The Kanching Falls

State Selangor
LocationBetween Selayang and Rawang
Coordinates and map E101° 37.19' N 3° 18.13'
Water SourceStream
Waterfall Profile7 Falls, most vertical ones
AccessibilityPublic Transport, Trekking

Pleasure park of Kuala Lumpur

It may come as a surprise for some, but quite near to the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, there are many beautyful nature spots.

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One of them is the Hutan Lipur Kanching. This well maintained recreation park is located off the trunk road nr 1 to Ipoh, between Selayang and Rawang.
Bus nr 43 will bring you there from Central Market in less than one hour.
The first part is perfectly suited for family trips and can be crowded during weekends.
There are many nice picknick spots along the small stream which is meandering quietly between meadows and does not indicate that there are waterfalls nearby.
Just follow the cemented path...!

Seven waterfalls...!!

Where does one waterfall end and the next one start?
This can be a bit confusing here, because there are many falls, covering a total height difference of about 200 meters.
The first fall is a romantic and secluded one.
But not very suitable for bathing.
Near the second fall an attempt has been made to construct a kind of swimming pool.

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The Kapor Fall

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The next fall, the Kapor Fall, could be appropriately called THE Kanching Fall. There are dressing rooms here, toilets and shelters.
Take care when you leave your belongings here and go for a relaxing swim, because there are many curious monkeys around!

The call of advenure...

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At the top there is waterfall nr 4 (picture to the left)and here is the end of the concrete steps. But there is more to see, although it will require more effort and some scrambling.

You have to climb up steep slopes, there are trails on both sides of the stream, the left trail is easier but not as interesting as the one on the right side.
The next fall has no swimming pool, but a perfect shower!

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The next fall is a big one. Can you still call this a fall or is it just the stream going down steeply for about 60 meters?
Take care, this place is not suitable for swimming anymore, although some trees manage to survive in these adverse conditions.

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At the top of waterfall nr 6, the landscape changes suddenly. Climbing out of the valley, for the first time you have a clear view of the opposite site, far away. There is one last waterfall, a jewel, watch the colours of the rocks here!
Rest, enjoy and relax.
If you keep going on(no trail, just follow the river bed) you will find no more falls, but quiet, pristine jungle. Where does it end? Try to find out for yourself!

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Update February 2009

That there are no more waterfalls upsream, is not true. When you continue river trekking for about one hour after the top fall, you will reach two more nice waterfalls!

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Upper Kanching fall nr 1

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Upper Kanching fall nr 2

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And a few smaller falls

Archived Page Available

You are welcome to send a comment about Kanching Falls to the webmaster. Click here

Nowadays you need a permit for many waterfalls. General information here
Present situation for Kanching Falls : No permit needed

