Want to bag three peaks in one day? The Yam Tuan Antah trail in Negeri Sembilan is the climb for high achieving day-hikers.
My training mountain since I began hiking in 2012, I had probably climbed Gunung Datuk more times than any other Malaysian mountain. So hiking from it to nearby peaks certainly, ahem …. piqued my interest.
The Yam Tuan Antah trail, named after the 6th Yang di Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan takes in 3 neighbouring summits: Gunung Datuk, and the lesser known peaks of Gunung Rembau and Gunung Gagak.
All 3 have an altitude of between the 800 and 900 metres, just under the 1000 metre threshold adopted by Malaysia’s hiking fraternity as the unofficial measure of a mountain. Yet combined, the Yam Tuan Antah trail presents a challenging day-hike, both for its strenuous combination of climb (approximately 950 metres elevation gain) and distance clocked (11 kilometres).
Why you should do the Yam Tuan Antah trail
If you want to mountain bag and test your endurance, throwing in 2 extra peaks achieves that. The hike to Gunung Gagak and Gunung Rembau adds an additional 7 kilometres and about 3 1/2 hours to your total journey, but very little additional elevation.
Why you shouldn’t do the Yam Tuan Antah trail
If you came for the view then get your fill at Gunung Datuk. The peaks of Gunung Gagak and Gunung Rembau have no views.
The Yam Tuan Antah trail – Gunung Datuk
Having last climbed Gunung Datuk in December 2019, the first section of the Yan Tuan Antah trail was a refresher course for me. I had forgotten so many things about it, like how close the ranger’s station is to the start of the trail; how much longer and tougher the initial ascent is; and how it doesn’t let up immediately after the first rest stop. (For a full breakdown of hiking Gunung Datuk, you can read my review here.)
The pace set by Trailblazer Hiking Club was relaxed. Time limits were put in place, but I never felt as if I was racing against the clock, which was a relief as it was only my second major hike since MCO was incepted. It was also my first hike with Trailblazer. More on that later….
It could have been the exertion or yesterday’s lunch, but 3/4s of the way up I was beset by nausea. Curiously, I didn’t feel sick while moving, so I kept moving … until the boulder-strewn landscape that signalled the peak was close loomed into view.
Weather forecasts indicated we were meant to be in for a storm that morning, and when I drove up in the dawn light, dark clouds surrounded Gunung Datuk’s mountainous landscape. Fortunately, by the time we arrived at the campsite, just underneath Gunung Datuk’s peak, we were met dreamy whisps of low lying cloud.
Had they been lower we would have been treated to a magical cloud carpet view but instead we got white out and the excited hoot of gibbons and squawk of hornbills from somewhere nearby.
Gunung Datuk – Y junction
After taking half an hour to rest, recharge and get to know my fellow Trailblazer hikers, our trail leader Jason gathered the group and we set out on the next portion of the hike: towards the fork that separates the paths to Gunung Gagak and Gunung Rembau.
I loved this section of the Yam Tuan Antah trail. It was completely unexpected, from the location of its trailhead (not diametrically opposite the Gunung Datuk trail as I had assumed, but to its right) to the nature of the trail itself.
Wondrously wild and lush with life, it was unlike Gunung Datuk’s overused route. Remarkable for its rock features and prevalence of rattan, the trail traces a course along the ridge, with initial acclivity tapering off after the stony forms at its start.
This section also had a palpable sense of adventure about it, with fallen logs to climb over, low hanging branches to duck under, and – on the day of our visit – foliage glistening with dew. Seasonal rainfall had made it a little muddy, but this was a small price to pay for its relatively untampered beauty.
Y junction – Gunung Gagak
40 to 45 minutes after starting out we arrived at Y junction. Faced with a choice: Gunung Gagak to the right, Gunung Rembau to the left, we headed for Gunung Gagak. Kelvin, Trailblazer’s organiser reasoned that if bad weather closed in, we ran out of time, or were too tired we could skip always Gunung Rembau. The latter is the shorter and quicker route of the two anyway, and in hindsight, was not much to look at.
Conversely, the trail to Gunung Gagak felt like an extension of the Gunung Datuk-Y junction trail – mesmerising but muddier and more undulating.
Dipping into a gully then out again, after 600 metres or so we came to a declivity with a gradient of about 45 to 60 degrees. It was at this point that I caught sight of the pack leaders ascending in the opposite direction 20 metres to my right. A large fallen tree lay between us.
