Ting (in white cap) with her family members in Kemuyang.
TUCKED away some 20km from Sibu town centre, the unspoilt hilly forest in Kemuyang is the go-to place for hikers for jungle trekking activity.
Almost every day, fitness buffs, young and old, will flock to the site to sweat it out. However, more people go on weekends and public holidays.
The place is not only popular among locals but also outsiders who are either working in the town or on holiday.
Admission to the Kemuyang hiking site is free, unlike other places such as in Kuching where one has to pay a RM10 entry fee.
Saberkas Borneo Eco-Trek chairman Raymond Tiong recalled that it all started more than 10 years ago.
“At that time not many hikers went to Kemuyang but now it has become the most sought-after place for hiking,” said Tiong, who is one of the regulars.
He added that markers had been fixed on trees to make it easier for hikers to follow trails.
Wong enjoying hiking in Kemuyang.
Linda Wong, 49, is among those who go hiking in Kemuyang every weekend.
“I will be there every Saturday and Sunday, joining a group of about 10 friends.
“Depending on the weather, I will do the orange trail (6.15km) on Saturday or the blue trail (5.10km).
“Sunday is a fun run for me, meaning hiking on a shorter trail before proceeding for a gathering at the site for refreshments,” she said.
As sports activities were embedded in her since her school days in SMK St Elizabeth, Wong jumped into hiking when her joggerthon friends introduced her to it in 2017.
Since then she has taken to hiking like a duck to water. Progressing from Kemuyang, she challenged herself by participating in hikes in China, Miri and Kota Kinabalu.
“I feel excited when hiking (in Kemuyang). Hiking lets me see many interesting plants such as mushrooms and the crystal clear water in a small stream.
“Besides that, l can see beautiful scenery and breathe the fresh air at the hilltop. I enjoy hiking, it makes me feel rejuvenated, relaxed and happy,” explained Wong.
Hiking, she added, has also improved her cardiopulmonary strength, sleep and physical fitness while reducing stress and anxiety.
In addition, it gives her a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence as well as the opportunity to make new friends.
School headmistress Ting Suk Hee, 56, reckoned that Kemuyang is an ideal place for hiking.
“Hiking is tiring but I sweat a lot and this makes me feel good. Kemuyang is a suitable site for hiking due to its cool environment.
“There are trails with different distances to suit different people.We can choose the different trails according to our strength and time available on different days,” said Ting, who took up the activity in 2019.
Besides the blue and orange trails, there is also the 10km red trail and the shorter 3.1km yellow trail and the 1.47km white trail.
In the words of Ting, an outdoor activity like hiking is never boring.
“I used to work out on the treadmill but it is boring and I will stop and give up when I feel tired. But hiking is different because once I have started, I have to complete the trails, which is a good way of forcing myself to exercise,” she said.
Hospital Sibu director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu treks in Kemuyang on weekends when he is not working or travelling.
“From my experience, I find the place very nice as I can be close to nature. Compared to other activities, I enjoy hiking as it is one of the best forms of exercise for physical and mental de-stressing,” he said.
Dr Nantha hoped hikers will help keep the place free from rubbish by not littering.
“I see some construction activity going on. We must fight to keep this place or else we will lose it,” he said.