Waterfalls can be dangerous ! Always take care about your safety

Visitor Comments


Jan 23-05-2016
We were robbed at the top fall recently! While climbing up to the top, we passed a guy, not a hiker, dark complexion, small moustache. We were a bit suspicious, but noticed that he was going down. That fooled us. He actually must have followed us, hiding in the bushes, and waiting until we were taking a bath. Then he grabbed our backpacks and ran away. Be very careful!
logathetrekker 23-07-2015
Went with two other friends back on 8.2.1998. This place now needs a major cleanup.
eric 08-04-2013
there are caretakers taking of the place and collect rubbish left behind by people and monkeys. Monkeys are brave and will steal at any opportunities. Overall top level of fall is still considerably clean thanks to public and caretakers.
abdul 27-12-2011
Went there yesterday, OMG too crowded, from the bottom to the top, we failed to realised thatyesterday was a public holiday....christmas maaaa!!!
kultive 29-01-2011
hi everyone, can anyone please tell me the easiest way to get to kanching falls from KL sentral, thanks
exe 21-01-2011
wei tahi! apasal name ko sorang je ko sebut... genius tahi! name aq x sebut? penat aq ukir name kt puncak kanching... tp orang asli mara bodo naek ats 2... bahaye... taun baru cine kite pegi ag wei... ada 2 budak baru nk ikut...
chernobyl 13-01-2011
Bro genius32, ada no contact x? gua nak g try g sane.. nak kongsi story.. kalau lu g sane bole contact gua.. cineng98@yahoo.com or call gua 017-3128579.
genius32 01-01-2011
hari ini... 1.1.2011 aku dan 3 lagi rakan mendaki hutan lipur kanching nih.... lebih lagi dari puncak yg boleh dilihat.... menyusur anak sungai selama 4 jam.... kami jumpa 7 lagi jeram yang sangat cantik.. dan air nye sangat menyegarkan.... serious.... lebih jauh kami brjalan.... xjumpe langsung jejak orang yg ke sane.... bnyak kesan celonot babi hutan tapi kepuasan berade di atas tu lebih lagi.... dari 7 jeram yang kami jumpe.... yang terakhir skali yg paling cantik.... ade gue dalam air... actually bukan gue sebenar cume kayu balak yg tumbang membentuk gue.... itu bukan penghujung air terjun nih... sebab.. anak sungai tu masih boleh di susuri lagi.... penghujungnye kami masih belum tahu... lain hari mungkin kami akan cube susur sampai penghujung... ^^
Myrth 18-11-2010
2010-10-31 - not bad for trekking and bathing (without shampoo, dun ruin the nature), but there is some slippery route after you reach the top of the staircase, so have to be careful, and also before you reach the top waterfall, there is landslide which cause a big hold on the ground, i think there should be the most dangerous place throughout the waterfall trekking ^^
rizz 14-07-2010
just went here on july 2010, for little children the best part is the lowest part of waterfall as shown here http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byCDvvcUaws/S2JwgPgXFlI/AAAAAAAABGI/vhksAT8EMQY/s400/p1010011c.jpg tired to go even to the 2nd level of waterfall due to narrow ascending slope... but at first level (just after parking area) BEWARE OF HUNGRY MONGKEYS. they had stole my food since im not aware of it. there is a lot number of them, just beware some of it were dangerous which brave enough to scared you!!
andrewckj 29-01-2010
Just went there 3 weeks back. Great, scenic waterfalls and layout. Do check out my blog below for detailed review with pictures=) http://kenjunz-life.blogspot.com/2010/01/kanching-waterfalls-get-away-3rd-jan.html
KayaKeras 27-12-2009
nice waterfalls & really suitable for family outing. my sons love it. thanks Joe & waterfall survivals for their cleaning effort, really can see the difference. hope public can keep up with the effort :)
kelx 25-10-2009
went there 270909....pls haf alook at the pic..http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=154557233039&v=info#/group.php?gid=154557233039&v=wall
Nicci 19-10-2009
Rubbish & Flies everywhere.. & some people bringing shampoo & their toiletries to wash themselves there YUCKSS!!
Joe 22-07-2008
I went to Kanching on 19th July 08 with a group of new friends I knew on Facebook. The lower falls are easy accesible... which I been there earluer last month. This time I went jungle trekking... This is a good place for a day trip. U can check out my pics at http://joewlyap.multiply.com/photos/album/6/Conquering_Kanching_Falls_-_Mission_Accomplished...
Joe 07-07-2008
Check out the pics I took in Kanching Falls on 25th June 2008 http://joewlyap.multiply.com/photos/album/2/Kanching_Falls
affendi 26-09-2007
Really nice place to take photo and resting. The waterfall NR4 is quite hard to access since the path going toward it has collapse. This might be because of a landslide. Plan to go there again.Some photos to share http://www.flickr.com/photos/afndy73/sets/72157602154647268/
Adelyn 20-07-2007
Nice place to be with family. The water is clean and clear, with facilities for changing & stall at the entrance. We had a great time. 20.07.2007
Alan 05-07-2007
Kanching Falls is full of rubbish left by visitors. I treked all the way up to the top. Clear and clean water but down below is not so.
Mun Keng 14-06-2005
Waterfall is nice but the trail is full of rubbish leftover by inconsiderate people.