When it comes to hiking in Southeast Asia, one country walks away with most of the glory: Malaysia. A recent study by travel specialists Exoticca.com analysed data from the popular hiking platform AllTrails and found that nine out of the region’s top 10 hiking trails are in Malaysia.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Ling Tang/Unsplash
Topping the list is Bukit Gasing Circular, a short but much-loved loop on the edge of Kuala Lumpur.
How the trails were ranked
Exoticca.com’s researchers compared trails across 11 Southeast Asian countries, scoring each one out of 100 based on three factors: hiker ratings, number of reviews, and overall popularity. This method revealed which trails attract the most foot traffic and consistently leave hikers smiling.
A spokesperson for Exoticca.com explained:
“These results highlight the tremendous hiking opportunities across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia proving particularly popular. What stands out is the quality of trails across the region – even those ranking lower in the study still maintain excellent ratings above 4.2 stars.”
The data also revealed that many of the most-loved trails are relatively short and moderate in difficulty, making them perfect for casual walkers and travellers with varied fitness levels.
Bukit Gasing Circular: Malaysia’s star trail
Earning 98.39 points out of 100, Bukit Gasing Circular is a 3.8 km urban forest loop with a 4.6-star rating from more than 2,200 hikers. It’s near-perfect 99.58% popularity score speaks for itself. Located just outside Kuala Lumpur, it blends easy accessibility with the feeling of being deep – lush greenery, shaded paths, and occasional views of the city skyline.
It’s not the only winner in the capital’s green belt. Bukit Kiara via Changkat Abang Haji Openg came in second, while Twin Peaks, Quill Killer, Rock Garden, and Lower Carnival trails followed in third. All of these routes interconnect, giving locals and visitors plenty of options for repeat adventures.
Malaysia’s Green Dominance
Even the shorter trails make a big impression. Ketumbar Hill, just 2.2 km long, ranked fourth with a 4.6-star average and a 98.98% popularity score. Over in the Bukit Gasing area, the Fence Trail Loop landed seventh, showing just how much this patch of forest appeals to walkers.
For more of a challenge, hikers head to Tiga Puteri Peak via Merbuk (sixth place) or Mount Datuk (ninth place), the latter earning the highest difficulty rating among the top 10. Rounding out Malaysia’s domination is the leafy Taman Tugu trail network, offering 3.7 km of easy-to-follow green, yellow, and white routes in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
A cultural curveball from Thailand
Only one non-Malaysian trail broke into the top 10 – Wat Pha Lat Hike (Monk’s Trail) to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand. At 7.2 km, this moderately challenging path winds through jungle to a hidden Buddhist temple, blending natural beauty with cultural heritage.
The other side of the list
Even the lowest-scoring trails in the ranking earned respectable ratings. Robina Eco Park in Malaysia came last with 56.27 points but still holds a 4.4-star average. Trails like Bukit Padang Peak and Brunei’s Salah Jalan and Sg Liang also made appearances at the lower end but offer enjoyable walks for those who like to explore off the beaten path.
As the Exoticca.com spokesperson noted:
“The data shows that hikers in Southeast Asia value trails that combine accessibility with natural beauty. Many of the top-rated trails are moderate in difficulty and under 5 km in length, making them achievable for travellers with various fitness levels.
“For travellers planning a Southeast Asian adventure, these rankings provide a valuable starting point for experiencing the region’s natural landscapes, from Malaysia’s urban forest reserves to Thailand’s cultural mountain trails.”
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