The Ultimate Guide to Apply Hiking Permit in Malaysia
While hiking has become a trending hobby of Malaysians from all walks of life, many are unaware of the requirement of applying for a permit when hiking in certain areas. On the other hand, those who are aware of it are uncertain about the correct ways to apply for a hiking permit for their forest activities.
What makes it confusing is that every state has their own methods for permit application. While some states have convenient online permit applications or services, some “advanced” regions are still using “ancient methods”.
This page covers the general and some specific guidelines for applying for a forest permit as a hiker, based on my first hand experience and other sources.
[Last updated: 24th May 2023]
Why Apply Permit?
While it seems troublesome to apply for a permit just to have a relaxing hike, we need to understand the importance of permit application in Malaysia forest reserve:
- To maintain the beauty and quality of the forest and hiking trails: In order to avoid damaging the natural landscape, some forest trails limit the number of hikers to reduce the impact on the environment. As much as we love nature, did you know that hiking actually damages the environment? Each step we take in the forest contributes to soil erosion, muddiness, vegetation damage, trail extension and widening. The permit application ensures that the number of visitors in the forest does not exceed the quota.
- For your own safety: The involvement of permit applications and police reports let the authorities know when you are entering the forest and what time you would be expected to exit.
- For insurance claims in the event of an accident: Having a forest permit is vital when making a police report to claim for the insurance.
- To be updated and advised on the forest trail: The forestry officers will inform you on any maintenance work or trail closure due to natural disasters (eg. landslides or fallen trees). For safety reasons, the forest may also be inaccessible by the public during windy or monsoon seasons.
- To be a law abiding citizen: From time to time, we see news reports of hikers getting caught entering forest reserves without a permit. Anyone caught entering a permanent forest reserve without a permit is subject to legal action under the National Forestry Act 1984, which includes a fine up to RM10,000 or a 3-year imprisonment. Let’s all be a good responsible hiker, and not give hiking a bad reputation.
Note After getting your permit (except for those you can get on-the-spot before your hike), a copy of it will need to be submitted to the specified police station nearby before your hike. It can be a day or two before your hike, or early in the morning on the day you are hiking. Most of the police stations are open 24 hours, while some that are closed at night might have a spot for you to place your permit when there is no officer there.
Jump to:
Hiking Permit Guides for Peninsular Malaysia
How to send Wang Pos or Bank Draft for hiking permit payment
Hiking Permit Guides For Malaysia States (Peninsular)
1) Negeri Sembilan Hiking Permit - Mostly On The Spot
Let’s start out with a crowd’s favorite. Negeri Sembilan is one of the most convenient states for hikers. Most of the mountains here have a park ranger counter to buy permits on the spot, right before your hike. The cost is RM5 per pax. Popular hiking spots with permit counters includes:
Gunung Datuk
Gunung Angsi
Trans Yamtuan Antah (Datuk – Rembau – Gagak)
Gunung Besar Hantu & Gunung Hantu Kecil (Kenaboi National Park)
Gunung Berembun & Telapak Buruk
Bukit Batu Sawa (no counter but sometimes there are officers there to issue permits, apply in advance to be safe)
Bukit Senaling
Bukit Baginda
Forest Jeram Tengkek (Free)
Gunung Tampin (Free)
Lenggeng Forest Reserve (Free)
De Bana Recreational Park (Free)
Serting Ulu Recreational Park (Free)
PD Forest Sg Menyala
There are exceptions which you need to apply permit in advanced:
- Trans Naning (Datuk – Tampin) (PHD Negeri Sembilan HQ)
- Gunung Pasir (PHD Negeri Sembilan Timur / HQ)
- Gunung Jono (PHD Negeri Sembilan Timur / HQ)
- Trans Seri Menanti (Jono & Pasir) (PHD Negeri Sembilan Timur / HQ)
- (PHD Negeri Sembilan Utara / HQ)
- Bukit Batu Beras (PHD Negeri Sembilan Utara / HQ)
- Also advisable for any large group bookings
For advanced permit applications in the Northern Negeri Sembilan (Jelebu) areas ONLY, which includes Bukit Batu Sawa, Bukit Batu Beras, Jeram Enggang and Hutan Simpan Pasoh (Gua Pelangi), you may contact the forestry officer, Puan Shima, viaWhatsApp at +6012 942 5094to check for availability and the procedures. After that, you can bank in the payment to their CIMB account no. 8004433398 (Name: Bendahari Negeri, N.S) and WhatsApp the bank in slip to Puan Shima. She will then email you the receipt and Borang 6.
