About Bukit Larut
Bukit Larut (formerly Maxwell Hill) is a popular landmark of Taiping, and is one of the must-see places if you are here. There are two main areas of the hill that are focal points of visitors: the Eco-Park in the reserve forests under the management of the Forestry Department, and the hilltop resort managed the Taiping City Council.
The Eco-Park has 10 campsites that can accommodate up to 100 campers. To book these campsites, please contact the Forestry Department to state your intentions.
The hilltop resort is currently closed due to erosion that has damaged the roads leading up the hill. The hilltop is still accessible to hikers, at their own risk. The hike to the hilltop is a physically-challenging trek, and not for the elderly or those with respiratory illnesses or heart disease. There is also a danger of soil erosion, and it is highly discouraged to attempt the hike on a rainy day. The trek to the hilltop can take 4-8 hours, depending on your level of physical fitness and the number of stops made.
Jeep rides up the hill used to be available before the roads were damaged, and would only take about 30 minutes to ascend to the peak. At the hilltop holiday resort are bungalows that can be rented for stay, but these are all closed now, pending completion of the road repairs.
Daytime temperatures on the hilltop are between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, and temperatures at night can be as low as 10 degrees Celsius.
The hill and forests are very popular among birdwatchers.
The address and location pinned on this post is that of the entrance to the hiking trail up towards the peak of Bukit Larut.
History of Bukit Larut
Maxwell Hill was named in 1879 after William George Maxwell, Assistant British Resident, who was the first Englishman to ascend the peak. In 1884 it was developed as a highland resort and sanatorium for British personnel. It was the first of its kind in the country. It also served as an observation post for mining activities in Taiping below. The hilltop was frequently visited by British and European travelers to Taiping in colonial days.
Bukit Larut is stop number 37 on the Taiping Heritage Trail.
