Mount Kinabalu Trail
Climbing Mount Kinabalu is one of the most challenging, rewarding and scenic experiences that you can have in Borneo and requires no specialised equipment, has no age restrictions and is open to anyone with a decent fitness level and sense of adventure. That said, it is no simple "walk in the park" and it is crucial to be well prepared.
The 8.5km Mount Kinabalu trail winds its way all the way up from Timpohon gate, 1866m above sea level, to the 4095m high Low's Peak summit through lowland rain forest, montane forest, cloud forest and sub alpine meadow to the bare granite plateau of the summit. Learn more about each section of the climb below,
The 8.5km Mount Kinabalu trail winds its way all the way up from Timpohon gate, 1866m above sea level, to the 4095m high Low's Peak summit through lowland rain forest, montane forest, cloud forest and sub alpine meadow to the bare granite plateau of the summit. Learn more about each section of the climb below,
Kinabalu Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site
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Your adventure begins in Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO world heritage site! Upon arrival at Mount Kinabalu National Park, our driver will assist you to register for your climb, you will be issued a climber ID tag by Sabah Parks which you need to wear at all times whilst on the trail. Your driver or guide will also pass you your packed lunch for the day, so make sure that you save a little space in your bag for this. If you are travelling with any extra bags you don't need for the climb, luggage storage is available at park headquarters for RM12 per bag (any size). Porter services are also available at RM140 for up to 10kg and RM14 per additional kg.
Don't forget to bring your original passport or Malaysian IC for registration at Kinabalu Park. |
Timpohon Gate to Panalaban
Once registered, climbers are transferred to Timpohon Gate by minivan to begin the climb, it's only a short drive away from Park headquarters but will save your legs a few kilometres. On arrival at Timpohon gate, your Mount Kinabalu guide will provide a briefing on the trail, potential shelters and rest stops along the way and then it's time to go! From Timpohon gate to Panalaban you will be following the "Timpohon trail", previously climbers had the option to choose an alternative route called the "Mesilau Trail" but this has been closed indefinitely due to earthquake damage in 2015.
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Laban Rata and Pendant hut, the two Mount Kinabalu accommodations used during our climbs, are located at 3280m asl in an area known as Panalaban. The climb from Timpohon Gate to your accommodation isn't technical and you don't need any prior experience of climbing but a decent level of fitness and doing regular exercise prior to your climb will definitely come in handy. The total trail length from Timpohon Gate to Panalaban is "only" 6km but with an elevation gain of around 1400m, you will feel all 6 of those kilometres! Numerous steps have been carved into the trail to help you ascend and whole staircases have even been built over steeper sections. Short sections of gentle uphill dirt paths will give you some relief from the steps and provide an opportunity to catch your breath as the air starts to thin at higher altitudes.
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There are a number of shelters along the trail up to Panalaban, typically your guide will aim to arrive at Layang-Layang shelter, (4km from Timpohon Gate and 2700m asl) by 1pm. You'll then have a break and enjoy your packed lunch before the trail gets even steeper on the final 2km up to Laban Rata Resthouse.
Take your time on the way up and watch as the vegetation changes from beautiful lowland rainforest into montane forest, cloud forest and finally subalpine meadows as you reach Panalaban. Keep an eye out for some of Mount Kinabalu's iconic mountain shrews, pitcher plants and rhododendrons. GOOD TO KNOW Reasonably fit climbers can expect to reach Panalaban by 3pm whereas slower climbers may not arrive until a couple of hours later. Climbers who have booked a climb with Via Ferrata must arrive at Pendant hut by 3.30pm or they will miss the via ferrata briefing and will not be permitted to join the via ferrata the following day. The water on the trail up to Laban Rata is untreated and we don't recommend drinking it. Make sure you bring enough water (min 2L) for the 6km / 4 - 5 hour hike, you can then buy water refills on arrival at the accommodation. |
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Estimated timings for day 1
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Staying overnight at Panalaban
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After anywhere from 4 to 6 hours hiking you will reach Panalaban and be greeted by the iconic Panalaban sign, background to many a Mount Kinabalu photo. You are then only a few more steps away from Laban Rata and one last staircase from Pendant Hut.