For a moment I contemplated shortcutting my way across it, before thinking the better of it to continue down the slippery slope and back up it on the other side in what must form a U-bend.
2 sharp turns later we were into the final stretch with the trail gently winding its way up to the small viewless clearing that marks the peak of Gunung Gagak.
Far from being a dead end, the trail continues on the other side of it as part of the Trans Naning trail. A long and reportedly poorly marked through-hike, completing it would add another 7 hours (no breaks) to the journey and 5 peaks (701, 705, Tampin Utara, Tampin Selatan, Bukit Tampin) to the overall mountain top tally.
Trailblazer’s sweeper on this hike, Yi Hing had successfully accomplished this arduous feat (kudos!), but on this occasion we attempted nothing more than to pose for photographs before making our way.
Y junction – Gunung Rembau
It was 12.45pm when we regrouped at Y junction ready to take on our final summit. Though the trail to Gunung Rembau isn’t as scenic, it is short and the payoff sweet.
Similar to the entry into the Y junction-Gunung Gagak trail, our route towards Gunung Rembau also descends before making its way back up. Within 15 minutes we were snapping away under the sign marking the its apex, which is located on the far side of a fern-filled clearing.
Mission accomplished, the group disintegrated shortly after returning to the Gunung campsite, but not before commemorating our Yam Tuan Antah trail victory with a group shot.
After that some left to scale Gunung Datuk’s stone peak for a view of Rembau’s countryside; others like John and Anne fired up a gas stove and put a light under some instant noodles; while the remainder, like me, began the final leg to the final finishing line.
Thank you!
Big ups to Kelvin for organising the trip! I’ve always said that who you are as a hiker is shaped by who you hike with and I have been very fortunate to hike with conscientious hikers, who not only organise hiking trips for the love of it, but look out for each other, respect rules and prioritise safety and the environment.
Though Kelvin, Trailblazer’s head honcho was unable to join us due to a knee injury, he generously stuck around to ensure we all returned safely. Much appreciation to Jason and Yi Hing for keeping us on schedule and ensuring no one went missing; and to all the fabulously friendly Trailblazer Hiking Club crew who warmly welcomed me into the fold!
7.30am Briefing and light stretching
7.45am Hike starts
7.50am Pass ranger’s station
8.25am Rest area
9.20am Gunung Datuk campsite
9.25am Gunung Datuk peak
10am Leave Gunung Datuk area
10.40am Arrive at Y junction
10.45am Leave Y junction
11.40am Arrive at Gunung Gagak peak
11.55am Leave Gunung Gagak peak
12.45pm Y junction
1pm Gunung Rembau peak
1.15pm Leave Gunung Rembau
1.25pm Y Junction
2pm Back at Gunung Datuk campsite
2.20pm Leave Gunung Datuk campsite
3.40pm Carpark
Altitude Gunung Datuk, 880 metres; Gunung Gagak, 807 metres; Gunung Rembau 884 metres.
Distance and time 13.2 kilometres. Total moving time, approximately 6 1/2 hours.
Rating Medium to Hard. The hike up and down Gunung Datuk is the biggest challenge as it is steep and technical particularly in the beginning/end, so keep some fuel in the tank for the clamber down. In comparison hiking to Y junction and the two peaks adds mileage to the total journey but not much elevation.
Leech count Some after Gunung Datuk.
Costs A permit is required and costs RM5/person. It can be applied for in advance or paid for on the spot at the ranger’s hut near the beginning of the trail.
Facilities Parking is free but lot fills up fast on weekends and public holidays. Arrive early – before 7am – or be prepared to park on the side of the road leading up to the recreational forest’s official entrance. There are stalls that sell food and drink, and toilets and showers are free to use, but water isn’t always available.
Tip Pack food and treats. This is a long hike and you will get hungry.
GPS coordinates (Gunung Datuk parking lot) 2.543039, 102.16907 You can find my AllTrail trail map for Yam Tuan Antah here. I stopped recording prior to hike back down to the carpark from Gunung Datuk, so please note that it doesn’t display this return leg.
POKOK KELAPA 
Thanks for posting this trek. Nauseous feeling could be due to dehydration especially when the body has not got used to the heat and initial exertion? Maybe an isotonic drink could help next time! One feature of a undisturbed forest is actually a layer of thick leaf cover, and thin/sparse undergrowth (e.g shrubs, ferns). Rattans and lots of lianas indicate disturbed gaps in the canopy, meaning that there’s been tree falls or logging.
That’s helpful to know: tell tale signs of forest disturbance. Thanks!