Mount Tahan
Mountain in Pahang, Malaysia
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ToursExplore Lably’s 3D toursGunung Tahan is considered by many to be one of the toughest treks in Peninsular Malaysia.
Names
The word tahan in Malay means "forbidden", there is a folktale of the mountain being guarded by two humongous apes because it has two magical wells which can give anyone powers of changing any other object into gold and silver.
It is also known by the name of Gunung Rotan ("rattan mountain") or Gunung Ulu Tanum ("source mountain of the Tanum River") in the west; the Kelantanese call it Gunung Siam ("Siam Mountain").
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Trails
There are three trails to the summit, commonly referred to as:
- Kuala Tahan-Kuala Tahan
- Merapoh-Kuala Tahan or Kuala Tahan-Merapoh
- Merapoh-Merapoh
The Kuala Tahan classic trail is the oldest and most scenic trail. A return trip on this trail typically takes seven days. Climbers have to trek across undulating ridges and make several river crossings before finally reaching the foot of the mountain to make the final ascent. Climbers without adequate physical fitness or training are not advised to attempt Gunung Tahan.
The other two trails are from Merapoh (Sungai Relau). The Merapoh-Merapoh trail is significantly shorter than the other two. A return trip on the Merapoh trail takes 3–4 days. A traverse from Kuala Tahan to Merapoh (or the other way around) takes around 5 days.
Temperature
Mount Tahan can be relatively cold at night. Temperatures can range from 4 °C to 18 °C between December and January, and 7 °C to 27 °C between June and September. Frost can sometimes appear at the summit.
1905 Federated Malay States Museums expedition
In 1905, the director of the Federated Malay States Museums, Leonard Wray Jnr, and Selangor Museum curator Herbert Robinson led a museum collecting expedition to Gunung Tahan.
The expedition involved sixty-five men and lasted five months. Dato’ To Muntri Idin and Penghulu Panglima Kakap Husin laid the groundwork before the main party arrived. On July 15, Bulang, Che Nik, Mat Aris, Mu’min and Robinson were the first to reach the summit.