If no hike of yours is complete without photos – and I mean A LOT of photos – then this beginner hill through an oil palm plantation is the hike for you.
Consisting of a series of interconnected hills, Bukit Taisho enjoys impressive views across the agricultural plains of Bahau in Negeri Sembilan. On a clear day, hikers and exercise enthusiasts can admire sunrise and sunset views, and when it rains overnight, gaze across a blanket of fluffy white clouds.
That alone would make Bukit Taisho an interesting destination for locals. But it’s Bukit Taisho’s decorated lookout points and floral landscaping that have put Bahau on the tourist map. In the short span of time since it was first embraced as a walking route by locals, Bukit Taisho has gone on to become a national attraction, luring curious snap happy visitors from several states away.
Having said that I’d only really recommend Bukit Taisho if you’re a beginner short on practise trails or a curious traveller with a ravenous Instagram feed to nourish. Unless you live or work in Negeri Sembilan, it can be a long drive for a short hike. For me, a 1 hour 20 minute drive for a 1/2 hour hike – one way.
The hike begins on the edge of Taman Meranti, an affluent neighbourhood of grand bungalows and semi-detached homes. Tucked away to the left of a perimeter fence at the end of an elevated tarmac road is Bukit Taisho’s trailhead.
The trail descends through an oil palm plantation at first and past a water point. Previously visitors were encouraged to fill up the empty plastic bottles stacked there and take one along with them to water the flowers planted along the hilltop. It’s a small price to pay for the pleasure of Bukit Taisho’s photogenic peak, but there were no plastic bottles today.
Having come from a rewarding sunrise hike of Bukit Senaling in Kuala Pilah, Kabir, Nur and I had started our hike of Bukit Taisho when most hikers were ending theirs. Streams of families and groups of friends, many with flags in hand, descended looking hot and bothered despite the Hari Merdeka’s air of festivity.
As we passed a parcel of land cleared for development, we got our own taste of the oppressive heat and understood why. It wasn’t 10am yet but it felt like noon.
Palm fronds briefly provided some respite from the blazing sun until we got to the Bukit Taisho junction. There the trail broadened into two earthen tracks on either side of us, both wide enough for a lorry or 4-wheel drive vehicle to pass.
From here there are 3 tracks to the peak labelled 1 to 3, in ascending difficulty:”Trek 1″ and “Trek 2” to our right, and “Trek 3” to our left.
After consulting local passers-by, we opted for the short but steep Trek 3. That way we could get to top before the sun became unbearable and descend via Trek 1 or 2 under the cover of palm oil trees.
Admittedly that’s not how our hike turned out, but more on that later.
Though the slope up Trek 3 was rubbly and entirely exposed we reached the ridge line within minutes and enjoyed views of Bahau township along the way.
After a brief stop to cool off at Pondok Istirehat Bukit Taisho rest hut we headed right to Warung D’Bukit. The name suggested that refreshments would be on sale; we were disappointed to discover that no one was trading that day.
Backtracking past the Pondok, we climbed the stairs between fuchsia coloured bougainvillia to our next hilltop. Based on the signage, I surmised that it might be called Sky Mirror peak (not to be confused with the Sky Mirror phenomenon in Perak).
The most expansive of Bukit Taisho’s hilltops, a mix of concrete, wood and bamboo seating, some of it sponsored by local businesses, is dotted around its periphery, and flags and colourful windmills provide plenty photo opportunities. There’s even a wooden shelter perched on the edge of the hilltop for those escaping the elements.
Beyond Sky Mirror the trail carries on to Bukit Rimau, which is the smallest of Bukit Taisho’s summits and shrouded in bamboo. It also happens to be my favourite – and not just because of its name.
The trail continues beyond this, though not on trails maps I’ve seen. Out of curiosity I followed it only to end up surrounded by rubber trees. According to maps, the peaks that lie beyond this point are 350 metres plus, but bagging them would take us into unmarked territory on private land.
Also we were too hot to be bothered. So we turned back the same way we came and ditched our plans to return by way of Trek 1 and Trek 2.
It was the fastest way down, but it came with the nagging feeling that we had missed something. It was only upon returning home and comparing trail maps that I realised we had skipped Bukit Taisho’s northern most hilltop. Bah! So much for plans to bag three hills….
Negeri Sembilan’s Bukit Senaling, Bukit Taisho and Bukit Penarik are located in close proximity to one another, and Kabir, Nur and I had intended to tick each one off our hiking list by midday. Instead we bagged 1 1/2 hills (Bukit Senaling and Bukit Taisho), which meant that Taisho might see me return yet.
Altitude The highest of Bukit Taisho’s series of hilltops, Bukit Rimau tops out just over 300 metres.
Distance and time We didn’t do Trek 1 and Trek 2 but can confirm that Trek 3 is 1.7 kilometres from base to Bukit Rimau and takes half an hour to 45 minutes one-way.
Rating Easy. Trek 3 is the steepest of the 3 tracks but is short. If that doesn’t appeal, try the longer but more gradual inclines of Trek 1 and Trek 2.
Leech count Zero.
Pros Short, easy and well sign posted, Bukit Taisho is great for beginners, with rewards that include an impressive view and numerous photo points.
Cons Its palm oil plantation location and manufactured attractions may be less appealing to those who enjoy forest trails and nature. Hot and exposed after 10am.
Best for Beginner hikers, photo opportunists, families and exercise enthusiasts who live nearby.
Entrance Despite the attractions, entrance is free.
Facilities None. Parking is roadside, so park considerately – don’t block entrances to homes or passing traffic; bamboo hiking sticks are placed at the trailhead for loan – please return them after use; and a few enterprising vendors sell refreshments on weekend mornings.
Tip Start early. This trail is exposed, and water or isotonic drinks and lots of sunblock are a must.
GPS coordinates (Bukit Taisho start) 2.79981, 102.39632
GPS coordinates (Bukit Taisho trailhead) 2.79927, 102.39753
For the map and details, go to my AllTrails map for Bukit Taisho (Trek 3) here.
Post hike eats
We didn’t eat in Bahau but I’ve read that there are good sweet and savoury pau to be had at Bahau Sornam Pau (non-halal) and a splendid Chinese lunch or dinner to be enjoyed at Restoran Koh Theng (no pork served).
Bahau Sornam Pao 42 Taman Sornam, Bahau, 72100, Negeri Sembilan. T: +60 6 454 4962 / + 60 12 365 7000 Open: Daily 9am-11am.
Restoran Koh Theng 31 Jalan Mahligai, Bahau, 72100, Negeri Sembilan. T: +60 6 454 5986 / +60 13 608 9000 Open: Fri-Wed: 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-9pm; Thu: 11.30pm-3pm.
POKOK KELAPA 
Leech count : ZERO …. that’s a BIG pro 👍
Looking forward to your “report” of your return climb.
You really must not like leeches. : p
Leeches will sizzle and die instantly in that heat and dryness.
I think you might be confusing leeches with that other bloodsucker – vampires. Hehehe….
you just completed 2 new attractions at Bukit Taisho, I suggestion you need to hike another 2 peak where the original peak on goggle map.
I had a nagging feeling I had missed something….
You’re right. I definitely have to come back and complete it.
08/04/2022 1st time go it out bukit taisho feel so 👍