2) Pahang Hiking E-Permit Online Application
Next, let’s move on to some states with online hiking permit application systems. One of these states is Pahang. Their E-Permit online hiking application is available atSystem e-Eko Rimba. You can log into the system using your identity card number. A single person can apply for the whole group for the activity. Applications have to be made at least 14 days before the activity. The cost is RM10 per pax. After applying online, you can check the current status of your application.Note: In the E-Permit system, you may leave the guide details empty, and the forestry will assign a local mountain guide for you upon approval.While it is convenient to be able to apply your hiking permit online, the payment methods are rather inconvenient.
Here are the hiking spots you can apply though the E-Permit system:
Gunung Rajah via Chamang
Pine Tree Trail & Twin Peak
Rompin Trail
Abu Suradi Trail
Gunung Semangkok
Gunung Suku
Gunung Cantik & Gunung Centuk
Gunung Sweetenham
Gunung Cecil
Gunung Penelope
Gunung Berembun
Gunung Tapis
Gunung Yong Belar
Gunung Benom
Mager Trail
Gunung Pass & Yellow
Gunung Nuang via Janda Baik
Gunung Bukit Tajam
Gunung Tangga
Gunung Bukit Bujang
Bukit Tininyau
Bukit Lantamu
Gunung Bukit Chandan
Gunung Berluat
Gunung Centuk
Bukit Mentigi
Gunung Pass
Gunung Rock
Bukit Bersulit
Bukit Batu Terus
Gunung Hantu
Bukit Jerut
Bukit Rimas
Other Taman Eko Rimba (full listhere)
For Taman Negara and Mount Tahan, check out ourGunung Tahanpost for the booking methods.
ForBukit Repin via Janda Baik, you have to contact Bentong District Forest Office directly to apply for the permit. (read the post for the details)
For Cameron Highlands hiking trail, you would need to contact Cameron Highland District Forestry Office (+605 491 1384) first to check if the quota of the number of hikers has been reached. These are the places:
- Gunung Irau
- Gunung Siku
- Gunung Brinchang
Here comes the tough part: To make payment. The online system does not support online payment. Payment has to be made via Bank Draft or Postal Order (Wang Pos) to ‘Pengarah Perhutanan Negeri Pahang’, and to be sent to the relevant Forestry District Office. (Check out the guide on making payment via Bank Draft and Postal Order at the end of this page)
For the other Taman-taman Eko Rimba (except forJerangkang), payment can be made at the entrance during the actual day itself. For Taman Eko Rimba Jerangkang Waterfalls, however, you are still required to apply for a permit in advance just like the other mountains. Check out ourJerangkang Waterfallspost to learn more.
For mountains under Cameron Highlands District (Irau, Suku, Siku, Sweetenham, Cecil, Brinchang), it is tricky because the forestry office does not accept postal money or bank drafts thru Pos Laju anymore. They require hikers to come to their office to hand over the payment directly to them before the hiking date. (Note: Not sure if it’s still the same now)
3) Perak Hiking E-Permit Online Application
The next state using online hiking e-permit applications is Perak, here is the link. Being a role model state, Perak Forestry Department upgraded their system in April 2021 to support JomPay online payment service. Way to go!
Through the online system, you can also see the current quota available after choosing the location and the date.
The cost of permit ranges from RM10 to RM20 per pax.
