About us
**https://www.meetup.com/happy-hikers-kuala-lumpur/**
Go Take a Hike! — My Journey With Happy Hikers Kuala Lumpur
By Ganesan S. Pillay – Founder & Lead Hike Captain
I grew up in the beautiful wooded hills of Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur. Thirty-five years later, life brought me back to the forest again — this time beside the lush 160-acre Gasing Hills. Gasing Hills has always been a beginner-friendly hiking haven, and I spent countless weekends on its trails with my two children. They grew up with wildlife, greenery, and the scent of the forest floor, just as I did. My Historical Heritage Hike of KL remains my most personal journey and our most popular free hike.
Fourteen years ago, as I searched for a healthy hobby for my quasi-retirement years, I began hiking every weekend. Hiking alone was dull, so I formed a small group called “Happy Hikers.” A handful of outdoor-loving friends joined me. We started with simple loops in Gasing Hills. The little group grew, and today we stand at 3,000 hikers strong.
Soon, our adventurous bunch — Malaysians and international friends — wanted more than the familiar trails of the Klang Valley. We ventured further, climbing dozens of local mountains: Nuang, Datuk, Tabur, Pine Tree, Ledang, Rajah, Bunga Buah, Kinabalu, Repin, Kutu, Galla, Irau, Berembun, Hitam, Raka, Brinchang, Jasar, Broga, and many more — not once, but repeatedly over 14 years.
Hiking became a family affair. My supportive (now ex) wife joined many adventures and even summitted Mount Kilimanjaro on her 55th birthday. I myself led 45 climbers up Mount Hallasan in Jeju on my 60th birthday. My children, now in their 30s, are strong hikers too.
Happy Hikers has completed more than 1,500 adventures, including:
- Mt Pulag (Manila) – thrice
- Mt Kinabalu – many times- Barefooted
- Gunung Agung, Bali
- Gunung Rinjani – five times-Barefooted
- Pangkuban Perahu – twice
- Doi Pui & Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai – twice
- Mt Fansipan, Vietnam
- Mt Fuji, Japan – eight times-Barefooted
- Mt Homan & Mt Takao – about a dozen times
- Mt Apo, Philippines
- Shivapuri, Nepal
- Hampta Pass, India – thrice
- Tibet–Kailash
- Pulchowki
- Annapurna Base Camp – seven times-Going for the 8th Barefooted
- Everest Base Camp – six times (going for the 7th!)
- Kilimanjaro-2 Times, Barefooted till 5,000 Meters
I’ve also hiked across Europe, and even past 6,000 meters. Now, at “67 years old”, I’m aiming for peaks above 7,200 meters. Never in my youth did I imagine attempting these feats at retirement age.
Hiking has built confidence, resilience, and mental clarity — for me and for my members. Our hikers have grown fitter, healthier, and more self-assured. We’ve overcome personal challenges, built lifelong friendships, and developed powerful habits of wellness and gratitude.
We hike on Saturdays and Sundays, usually for 3 hours. Twice a month we climb a major local mountain, and every month we go overseas. Morning hikes are our favourite — the mind is fresh, the body is rested, and motivation is highest.
What do I personally gain?
Better sleep. Less stress. Stronger muscles. Improved immunity. Lower LDL, higher HDL. Vanished back pain. Sharper thinking. A healthier heart. Even better sexual health. Hiking is nature’s most underrated miracle drug.
The only pain I feel is the heartbreak of seeing forests destroyed for development and timber. I wonder if future generations will ever experience the beauty we now have. That is why Happy Hikers has organized seven annual jungle clean-ups — with the eighth coming soon.
Happy Hikers eventually grew into an enterprise and is now owns Lifetime Adventures Holidays Sdn Bhd, a licensed travel agency — turning passion into purpose.
As we all age, my message is simple: embrace the great outdoors. It’s free. It heals. It strengthens. It energizes. Whether on a hill, mountain, or forest trail, nature transforms us. Every hike adds years to our life — and joy to your existance!.
So…
Go take a hike!
Ganesan S. Pillay
Founder & Lead Hike Captain
Happy Hikers Kuala Lumpur
019-228 6666 | 012-203 8889
Upcoming events
12
Ancient 2,500 years Old Jungle, Kota Damansara, Walk-Beginners Welcome!
Kota Damansara Community Forest, Jalan Merbuk 10/1, Kota Damansara, MYKota Damansara Community Forest Park (KDCFP) is an 857-acre, secondary forest that serves as a remnant of an 1898-gazetted, 3,900-acre primary reserve, now recognized as the oldest in Peninsular Malaysia. The area, protected by the Temuan Orang Asli community who consider themselves guardians, features diverse, protected natural elements including rivers and hills, accessible for exploration as a "reward in an adventure style.
The Temuan people believe they were placed on Earth (Tanah Tujuh) by their creator god, Muyang (or Tuhan), for a singular cosmic purpose: to serve as the sacred guardians of the rainforest.
This foundational belief dictates their entire relationship with nature, spirituality, and their ultimate survival through several core concepts: [1, 2]
The Sacred Duty of Guardianship- Cosmic Balance: The Temuan believe that the rainforest is a living, interconnected system. They were chosen as stewards to maintain its harmony.
- The Ultimate Consequence: According to Temuan spiritual doctrine, if they ever fail in their duty to protect the forest—or if the Orang Asli disappear from the land—the entire world will turn upside down, and humanity will completely perish.
Animism and Spirit Guardians
Because they were tasked to guard the Earth, the Temuan believe that they do not own the land; instead, they co-exist with it.- The Living Forest: Every river, mountain, rock, and tree has its own guardian spirit.
- The "Celau" Taboo: Harming nature unnecessarily or breaking spiritual laws constitutes a sin called Celau. Temuan lore warns that ancient ancestors who committed Celau brought about a catastrophic great flood that nearly wiped out mankind. Only two survivors (Mamak and Inak Bungsuk) survived on Gunung Raja by using an enchanting mantra to calm the storm.
Practical Consequences Today
This deep-seated spiritual belief is why the loss of customary forest land due to modern development, logging, and dam projects is so devastating to the Temuan. To them, losing the forest is not just a loss of physical territory or resources—it is a direct violation of the divine mandate given to them by Muyang, threatening the spiritual stability of the entire planet.ESSENTIALS:
- 2/3 Liters Water, Snacks/ Bites etc
- HEAD-light/Torchlight
- Shoes with profiles
- Walking Stick if Required
- Whistle
- Mobile Phone
- A healthy smiling attitude!- don't have?- you will Finish with one! Cheers!!!
Everyone taking part in the Group activities does so at their own risk.
We do not employ qualified guides, leaders or first aiders on some of our events. The group works on the same basis of being a group of friends who go out walking together, who invite others to join them on this basis via the Meetup web site.
I am attending the Events/Hikes/Tours at my own risk. I understand that the organizer, co-organizer and/or event hosts will try their best to assist and guide, but are no way responsible, liable or accountable for loss, damage, personal injury, death etc. By clicking the RSVP button & having paid, I acknowledge I have read, agreed and accepted the terms and conditions of this disclaimer.
4 attendees
Past events
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