{"id":9299,"date":"2020-03-19T03:08:17","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T19:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=9299"},"modified":"2026-01-30T11:10:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T03:10:51","slug":"climbing-bukit-bongol-kota-belud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/climbing-bukit-bongol-kota-belud\/","title":{"rendered":"Climbing Bukit Bongol (Bongol Hill) of Kota Belud"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bukit Bongol (Bongol Hill) is such a photogenic but odd hill. It’s bald, covered in green grasses, like a mountain wearing green fleece. Its name, Bongol, originates from<\/span> the Malay word “Bonggol”, which means Hump<\/strong>, as this hill is characterised by a multi-peak landscape. I have to say, Bukit Bongol is one of Sabah’s most beautiful and unique hills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Looking<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Flying<\/a>
It’s me (in red shirt) flying a drone on the highest peak of Bukit Bongol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With a height of 527 Meters (1,730 feet), this midsize hill only needs two hours to conquer, and no guide is required. When I was at its top, I wanted to sing The Sound of Music<\/a> because it reminded me of that musical movie. Sorry, can’t help it. LOL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bukit<\/a>
They should film The Sound of Music<\/a> Part 2 right here! Okay, maybe you\u2019re too young to know this 1965 movie. Many people also nickname Bukit Bongol ‘Teletubbies Hill’ or ‘Matcha Hill’.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Climb (via Mandap Trail)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are 3 starting points to climb Bukit Bongol (More on this later). Last week I started my climb at 6:16 am via Mandap-Dohubang Trail (Mandap Trail in short) in Kampung Mandap Doluoh of Kota Belud because it’s the shortest route (2.5 KM or 1.55 Miles one-way),<\/strong> which takes about 90 minutes to go up. There are only 4 peaks to cover (see picture below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Route<\/a>
Route to the highest peak of Bukit Bongol via Mandap trail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"toilet<\/a>
Toilet at the starting point<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Starting<\/a>
Starting point to climb Bukit Bongol (Bongol Hill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The starting point is 88 metres (290 feet) above sea level. Since there is only ONE toilet<\/strong> around, better do your business before the climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Trail<\/a>
Trail in dense wood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The trail begins with dense forest and steep foothill slopes. In the first hour, the slopes are at a 40 to 60 degree angle of inclination<\/strong>, and there are rope supports in the most challenging sections.<\/span> I followed the beaten track (or well-trodden path) created by hikers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"rope<\/a>
Rope support to climb the steep section<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Though it is morning and I walk under tree shade, I still sweat profusely. I cross a few dry streams and try to catch my breath if I come to a flat surface. It is a lively forest echoed with the calls of various birds and noisy cicadas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fern<\/a>
Fern path in high ground<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the way up, you will pass by the signage of Guung, D’Lugas, Poturidong, and Kodompulan Trail after 5, 28, 45, and 60 minutes, respectively. The most difficult climb is over after you come to an opening and enter the fern path around Kodompulan signage. Very soon, you will reach a ridge, and the second peak (Minonggui Hill) is only 15 minutes away. The breeze on the high ground cools my body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Signage<\/a>
The signage of Guung, D’Lugas, Poturidong, and Kodompulan Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Twin<\/a>
The Boobs-shaped hills are the peaks of Bukit Bongol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the ridge is a mostly gradual slope of a 20 to 40 degree gradient. The grass almost reaches my waist. There are some trees growing sparsely on the hill. Their crowns appear denser on one side, as if they were all pointing in the same direction. Not sure if this is caused by wind or sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"One<\/a>
One side of every tree has denser leaves, and all seem to point in one direction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"First<\/a>
After this checkpoint, you will walk on the ridge of Bukit Bongol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Photo<\/a>
Reaching Minonggui Hill, but this is not the highest peak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Signage<\/a>
Congratulating signage on Minonggui Hill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the way, I saw Brown Barbet (an endemic Borneo bird), 1-inch giant forest ants (species: Camponotus gigas), grumpy White-breasted Woodswallow, and a few black squirrels. The most common flower is the pink Melastoma flower (Local Name: Senduduk), its leaves and shoots can cure diarrhea, and the root can relieve a toothache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pink<\/a>
Pink Melastoma (Senduduk) flower and poo from an unknown animal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Left:\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Left: The hill would be covered in mist after rain. Right: The Kinabalu Giant Red Leech<\/a> appears after heavy rain, but do not worry, it feeds on earthworms and is not interested in your blood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Best<\/a>
Best view of Mount Kinabalu on Bukit Bongol (Minonggui Hill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About 7 am, I arrived at the second peak (Minonggui Hill) at 494 m (1,620 Ft). This peak has the BEST view, so I spend the most time taking photos there. FYI, the view of green Bukit Bongol with Mount Kinabalu behind is stunning, but you need to reach here by 9 am, before Mount Kinabalu is hidden in the clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Climber<\/a>
Climber on the way to the highest peak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Climber<\/a>
The climber is only 150 Meters away from the highest peak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After taking hundreds of photos, I continued to the 4th peak, the highest peak of Bukit Bongol (Height: 527 m or 1,730 ft)<\/strong>, where you can see the whole Bukit Bongol and Mount Kinabalu.<\/span> Too bad there was no summit signage to congratulate conquerors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View<\/a>
View of Mount Kinabalu from the highest point of Bukit Bongol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kota Belud is the cowboy town of Sabah. I’ve never seen so many grasses in my life, enough for all the horses there to eat until they puke. Anyway, Bukit Bongol turned a bit yellowish due to drought, and a few peaks were burnt by forest fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
Another less common name of Bukit Bongol is Bukit Nuluhan Minonggui<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Overall, it’s a delightful trip. I turn back and return to the starting point by 11:24 am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparison of 3 Starting Points<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are three places where you can start the climb. Which one is the best? In general, if you prefer the shortest route and are ok with a challenging trail, use Mandap-Dohubang Trail.<\/strong><\/span> But if you are keen to go slow with the easiest route, go for the Pirasan Trail.<\/strong> Kinasaraban Trail is something in between these two and a popular choice too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Three<\/a>
Three starting points to Bukit Bongol: (1) Mandap, (2) Pirasan and (3) Kinasaraban Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Mandap-Dohubang Trail (Mandap Trail)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

GPS Coordinates:<\/strong> 6.315329, 116.398109 (see Location Map<\/a>)
Mandap Trail is 2.5 <\/strong>km (1.55 miles<\/strong>) one-way<\/span> and takes about 90 minutes to reach the summit. I carried over 8 kg of photography gear and climbed like a pregnant woman. If you’re fit and pack light, you might need only an hour. The advantage is that you climb in shade half of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can check out my 6-minute walk-through video below for a virtual tour:<\/p>\n\n\n