Starting from June 2022, there will also be an option to apply for a seasonal permit for the forest reserves in Bukit Kledang, Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Kinta and Manjung District. Here are the costings of the seasonal permit:
Malaysian: | |
Children (under 18) | RM100 |
Adult (18 and above) | RM200 |
Foreigner: | |
Children (under 18) | RM400 |
Adult (18 and above) | RM800 |
These are the hiking spots you can apply though the E-Permit system:
Bukit 300
Bukit Batu Suloh
Bukit Gelok
Bukit Kledang
Gunung Alai
Gunung Bah Gading
Gunung Banlak
Gunung Batu Bujang
Gunung Batu Putih
Gunung Behrang
Gunung Besar (Ulu Ringat)
Gunung Bieh
Gunung Bintang
Gunung Biong
Gunung Bubu
Gunung Bujang Melaka
Gunung Chabang
Gunung Chante
Gunung Chepar
Gunung Chondong Geliting
Gunung Chondong
Gunung Chondong Geliting
Gunung Gerah
Gunung Hijau
Gunung Inas
Gunung Kabut
Gunung Kenderong
Gunung Kerjul
Gunung Kinjang
Gunung Korbu & Gayong
Gunung Lang
Gunung Lebah
Gunung Liang
Gunung Nam Nam
Gunung Papulut
Gunung Pas
Gunung Peninjau
Gunung Pulut
Gunung Rambong
Gunung Raya
Gunung Rayu
Gunung Relau
Gunung Roil
Gunung Sambau
Gunung Sanggul
Gunung Semanggol
Gunung Suku
Gunung Suku (Trans Jerging)
Gunung Sunting Buloh
Gunung Titiwangsa
Gunung Tok Bereh
Gunung Tumang Batak
Gunung Ulu Jernih
Gunung Ulu Kinjor
Gunung Ulu Sepat
Gunung Ulu Sungkai
Gunung Ulu Teras
Gunung Yong Belar
Gunung Yong Yap
Trans Titiwangsa
Direct application to district office required:
Bristol Brigand RH755 Crash Site
4) Hiking Permit Application for Selangor
Here comes the most advanced state of them all (irony intended). No online permit application system, and payment methods are still from the old world (like other states except for NS and Perak). One thing to celebrate is that they now have a standardized forestpermit application form you can download here(location:https://forestry.selangor.gov.my-> Info Awam -> Gerbang Perkhidmatan Awam -> Muat Turun -> Permit). To apply, fill up the form and either send it to the respective forestry district office’s email address, or print them out in three copies and do a walk-in submission and payment to the right district office counter. For the email method, once they reply to you with the approval, you will still need to make the payment either through counter walk-in, or by sending money through bank draft or postal order (wang pos).
Selangor now has a Mountain Guide Requirement started in 2023. Find out about the trails with compulsory mountain guide requirement, and learn about the processes of finding a qualified guide here.
Below are the details of the forestry district offices and the hiking spots associate with them:
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Hulu Selangor Email:phdhuluselangor@yahoo.com Payment counter working hours: 8am – 12pm (off Friday) |
Gunung Semangkok Gunung Ulu Kali Bukit Genting Cin Cin Gunung Rajah via KKB Bukit Tunggul Pine Tree Trail Gunung Ulu Semangkok Bukit Hulu Telang Bukit Genting Chabang Bukit Hulu Bakau Gunung Rawang Matahari Gunung Semangkok Gap Bukit Boyan Gunung Ulu Lenik Bukit Chorocho Bukit Irdom Bukit Kutu Bukit Kunong Bukit Unyang Bukit Hulu Kalong Bukit Menggaru Mati Bukit Batu Pahat (no need permit) Bukit Takun Air Terjun Setinggi Lata Medang Lata Macau Air Terjun Lubuk Kawah Bukit Ketumbar |
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Selangor Tengah Email:phdseltgh@yahoo.com Payment counter working hours: 9am – 12.45pm; 2.15pm – 4pm (off Friday) |
Gunung Nuang via Pangsun Bukit Repin Gunung Hitam Bukit Resam Ambat Bukit Payong Bukit Angkau Bukit Bangkong Bukit Batu Bulan Bukit Chinchang Sebarau Bukit Genting Jemeloi Bukit Gumpang Bukit Moyang Kaban Bukit Chenuang Bukit Lapan Belas Genting Bidai Bukit Hulu Rumput Bukit Lagong Bukit Saga Genting Peres Bukit Apek Bukit Batu Tabor Bukit Kembara Bukit Batu Chondong(closed) Bukit Pematang Kuang Bukit Sapu Tangan Bukit Resam Air Terjun Ulu Perdik Air Terjun Lepoh Air Terjun Lubuk Tedung @ Sofea Jane Air Terjun Sungai Pisang |
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Pantai Klang 03-33716326 Payment counter working hours: 8am – 1pm; 2pm – 4.30pm (for Friday: 8am – 1pm; 2.45pm – 4.30pm) |
Bukit Jugra (This district office does not accept email approval first and pay later. You can either make a walk-in application, or mail the application form and payment together to them.) |
On-the-spot payment of entrance fee/permit can be made for Kanching Waterfall and Chiling Waterfall.
