From Kuala Lumpur take the North South Expressway. Exit 148 Taiping Utara. Follow the road for 9km to Kamunting and turn left to the A4 and after that the A5. Follow this road for another 22km to Kg Jelai and turn right on the A206.
Follow the A5 until Kg Jelai
Turn right here
The gate
Follow this road until the end. You will pass a gate which is normally open. Park your car at the water catchment area. From here the clear trail starts. It follows the river, which you can hear all the time, down in the ravine. The river has lots of cascades and small waterfalls, but access from the trail is difficult because of the steep slopes. It is possible to river trek, when the water level is not too high, but this will be slow going.
The water catchment
Start of the trail
A clear trail connecting orchards
The trail passes several durian plantations and fruit orchards. Here and there you will see temporary shelters. Occasionally a vague trail leads down to the river, to a cascade or waterfall. After about 1 km you will see the main fall through the trees. You will have to scramble down the ravine here, the easiest way is to follow a small stream which crosses the trail, when you are near the fall. Be prepared for leeches.
A temporary shelter
One of the many cascades
The main fall
The main fall is impressive, especially after rain. Be careful, however, the rocks are slippery and the current is strong. The trail continues after the main fall, after a while you will reach a confluence of two rivers, with nice cascades.
THere may be more waterfalls and cascades upstream, there is a lot to explore here. The whole river is pristine and unspoilt. Keep it that way!!
The fall is very impressive
A perfect hydro massage!
More cascades upstream
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Nowadays you need a permit for many waterfalls. General information here Present situation for Air Hitam Fall : No information available
Waterfalls can be dangerous ! Always take care about your safety
Visitor Comments
SHui
28-06-2015
13Apr16. From where you parked your car, take the clear uphill trail for about 1km until you see the waterfall..from here there is a clear trail leads down gradually towards the waterfall. You now dont have to scrable down any steep slope or follow the small stream.
bineus
21-01-2012
Was here with family today after a long drive from Ipoh, thks for instructions & info. Look out for Loji Air Sungai Jelai signboard for the A206 turn from kg Jelai. main fall wasnt as impressive as seen in pics today, i guess it didnt rain enough. also no big pool for swimming near the falls & the rocks are indeed slippery. perhaps thats why the locals preferred the lower section of river where there was better catchment for swims/baths. some logging took place & trees were felled next to the fall, locals built a small hut overlooking the falls.
Dick
28-09-2010
19 Sept 2010 visit. The rail is a long one following the river upstream providing access to many scattered plantations on the slopes, probably orang asli. Part of the trail is oddly cemented from 30 cm to 60 cm wide only and slippery. After ½ hour the trail becomes quite steep. There are very small trails leading down to the river at various points but hard to find and easy to lose the trail and find yourself hacking your way through the jungle. A few markers would greatly facilitate the journey for trekkers.
At the confluence of the two rivers there is a large open shed across the river. The large pool is a perfect place to hang out, picnic, and play in the water. Not far above the left-side river (looking upstream) is a powerful falls of about 5-10 meters but we were unable to reach it.
