Getting a tour guide is a necessity, as there's high chances of getting lost in the mountain itself if you are not familiar with the terrain and trail. It is named the jungle trail no:14 (i'm not sure why they named 14, but in Chinese, 14 is not a good number) Most experienced hikers will able to conquer Gunung Irau from Brinchang hill (~2.35km away) within 3 hours. Our suggestion is that you should start the hike earlier in the morning (~8am), take your own sweet time, enjoy the scenery and you may reach the top at ~12pm noon. If you are a serious photographer, it may take more than 5 hours for one way journey to the top.

Mud is everywhere, prepare some cheap BATA shoe (school wear-type), as you may dispose them once you return. You should prepare rain coat too as rain is random and frequent throughout the whole year. Hand gloves are really useful to keep your hand clean and avoid cut from tree, besides keeping your camera clean too. 1.5 liter of water should be sufficient, some food and snack such as chocolate bar will be good to refill your energy during the tough hike. Don't carry too many things, lightweight will make your hike much easier and less tiring.

Expect to have some steep climbs, some paths are almost vertical. Tree roots are useful most of the time in order to reach the top. You will experience 3 small mountains and 2 big steep climb to reach Gunung Irau. This trail is the muddiest trail that you are going to encounter in Malaysia and prepare to get really really filthy. Ensure your grip is firm to avoid fall due to slippery.

It's always easier to hike up than return. The return trip was torturing, by going thru 2 steep descends and climbing over another 3 small mountains before you reach Brinchang hill. You will feel like taking forever to reach our destination. One of the reasons perhaps we've used up most our energy while hiking to Irau, and deeply exhausted on the way back. The darkness starts to overshadow the mossy forest by 430-5pm, hence suggest to return to Brinchang hill by 1pm-2pm for one day trip before you lost your way in the dark.

The trip is worthy if you love jungle trekking, and nature. The mossy forest is one of it's kind in Malaysia, and the fairy land is just something you couldn't see anywhere else. It's so beautiful, truly a jewel of nature masterpieced by the hand of god. i'd love to spend more time there, if i could. Probably a camping trip in the future could satisfy my needs.

Photos by Jonathan, PC and SY, Nov 2005.