5) Kelantan Hiking Permit Online Application
For Kelantan Forestry, they do not have their own e-permit system, but are utilizing Google Forms and Google Doc for permit applications to enter Kelantan Forest Reserves.
For permit application and collection atKelantan Forestry Department Office in Kota Bharu, you may apply through thisGoogle Forms.
If you would like to apply and collect your permit at other Kelantan Forestry District Offices (Gua Musang / Tanah Merah / Machang), you may fill upthis Word Documentand send it tokelantanecopark@gmail.com. Below are the hiking spots with the district offices:
Pejabat Hutan Jajahan Kelantan Selatan (Gua Musang) | Pejabat Hutan Jajahan Kelantan Barat (Tanah Merah) | Pejabat Hutan Jajahan Kelantan Timur (Machang) |
Charlie Yong Belar Yong Yap Tok Nenek Berhid Aler Warpu Swettenham Kayung Tangga Bukit Tajam Bedung Kuar Biluh Chamah/ Ulu Sepat Gunung Rabong Gunung Shoid Berlumut Bubu (Perak) Gerah (Perak) Siku (Pahang) | Gunung Kub Gunung Baha Gunung Ayam Gunung Che Tahir Gunung Saji Gunung Tera Gunung Nyelit Gunung Stong Gunung Beirut Gunung Anak Noring Gunung Noring Timur Gunung Basor Gunung Berhid Gunung Berangkat Gunung Junction | Gunung Kambing Bukit Gua Kambing |
The costs of hiking permits in Kelantan forest reserve are RM5 per pax (valid for a month) for Malaysians, and RM30 per pax (valid for a month) for foreigners.
6) Kedah i-Forest Online Hiking Permit Application
Kedah forestry has their own online permit application system, called ‘i-Forest’. Simply create a new application, fill in your details and select the forest location. At the end of the process, a QR code will be generated for you to show it to the forestry staff at their district office counter to make the payment.
Again, the online application is very easy, but one still has to make payment at the specific forestry department district office. Here are the hiking spots:
Air Terjun Lebai Husin (Air Terjun Sg Kechik) Bukit Merah Bukit Farkir Terbang Gunung Bintang Gunung Jerai | Gunung Machinchang Jeti Kilim Jeti Kubang Badak Kubuk Semilang Ulu Muda |
7) Other Peninsular States (Perlis, Penang, Malacca, Johor, Terengganu)
For the following states, you may referhereor the tables below, as I do not have any additional useful information.
