trek to mulu pinnacles (borneo) - 41 photos

Photos taken during the 3-day trek to the Pinnacles, a unique Karstic rock formation in Gunung Mulu National Park (Borneo Island).

The Mulu Pinnacles are Karstic rock formations in the shape of huge vertical sharp blades up to about 50 m (150 feet) high, in a remote rain forest over Gunung Api mountain. The Pinnacles were formed by erosion of the Karstic limestone rock forming the mountain.

The climb to the Pinnacles was the toughest day-hike I ever did at the time - but that was before I climbed the Semeru volcano in Java!

The 2.4 Km (1.5 Miles) trail from Camp 5 to the Pinnacles overview point is extremely steep from beginning to end (1,200 meter / 4,000 feet elevation). The last couple of hundred meters of the trail is a steep via ferrata with 15 ladders bolted to the rocks and knotted ropes. It does not require any technical climbing skills, but the tropical climate (hot temperature and extreme humidity), and the tricky terrain (slippery, muddy, sharp rocks, very steep) and the lack of water (each person must carry 3 to 4 liters of water on the way up) makes the climb very tough and possibly dangerous. Many people get injured on this trail every year, and evacuation is not simple as the Pinnacles are located in a rain forest wilderness with no road or boat access.

The jungle trail between the Melinau river drop-off and Camp 5 is about 8 Km (5 miles). It is flat and well marked, and goes through a pristine rain forest.

The trek to reach the Pinnacles (and back) from the Park headquarters takes 3 days, with 2 nights at Camp 5, located at the base of the trail to the Pinnacles.

For more information about the Mulu Pinnacles, go to:

