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Mesilau Trail
is
an alternative
trail to climb Mount Kinabalu.
It starts from Mesilau
Nature Resort,
15
kilometers away past Kinabalu
Park HQ.
To reach the resort, you have to
follow the highway past the Kinabalu Park HQ, 6 kilometers (4 miles)
down to Kundasang.
Just beyond the vegetable stalls that are such a feature of
Kundasang, the road turns left for another 11 kilometers (7 miles),
descending steeply to cross the small Liwagu river.
Kundasang is the
centre of the highland vegetable industry in Sabah and rows of
cabbages, tomatoes and onions terrace the hillsides. It is here, in the
shadow of Kinabalu, that the garden memorial to allied soldiers who
died during the second world war was erected.
The road to Mesilau
Nature Resort.
The Mesilau
Trail leading from Mesilau Nature Resort to Layang-Layang (Carson's
Camp) on the Summit Trail was opened
only in October 1998. This route is used mainly for scientists and
researchers as it takes longer (about 5-6 hours to Layang-Layang from
Mesilau, as compared to 2-3 hours on the standard route to Timpohon
Gate), and many parts are steep and slippery, particularly in wet
weather. If you wish to use this trail, you must register and pay a
small fee either at the Kinabalu Park HQ or the Mesilau Gate before
they start.
The start of the
trail from Mesilau
Gate up to the first steep descent is an enjoyable walk in itself that
only takes about one hour, one way. The trail starts from a shelter
just above the reception office in the tall oak-chestnut forest, but
conifers soon become more common and climbing bamboos dominate the
undergrowth.
After about 20
minutes, near the
ridge crest at about 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), the forest suddenly
becomes much shorter and more stunted, with rocks and boulders jumbled
among tangled tree roots, covered in spongy mosses and liveworts.
The path soon
rises steeply once
again to an open patch, before levelling off slightly, still following
the narrowing ridge crest which opens out at the top (2,286
meters/7,475 feet), giving stunning views of the mountain above, if it
is clear, and of the waterfalls and rock faces above the resort, as
well as views over to the Trus Madi range to the south-east.
The vegetable stalls in
Kundasang. It is
just by the roadside.
The fruit stalls. It is
just opposite the
vegetable stalls across the mainroad in Kundasang town.
The ridge-top is
reached just before
the 1.5 km mark. Here the trail starts to descend quite steeply down
the other side, through taller forest with climbing bamboos. Some
little streams are crossed before reaching the Kipuyut bridge, a
suspension bridge across the swift-floating West Mesilau river at 2,073
meters (6,778 feet), that cascades down from the precipitous slopes of
the Eastern plateau above. A little further on, near the 3 km mark, a
small tributary of the West Mesilau is crossed.
From here the
trail follows the
ridge, rising steeply and continuously, up and up and up in almost
never-ending series of steps for about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles), with
occasional views across to the Summit Trail as you get higher. At last
you reach a very narrow col which joins onto the main Kinabalu massif.
From here another 500 meters (0.25
mile) of trail, more or less
contouring around the massif, will bring you out onto the Summit Trail,
a little way above Layang-Layang (Carson's Camp). The whole route from
Mesilau to Layang-Layang is 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles).
This route has
been advertised in
the past as an alternative route to the first part of the summit climb,
but it is very much longer and more ardous than the standard trail
which is only about 3 km (2 miles) from Timpohon Gate to Layang-Layang.
It is
recommended
that the
Mesilau route is walked separately.
We ahd reached KK Top via Mesilau trail with no regret though it was tiring. I really miss KK and definately will pay a visit on 2009.
David Chew Penang Malaysia
Posted at 12:59pm on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
4 of us just came down on the 13 July. Our advise is to use Mersilau to hike up as basicaly there's nothing to see if you use Timpohon until u reach Layang2. Buy the kampung adidas shoe at the shop near Tamparuli bridge opposite the library or at the Kundasang market, basicaly its a rubber moulded shoe with soft studs, it is water proof, it is the most suitable shoe for the climb. The brand is "Bowling" Remember to bring a lot of Panadol active fast and anti nausea as the altitude sickness will kick in approx 2 huts before you reach Raban Rata, u'll feel you head is so heavy and I saw some green stars running around!!!
