Gunung Jerai, Kedah

Gunung Jerai is the Malay name for Mount Jerai, one of the taller mountains in Kedah state in Northern Malaysia. While it may not be the tallest, its position on the coastline amidst the surrounding flat geography has made it stand out as a landmark in the area.

In fact, it is so striking, it has been even used by ancient mariners from India as a navigation marker from ancient times. Today, it can also be seen from as far away as Penang island, further south.

It is believed that in the past, sea-levels in the are were much higher, and that Gunung Jerai was once an island called Pulau Serai. The waters than receded and leaving it as a mountain emerging from the surrounding flatlands.

Gunung Jerai, as viewed from the coast.

Today there is a Forestry Museum and a hotel called The Regency, Jerai Hill Resort at the peak of the mountain. The road up the peak is drivable, starting from the north-eastern flank of the mountain.

At this point at Kaki Gunung Jerai, there is a museum called the Muzium Terusan Wan Mat Saman. From here it is about an 11km drive up the mountain to the hotel. The drive up is challenging, as the road is narrow and there are switchbacks. Not a problem for an experienced driver and you do not need a 4-WD vehicle, but may be a challenge for a novice.

On the way up, you will first come to the Forestry Museum, before finally arriving at the Resort. Be warned that there is very little parking up there, and can be quite congested if there are a lot of day trippers as they do not allow visitors into the resort and you have to park outside. At the time of our visit, there was a charge of RM4 to park there.

Walking into the resort, there are various accommodation options and there is a playground and swimming pool for hotel guests. There is also a small strawberry park. Besides that there is also a small cafe and the hotel restaurant of which visitors can also partake.

Map of The Regency, Jerai Hill Resort.

The main reason to visit is however, the View! This is indeed spectacular, as the resort faces northwards towards the surrounding rice paddies below as far as the eye can see. You can also see the coastline going all the way to the north.

A small island called Pulau Bunting lies of the coast, and it is linked by a white elephant bridge to the mainland. It is a white elephant as the island is uninhabited, and the bridge was built at enormous cost to connect to an uninhabited island. As of now, access to the bridge is also sealed off.

At 1217m from sea level, Gunung Jerai is thought to have once
been an island called Pulau Serai, before the sea retreated.

Stunning view of the coast and surrounding rice paddies.

There is not much else on the mountain itself. The road continues on from the resort to go up to the telecommunication tower at the peak, but essentially once you have visited the resort, it is time to drive back down.

On the western flank of Gunung Jerai there are three waterfalls, namely Seri Perigi, Titi Hayun and Batu Yan. The Puteri Mandi waterfall is a 3km hike from Titi Hayun.

Seri Perigi falls.

On the southern flank of Gunung Jerai is the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum. Bujang Valley is believed to be a civilisation that dates back to at least 2,500 years ago. More than 50 tomb-temples, known locally as Candi, have been excavated in the Gunung Jerai area.

Also in the south is the Tupah recreational forest.

Last view of Gunung Jerai from the ricefields.

Gunung Jerai is an interesting drive for day trippers from Penang. Do bear in mind the limited parking up there, and there can be congestion if there are too many visitors at a time.