- www.malaysiasite.nl/pinnacleseng.htm

- Official Gunung Mulu National Park website

More photos of Gunung Mulu National Park

More photos of Borneo

mulu pinnacles warning sign (borneo), borneo, gunung mulu national park, hiking, malaysia, pinnacles, trekking, warning sign
Mulu Pinnacles Warning Sign (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles warning sign (borneo), borneo, gunung mulu national park, hiking, malaysia, pinnacles, trekking, warning sign
Mulu Pinnacles Warning Sign (Borneo)
park guide ipoi lawin at the mulu pinnacles summit (borneo), borneo, geology, guide, gunung mulu national park, ipoi, limestone, malaysia, man, peace sign, pinnacles, rocks, v-sign, victory sign
Park Guide Ipoi Lawin at the Mulu Pinnacles Summit (Borneo)
park guide ipoi lawin at the mulu pinnacles summit (borneo), borneo, geology, guide, gunung mulu national park, ipoi, limestone, malaysia, man, peace sign, pinnacles, rocks, v-sign, victory sign
Park Guide Ipoi Lawin at the Mulu Pinnacles Summit (Borneo)
rock blades - mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Rock Blades - Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
rock blades - mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Rock Blades - Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
pitcher plant - nepenthes faizaliana, borneo, carnivorous plant, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, nepenthes faizaliana, pitcher plant, rain forest
Pitcher Plant - Nepenthes Faizaliana
pitcher plant - nepenthes faizaliana, borneo, carnivorous plant, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, nepenthes faizaliana, pitcher plant, rain forest
Pitcher Plant - Nepenthes Faizaliana
happy to have reached the mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, man, peace sign, pinnacles, rain forest, rock, self-portrait, selfie, v-sign, victory sign
Happy to Have Reached the Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
happy to have reached the mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, man, peace sign, pinnacles, rain forest, rock, self-portrait, selfie, v-sign, victory sign
Happy to Have Reached the Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
the mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, hill, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, mountains, panorama, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
The Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
the mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, hill, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, mountains, panorama, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
The Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
mulu pinnacles (borneo), borneo, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, jungle, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock
Mulu Pinnacles (Borneo)
trekking on mulu pinnacle summit trail (borneo), borneo, climbing, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, knotted rope, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock, trekking
Trekking on Mulu Pinnacle Summit Trail (Borneo)
trekking on mulu pinnacle summit trail (borneo), borneo, climbing, erosion, geology, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, knotted rope, landscape, limestone, malaysia, pinnacles, rain forest, rock, trekking
Trekking on Mulu Pinnacle Summit Trail (Borneo)
red leaf - macaranga, backlight, borneo, euphorbiaceae, glowing, gunung mulu national park, jungle, leaf veins, leaves, macaranga, malaysia, plants, rain forest, red
Red Leaf - Macaranga
red leaf - macaranga, backlight, borneo, euphorbiaceae, glowing, gunung mulu national park, jungle, leaf veins, leaves, macaranga, malaysia, plants, rain forest, red
Red Leaf - Macaranga
plants growing on dead tree, borneo, dead tree, dead wood, decaying wood, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest
Plants Growing on Dead Tree
plants growing on dead tree, borneo, dead tree, dead wood, decaying wood, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest
Plants Growing on Dead Tree
pill millipedes rolled-up (borneo), arthropod, borneo, closeup, coiled, curled, defensive, diplopoda, fingers, giant pill millipedes, gunung mulu national park, hand, island, jungle, malaysia, myriapod, myriapoda, oniscomorpha, orange, plant, rain forest, red, rolled, size comparison, southeast asia, sphaerotheriida, yellow, zephroniidae
Pill Millipedes Rolled-up (Borneo)
pill millipedes rolled-up (borneo), arthropod, borneo, closeup, coiled, curled, defensive, diplopoda, fingers, giant pill millipedes, gunung mulu national park, hand, island, jungle, malaysia, myriapod, myriapoda, oniscomorpha, orange, plant, rain forest, red, rolled, size comparison, southeast asia, sphaerotheriida, yellow, zephroniidae
Pill Millipedes Rolled-up (Borneo)
giant pill millipedes - sphaerotheriida - zephroniidae, arthropod, borneo, closeup, diplopoda, giant pill millipedes, gunung mulu national park, island, jungle, malaysia, myriapod, myriapoda, oniscomorpha, orange, paranota, plant, rain forest, red, southeast asia, sphaerotheriida, zephroniidae
Giant Pill Millipedes - Sphaerotheriida - Zephroniidae
giant pill millipedes - sphaerotheriida - zephroniidae, arthropod, borneo, closeup, diplopoda, giant pill millipedes, gunung mulu national park, island, jungle, malaysia, myriapod, myriapoda, oniscomorpha, orange, paranota, plant, rain forest, red, southeast asia, sphaerotheriida, zephroniidae
Giant Pill Millipedes - Sphaerotheriida - Zephroniidae
small river in the jungle, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, rain forest, sungai melinau
Small River in the Jungle
small river in the jungle, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, rain forest, sungai melinau
Small River in the Jungle
bird's nest fern - asplenium nidus, asplenium nidus, backlight, bird nest fern, bird's nest fern, borneo, glowing, gunung mulu national park, jungle, leaves, malaysia, plants, rain forest
Bird's Nest Fern - Asplenium Nidus
bird's nest fern - asplenium nidus, asplenium nidus, backlight, bird nest fern, bird's nest fern, borneo, glowing, gunung mulu national park, jungle, leaves, malaysia, plants, rain forest
Bird's Nest Fern - Asplenium Nidus
tree with aerial roots in the jungle (borneo), aerial roots, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, tree trunk
Tree with Aerial Roots in the Jungle (Borneo)
tree with aerial roots in the jungle (borneo), aerial roots, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, tree trunk
Tree with Aerial Roots in the Jungle (Borneo)
ficus fig tree strangling another tree, borneo, buttress roots, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, strangler fig, tree, trunk
Ficus Fig Tree Strangling Another Tree
ficus fig tree strangling another tree, borneo, buttress roots, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, strangler fig, tree, trunk
Ficus Fig Tree Strangling Another Tree
bracket fungi on dead tree, borneo, dead wood, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, mushrooms, plants, rain forest, shelf fungi, shelf fungus, shell fongi, shell fongus, tree fongus
Bracket Fungi on Dead Tree
