Why You Need To Climb Maragang Hill, Sabah | Best Mountain Views

Nestled in the heart of Sabah, Malaysia, lies a hidden gem waiting to be explored by adventurous souls and those yearning for an escape from the daily bustle of city life. Maragang Hill, which has a height of 2,232m/7,323m offers hikers an unparalleled experience, combining a thrilling ascent with awe-inspiring views of the legendary Mount Kinabalu.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice explorer, Maragang Hill presents an opportunity to challenge your limits and forge unforgettable memories. As you embark on this remarkable journey, you’ll find yourself immersed in a realm where lush greenery, crisp mountain air, and the sheer magnificence of the 3rd highest peak of an island on Earth, creating an unforgettable adventure.

Being a popular training ground for those planning to climb Mount Kinabalu, Maragang Hill is half the height of the impressive mountain at 4,095m/13,435ft. So, lace up your boots, pack your backpack, and join the expedition to Maragang Hill, where the best views of Mount Kinabalu await those who dare to embrace the call of the wild. Prepare to be captivated, inspired, and forever changed by the sheer magnificence of nature’s masterpiece.

When should you climb Maragang Hill?

In general, you can climb Maragang Hill any time of the year as long as it doesn’t rains heavily. To maximise your chances of attempting the hike up to Maragang Hill, we suggest visiting during the dry season (between March – September).

However, even if you are planning to hike up outside of the dry season, there’s not much to worry about as Maragang Hill is located on the Western coast of Sabah and largely unaffected by the monsoon season. We suggest leaving an extra day or two buffer, just in case the weather doesn’t hold up.

How to get to Maragang Hill?

There are a few ways to get here; via minivan/bus, taxi or private shuttle. Another option is to rent a car and drive yourself here. If you plan to go for the minivan/bus option, make your way to Padang Merdeka Bus Terminal. You will see rows and rows of minivans and taxis parked there. Check around with the operators there and make sure to take the ones headed for Kundasang/Ranau. Inform the driver to drop you off at Kundasang town. From there, you will need to arrange for a transport to take you from Kundasang town to the Mesilou Ecotourism Association (META) office at Kg Mesilou.

The minivans here operate from 7am to 4pm and only leave when the transport is full, so you might need to wait a while. For those who are willing to spend a bit more on transport, you can hire a private shuttle which will take you to Ranau/Kundasang at your own leisure and time.

To get to Maragang Hill, you would need to travel to Mesilau, Ranau – Kundasang which is located very near to the famous Desa Cattle Dairy Farm. As the journey from Kota Kinabalu (KK) to Maragang Hill takes around 2:30 – 3 hours on average, we suggest coming a day earlier and spending a night at Ranau/Kundasang so you don’t have to rush.

If you are planning to rent a car, make sure to check out SoCar as they offer one of the best rates in town. Take extra precaution if you are driving here for the first time as the roads are windy and a little steep. Click here to get directions to the Maragang Hill office registration office.

For those who don’t want to drive around, you can always take any e-Hailing ride such as Grab/Airasia Ride. Click here to get the best rates for AirAsia Ride!

Is there any nearby attractions along the way ?

Yes, there are indeed plenty of things to do and see here! Since you are already in area, we suggest taking the opportunity to explore the other activities listed below:-

How to climb Maragang Hill?

Before making your way to Maragang Hill, you will need to make a booking through their site. For every 5 hikers, 1 guide will be assigned to you. The pricing of the hiking package varies and to get the best value, we suggest coming in a bigger group.

Once you have made your way to the Mesilou Ecotourism Association (META) office at Kg Mesilou, register yourself and meet up with your guide. You will then be transported via 4WD to the starting point of the climb which is located around 20 minutes away.

What climbing packages are available for Maragang Hill ?

There are a variety of packages offered at Maragang Hill such as Day Hike (normal/loop trail), Sunrise Attack (normal/loop trail) and the camping/stargazing trip. Among the 2 popular ones are the Sunrise Attack (normal trail) and the Day Hike (normal trail).

