Gunung Raya (Mount Raya)

Climbers are best positioned to experience Gunung Raya's impenetrable rainforest habitat, formed atop the 220-200-million-year-old granite foundation. Wildlife species include monkeys, squirrels, hornbills, lizards, and geckos. Those who choose to drive are still likely to see monkeys, hornbills, and other bird varieties in the dense leafy jungle from lookout points along the road.

The mountain summit is largely unutilized, with one section housing MEASAT satellite control towers and another with an abandoned resort, restaurant, and an observation platform partially reclaimed by jungle.

Look Around

Road to Gunung Raya

Driving through fog

Fog at the mountain summit

Pull-off area to admire views

Stray dogs hoping for food

Driving back down the mountain

Reflective signage for safety

Driving to the mountain summit

Cloud-covered rainforest

Views over rainforest

View over Kuah Bay

Views from mountain summit

Parking at lookout point

Signage on Gunung Raya habitat

Signage close-up

Entrance/exit to Thousand Memories Eagle Stairs

Road to observation tower and mountain peak

Lookout point

Banana tree and fog

Mountain rainforest habitat... with fog

Leafy foliage... also with fog

Macaque monkey... no fog

Flora & Fauna

Who Will Like Gunung Raya

Nature Lover

Drive to the mountain's peak along a canopy-covered road lined with leafy pandan and banana trees. You won't need a soundtrack as the soothing echoes of the jungle (birds and cicadas) will keep you entertained along the drive.

Outdoor Trailblazer

Challenge your fitness levels by climbing the 4,287 steps to the mountain's peak amidst humid air. Bring an action camera for the rare birds, reptiles, and monkeys you're likely to see along the journey.

Insider Tips For Gunung Raya

• It takes approximately 25 minutes to drive from the bottom to the top of the mountain.
• Officials estimate 2 hours 15 minutes to climb the Thousand Memories Eagle Stairs, but allow 4-5 hours for the round trip. View trail map.
• Avoid climbing the stairs soon after rainfall in wet season as they are more likely to be damaged by fallen trees or landslides.
• Drive with extra caution as the road may be partially obstructed with debris from trees and landslides, especially in wet season, however cars and motorbikes will usually still be able to maneuver around.
• The climb is best tackled early in the morning to avoid the peak of Langkawi's heat. Rain is also more likely to fall in the afternoons if you visit in wet season.
• Due to the mountain's high altitude, the summit is often covered by cloud. This means you'll likely encounter thick fog and views over the island will be inhibited. Try to visit on a clear day for the best views.
• No food stands or drink shops are available along the road, climb, or at the peak. Bring your own food and water.
• As of mid-2020, the observation tower is closed. When open, it costs RM10 (USD$2.15) per person to climb.
• Don't enter the abandoned hotel or other shuttered facilities. Some wooden platforms surrounding the former resort have decayed and are not safe to climb.
• Most hotels will prepare a picnic lunch on request for you to take to the top of the mountain.

Abandoned resort (there are no zombies, we checked)

Observation tower attached to abandoned resort

Road to observation tower

Run-down wooden lookout platform

Abandoned facilities

Video

How To Get There

Tech & Photography

Before - cloud cover

After - clouds clearing

Before & after clouds clearing

Food & Drink

The closest local-style restaurants and food vendors are located at the foot of the mountain, along Jalan Ulu Melaka. Bring snacks or a picnic if you want something to eat.

Backstory

Gunung Raya consists largely of granite, the youngest rock formation in Langkawi at 220-200-million-years-old. It is flanked by 2 smaller mountains, Gunung Machinchang and Bukit Sawar.

According to local legend, the 3 mountains were once giants. Mat Chichang and Mat Raya's children were to be married and, at the wedding ceremony, the 2 began throwing pots and pans at each other, creating many of Langkawi's land formations. A pot of gravy fell in Kuah (gravy) town creating a natural depression, and a pot of hot water spilled into Ayer Hangat (hot water), where natural hot springs are a popular tourist attraction. Mat Sawar was able to intervene and stop the fighting. Full of remorse, the 2 giants chose to be transformed into mountains, with Mat Sawar following suit.

The summit of Gunung Raya was developed to house MEASAT satellite control towers and a luxury resort with a lookout tower. In 1989, the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting was held at the resort, called D'Coconut Hill Resort Langkawi. Often mostly empty, the resort received criticism as a "ghost town" and "zombie village". The resort closed in 2017 but the lookout tower remained open.

The Thousand Memories Eagle Stairs were constructed between March 2000 and February 2001 to aid hikers wanting to climb to the mountain's summit.

Etiquette

Scorecard

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