Gunung Ledang

The legendary beauty of Mount Ophir (Gunung Ledang) has made it one of Johor's most popular attractions for hikers and birdwatchers. There two known ways of reaching the summit. One is from Sagil, a town in Johor, the other is through Asahan, Melaka. The shorter route is from Asahan. Gunung Ledang ( or Mount Ophir as it is otherwise better known ) is the most visited mountain in Malaysia. It is not peculiar to find people who has climb the mountain more than 10 times. The reason being, the place is easily accessible and suitable for beginners who wants to feel what mountains in Malaysia are really like. Some groups are using this mountain as a training ground for other challenging venues.


The Ledang trail starts from Gunung Ledang resort, near Sagil village is close to the Malacca and Johor border. The other way of reaching the summit is through Asahan trail in Melaka, an easier route. The paved road starts besides the river leading and leads towards a few staircases till an open gate, where the real climbing begins.


Gunung Ledang is believed to have the richest flora species in the world. It has a 50 metres high waterfall with a wide drop of 50 metres. It has icy cool waters charge down upon large boulders, then break into rushing rapids before plugging into the large sandy pool below. This waterfall, discovered some 50 years ago, is name the "Puteri Waterfalls". Over the period it has witnessed thousands of tourists almost every week, picnicking, backpacking or just bathing in the refreshing water of the pool. You'll see giant butterflies, brightly coloured spiders amidst wild tropical flowers of bright yellow, crimson and orange.


Crickets and frogs singing song of the jungle, chirping sounds of birds become the music of this tropical wonderland. The summit was just beyond the boulders. There's a flat ground revealed at the summit of Gunung Ledang at 4187ft. Wide and flat, mystical and lovely. I can get a panoramic view of Segamat and Jementah town of Johor, and the historical Melaka.