Sunrise Attack (3am)

• Normal trail
• 3.5 km distance ( 3 – 4 hours depending on your fitness level)
• Prices starting from RM 155
• Additional RM 5 if you want to get the certificate of accomplishment for climbing Maragang Hill
• Conservation fee for Non-Malaysians (RM 15) – Adults and (RM 10) – Ages 17 & Below

Day Trip (6am)

• Normal trail
• 3.5 km distance ( 3 – 4 hours depending on your fitness level)
• Prices starting from RM 115
• Additional RM 5 if you want to get the certificate of accomplishment for climbing Maragang Hill
• Conservation fee for Non-Malaysians (RM 15) – Adults and (RM 10) – Ages 17 & Below

Useful Tips

• Bring a jacket/windbreaker as it will get a bit chilly at the peak of Maragang Hill
• Use proper trekking shoes and hiking poles if required
• Bring a raincoat in case it rains
• Bring along salt sticks, energy bars and sports drinks (100 Plus/Gatorade/etc)
• Don’t rest too long if you feel tired, try to walk around or stand up
• There are a few checkpoints on the way up which has a toilet in case you need to relieve yourself
• You will need to carry a headlamp/torchlight if you are attempting the Sunrise Attack
• Once you’re done taking your photos, give way to other hikers to take photos
• As the mountains here are believed to be sacred, do not engage in public nudity/make loud noises
• Stay close to your guide at all times especially if you are going for the Sunrise Attack hike as you will be hiking at night

Maragang Hill Itinerary

Sunrise Attack (Normal trail)

0300 – 0330 – Arrival of hikers, registration and meet up session with your guide

0330 – 0400 – Depart to the starting point of the hike via 4WD

0400 – 0410 – Safety briefing for hikers

0410 – Start hiking up Maragang Hill

0545 – Arrival at the peak of Maragang Hill

0900 – Descent to the Starting Point/Ending Point of Maragang Hill

1030 – Hikers will be sent back to META office and receive their certificate of accomplishment

Day Trip (Normal Trail)

0600 – 0630 – Arrival of hikers, registration and meet up session with your guide

0630 – 0645 – Depart to the starting point of the hike via 4WD

0645 – 0700 – Safety briefing for hikers

0700 – Start hiking up Maragang Hill

0830 – Arrival at the peak of Maragang Hill

1000 – Descent to the Starting Point/Ending Point of Maragang Hill

1130 – Hikers will be sent back to META office and receive their certificate of accomplishment

Our experience climbing Maragang Hill

After stumbling upon captivating sunrise photos of Mount Kinabalu from the Maragang Hill viewpoint, a sense of wonder and curiosity began to blossom within us. Where is this place? How come we didn’t know about it? So after about an hour or so researching on Maragang Hill, we booked ourselves the Sunrise Attack Package and swiftly made arrangements for our accommodation at Kundasang.

Since we took the Sunrise Attack Package which would begin at 3am, we decided to drive up a day earlier as we didn’t want to travel from Kota Kinabalu city late at night. As the day of the hike approaches, a mix of nerves and exhilaration filled our thoughts. We stayed at an accommodation nearby Desa Dairy Farm as it was quite close to the Mesilou Ecotourism Association (META) office at Kg Mesilou. As we had ample of time, we stopped by Pekan Nabalu and visited the cows at the cattle farm.

The morning of the hike arrives, and we set off on our journey with a mix of eagerness and a touch of trepidation. After registering ourselves and meeting up with our guide, we hopped on a 4WD and were taken to the starting point of the hike.

Equipped with headlamps and flashlights to guide our path, our group sets off together, stepping into the darkness with a shared purpose. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves beneath our feet and the hushed conversations among us. The gentle glow of our headlamps illuminated the trail, creating an intimate bubble of light in the surrounding darkness.

As we ascended, the terrain started to get steeper, requiring careful navigation and a steady pace. We took multiple stops along the way to catch our breath and around an hour later, we finally arrived the view point of Maragang Hill. As we arrived at around 5am, it was still dark and cold at the viewing point. It was a chilly 16 C and we were quite glad we had carried our jackets/windbreaker along.

With every passing minute, the sky transformed into a canvas of shifting colours. Hues of pink, orange, and purple emerge, painting a mesmerizing tapestry above the mountaintops.

After close to an hour of waiting at the view point, the moment we’ve been eagerly waiting for had arrived. The sun began its ascent, casting its warm rays over the peaks, bathing the landscape in a golden embrace. The mountains came alive, their contours accentuated by the soft morning light.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, each of us took a moment to savour the moment. We took countless photos but it just can’t seem to describe the feeling of pure tranquillity we felt as we stood at Maragang Hill overlooking the mesmerising sunrise on one side and the majestic Mount Kinabalu on the other. The surrounding clouds covering the tops of the hilly terrain made it even more magical that morning, creating the illusion as if we were floating on the clouds.

Once we were done watching the sunrise at the viewing point of Maragang Hill, we started our descent. As we made our way down, other groups from the Day Trip were slowly making their way up. In summary, the Maragang Hill sunrise hike was a rewarding experience that will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. This is no doubt, one of the best hikes to try out if you are in Sabah!

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