From urban forest loops to rugged climbs, this ASEAN country claims nine of the region’s top 10 hiking routes in a new regional study.
When Asia’s great outdoors are mentioned, the mind often jumps to Thailand’s pristine beaches, Japan’s historic Kumano Kodo trail, or Bhutan’s soaring Himalayan peaks. Yet, according to a new study, Malaysia is fast emerging as the region’s premier hiking destination, boasting a remarkable nine of the top 10 trails in Southeast Asia.
The findings come from online tour operator Exoticca.com, which analysed AllTrails data across 11 countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Trails were scored on user ratings, popularity, and the number of positive reviews. The results placed Malaysia firmly at the top.
“Malaysia proves particularly popular,” an Exoticca.com spokesperson said. “The data shows that hikers value trails that combine accessibility with natural beauty.”
At the summit of the list is the Bukit Gasing Circular, located in Petaling Jaya between Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs. The leafy 2.4-mile (3.84-km) loop, which takes one to 1.5 hours to complete, earned a near-perfect score of 98.4 out of 100. Reviews highlighted the “killer stairs,” hidden hanging bridges, and elevated wooden platforms scattered through the forest reserve.
Second place went to Bukit Kiara via Changkat Abang Haji Openg (96.7 points), a 2.8-mile (4.5-km) trail that links several green spaces on Kuala Lumpur’s fringe. Third place was awarded to the interconnected Twin Peaks–Quill Killer–Rock Garden–Lower Carnival trails, another popular network near the capital.
Even shorter city hikes performed strongly. The 1.4-mile (2.24-km) Ketumbar Hill trail in Cheras ranked fourth thanks to its easy access and panoramic city views, making it a favourite for early risers.
Thailand finally broke Malaysia’s streak with the Monk’s Trail in Chiang Mai, a 4.5-mile (7.2-km) path leading to the sacred Wat Pha Lat temple and Doi Suthep mountain, which placed fifth.
The rest of the list was once again dominated by Malaysian entries, from Sri Bintang Hill’s sunrise views to the challenging rock scrambles of Mount Datuk (Gunung Datuk) in Negeri Sembilan. Other highlights included the Bukit Gasing Fence Trail, Tiga Puteri Peak in Selangor, and the restored forest park trails of Taman Tugu in Kuala Lumpur.
The study underscores Malaysia’s strength as a hiking destination, offering everything from quick city escapes to strenuous climbs, all within easy reach of urban centres. With such variety and accessibility, Malaysia may soon rival its neighbours not only for beaches and food, but also as Southeast Asia’s top destination for nature lovers.
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