Wang Gunung | RM5/pax |
|
HS Bukit Kerajaan HS Laksamana | RM5/pax | Request to be addressed to: Pengarah Perhutanan Negeri Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tingkat 34, Komtar, 10000 Pulau Pinang |
Bukit Batu Lebah | RM5.00/pax | Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Melaka 06-231 6095 |
Gunung Melaka (Bukit Gapis) | RM5.00/pax | Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Melaka 06-231 6095 |
Bukit Beruang | Permit not required |
Gunung Arong | Cash/Wang Pos/Bank Draft Malaysian: RM10/pax Foreigner: RM30/pax |
|
Gunung Sumalayang Gunung Muntahak Gunung Panti Gunung Panti Barat Batu Tenggek Pelepah Kiri | Cash/Wang Pos/Bank Draft Malaysian: RM10/pax Foreigner: RM30/pax |
|
Gunung Pulai | Cash/Wang Pos/Bank Draft Malaysian: RM10/pax Foreigner: RM30/pax |
|
Gunung Bekok Gunung Maokil | Cash/Wang Pos/Bank Draft Malaysian: RM10/pax Foreigner: RM30/pax |
|
Gunung Belumut Gunung Chemendong Gunung Gua Rimau | Cash/Wang Pos/Bank Draft Malaysian: RM10/pax Foreigner: RM30/pax |
|
Gunung Banang Gunung Lambak Bukit Berdiri, Bukit Botak Dan Bukit Payong | Cash/Wang Pos/Bank Draft Malaysian: RM10/pax Foreigner: RM30/pax |
|
Gunung Tebu Gunung Sarut | RM5/pax | Pejabat Hutan Daerah Terengganu Utara |
Gunung CBL (Chemerong, Berembun & Langsir) Bukit Bauk | RM5/pax | Pejabat Hutan Daerah Terengganu Selatan |
Gunung Gajah Terom Gunung Lawit Gunung Kachang Gunung Tembat Gunung Bongsu Bukit Batu Kapal Bukit Tok Gunung Bukit Belawan | RM5/pax | Pejabat Hutan Daerah Terengganu Barat |
Hiking Permit Guides For East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak)
In Sabah and Sarawak, the hiking spots and national parks have varied procedures of getting a permit. Many of the nature parks and reserves have counters where you can buy your entry ticket or permit on the spot, while some require advance application.
8) Sabah
In Sabah, many of the nature parks and their substations have an office or ticket counter, where you can get your permit on the spot. This usually applies to nature parks where you could visit for a simple day trip. Sabah nature parks are categorized into Terrestrial Parks and Marine Parks:
Terrestrial Parks | Marine Parks |
Kinabalu Park Crocker Range Park Tawau Hills Park | Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Pulau Tiga Park Turtle Islands Park Tun Sakaran Marine Park Sipadan Island Park Tun Mustapha Marine Park |
For some heavier activities, such as climbing a big mountain or a multi-day jungle trekking, you may need to apply in advance with the relevant park ranger office. For example, you can walk-in and get a permit to hike around Kinabalu Park, but to climb Mount Kinabalu located in that same nature park, there are things to book in advance.
The general way to check on how to get a permit, is to contact the park office of that nature park for enquiry.Click here and scroll downfor the specific contacts of the parks, you may also contact Sabah Parks HQ and they might provide you the contact details of the ranger at the relevant park office or substation for further enquiry or to book the trip. In some places within the nature parks, Sabah Parks has also appointed the local tourism community to handle the bookings and permit applications (eg. Mount Nungkok, Maragang Hill & Tawai Waterfall).
Here are some of the places in Sabah I have covered:
Kinabalu Park
Mount Kinabalu (how to book your climb without using an agency)
Mount Nungkok
Maragang Hill
Tawai Waterfall in Tawai Forest Reserve
The Salt Trail (Crocker Range Park)
Other Sabah nature spots that do not require a permit can be foundhere.
9) Sarawak
In Sarawak, the nature parks and forest reserves are under Sarawak Forestry. Below are the nature parks and nature reserves of Sarawak:
Nature Parks | Nature Reserves |
Bako National Park – Kuching Gunung Mulu National Park – Miri Niah National Park(Niah Caves)– Miri Lambir Hills National Park– Miri Similajau National Park – Bintulu Batang Ai National Park – Sri Aman Gunung Gading National Park – Lundu, Kuching Kubah National Park – Kuching Loagan Bunut National Park – Miri Tanjung Datu National Park – Sematan, Kuching Talang Satang National Park – Sematan, Kuching Maludam National Park – Sibu Santubong National Park – Kuching Matang Wildlife Center – Kuching | Sama Jaya Nature Reserve – Kuching Semenggoh Nature Reserve – Kuching Wind Cave Nature Reserve – Kuching Fairy Cave Nature Reserve – Kuching Bukit Lima Nature Reserve – Sibu Piasau Nature Reserve – Miri Bukit Sembiling Nature Reserve – Limbang Bukit Hitam Nature Reserve – Limbang |
While most of the parks have offices or counters to buy your permit on-the-spot, Sarawak Forestry prepared a very useful map markers with links for more details and contacts:
How to make Payment via Bank Draft or Postal Order (Wang Pos)
This is based on my first-hand experience to make payment using both bank drafts and wang pos. It is a forgotten form of an ancient technique, used by our ancestors for money transactions. Although this technique is no longer relevant with the existence of more efficient modern systems, the government of Malaysia stands strong in upholding the value for preservation of traditions. (hats off, mocking intended)
Wang Pos (Postal Order) for Hiking Permit
Let’s first talk about sending a ‘wang pos’ for hiking permit applications. Most, if not all, of the state’s forestry departments, accept only wang pos from Pos Laju, a postal delivery service in Malaysia. Going to one of the Pos Laju counters tends to be quite convenient for some of us, based on one’s location.
