“Ever had a wild boar sniff your shoes?” That’s a question you might ask after visiting Ketumbar Hill KL viewpoint. This modest hill rises about 300 metres above sea level in Kuala Lumpur’s Cheras area. Ketumbar Hill is part of a forest reserve that includes Bukit Apek and Bukit Saga.
The location of Ketumbar Hill catches the breezes. This makes your hike more enjoyable. Ketumbar Hill is a popular hiking spot for nearby residents. Many come in the early mornings and late afternoons. Weekends are especially busy on Ketumbar Hill. Community-spirited hikers even set up a Jungle Gym near the top. It features improvised exercise equipment.
But here’s where Ketumbar Hill gets interesting. The hilltop is frequented by a family of wild boars. They often gather at the Jungle Gym area. These shy creatures seem used to humans. They probably find it easier to scavenge food scraps. Their traditional diet consists of edible roots.
These Ketumbar Hill boars are wary. They are alert to people. But they go about their business. They grunt, eat, and mate as long as we don’t provoke them. They may look passive and cuddly. The young boars especially can be deceiving. Hikers should keep their distance. Don’t feed them. Avoid sudden moves. Never come between a mother boar and her young. Don’t bring aggressive dogs. Boars normally attack if they feel cornered. They are unpredictable. They pack 100kg or more of solid muscle and teeth. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of their aggression.
The trail to Ketumbar Hill starts at the far end of Jalan 6/95b. This is a dead-end street. It’s a short walk from Ketumbar Heights Condominium. Ketumbar translates as coriander. But don’t expect to see any growing here.
The path starts climbing right away. First, you’ll find steps. Later, you’ll hike over rough terrain. The path is not well marked. But it’s easy enough to follow to Ketumbar Hill. Ropes have been left in place to help you climb. The noise of traffic soon fades. It’s replaced by insects, birds, and monkeys in the treetops.
After a 20-minute climb, you reach the hilltop. A shelter provides rest and refreshment. There is a lot of rudimentary exercise equipment here. It’s perfect for a serious workout on Ketumbar Hill. Some people return via the same route from the Jungle Gym. This makes the hike shorter. But you’ll miss the best views if you skip the full circuit. Some sections are quite steep coming down. It takes about 40 minutes to get back to the start. The distance walked is about 2.9km. That’s around 4,946 steps. It’s equivalent to climbing 59 floors.
Remember to bring water and insect repellent. Wear comfortable shoes. A hiking pole can be helpful. So can a mobile phone. It’s best not to bring food. You don’t want to attract hungry boars. They have a very good sense of smell. But they have poor eyesight.
Ketumbar Hill offers a quick escape into nature. You can enjoy some exercise. You may even encounter some wildlife. Just remember to respect the boars. Keep a safe distance. Enjoy the unique experience that Ketumbar Hill KL viewpoint offers.