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| INTRODUCTION |
 Lambir Hills National Park is probably the world’s
most complex and diverse forest eco-system. In a
total area of just 6,952 hectares, experts have found
what appears to be the greatest level of plant biodiversity
on the planet. It is not only plant life that is
diverse and plentiful at Lambir - 237 different species
of birds (at the last count), flying squirrels, wild
pigs, gibbons, many different types of monkey, various
species of deer, and untold insects and other invertebrates,
all combine to create Lambir’s rich biological
kaleidoscope.
As if all this abundant nature wasn’t enough,
Lambir’s unusual geology has created dozens
of sparkling waterfalls and bathing pools scattered
about the rainforest. Take into account how compact
and conveniently located Lambir is, and you have
one of the most accessible and enjoyable national
parks in all of Malaysia.
 Lambir’s 6,952 hectares of sandstone hills
have created some very rugged forest terrain, rising
to over 450 metres in places, and covered with lowland
dipterocarp and heath forests. This unique topography
and environment have made Lambir a major centre for
rainforest research, with scientists from Japanese
and American universities permanently stationed in
the park. It has also made Lambir a major resource
for Malaysia’s environmental education programme,
and weekend visitors will often bump into groups
of trainee teachers or high school students studying
the forest floor or the rainforest canopy.
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| TREKS AND TRAILS |
 Lambir’s major attraction for visitors is
its interesting selection of forest walks, from a
gentle 15-minute stroll to an arduous all-day jungle
trek. Most of Lambir’s trails are interlinked,
so it is very easy to do quite a few in a day. The
following table provides details of approximate trekking
times and distances and the colour codes used in
the park.
These times are only approximate and depend on weather
conditions, fitness level, etc. They are conservative
estimates - experienced hikers will complete the
trails far quicker. All times are one way from Park
HQ
Trail Name |
Trail Length |
One Way Time &
Distance From HQ |
Colour
Code |
Main Trail |
0.835km |
12 mins |
Red |
Latak Waterfall |
0.182km |
20 mins |
Red/White |
Pantu |
1.390km |
1 hr |
White |
Inove |
1.25km |
45 mins |
Pink |
Bukit Pantu |
2.9km |
1 hr 35 mins |
Yellow/White |
Lepoh Ridan |
- |
1 hr 45 mins |
Yellow |
Pantu Waterfall |
1.8km |
1 hr 10 mins |
Red/Yellow |
Oil Well |
3.0km |
1 hr 40 mins |
Yellow |
Bakam |
- |
2 hr 40 mins |
Blue |
Pancur Waterfall |
7.1km |
2hr 20 mins |
Yellow/Blue |
Tengkorong Waterfall |
5.4km |
2 hrs |
White/Blue |
Dinding Waterfall |
4.7km |
2 hrs |
Blue/White/Red |
Summit |
6.3km |
3hr 30 mins |
Red/Blue |
The following paragraphs provide brief details of
each of trails. If you require further information,
please consult with the park wardens.
| Latak
Waterfall Trail |
This
is the shortest, the easiest and the best
known of Lambir’s trails, and is
extremely popular with day-trippers from
Miri - if you are looking for peace and
solitude it is better to visit on a weekday.
The trail follows a gently sloping path
shaded by tree branches, and follows the
course of a clear, fast-flowing stream.
There are two very pretty small waterfalls
along the way, but the main attraction
is at the end of the trail. A large forest
pool is surrounded on three sides by steep
rock walls, and fed by the Latak waterfall,
which falls 25 metres down a sheer drop
into the far end of the pool. The pool
area features changing rooms, toilets and
picnic areas, and is safe for swimming,
but non-swimmers and small children should
take care, as it is deep in parts.
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| Bukit Lambir, Bakam, Tengkorong,
Pancur and Dinding Trails |
Not many visitors proceed
beyond the Pantu Waterfall turnoff, but
those who have the time (and a little stamina)
will find these longer trails and their
branches the most rewarding. The terrain
gradually rises, passing through rugged,
dense forest filled with the sounds of
Lambir’s wildlife. After 4 km, the
trail forks, the left fork leading to the
Bakam trail and the right fork leading
to the summit of Bukit Lambir. The Bakam
trail is not so interesting in itself,
but two of its branches, the Tengkorong
Trail and the Pancur Trail, lead to delightful,
crystal clear jungle waterfalls.
The Summit Trail is quite steep in parts,
and can be hard work for the not-so-fit,
but it is very interesting to observe the
sudden transition from dipterocarp forest
to heath forest, and the profusion of wild
orchids. The superb view from the top (456m)
is fair compensation for the effort. As
a reward for tackling the Summit Trail,
you can treat yourself to a cool dip in
the pool below the Dinding waterfall on
the way down.
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| Pantu,
Nibong, Bukit Pantu and Pantu Waterfall Trails |
These are in fact all branches of the
same trail. Shortly before Latak Waterfall,
the Pantu trail branches off to the left
and leads up a series of steep steps. At
the top of the steps you will see the tree
tower, a 40 metre high wooden construction
designed to give visitors a glimpse of
life in the forest canopy. Climbing the
tree tower is very worthwhile, as you should
be able to see many different kinds of
birds and insects, epiphytes, ferns and
orchids that are not seen at ground level.
Shortly after the tree tower, the trail
branches off left to the Nibong waterfall,
an ideal place to cool down after climbing
the tree tower. A few hundred metres further
along the main trail, you can branch out
to Bukit Pantu (the nearest peak to the
park HQ) and its superb views on the right,
or the Pantu Waterfall on the left.
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| TRAVEL NOTES |
| Entry Fees & Permits |
There is a nominal entry
fee for all National Parks in Sarawak. Check
with the National Parks Booking Offices in
Kuching or Miri for the latest fee structure.
Entrance fees are paid upon arrival at the
park HQ. A permit is required for professional
filming, which should be arranged in advance
with the National Parks Booking Office in
Miri.
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| The Park Headquarters |
Upon arrival visitors are required to register
at the Park HQ. There is an information centre
where video films about Niah are shown nightly
(upon request), and a cafeteria serving a range
of local and western food and drinks.
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| Reservations & Enquiries |
National Parks Booking
Office
c/o Visitors Information Centre
Lot 452, Jln Melayu, 98000 Miri,
Sarawak, Malaysia.
Tel: 085-434184 Fax: 085-434179
Lambir National Park HQ
Tel: (+6) 085 471609/471630 Fax: (+6) 085 408030
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| Opening Hours |
| National Parks Booking Office |
Monday-Friday |
0800 hrs – 1700 hrs |
| Saturday, Sunday& Public Holidays |
Closed |
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| Getting
There |
Lambir is only 32 km from Miri. Syarikat
Bas Suria and Syarikat Bas Baram have frequent
bus services to Batu Niah, Bakong and Bekenu,
all of which stop directly opposite the park
HQ. The journey time is 30-40 mins. If you
take a taxi, arrange a pick-up time for the
return journey. The last bus back to Miri
leaves at 1730 hrs. Self-drive cars are also
available - ask at your hotel counter or
check in the yellow pages.
Note: The bus marked ‘Lambir’ does
not go the National Park.
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| Accommodation |
Park accommodation consists of chalet units,
and a camp site. Please contact the National Parks Booking
Office in Miri for the latest room rates
and to make reservations.
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| Further
Information |
SARAWAK FORESTRY
Tel: (+6) 082 610088 Fax: (+6) 082 610099
Toll free line: 1 800 88 2526
Website: www.sarawakforestry.com
Email: info@sarawakforestry.com
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