We had been to "the place Waterfall Garden" on several other occasions. Now it would just be another trip there - considered to be a  routine not a serious outing.

On this weekend of week 13, while we were there visiting the cactus garden in the Botanical Gardens, we saw the fabled "Waterfall" of the Waterfall Garden. The extended rainy seasons has made the rushing water very prominent. In drier times, the fall could hardly be seen from the viewpoint at the park.

1 Cactus Flower in boom

We decided to seek out this fall that we feel is the largest on the island.

The normal access to the fall is by trekking upstream from the overflow outlet besides the reservoir. There were 2 problems though; the river is barricaded at one point to disallow unauthorized access to the upper reaches of the river. Good reason for doing that- the water is tapped for drinking purposes. Human activities around the catchment's area are therefore undesirable. Then secondly, river flows through a very narrow and steep gorge, which makes moving around very treacherous.

Found! The Trail to Batu Ferringgi

I do not live in Penang and so do not have time to do the hiking that I like. One thrilling hike that fascinate me is the one from the Botanical Garden to Batu Ferrnggi. This is reputed to be long and arduous tre. Very difficult and it ends up in the Acquaduct park. I also know that there is an alternative shorter distance to the Leader Garden Condominium. Not that we wanted to give this hike a try. Simply curious and also shows that on this day  have a taste of the trail or rather to experience reaching the trailhead.

We set off from the reservoir at the botanical garden to hide to the first rest stop.

To reach the Waterfall without seeking approval for encroaching, we chose to begin our search by following a natural trail that leads to "84".

This turned out to be a fantastic trail. It gave me an urge of how I wish that I were a resident here and can utilize this trail every day. Those feelings fit the meaning of "addictive" to trekking.

2 Steep incline using butress roots a foot hold

A beautifully maintained broad trail, there are "U" bolts used to secure the transgressing roots in its original paths. Sandbags were scattered over deep pits to fill up the void dug out by the flowing rainwater. The scenes along this trail were inspiring. Natural steps consistently spaced yet irregular in shape, the trail moved up. The way meandered for a short distance with few loops near the starting point. Then it straightened up and followed by steep ascends all the way. Forgot to mention that it is at angle of over 45 degrees. The total height covered by this stretch was close to 300 meters.

3 Reaching 1st Rest stop

There was the resting place at the end of this steep climb and was a welcome reprieve. Regular hikers had erected a makeshift shed for shelter and with hot drinks.

4 Signage confirms we are on the path

By co-incidence this is also the junction that we had been seeking for some time now. A starting point of the trail that leads hikers to trek across the northern hills of the island, from the Botanical Gardens on the eastern slopes to Batu Ferringgi at the holiday Inn on the west.

5 More Assuring signage

There were adequate signboards and pointers for the three and half-hours trek. It was unbelievable that most trekkers paid no heed to this trail.

6 The "Go ahead" Trail

Even on that day itself, fellow hikers we met earlier remarked that they had no idea where the trail leads to and not curious to find out! At long last we answered our own inquiry by chance.The indifference to this little known route was the fear of deep jungle, low traffic and previous report of trekkers getting lost in the maze of trails.

We spent some time to acquaint us with the vicinity and went a short way to check the condition of the way ahead.

First, the newly found trail is not created in modern times. In fact, evident showed that the track had existed as long as the hill railway lines.Here a bridge made from the steel track assists the river crossing.

7 Downstream Segment after the Waterfalls

Since we were on the track, we also check on the river source. On that day, the river water appeared fresh but chalky. This is the main source to supply the waterfall with the volume of water.

From the shed, a very steep descends from this junction leads to the first fall of about 2 meters high. From here the ravine’s wall is near vertical. Glad that we had prepared ourselves for the next outing. At that time, we figured that we would not be able to complete the journey before dark.

From the shed moving on to "84", 2 more flights of steep climb and then a level plain. We have reached the summit of a small hill. The view of the coastline on Kedah side is clear.

Chao Time!

8 Pulau Tikus market we adjourned for Breakfast

9 Pulau Tikus market

10 Pulau Tikus market