MY · Johor · 2.56°N 103.81°E

gunung arong

A forest hike north of Mersing to views over Tioman, with a quiet beach and red boulders below.

Best time
March to October, outside the north-east monsoon. Johor Forestry closes its forest parks and trails for the monsoon, usually from November, and reopens them in stages from mid-January; December to February is wet and rough on this coast anyway.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 4–4.5 hours' drive from KL to Mersing via Kluang, then about 20 minutes north on the coast road to Kampung Tanjung Resang. From JB it's about 2 hours.
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MY · Johorgunung arong2.56°N 103.81°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A forest hike north of Mersing to views over Tioman, with a quiet beach and red boulders below.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGunung ArongMY, Johor
KLgunung arong
≈ 244 km from KL, as the crow flies

Gunung Arong is a low coastal hill, about 274 metres, in a forest reserve 17 km north of Mersing. The trail climbs from Kampung Tanjung Resang over roots, wooden steps and the odd rope to views across the South China Sea to Pulau Tioman. Longer routes drop to the coast past big red boulders and a river mouth, and the long beach at Tanjung Resang is right by the start.

Makan

  1. Nasi lemakBreakfast in Mersing before the drive up.Map ↗
  2. Seafood in MersingGrilled fish, squid and prawns back in town.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The summit trailFrom Tanjung Resang, about 2–3 hours there and back. The easiest way up, and fine for older kids.Map ↗
  2. The viewsPulau Tioman and the islands off Mersing, from the top and the cliff viewpoint on the way.Map ↗
  3. The coast loopA longer loop down to the sea and back past the red boulders, crossing a river mouth that you can only wade at low tide.Map ↗
  4. Pantai Tanjung ResangThe long, quiet beach by the trailhead village, for a picnic or a sunrise walk.Map ↗

Good to know

  • You need a permit from the forest office in Mersing town, which only issues them on weekdays. Sort it out before a weekend climb.
  • Check the tide table before you try the loop; the river mouth is close to impassable at high tide.

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