However, many forestry departments require applicants to send the total amount of permit fees in one single slip of the wang pos. Here comes the problem, as no one really uses wang pos anymore, Pos Laju has discontinued the supply of the slips and is clearing the existing stocks until they run out. There may not be an existing amount you need to pay for your permit anymore… (Unless they accept a combination of slips, for example, RM5+RM5+RM5=RM15. But still, the slips are going to be extinct)
Note They might accept Money Order instead, which you may set a specified value of cash to be sent. The fee is RM3.90 per order.
Bank Draft
When Wang Pos does not work, we move on to using bank drafts for hiking permit applications. While bank drafts have not reached the point of extinction, yet, people usually use it for transactions with a very large amount of money. So, do expect a weird look from the bank officer when you submit a RM5 bank draft, that charges you an addition of RM5.65 for stamp duty and commission fee (fee may vary among banks).
Here is a sample of the Bank Draft application form from Public Bank. You fill up the beneficiary’s details based on the instruction from the forestry (eg. BENDAHARI NEGERI SELANGOR). The other details of the receiver such as account number and address are not needed to be filled in. Next, fill in your details in the application/sender sections and the amount of the permit fee to be sent. Lastly, submit the bank draft application form to the counter for processing and they will hand you a banker’s cheque.
It is not done yet, as you need to send this cheque to the forestry office via postage. And most of the forestry offices require you to mail it through Pos Laju Express only. To mail it via Pos Laju Express, you may go to a Pos Laju outlet, or a Pos Laju authorized agent, such as aMBEoutlet. This would cost you another RM6-9 for the mailing fee within Klang Valley.
Hiking Permit Runners / Mountain Guides (advertising space)
With such an inconvenient process just to have a relaxing hike, many hikers prefer to approach runners to help them apply for a hiking permit. Some forests require a certified nature guide and it may be difficult to find one.
Are you a runner for any of the hiking permit applications in Malaysia? Or are you a certified mountain guide? Here is an advertising space for you to promote yourself, for people to contact you for your services. If you are interested in advertising your services here,please apply through this form.
Contact | Service Areas | Services & Pricing |
Mr Example 1 (runner) WhatsApp: 01x xxx xxxx FB: facebook page Email: example1@gmail.com |
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Ms Example 2 (guide), ABC Adventure Tel: 01x xxx xxxx Website: example.com Email: example2@gmail.com |
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Epilogue
While it may be complicated and annoying to obtain a permit to enter the forest for a relaxing hike, we still have to put in our best effort to adhere to the standard operating procedure, both for the welfare of our forests, and to prevent our favorite activities being banned, with access to the nature taken away from us. Also, do read about why we need to apply permits on the top section of this page.
Please bear in mind that the content here serves only as a guideline based on the information I gathered from my experience and research. While I have spent a lot of time and resources to obtain these information, there may be details that could be inaccurate, or become outdated. There will be efforts to update this page from time to time.
If you have additional information, or notice something wrong in my content, it would be great if you could leave a comment below, orreach out to me directly. Let’s continue to enjoy and preserve nature!
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
*Captain Planet passing by*Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE*flies away*
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