sign that proper footwear can do wonders for speed and safety.
You can also opt to use hiking poles if they aid your ascend and descend or latch on the trees for support. Nevertheless, the nimble ones hike sparingly with just a bottle of water and a towel draped around the neck.
Wawasan Hill is a busy trail over weekends and public holidays, making it perfect for solo hikers. You’ll never be alone at any point during the hike as there will be someone in front or behind you.
Unlike Gasing Hill which branches out to many smaller trails, there is only one subsection where you will have to decide whether to take the left or right path. Follow the trail that is frequented by everyone, as the other branching right is blocked mid-way.
As you ascend the last 200 meters to the peak, the elevation grows steeper and you’ll find yourself breathing heavier than normal. Despite exercising regularly, I found myself panting as sweat drenched my head while trickling down my chest and stomach.
The little signs of encouragement that the summit is near will keep you motivated.
Push on a little more and the peak opens up to a flat space measuring approximately 12ft by 10ft. Hikers are seen taking photos or simply resting before descending.
The lush trees and shrubs obstruct the view of the city skyline. So there is not much to see here but to rest and recharge.
(from left to right: The Chinese shrine close to the entrance; Stream water is piped into a huge container & brushes are available for hikers to scrub the mud off before exiting; An "Instagrammable corner" at the peak.
Once you see the smallish stream and pass by a Chinese shrine, you know that the exit is very near ahead.
Animal & Plants Sightings Along Wawasan Hill
As the trails are thronged by hikers during public holidays and weekends, I did not stumble upon any animals during my hike.
I could hear the rustling of leaves on the ground deeper in the forest. Sounds of insects chirping abound, accompanied by sounds of swaying branches on high trees – a sign of monkeys enjoying their swing.
While Alltrails cautioned about encounters with scorpions, I did not have the privilege of spotting any.
If you keep a keen watch on the sides, you’ll notice that Wawasan Hill’s trails are lined with unique mushrooms growing on decaying logs.
For an informative mushroom walk, check out their Facebook page where knowledgeable guides point out and share insights about each mushroom species.
Distance, Difficulty, and Hike Duration at Wawasan Hill
Distance: 6.18km
Difficulty: Moderate – it makes a good cardiovascular workout and it overloads the quadriceps :)
Hiking duration: It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete this loop trail. On average, expect to spend between 1 hour 20 minutes to 3 hours on a leisure stroll with many breaks.
Conclusion
While you will find several reviews rating Wawasan Hill’s level of difficulty as easy, let’s just say that’s an exaggeration.
The trails are unpaved unlike Taman Tugu or Bukit Gasing, and the terrain undulates with a steep elevation towards the peak of the hill.
The muddy path makes hiking Wawasan Hill even more challenging and without the right footwear, coming down proves to be trickier with a risk of slipping.
Having said that, I found Wawasan Hill extremely satisfying upon completing it.
The moist forest air is fresh, while the humidity and thick foliage of trees form a natural canopy that shades the hill from sunlight.
Above all, the hiking community here is friendly and you’ll be greeted with cheerful “good mornings” along the way.
I’ve bookmarked Wawasan Hill as one of the best places to hike in Selangor, and it will be my regular spot!
Address: Persiaran Bukit, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor
Operating Hours: 7 am – 7 pm
Links: Facebook
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