{"id":15301,"date":"2025-07-20T19:48:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T11:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=15301"},"modified":"2025-07-22T14:07:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T06:07:51","slug":"climbing-mount-nungkok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/climbing-mount-nungkok\/","title":{"rendered":"Climbing Mount Nungkok, the Child of Kinabalu (via Kg. Tambatuon)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tucked beside Mount Kinabalu, Mount Nungkok is one of the most striking peaks in Kota Belud. Often referred to as “Anak Kinabalu” (Child of Kinabalu), this mountain resembles a child next to its towering parent, Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia. Depending on where you’re viewing it from, Mount Nungkok takes on different forms: a pointed pyramid from Tambatuon, double peaks from Tuaran, and a rounded summit from Kiau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Views\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Views of Mount Nungkok from Nabalu (left) and Kota Belud (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once known as Mount Sadok-Sadok, Nungkok consists of sedimentary rocks from the Crocker Formation. In fact, it may be even many million years older than its parent, Mount Kinabalu. Opened to climbers in 2021, Mount Nungkok has steadily gained popularity among local hiking enthusiasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Legend of Mount Nungkok<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Kadazandusun beliefs, two kinorohingan<\/em> (supreme deities who created the world) shaped the Earth. One lived in the east where the sun rises, and the other in the west where it sets. While the world was still soft, they met at its centre. They said, “What about our minorun<\/em>? (world, ‘something moulded’). It\u2019s too light, we should weigh it down.” The kinorohingan from the west then created Mount Nungkok.<\/strong> But the earth remained unstable. So he said, “I can\u2019t make it firm. You try.” The eastern kinorohingan then formed Mount Kinabalu. Seeing the land was too flat, they gave it a little shake and created the hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Story by Gondiab from Tambatuon in the book The Religion of the Tempasuk Dusuns of North Borneo<\/em> by I. H. N. Evans, 1953.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mount\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
In the mythology of the Kadazandusun, mountains are the centre of the world and a sacred place for the spirits of the deceased to stop over before they head to the underworld or heaven.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another tale says Mount Nungkok is either the son or wife of Mount Kinabalu. Many legends surround Nungkok. Locals believe beings such as “orang halus” (supernatural folk) dwell on the mountain. Hunters say they\u2019ve heard mysterious voices at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sunrise\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
The sedimentary rocks on Mount Nungkok are older than the granite of Mount Kinabalu. So yes, Mount Nungkok is created first.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Tough is Mount Nungkok?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a seasoned hiker, I\u2019d rate the difficulty level as intermediate, around 6.7 out of 10.<\/strong> It\u2019s manageable for those who are physically active and used to trekking. Standing at 1,652 metres (5,420 ft) above sea level, Nungkok is less than half the height of Kinabalu, yet the climb is more demanding. You should feel proud if you make it to the top of this mountain crafted, according to legend, by deity from the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mount\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Mount Kinabalu, Mount Nungkok, and Kg. Tambatuon at the foothill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The one-way trek to the peak is 6.93 km (about 4.31 miles).<\/strong> I used the trail starting from Kg. Tambatuon (Kg. = Kampung = Village) in Kota Belud, which is the most popular and can be completed in half a day. Another option is the trail from Kampung Lobong-Lobong, which is 8 km one way and requires a 2-day, 1-night climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
View of Mount Nungkok from Kampung Tambatuon. It’s so huge, it hardly looks like a “child” at all!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The hike usually begins at 4am.<\/strong> Most climbers reach the summit between 10am and 11am (the fastest record is 8am), depending on fitness level, and return to the village by 3pm or 4pm using the same path. Some slower climbers return as late as 8pm. If you haven\u2019t reached Wosoi point (about 500 m before the summit) by 10am, your guide may ask you to turn back.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Junction\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Junction to Kampung Tambatuon, off the Ranau-Kota Belud Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The biggest challenge lies in the final 2 km of steep ascent.<\/strong> The first 4.5 km is relatively easy, but the long and undulating path will wear you out, so it\u2019s not ideal for beginners who lack stamina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n