Hiking in Kota Kinabalu

Enjoy lush green trails to the peak of Mount Kinabalu

All Hiking in Kota Kinabalu

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What other guests say

4.9

181 reviews

Well organised and pleasant excursion. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the area and helpful. I can only recommend.

Joseph

Booked: Kinabalu Geopark Trekking | Stunning Kinabalu Views + Dusun Culture

I booked a 3 day 2 night trip for 4 people on Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Seek Sophie were perfect. Their friendly driver met us at the airport, unbothered by the flight delay. I was expecting to be consolidated with other people arriving but we had the minibus and driver all to ourselves, also on return trip to town. This meant we could stop off on request for snacks. All handovers to other parties - hotel, mountain lodge, mountain guide, Via Ferrata, were flawless. The first night hotel, Pine Resort, was a great way of settling in before the 6 hr hike to the mountain refuge. Recommend stay here rather than start super early from Kota Kinabalu which is 2 hr 15 mins away. Extra hours sleep are what you need. We booked the extra Via Ferrata activity near the summit. In the end, only 2 out of 4 of us did it. The lazy ones decided the extra 2 hrs rest meant more to us, and went back to rest in Pendant Hut refuge. The energetic ones hung off iron ropes and loved it.

Richard Selby

Booked: 2D1N Mt Kinabalu | Walk the Torq Via Ferrata **Free Night Stay!

Excellent organisation and very intersting explanations all around the tour, inclu donc the botanique garden Our guide Jennifer was perfect!

Famille Boiarsky

Booked: 1-Day Private Tour Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring

Seek Sophie staff were brilliant, swift and accommodating with responding to my enquiries, arranging my transfers and briefing us before for the trek. We were lucky to have a mountain guide for just the two of us. While we were given ample information prior and how to prepare for the trek, I was still surprised at the level of difficulty in climbing the last 3 km towards the summit. I had done ample triathlon and ocean swimming and taken all the altitude medications before and during the climb. You have to climb in the pitch dark, with wet and windy conditions at high altitude, which also required hauling yourself up 200+ metres of roped sections and abseiling back down these ropes without harnesses. It's Sabah Parks, not Seek Sophie that mandate the rushed schedule of climbing to the guesthouse (3200m above sea level) in one day and make trekkers climb at 2:30 am the next morning to 4079m above sea level by sunrise. Our guide was very patient with us while we slowly climbed to adapt from 1800m to 4000m above sea level within 48 hours but my body needed more time to acclimatise. I am grateful our guide helped us up and down the mountain safely with both of us experiencing altitude sickness at various heights and for the beautiful views just below the summit upon sunrise. If Sabah Parks allows this, I'd recommend to allow trekkers to stay for one more night at the guesthouse to rest properly and acclimatise better before resuming the last 3 km to the summit. I'd also recommend to grade this trek as moderate to hard for experienced climbers who do not experience altitude sickness at 4000+ metres, and not as an easy or beginners trek level. Overall, I am humbled by the grandeur and power of Mt Kinabalu and now know my bodies limits at altitude. Thank you Seek Sophie for organising multiple tours for us in Borneo! They're a fantastic tour operator!

Fiona

Booked: 2D1N Mt Kinabalu Summit | Regular Route **Free Night at Poring Hot Springs

Easy booking Found it pricier than the other companies Challenging as the weather was very wild and everyone was freezing cold and wet at Laban rata Laban rata needs to be upgraded with more heating and better and more hygienic toilet systems Also needs hot water showers A central wood fire in the restaurant would be perfect , with racks to dry any wet gear The place hasn’t changed from 15 yrs ago when I climbed then

Ivy

Booked: 2D1N Mt Kinabalu Summit | Regular Route **Free Night at Poring Hot Springs

A great way to get into the Kinabalu National Park if you’re not down for a 2 day hike up Mt Kinabalu itself! The hike is pretty doable for most people (even if you don’t hike much) and was taken at a steady pace. One of the family dogs, Tugi, decided to join the hike which was very cute! Our guide’s knowledge of all the local plants and how they’re used made it a really interesting walk and his wife cooked us a lovely lunch of rice, fish and vegetables at the end. All in all it was a nice escape from the city.

Kate

Booked: Kinabalu Geopark Trekking | Stunning Kinabalu Views + Dusun Culture

Olivia was extremely kind and helpful from the start to end of our trip. We loved having transportation waiting for us, saving us the hassle of having to coordinate between locations so we could just enjoy the journey. Our mountain guide, Arno, was also fantastic and able to adapt to our physical condition so we could reach the summit and back in good time. Would definitely use their services again! 😍

Co & Juls

Booked: 2D1N Mt Kinabalu Summit | Regular Route **Free Night at Poring Hot Springs

Hiking in Kota Kinabalu FAQs

What are some popular hiking trails in Kota Kinabalu?

Some popular hiking trails in Kota Kinabalu include Mount Kinabalu, Bukit Padang, and Bukit Bongol. Each trail offers unique challenges and stunning views of the surrounding nature.

Is it necessary to hire a guide for hiking in Kota Kinabalu?

While it is not mandatory to hire a guide for hiking in Kota Kinabalu, it is highly recommended, especially for inexperienced hikers. Guides can provide valuable insights, ensure safety, and navigate through the terrain.

What is the best time of year for hiking in Kota Kinabalu?

The best time for hiking in Kota Kinabalu is typically during the dry season, which is from March to October. This period offers better weather conditions and clearer views of the surrounding landscape.

Are there any wildlife encounters to be aware of while hiking in Kota Kinabalu?

While hiking in Kota Kinabalu, hikers may encounter wildlife such as monkeys, birds, and insects. It is important to respect the wildlife and keep a safe distance to avoid any potential conflicts.

What should hikers pack for a hiking trip in Kota Kinabalu?

Hikers in Kota Kinabalu should pack essentials such as water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, a first aid kit, appropriate clothing, and sturdy hiking shoes. It is also recommended to bring a map, compass, and a fully charged phone for emergencies.

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