Bunga Buah (Fruit Flower Mountain) gets its name from the flowers and fruits that abound during the fruiting season. At over 4,600 feet the upper slopes and ridges are covered with cloud forest – evergreen tropical montane forest which is frequently covered in cloud.

The rain clouds are often lower than the mountains and then the forest gets no rain. Water arrives directly through mist drip when cloud condenses on the leaves and branches. The high moisture results in lots of epiphytes (plants that grow on others) and the boulders and trees are covered in ferns, mosses and orchids.

It has the appearance of an enchanted forest with mossy nooks, rocks and trees at bizarre angles often right at the edge of a precipice. Indeed high montane forests are often called elfin forests due the strange shapes of the trees and shrubs. Someone described it as a Lord of the Rings forest but a better read hiker called it A Mid Summers’ Night’s Dream forest. There is a place which I call ‘Stairway to Heaven’ as the path seems to lead directly to the sky. Elsewhere, a twisted trunk looks like the leg and knee of a walking tree.

It is not all mist. On clear days there are splendid views of the other mountains of the main range and the valleys. The increased sunlight is transforms the landscape. Some of the rocks and trees are reminiscent of pastoral paintings and one almost expects to see a Grecian shepherd reclining on a ledge or woodland nymphs running about in a glade. This is a great place for a picnic with views of the surrounding mountains.

One of the benefits of a walk in cloud forest is that it is cool, much cooler than Cameron Highlands, as the sun does not penetrate the parasol of the canopy. Another welcome relief is the absence of mosquitoes at the higher altitude.

These forests are critical for the water supply to KL and Selangor. They recycle about half of the rain water back to the sky through evaporation and transpiration from the leaves to form rain clouds which bring rain elsewhere. The filamentous fungi network and roots on the forest floor are like the pipes bringing water to the tree pumps while the rest is stored in the soil and gradually released into forest streams lower down the mountains as crystal clear spring water. These forests, even more so than the dams, are the heart of our reservoir system. Think of them as water towers that release their water in the dry season to modulate water flow.

While it is a fascinating place, its delights are not available for nothing. It is not arduous but it is not an easy walk either. My fellow hikers ranged from 20 year olds to nearly 70 and it took us about three and a half hours to reach the summit where there is a convenient clearing for a picnic. Allow the same time for the return. This is a walk that will appeal to those who like the outdoors for exercise, photography or nature for its own sake. Bunga Buah is also excellent preparation for Mount Kinabalu or Gunung Tahan, definitely more suitable than gym work!

The mountain can be reached from a trail behind Gothong Jaya town in Genting Highlands where you can leave the car and buy water and snacks. Just ask a local were the track is. An alternative route is from a gated access road near the small roundabout about two to three kilometres from the Police check point after the 803A exit from the Karak Highway. However, you cannot leave a car there without prior permission from the police so must arrange to be dropped and picked up from there.

Do not forget that Bunga Buah is higher than any mountain in Scotland or in the Blue Mountains in Australia where a hiker was recently lost. If you do not treat it with respect the enchanted forest can become menacing so go equipped with enough water, food and weather protection. Bring a torch with spare batteries. Better still go with a guide or one of the walking groups, such as Pathfinders, which you can find on the internet.

Walking group Pathfinders can be contacted at sidneyseok@yahoo.com or pathfsel@yahoo.com or Patricia on 012.3756559. Hijuan EcoTours can be contacted on hijauanecotour@gmail.com or 016.3569169. They provide licensed nature guides familiar with the mountain.