Tumbina Hill Jungle Trek Bintulu: Hiking Guide, Trail Tips & What to Expect
This was my first time in Bintulu, and to be honest, I didn’t arrive with high expectations. I was only here for a one-night stopover between Sibu and Miri, and my first impression the day before left me a little underwhelmed.
The town felt too industrial, shaped more by oil and gas than by tourism, nature, or culture. It didn’t have the old-town charm of Sibu with its wooden shop houses, nor the lively vibe of Kuching with its riverside cafés and heritage lanes.
So, the next morning, I was determined to see a different side of Bintulu. I set my alarm early and made my way to Tumbina Hill, a spot locals often recommend for fresh air, exercise, and one of the best views over town. It felt like the right place to start the day and, hopefully, to get a new perspective on Bintulu.
- Elevation: The hill is modest in height. Its summit is only 70 m above sea level.
- Popularity: Mostly a local exercise spot, so it feels safe and friendly, especially early mornings, late afternoons, and on weekends.
- Trail type: Mostly boardwalks, steps, and a few dirt paths. You’ll be climbing steadily uphill, but it’s short and not too steep. Most people reach the top in 20 – 40 minutes depending on fitness. Allocate 1 – 2 hours for the whole hike if you want to take your time and enjoy the surroundings.
- Difficulty level: Easy
How to get to Tumbina Hill
The Tumbina Hill trailhead is located on Jalan Pantai Tanjung Batu. The entrance is opposite the Boulevard Shopping Mall, right after the roundabout. It’s easy to find on Google Maps if you search “Jungle Trekking Taman Tumbina Bintulu”.
From the town center, it’s about 4 – 5 km, so you can get there in roughly 10 minutes by car or Grab. If you’re staying nearby, walking is also possible.
In my case, I stayed at Kris Lodge, which wasn’t too far, so I decided to walk to the trailhead in the early morning. It took me around 8 minutes on foot, which was a nice warm-up before the actual climb. If you prefer not to walk, a Grab ride costs just a few ringgit.
For those driving, there’s no designated parking area at the trailhead itself, but you can park at the nearby Boulevard Shopping Mall or Taman Tumbina Zoo when they’re open.
Tumbina Hill opening hours
The official opening hours is 6 am – 7 pm every day. Although this might not be strictly enforced, it’s advisable to stick to daylight hours for safety.
Tumbina Hill entrance fee
Tumbina Hill is free to enter. There’s no admission fee.
What to expect at Tumbina Hill
As I arrived at Tumbina Hill, I was greeted by a gate that was propped open with a piece of wood so it wouldn’t swing back shut. Right there on it was a laminated sign that read “STRICTLY NO ENTRY“. The sign was still taped in place, just flipped over.
Either the locals had simply gotten tired of waiting for the authorities to decide what to do and took it into their own hands to open it up, or the authorities themselves had reopened it but couldn’t even be bothered to take the sign down.
Either way, it reinforced my initial impression of Bintulu as a town that felt neglected, with authorities giving off this lackadaisical don’t-care attitude towards the community, as if the only things that mattered to them were oil, gas, and whatever else brought in big money.
There was also another sign, this one explaining that a landslide had occurred back in January — more than six months before my visit. It warned that certain sections of the trail were damaged, and that hikers should proceed at their own risk because the authorities would not be responsible for any accident or injury.
I was like, wow. It felt as though they were just washing their hands of the whole thing rather than making an effort to properly fix it.
And sure enough, as I made my way up, there were sections blocked off with notices saying “maintenance work still in progress.”
Detours had been created (I couldn’t tell if it was the authorities or the community who put them together) and I also saw some spots where the edges were covered with tarp, both to prevent further erosion and to keep people away from unstable ground.
Despite all of that, I never actually felt unsafe. Even on a weekday morning, there were plenty of others on the trail: older uncles and aunties getting in their morning walk and even a group of trail runners powering up the hill. That sense of community presence made the climb feel more reassuring.
