Cover A recent Exoticca.com study revealed Southeast Asia’s most popular hiking spots, with Malaysia dominating nine out of 10 best hiking trails (Photo: Marcella Lucas/AllTrails)
A recent Exoticca.com study revealed Southeast Asia’s most popular hiking spots, with Malaysia dominating nine out of 10 best hiking trails (Photo: Marcella Lucas/AllTrails)
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A recent Exoticca.com study revealed Southeast Asia’s most popular hiking spots, with Malaysia dominating nine out of 10 best hiking trails
As it happens, Bukit Gasing is a beloved spot for hikers from both Malaysia and beyond. A 2025 study by online tour operator Exoticca.com revealed the most popular hiking trails in Southeast Asia, ranking paths using AllTrails data from across 11 countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Each route was scored based on hiker ratings, review numbers, positive feedback and foot traffic.
Bukit Gasing Circular took first place, earning 98.39 points out of 100 and scoring a 4.6 average rating from 2,225 reviews. This urban forest reserve spanning a 3.8 km loop near Kuala Lumpur has long been a popular spot for hikers of various experience levels, thanks to its natural beauty and diversity of trails.
Read more: 5 Malaysian Hillside Homes with Spectacular Views
Bukit Kiara was next in line, earning 96.73 points and reviewed by 2,147 hikers, followed by Twin Peaks, Quill Killer, Rock Garden, and Lower Carnival, beloved for its network of highly-rated walking routes surrounding Malaysia's capital city.
Just 2.2 km long, Ketumbar Hill in Kuala Lumpur landed fourth with 93.88 points, with the famous Sri Bintang Hill ranking in sixth place after the Wat Pha Lat Hike (Monk's Trail) hike in Chiang Mai, Thailand in the list.
See also: Where to eat in Mont Kiara: Best cafés, bakeries and brunch spots
Curious about the other trails that made top 10 in the list? The usual suspects include Bukit Gasing Fence Trail Loop, the Tiga Puteri Peak in Petaling Jaya, Negeri Sembilan’s Mount Datuk and the Taman Tugu Green - Yellow - White trails.
Above The view from Bukit Kiara at sunset (Photo: Eke Sumber Omardin)
The view from Bukit Kiara at sunset (Photo: Eke Sumber Omardin)
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Proudly, Malaysia stands as a truly appealing destination for hikers in Southeast Asia who value accessibility and natural beauty, with Kuala Lumpur’s urban forest reserves scoring consistently high among hikers of various experience levels. Interestingly, even the lowest ranked Malaysian hiking spots in the list still maintained high ratings of above 4.2 stars.
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
