Tanjung Tuan has a new trail. Connecting the famous promontory’s Forest Trail with the Dutch Well trail, this relatively unknown route offers a blood-pumping 35 minute workout out and views from the hilltop of Pantai Keramat’s hidden cove.
I first completed this hike with KL Hiking just after New Year 2022 and recently revisited it following the close of Raptor Watch 2023.
Start out on the Forest trail. The trailhead is next to the ranger’s station opposite the public toilets. Enter at the Sepetir tree where a tree planting project is in progress, then go down and across the marsh that lies at the foot of the Terentang tree, past a massive fig tree.
It’s here that the trail splits. Avoid the obvious path to the right, and veer onto the faint trail to the left. You’re now on Forest Trail 2.
As you pick your way through the leaf-littered path you’ll find yourself parallel with the Jalan Pantai road below, Villea Port Dickson (formerly PNB Ilham Resort) visible through the trees.
There are several not so obvious forks along the trail. The key is to stay right.
A steep climb comes after one Y-junction (it’s marked on All Trails). It requires scuttling under thickets of wild ginger and tangles of thorny rattan, and wilding past thick meranti and keruing trees.
Atop the hill is a T-junction. Head right. Almost immediately you should feel a cool breeze as you turn to face the the Straits. The descent begins here brushing past thatches of ferns with view of the sky and sea to the golden sands of Pantai Keramat, and ducks under shaded archways with large fallen Macaranga and crescet-shaped acacia leaves underfoot.
A termite mound provides a landmark on your way down and then the trail abruptly flattens out just as the scent of sea air catches your nostrils and the sound of waves bellows in your ears.
We follow a path that runs parallel to Pantai Keramat now, crossing a dried up marsh before filing past rows of thick screwpine and lush palms. Not far after passing a dilapidated shelter, Forest Trail 2 intersects with the Dutch Well trail.
To make your return, you have decisions to make. During low tide, you can head onto Pantai Keramat beach and venture left, Lexis Hibiscus in the distance. This route will take you past Pulau Masjid and weather-beaten cliffs towards a thicket of mangroves wherein you’ll dive back under the canopy until you arrive behind Pejabat Rezab Hidupan Liar Tanjung Tuan, Alor Gajah, Melaka.
Alternatively, at the end of the Dutch Well trail where a large sign warns against acts of worship, you can continue round the base of the promontory to emerge at Pulau Intan, take the trail closest to Hang Tuah’s footprint and hike up to the ridge that connects the lighthouse with Pulau Intan, or go back via the Dutch Well trail.
All alternatives appear on All Trails, and you can read about the Dutch Well trail here.
1.55pm Enter Forest trail trailhead
1.57pm Left for Forest Trail 2
2.10pm Hilltop T-junction (right)
2.24pm Termite mound
2.25pm Reach forest floor
2.26pm Marsh crossing
2.28pm Dilapidated shelter
2.30pm Intersection with Dutch Well Trail
Altitude101 metres.
Distance and time 1 kilometre. 35 minutes one-way.
Rating Easy. Has a short but steep ascent and descent on either side of the hilltop.
Leech count Zero.
Permits None required.
Costs Free but do sign in at the ranger’s station. The number of registered visitors provides statistical evidence that this forest is of value to the community.
Pros Short, hilly, lots of interesting plants and the occasional nice view.
Cons It’s only one way with a bunch of options for the return so make sure you factor the additional time needed to get back. You’ll also need to check the tides if you make a beach return.
Facilities Public toilets opposite the trailhead.
Parking There’s no parking within Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve. Park outside Villea Hotel or along Jalan Pantai.
GPS coordinates (trailhead) 2.412459, 101.855310
You can review my AllTrails route of Tanjung Tuan’s Jungle Trail 2 here.
POKOK KELAPA 
Here are the top 5 key points for the Tanjung Tuan Jungle Trail:
1. The trail starts at the Forest Trail trailhead near the ranger’s station.
2. Follow Forest Trail 2 and stay right at the several forks along the way.
3. After a steep climb, you’ll reach a T-junction at the hilltop, where you should turn right for views of the sea.
4. The trail intersects with the Dutch Well trail, offering multiple options for the return.
5. The trail is easy but has a short, steep ascent and descent; no permits are required, and parking is available outside of the forest reserve.
Actually just after the big ficus tree you take the junction to the left. That what distinguishes Forest Trail 2 from Forest Trail 1.