Sungai Pisang Waterfall

There’s a really fun water route near KL, and that’s Sungai Pisang at Batu Caves! I’ve been in KL for so long, and only now found out there’s such a good hiking spot! I just got back from Sungai Pisang (Banana River Waterfall), soaked through, but the photos came out amazing. The best thing here is that you can play in the water all the way, you go through a tunnel, and at the end there’s a waterfall! The route isn’t especially hard. It’s a very good route for beginners, and it’s easy to take nice photos along the way. Difficulty: 2 stars out of 5, beginner friendly, but the path is very wild. Experience: 5 stars out of 5. We went through a big culvert and trekked up the stream in the jungle the whole way, and it was so healing! The shoes About 80% of the path is water, so wear non-slip sandals or water shoes. Don’t wear ordinary sports shoes. Don’t be like me. I wore thin snorkelling shoes, and it was a foot-sole massage the whole way, so painful it woke me right up. I also didn’t want to get my hiking shoes wet, so I tried going barefoot. I tested it myself: barefoot, I fell on my backside three times in 5 minutes. Wear thick, waterproof, closed shoes or non-slip river-trekking shoes, and ideally ones where you can shake the sand out easily. Wrong shoes at Sungai Pisang and your feet are ruined. Getting in At first we thought we had to wait until 8:30 AM for the gate to open, but there’s no need at all! You can just start climbing up the small mountain path next to the gate. This mountain needs a permit applied for in advance, so remember to follow the rules. Permit: yes (RM5 per person), apply at forestry.selangor.gov.my Parking: Sungai Pisang Waterfall Trailhead (if you drive, you need to pay RM10 for parking) The walk From the entrance it’s about 15 minutes to the famous tunnel, then about another 50 minutes to the waterfall. You basically just follow the river the whole way. There’s a section where you step on stones to cross the river, and it feels super adventurous! Along the way the forest and the stream are what make it special, and you can take photos as you go. Good photo spots are the starting point under the highway bridge, the rocks by the river, and in front of the waterfall. The waterfall The water at the waterfall is really cold, and there are a lot of people. If you mainly want to play in the water, I suggest coming on a weekday, when there should be far fewer people. The rocks near the waterfall can be covered in moss, and even if they look dry they can be very slippery, so don’t stand on dangerous edges for a photo. In the end we climbed up from the waterfall to the Highway, then walked back along the Highway. Before you go Check the weather and the water level. After rain, or after days of continuous rain, the river can rise quickly. If you see the current get faster or the water clearly rise, don’t risk going on. If it rains, don’t go. Rain in the mountains doesn’t always mean it’s raining at the starting point. If there’s a thunderstorm, think about cancelling or leaving early. Wear shorts in a waterproof or quick-drying material, because you’ll definitely get soaked the whole way. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and only take it out when you want to take photos. Leave valuables at home and travel light. Bring mosquito repellent, there are lots of little friends in the jungle. Sometimes there are leeches, depending on whether you’re lucky or not. Take your rubbish with you. Don’t leave rubbish and don’t damage the plants or the natural environment. If you don’t know the route, don’t go alone. On a first visit, go with someone who knows the way. Some parts may have no phone signal. Tell your family or friends your route before you leave, and bring basic first-aid supplies. Do what you’re capable of. If you feel unwell, the weather gets worse, the water rises, or the route feels beyond your ability, retreating isn’t failure, it’s the right outdoor decision. Nature won’t run away, but danger won’t wait for you either. The most beautiful thing about Banana River isn’t just the waterfall. It’s the forest, the stream and the wild mountain scenery all along the way. Sungai Pisang Waterfall, Gombak, Selangor