Hiking to Blue Lake, Bukit Mahkota Cheras

For all I knew, the BMC Blue Lake in Bukit Mahkota Cheras might have been a well-known hiking spot for years, but it somehow managed to escape my attention. I had no ideaI had no idea a lake like this existed in Malaysia, let alone in my own state.

It looks like something you’d only find on a volcano, like the one I saw on Mount Rinjani in Lombok.

But when the Covid travel ban stretched on for months, Selangorians started exploring every corner of the state, discovering (or rediscovering) nearby spots.

That’s when I began seeing more and more photos of people posing in front of this incredibly blue lake.

So at the first chance I got, I gathered a few friends on our mutual day off and set out on a special lake-hunting mission.

What is BMC Blue Lake?

The BMC Blue Lake is essentially a quarry, a type of open-pit mine where rocks and minerals are extracted. This is usually done through controlled blasting using explosives placed in drilled holes.

Over time, these excavations create deep pits that naturally fill with water, forming what’s known as a quarry lake.

The striking blue or green color comes from mineral reactions in the water, along with reflections from the sky and surrounding landscape.

Is BMC Blue Lake open to the public?

As far as I know, there’s no signage at the main BMC trailhead prohibiting entry, so I believe the trail itself is open to the public.

However, to reach the blue lake, you’ll need to take a short detour and there is a “No Trespassing” sign at the start of this path, followed by a guard hut a few meters uphill.

If you arrive after 7.30 a.m., there’s a good chance you’ll run into the guard and be turned away.

During our hike, we met a local guide who claimed there’s a longer route that avoids the guard hut. We didn’t follow him since he was waiting for his friends.

But regardless of the route, you’re technically trespassing, as the Blue Lake sits on private property. There’s reportedly a fine of RM1,000 per person if caught.

More importantly, this is still an active quarry. Blasting operations happen daily, and being in the wrong place at the wrong time could be dangerous. There’s also the risk of falling into the lake, which can be more than 20 meters deep.

So, here’s a quick disclaimer:

This blog is not meant to encourage illegal or unsafe behavior. If you choose to visit, you do so at your own risk. I’m not responsible for any injury, legal trouble, or misfortune that may occur as a result.

How to get to BMC Blue Lake

If you’re heading somewhere unfamiliar, the instinct is to just type the name into Google Maps. In this case, that doesn’t work, as we found out the hard way.

Searching “BMC Blue Lake” will lead you to an entrance where guards may stop you before you even get out of your car. And we were pretty early (got there at around 7:10 a.m.).

Instead, search for “The Vantage“.

This will take you to a residential area where another trail begins. There’s plenty of parking available, and this route is said to be the easiest way in.

The easiest route to BMC Blue Lake

After being turned away at the first entrance, it took us another 30 minutes to drive to The Vantage due to morning traffic. By the time we got there, it was already close to 8.

The parking area is on a dead-end road, and where this road ends, the hiking trail starts. It’s very easy to find and the trail itself is well-trodden and straightforward, so there’s little chance of getting lost. 

The first section unfortunately looks like a dumping area, with rubbish lining both sides of the path. But as you go further in, the surroundings improve, with more trees and cleaner air.

About halfway up, there’s a clearing with a view of the LEKAS highway in the distance.

Despite it being a weekday, there were quite a few hikers. Around 15 minutes into our hike, people coming down told us that access to the lake had already been closed and that we should have arrived before 8 a.m.

After a quick discussion, the five of us decided to continue anyway and treat it as just another morning workout.

Frankly, I was more than a little disappointed because the view at the top is usually the sole reason I go hiking at all. Otherwise, I wouldn’t care much for waking up at that ungodly hour just to wander around a forest.

So, in my head, I was already planning a second attempt.

The opportunity came about a week later, but with just three of us this time.

We arrived at The Vantage at 7 a.m. There were fewer cars, and we only saw two other hikers at the base.

It had rained heavily the day before, so the trail was more slippery and the air more humid. Otherwise, everything felt the same.

By 7:35, we finally made it to the viewpoint overlooking the lake.

The lake is greenish blue, as shown in the unedited photo below. Surrounded by terraced rock walls, it looked like a well-hidden giant aquamarine gemstone tucked into the hillside.

Apparently, this isn’t even the true peak, as there’s another trail leading higher up. But since the lake was the main reason we came, we didn’t go any further.

We had also been told to leave before 8 a.m., so after taking a few photos, we headed back down.

Best time to visit BMC Blue Lake

Based on my experience and what others have shared, the only reliable time to see the lake is before 8 a.m.

It might also be possible in the evening if mining activities have stopped, but that would mean hiking down in the dark, which can be risky. The trail also becomes slippery after rain, so it’s best to avoid going right after heavy rainfall.

Both of my visits were on weekdays, and there were already quite a number of people. I imagine weekends would be even busier, though I’m not sure how strictly the area is monitored then, so if you have experienced it yourself, do share in the comments below.

How hard is it to hike to BMC Blue Lake?

If you’re reasonably fit or an experienced hiker, it should take you no more than 15 minutes to reach the lake from The Vantage starting point.

For the rest of us slow hikers who enjoy frequent breaks and photo stops, set aside at least 30 minutes.

The trail is relatively easy, with only one or two steeper sections. There’s a tiny creek to cross, but nothing too technical and you definitely won’t get your feet wet. Just watch out for tree roots and thorny bamboos along the way.

Easy though it was, the trail seemed to have claimed an impressive number of hiking shoes — or fragments of them — as seen along the footpaths.

By the end of our hike, both of my hiking partners had joined the club of people whose shoes had been casualties of this trail.

Overall, I found the BMC trail to be a fun, short workout and can be a great first hike for beginners, whether or not you make it to the lake.

What to bring to BMC Blue Lake

• Food and water. If you’re heading out early and skipping breakfast, bring some snacks and enough water for the hike.
• Good hiking shoes. You might manage with regular sneakers, but the trail can be slippery in parts, so proper footwear is recommended.
• Camera and phone, because the whole point of going there is to take a photo of yourself in front of the blue lake, right?
• Insect repellent, if mosquitoes love you.
• Mini first-aid kit — always a good idea, even for short hikes.
• Hiking poles are not necessary for this hike, but helpful if you’re not used to hiking.
• RM5 per person. Don’t ask why.