MY · Terengganu · 5.59°N 102.44°E

lata tembakah

One of Terengganu's biggest waterfalls, with forest pools, chalets and a kelah sanctuary.

Best time
April to September. The kelah sanctuary closes from November to March for the monsoon, and the river is dangerous after heavy rain. Friday and Saturday, Terengganu's weekend, are the busy days.
How long
1 day, or a night in the chalets
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Bharu (about an hour), then drive about 1.5–2 hours via Jerteh. Driving from KL takes about 7 hours on the East Coast Expressway via Kuala Terengganu. The park is about 30–40 minutes inland from Jerteh.
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MY · Terengganulata tembakah5.59°N 102.44°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,One of Terengganu's biggest waterfalls, with forest pools, chalets and a kelah sanctuary.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingLata TembakahMY, Terengganu
KLlata tembakah
≈ 285 km from KL, as the crow flies

One of Terengganu's biggest waterfalls, in a Forestry Department park in the hills of Hulu Besut. It reopened in September 2026 after nearly two years of repairs, with a mended hanging bridge, refurbished chalets and a new kelah sanctuary.

Makan

  1. Nasi dagangRice steamed with coconut milk and served with gulai ikan tongkol, the Terengganu breakfast, around Jerteh.Map ↗
  2. LaksamRice-flour rolls in a rich fish and coconut gravy, another Besut breakfast.Map ↗
  3. Keropok lekorBuy a bag hot from the roadside stalls on the drive out.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The fallsWater pours over wide rock ledges into pools at the bottom. Come in the morning for the lower pools before the crowds.Map ↗
  2. The kelah sanctuaryThe park's newest addition, a protected stretch of river for kelah, the big river fish anglers prize.Map ↗
  3. La Hot SpringAbout half an hour away at Kampung La, warm spring pools for a soak on the way back.Map ↗

Where to stay

The Forestry Department rents chalets and dormitories inside the park. Otherwise, Jerteh has the nearest hotels.

Good to know

  • It was closed from November 2024 to September 2026, so older posts saying it's shut are out of date.
  • Get out of the water if it turns cloudy or starts to rise. Rain in the hills reaches the falls fast.
  • Besut is conservative. Swim in modest clothing, especially at La Hot Spring, where men and women share the pools.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.