A blissful hike, Broga Hill, Selangor
It was a rather random decision to hike the Broga Hill. I wanted to hike this hill for quite some time ago but i never had the time or the opportunity to do so. Since my family had no plans this Raya, for a one-day trip, this outdoor sport came to light. On the day before, we went finding for torchlights, batteries and breakfast.
Catching the sunrise was one of our goals. We left home around 3.15am and arrived at the palm oil estate car park almost an hour later. Fee was RM 2. We were the only cars parked at that time, in the darkness only lit by the nearby streetlights and fluorescent lamps of a shed. The air was still but chilly. Warming up (or actually waiting for more crowd since it was our first hike up the hill, plus the darkness, safety comes first), i was pumped- my backpack hung across my back, my shoe laces tightened and my torchlight beamed. Not too long after, two cars entered to park and we decided to begin our hike before them.
It was dark. What my eyes saw were only the objects the light from the torchlight shone upon. The surrounding was quiet; only footsteps were heard and later, panting. The quietness of the early morning was soothing nonetheless, making the hike up relaxing instead of exhausting. I was somewhere in the middle of the pack so i followed where my brother in front of me stepped. At some parts of the hike, the trail became narrower and edges collapsed. At some parts of the hike too, obvious ladder-like trail made it easier for the ascend. It rained the night before so some stretches of the trail were slippery and muddy. As we moved, i could feel myself getting higher and higher, and soon, i could see the lights from the nearby Semenyih town. The sight was calmly beautiful.
Hiking up, i noticed how the environment changed, first from thick forest thinning to the top, and almost at the top, the ground became rocky. We arrived at an open, relatively large landing with big boulders. Here, we rested and drank water. Looking down, i saw trails of torchlights, indicating this landing we took as our rest house would soon needed to be shared. It was cloudy with few stars. I looked at my watch- we still have time before sunrise. Energy restored, we continued ascending to the next landing. Wind blew and i hoped that by sunrise, it would be a clear sky. The landing was also getting crowded. A lady spoke in Cantanoese, 'now i can tell people that i have hiked the Broga Hill', and i saw her panting while wiping sweat off her face. I can acknowledge and share her sense of accomplishment.
While waiting for sunrise, we decided to explore further up. We found a huge rock, climbed on it and waited for sunrise. It became colder as we sat; mist rolled in and vision became short. But sun was rising behind the clouds and above the mist, after 6.30am, the darkness turned blueish. I may not have witnessed the sunrise i was anticipating but i enjoyed the sunrise nevertheless.
The descend was more challenging than the ascend, as many climbers mentioned, and i could not agree more. Slowly, step by step, we came down the same way up. As we were descending, there were still visitors heading for the peak. Only when i reached the bottom, i realized the signboard pointing Broga Hill: 1.7km. A good morning exercise!
Personally, hiking Broga Hill is relatively easy and with moderate fitness level, one should be able to enjoy the journey to the peak and the scenery along the way. Get a good pair of shoes- as it might be slippery and to avoid blisters. Use a walking stick in case you need extra support. Bring torchlight. Bring water bottles to rehydrate yourself. Have a good camera with you to snap the amazing photos. I saw many photographers aiming their cameras at trees, people and the hill. Bring a change of clothes- sweat or sand. There is a toilet at the entrance of the car park charging a fee of RM 1.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first hike at Broga Hill. Notice the 'first'? Yes, i am sure i will return to Broga Hill because of the hike, because of the unforgettable scenery and because of the company.
After the hike, we traveled down the road to the little Broga town for Pan Mee opposite the police station. The shop was packed with people from the hike. We were there ahead of the crowd.
Catching the sunrise was one of our goals. We left home around 3.15am and arrived at the palm oil estate car park almost an hour later. Fee was RM 2. We were the only cars parked at that time, in the darkness only lit by the nearby streetlights and fluorescent lamps of a shed. The air was still but chilly. Warming up (or actually waiting for more crowd since it was our first hike up the hill, plus the darkness, safety comes first), i was pumped- my backpack hung across my back, my shoe laces tightened and my torchlight beamed. Not too long after, two cars entered to park and we decided to begin our hike before them.
It was dark. What my eyes saw were only the objects the light from the torchlight shone upon. The surrounding was quiet; only footsteps were heard and later, panting. The quietness of the early morning was soothing nonetheless, making the hike up relaxing instead of exhausting. I was somewhere in the middle of the pack so i followed where my brother in front of me stepped. At some parts of the hike, the trail became narrower and edges collapsed. At some parts of the hike too, obvious ladder-like trail made it easier for the ascend. It rained the night before so some stretches of the trail were slippery and muddy. As we moved, i could feel myself getting higher and higher, and soon, i could see the lights from the nearby Semenyih town. The sight was calmly beautiful.
Hiking up, i noticed how the environment changed, first from thick forest thinning to the top, and almost at the top, the ground became rocky. We arrived at an open, relatively large landing with big boulders. Here, we rested and drank water. Looking down, i saw trails of torchlights, indicating this landing we took as our rest house would soon needed to be shared. It was cloudy with few stars. I looked at my watch- we still have time before sunrise. Energy restored, we continued ascending to the next landing. Wind blew and i hoped that by sunrise, it would be a clear sky. The landing was also getting crowded. A lady spoke in Cantanoese, 'now i can tell people that i have hiked the Broga Hill', and i saw her panting while wiping sweat off her face. I can acknowledge and share her sense of accomplishment.
While waiting for sunrise, we decided to explore further up. We found a huge rock, climbed on it and waited for sunrise. It became colder as we sat; mist rolled in and vision became short. But sun was rising behind the clouds and above the mist, after 6.30am, the darkness turned blueish. I may not have witnessed the sunrise i was anticipating but i enjoyed the sunrise nevertheless.
Blanketed in mist, the rocky peak was truly picturesque. I apologize, this picture does not do it justice. It was a rare view and one i would remember.
A lone tree that was the choice of many photographers- i just had to take it too.
I cannot but envy the beauty of the hill. The green, brown and black (i suppose from burns) harmoniously painted this unforgettable picture. If i am a movie director looking for a place to shoot a hillside scene, Broga Hill is a recommendation.
The descend was more challenging than the ascend, as many climbers mentioned, and i could not agree more. Slowly, step by step, we came down the same way up. As we were descending, there were still visitors heading for the peak. Only when i reached the bottom, i realized the signboard pointing Broga Hill: 1.7km. A good morning exercise!
Personally, hiking Broga Hill is relatively easy and with moderate fitness level, one should be able to enjoy the journey to the peak and the scenery along the way. Get a good pair of shoes- as it might be slippery and to avoid blisters. Use a walking stick in case you need extra support. Bring torchlight. Bring water bottles to rehydrate yourself. Have a good camera with you to snap the amazing photos. I saw many photographers aiming their cameras at trees, people and the hill. Bring a change of clothes- sweat or sand. There is a toilet at the entrance of the car park charging a fee of RM 1.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first hike at Broga Hill. Notice the 'first'? Yes, i am sure i will return to Broga Hill because of the hike, because of the unforgettable scenery and because of the company.
After the hike, we traveled down the road to the little Broga town for Pan Mee opposite the police station. The shop was packed with people from the hike. We were there ahead of the crowd.
This bowl of Pan Mee (RM 3.50) was average. I finished the whole bowl- i was hungry. The herbal drink was refreshing and sweet, just the way i needed it to be.
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