MY · Pahang · 4.70°N 102.00°E

merapoh

The quiet back door into Taman Negara, with caves and Gunung Tahan trailheads.

Best time
March to October is drier. The year-end monsoon brings heavy rain, and trails can close in the wettest months, so check with the park before you go.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
About 4 hours' drive from KL via Raub and Kuala Lipis, or around 40 minutes south of Gua Musang. Merapoh is also a stop on the KTM East Coast Line, the old jungle railway.
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MY · Pahangmerapoh4.70°N 102.00°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,The quiet back door into Taman Negara, with caves and Gunung Tahan trailheads.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMerapohMY, Pahang
KLmerapoh
≈ 177 km from KL, as the crow flies
EMERALD POOL, JINJANG PELAMIN CAVE Merapoh is caving paradise - of the 415 caves here, only 149 caves have been explored and new and exciting locations are still being discovered. Comprising some of t

Photo: Mohd Samsi Sumairi · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small Pahang town near the Kelantan border, surrounded by limestone hills. It's the gateway to the Sungai Relau entrance of Taman Negara, the start of the shorter route up Gunung Tahan, and one of Malaysia's best areas for caving.

Things to do

  1. Gunung TahanPeninsular Malaysia's highest peak. The Merapoh route is the shorter way up, and still takes several days with a licensed guide.Map ↗
  2. CavingLocal guides lead trips into the limestone caves around town, from easy walks to proper scrambles.Map ↗
  3. Sungai RelauThe Taman Negara entrance, a short drive from town, has jungle trails and rivers for a cool dip.Map ↗
  4. Jungle railwayRide the East Coast Line through forest and kampung towards Gua Musang or Kuala Lipis.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Gunung Tahan needs a park permit and a licensed guide. Book well ahead.
  • Pack leech socks and insect repellent for the trails.

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