On arrival, your guide will take you to your accommodation and help you to find your bed for the night. The majority of climbers staying at Laban Rata and Pendant hut will be sleeping in communal dorm rooms with shared bathrooms, only very limited private rooms are available and these must be pre-booked together with your climbing package. All dorm rooms are unheated but blankets (Laban Rata) or sleeping bags (Pendant hut) are provided so you don't need to worry about bringing bedding, pack as light as possible. Showers are available at both accommodations but are solar heated, depending on the weather and how late you arrive, the water may be very cold. Pendant Hut offers free water refills and free hot drinks and there is a water dispenser outside the rooms at Laban Rata. |
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Laban Rata restaurant
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A buffet dinner is served for all climbers from 5pm to 7pm at Laban Rata Resthouse restaurant and you can watch the sun set above the clouds from the balcony at Laban Rata. After dinner, get an early night and as much rest as you can before your summit attempt the following day.
Electricity is provided by a generator which operates from 5pm - 8pm & 1am - 3am. You will need a head torch outside of these hours as well as for your summit climb. You will be returning to your accommodation after your summit attempt the following day and are welcome to leave any bags or items you don't want to take to the summit in your rooms at the accommodation. |
Summit attempt
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After a few hours rest and a quick bite to eat, join your guide at 2am - 2.30am to begin your ascent to Low's Peak (4095m asl) via the new Ranau trail. Parts of the previous summit trail were destroyed in the 2015 earthquake and the new trail starts from a gate directly behind Pendant Hut. In case of high winds and/or heavy rain, park officials may deem the summit trail too dangerous and keep the gate locked. Your climb is timed to make the most of the good weather but in the event that the summit trail and/or via ferrata are cancelled, no refunds will be available.
Once climbers leave the accommodation, a steady stream of lights can be seen winding up the steep rock face towards Sayat-Sayat checkpoint, the last shelter on the way to the summit. It's only 2.7km from the summit trail gate to the summit but the thin air and 800m elevation gain coupled with over 100 staircases in the first section of the summit climb makes for a tough start to the day. |
One of the many staircases on the Ranau trail to Low's Peak
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After the first 700m, the steps give way to smooth stretches of granite, a guide rope is there to help you and can be extremely useful during the steeper sections where you will find yourself scrambling uphill in often slippery conditions. Around 1 to 1.5 hours after leaving your accommodation you will reach Sayat-Sayat checkpoint, here park officials will check your climber ID before allowing you to continue onwards towards Low's Peak.
As you make your way in the dark towards the summit of Mount Kinabalu, 8.5km from where you started your climb at Timpohon Gate, you will start to see the first glimmer of sunrise. Push on to Low's Peak and sit back and enjoy one of the finest views Borneo has to offer! |
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Estimated timing for day 2:
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Via Ferrata (optional)
For climbers who have booked a climb with Via Ferrata, your via ferrata activity will take place between leaving Low's Peak (the summit) and arriving back at Pendant Hut, you can therefore leave any bags / items you don't want to bring on the Via Ferrata at Pendant Hut and just take your essentials with you and plenty of water.
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Via Ferrata participants will need to leave Low's Peak by 6.15am to ensure they arrive at the start point of the Via Ferrata by the following times:
Please refer to our Packing for Mount Kinabalu page to ensure you have packed everything you will need, including plenty of snacks, you may not be back at the accommodation for breakfast / brunch until 12pm. |
Descent to Timpohon Gate
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The final leg of your Mount Kinabalu climb will see you return to Timpohon Gate via the same trail you ascended on the day before. Whilst your lungs may no longer be screaming, it won't be long until your legs start to feel the the pressure of the descent. We strongly recommend renting or bringing trekking poles to help steady yourself during the descent, poles can be rented at park HQ for RM15 per pole. Sometimes your guide will be able to source poles at Laban Rata but it's best to bring them from the bottom if you definitely need them.
Typically climbers doing the standard climb will arrive back at Timpohon Gate around 2pm, have lunch in the park and then leave for Kota Kinabalu around 3pm. Climbers doing the Via Ferrata may not arrive back at Timpohon Gate until between 3pm and 5pm and will join a later transfer. Please refer to your itinerary and transportation information above for transfer times. |
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Congratulations! You have successfully conquered Mount Kinabalu and can collect your optional climbing certificate from Park HQ (RM10 per person) before returning to Kota Kinabalu for a hot shower and dinner! If you would like to stay in Kinabalu park or Poring hot springs after your climb then this can also be arranged - just ask for more details.
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