There were also enough direction signs along the way to keep me on the right track, so I didn’t have to worry about getting lost.
Tumbina Hill comprises several trails you can explore, as shown in the map below: Tupai Trail, Rhino Trail, Panda Trail, Dugong Trail, and Gamat Trail. The map also tells you how long each trail is to give you a better idea. The highest point is somewhere close to the Gamat Junction.
The trail itself is mostly a mix of boardwalks and stairs, which actually makes the climb manageable even for beginners. Gotta hand it to the government for putting in the effort (if it really was their work), because the path is clear, sturdy, and easy to follow.
The forest canopy keeps things shaded, and as you climb you’ll hear birds chirping above and sometimes catch sight of them flitting between branches.
The air feels fresher here than in town, and the greenery on both sides of the trail gives you that proper “jungle walk” vibe without being too wild or overgrown.
The trail eventually led me to a clearing, which marks the summit of Tumbina Hill. There’s a simple arch structure, kind of like a mini Torii Gate, with the name of the hill and its height displayed across the top. It makes a nice landmark to stand under and snap a photo to mark the climb.
From this spot, you can catch glimpses of Bintulu through the gaps in the thick vegetation and undergrowth. It isn’t one of those sweeping, dramatic summit views that take your breath away, so keep your expectations in check, but it still carries a small sense of accomplishment to have made it up there.
I didn’t explore all the routes at Tumbina Hill. Instead, from the top, I decided to turn back the way I came, mainly because I had other things lined up that day.
My plan was to squeeze in both Taman Tumbina Zoo and Pantai Tanjung Batu, and still make it back in time for a shower before checking out of my hotel room at 12 pm.
Where to stay near Tumbina Hill
Here are some good places to stay very close to Tumbina Hill / Taman Tumbina trailhead (roughly within 1 km).
Budget
Luxury
What to bring to Tumbina Hill
- Water. There are no stalls once you’re on the trail, and it’s humid even in the shade.
- Some snacks if you like. But keep them out of sight if there are monkeys around, and make sure you take out your trash with you.
- Proper shoes. Sneakers or trail shoes with grip are best. The path can be slippery after rain.
- Small towel or cap if you’re not used to tropical heat and humidity.
- Bug repellent. Especially if you go in the late afternoon when mosquitoes are more active.
- Camera or phone. Maybe it’s just me, but I have this strong need to take a photo with the summit sign anytime I hike any hill, even if it’s just 70m above sea level. Otherwise how will anyone know what a fit, outdoorsy person I am?
Additional tips for visiting Tumbina Hill
- Go early. The trail is shaded but still humid; mornings and late afternoons are cooler, and you’ll also catch locals doing their daily exercise. Midday can be uncomfortably hot and the climb feels harder.
- Be mindful of monkeys. They sometimes appear along the trail. I didn’t see any, but if you do, keep a distance and hide your snacks and water bottles. Based on my experience with monkeys, they’ll try to snatch them and might get aggressive.
- Stick to daylight hours. There’s no lighting on the trail, so avoid going after dark for safety.
- Solo hikers. If you’re alone, aim to go when locals are around (early morning or evening). On weekdays outside these times, the trail can feel quite empty.
- Combine with nearby sights. Tanjung Batu Beach and Taman Tumbina Zoo are just minutes away. They make a nice reward after the climb.
Final thoughts
Climbing Tumbina Hill turned out to be exactly what I needed to shift my impression of Bintulu.
The town itself may not have the charm of many other destinations in Malaysia, but surrounding myself with nature at Tumbina Hill and exchanging quick hellos with locals on their morning exercise routines showed me a more human, livable side of Bintulu.
For me, that morning climb made my short stopover worthwhile, and it’s one of the things that I’ll remember most about being here.
If you’re planning a trip through Sarawak or just curious about what else Bintulu has to offer, check out my full Bintulu travel guide for more things to do, where to stay, and how to plan your visit.
You’ll also find plenty of other posts on the blog with destination ideas, food recommendations, and practical travel tips all around Malaysia.