It will be ok when you stay in Raban Rata for a while. the actual climb start the next morning, I advise to take some energy bars for breakfast then take two anti nausea tablets if you have felt the headache the day b4. It's going 2B worst as it is 2.30am and even higher. The real climb starts when you reached the rope. Hold the rope real tight and always be careful when it is dark u won't be afraid but actually you are on the edge of the cliff, if u fall it is going 2B very serious. Always take a small steps at a time, take a long breath and try to match it with your steps, it is going 2B very difficult to breath but with determination most people will make it, some crawled like a lizard and some slide on their buttock the reverse way, anyway just keep moving, it is just the matter of reaching the summit b4 or after sunrise. Be very careful when u return to Raban Rata this is where the accident happened most, tireness, altitute sickness make you careless and mis judgement on where you step. If you have headache on the way coming down fr the summit take some strong pain killer example ponstan. The wooden staircase will be very slippery, i slipped about 2 dozen times due to my severe headache, so bring some pain killers to the top seems 2b a good idea. when u go down using Timpohon will be very easy. Last advise is that this is not something for regular tourist u need to be fit and B prepared for it, hiking via timpohon or mersilau for those who do not excercise regularly will be a very tough thing. I saw a lot of people really suffer, remember this is a point of no return you have to make it to Raban Rata at least, if you give up half way u still need 2 walk down the way u came. There is a helicopter service to rescue u but u have to pay RM60 per minute. So get your self fit and enjoy the trip, it is damn worth it. Cheers
Collyn Yeoh Penang
Posted at 11:50am on Monday, July 14th, 2008
Hello everyone.
I'm going to embark on my first expedition up to the mount Kinabalu peak. There are 19 of us going for the climb on 18th July08-20th July08. We plan to take Mesilau trail, hopefully the weather is good and pray hard that we can made it to the peak. So Clive, we will see you there soon.
Clive hamilton Loughborough, Leics
Posted at 2:15am on Thursday, July 10th, 2008
Hi everybody, i have been fortunate to climb the mountain 5 times in all by both routes. The views are fantastic and the routes are not too difficult if you are reasonably fit. I am back on the mountain next week again 19 Jul 08, maybe i will see you there?
Brian Selangor
Posted at 11:57pm on Thursday, June 26th, 2008
Mesilau Trail is the way to go. Trust me. Not only because of the view. But it is frankly, much easier. There are bigger steps, various stops, amazing scene and most importantly more climbers around you. It makes the journey more enjoyable.Timpohon is too straight forward, just climb climb climb. Yes, you can reach earlier but wat's the point. The journey is much more important. 15 of us took the Mesilau trail and none of us regretted it afterwards. If you notice, even the locals who carry the goods up to Laban Rata took the Mesilau way up and Timpohon way down. There's bound to be a reason..keke..Anyway, my 2 cents worth. And for those who are going, good luck! For those who went and swear that they will not go again..hehe (miss KK already??)...:p
Nick Loke Perth
Posted at 10:13am on Tuesday, May 27th, 2008
We did the Mesilau trail on the way up in June 2007 during a 2-day freak storm period. We never made it to the peak and rain spoiled any chance of enjoying the view. Took the Timpohon trail on the way down and yes, agree that it is much easier. I remember getting into a sprinting race with another climber! Pity though, reckon that Mesilau would have been lovelier if the rains didn't spoil the scenery.
cindy KL
Posted at 12:43pm on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
i agree with all Filidon..is really not worth it to take the Mersilau trail!!i can tell you, is just a bit of different compare with Timpohon Trail!!but you really suffer... i take 10 hour to reach to Laban Rata!! really not worth it la...
is better to save the energy to climb up to the peak!!
since i reach at 8pm..i really have no more energy left, how can i manage to climb up to the peak on the next morning??
Fren, pls take Timpohon way if you are the first time to mount kinabalu!! (for those who are really expert..then you dont mind taking Mersilau Trail la..)
just a share for everyone!!! *_^
lan melaka
Posted at 10:04am on Sunday, February 17th, 2008
I went to the top through mesilau route. Amazing scene. Exhausted but damn it worthed.
ben stephen ajis kota kinabalu,penampang
Posted at 3:43pm on Friday, February 15th, 2008
wow amazing place to visit...go if you really want to enjoy the sabahan tribe....
Kimberley Mellas Australia
Posted at 9:59am on Wednesday, December 19th, 2007
Dont Climb Mt Kinabalu during the wet season. We made it to Labanrata the overnight stop and were to summit in the dark of the morning to watch the sun rise from the summit. But due to the rain (it rained for 48hrs straight) they closed the mountain the next day and we were not allowed to go to the top. It was heartbreaking to get within 2hrs of the top and not be given the chance to get there. They actually have a locked gate you cant get through!! The most dissapointing thing ever!! We took the Mesilau trail up and the main trail back. I highly recommend the Mesilau as it much or beautiful with lots of amazing waterfalls and flora not seen on the main trail. It is much harder too, which makes the climb much more rewarding!
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