bracket fungi on dead tree, borneo, dead wood, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, mushrooms, plants, rain forest, shelf fungi, shelf fungus, shell fongi, shell fongus, tree fongus
Bracket Fungi on Dead Tree
bamboo forest - gunung mulu national park (borneo), backlight, bamboo forest, borneo, gunung mulu national park, malaysia, plants, rain forest
Bamboo Forest - Gunung Mulu National Park (Borneo)
bamboo forest - gunung mulu national park (borneo), backlight, bamboo forest, borneo, gunung mulu national park, malaysia, plants, rain forest
Bamboo Forest - Gunung Mulu National Park (Borneo)
bracket fungus on dead wood, borneo, dead wood, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, mushrooms, plants, rain forest, shelf fungi, shelf fungus, shell fongi, shell fongus, tree fongus
Bracket Fungus on Dead Wood
bracket fungus on dead wood, borneo, dead wood, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, mushrooms, plants, rain forest, shelf fungi, shelf fungus, shell fongi, shell fongus, tree fongus
Bracket Fungus on Dead Wood
buttress roots - tualang tree (borneo), borneo, buttress roots, climbing plants, creeper plants, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, rain forest, tree roots, tree trunk
Buttress Roots - Tualang Tree (Borneo)
buttress roots - tualang tree (borneo), borneo, buttress roots, climbing plants, creeper plants, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, rain forest, tree roots, tree trunk
Buttress Roots - Tualang Tree (Borneo)
palm leaf in the jungle (borneo), arecaceae, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, leaves, malaysia, palm, palmae, plants, rain forest
Palm Leaf in the Jungle (Borneo)
palm leaf in the jungle (borneo), arecaceae, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, leaves, malaysia, palm, palmae, plants, rain forest
Palm Leaf in the Jungle (Borneo)
korthalsia palm leaves, borneo, flabellate, gunung mulu national park, jungle, korthalsia, leaves, malaysia, palm, plants, rain forest
Korthalsia Palm Leaves
korthalsia palm leaves, borneo, flabellate, gunung mulu national park, jungle, korthalsia, leaves, malaysia, palm, plants, rain forest
Korthalsia Palm Leaves
entangled tree roots in the jungle (borneo), borneo, buttress roots, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, tangled, tree trunks, trees
Entangled Tree Roots in the Jungle (Borneo)
entangled tree roots in the jungle (borneo), borneo, buttress roots, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, tangled, tree trunks, trees
Entangled Tree Roots in the Jungle (Borneo)
lianas on tree trunk, borneo, creepers, gunung mulu national park, jungle, lianas, malaysia, plants, rain forest, tree trunk
Lianas on Tree Trunk
lianas on tree trunk, borneo, creepers, gunung mulu national park, jungle, lianas, malaysia, plants, rain forest, tree trunk
Lianas on Tree Trunk
strangler fig tree - ficus, borneo, climbing plants, creeper plants, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, rain forest, strangler fig, tree roots, tree trunk
Strangler Fig Tree - Ficus
strangler fig tree - ficus, borneo, climbing plants, creeper plants, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, rain forest, strangler fig, tree roots, tree trunk
Strangler Fig Tree - Ficus
ficus - strangler fig tree, borneo, climbing plants, creeper plants, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, lianas, malaysia, rain forest, strangler fig, tree roots, tree trunk
Ficus - Strangler Fig Tree
ficus - strangler fig tree, borneo, climbing plants, creeper plants, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, lianas, malaysia, rain forest, strangler fig, tree roots, tree trunk
Ficus - Strangler Fig Tree
psychotria - creeper vine, borneo, climbing plants, creeper plants, creeper vine, creepers, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, psychotria, rain forest, rubiaceae, tree trunk
Psychotria - Creeper Vine
psychotria - creeper vine, borneo, climbing plants, creeper plants, creeper vine, creepers, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, psychotria, rain forest, rubiaceae, tree trunk
Psychotria - Creeper Vine
strangler fig tree squeezing another trees (borneo), borneo, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, strangler fig
Strangler Fig Tree Squeezing Another Trees (Borneo)
strangler fig tree squeezing another trees (borneo), borneo, ficus, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, plants, rain forest, strangler fig
Strangler Fig Tree Squeezing Another Trees (Borneo)
monkey bridge over river, borneo, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, monkey bridge, pedestrian bridge, plant, rain forest, sungai melinau, suspension bridge, trekking
Monkey Bridge over River
monkey bridge over river, borneo, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, monkey bridge, pedestrian bridge, plant, rain forest, sungai melinau, suspension bridge, trekking
Monkey Bridge over River
monkey bridge in the jungle, borneo, cables, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, knots, lumber, malaysia, melinau river, pedestrian bridge, rain forest, ropes, sungai melinau, suspension bridge, trees, trekking, vanishing point
Monkey Bridge in the Jungle
monkey bridge in the jungle, borneo, cables, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, knots, lumber, malaysia, melinau river, pedestrian bridge, rain forest, ropes, sungai melinau, suspension bridge, trees, trekking, vanishing point
Monkey Bridge in the Jungle
monkey bridge over melinau river - gunung mulu national park (borneo), borneo, cables, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, knots, lumber, malaysia, melinau river, pedestrian bridge, rain forest, ropes, sungai melinau, suspension bridge, trees, trekking, vanishing point
Monkey Bridge over Melinau River - Gunung Mulu National Park (Borneo)
monkey bridge over melinau river - gunung mulu national park (borneo), borneo, cables, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, knots, lumber, malaysia, melinau river, pedestrian bridge, rain forest, ropes, sungai melinau, suspension bridge, trees, trekking, vanishing point
Monkey Bridge over Melinau River - Gunung Mulu National Park (Borneo)
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Jungle Monkey Bridge (Borneo)
jungle monkey bridge (borneo), borneo, cables, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, knots, lumber, malaysia, melinau river, pedestrian bridge, rain forest, river bed, ropes, sungai melinau, suspension bridge, trees, trekking, vanishing point
Jungle Monkey Bridge (Borneo)
boatmen pushing boat up the shallow waters of the melinau river - mulu (borneo), boatman, boatmen, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, men, rain forest, river bed, river boat, rocks, shallow river, small boat, sungai melinau, trees, wading
Boatmen Pushing Boat up the Shallow Waters of the Melinau River - Mulu (Borneo)
boatmen pushing boat up the shallow waters of the melinau river - mulu (borneo), boatman, boatmen, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, men, rain forest, river bed, river boat, rocks, shallow river, small boat, sungai melinau, trees, wading
Boatmen Pushing Boat up the Shallow Waters of the Melinau River - Mulu (Borneo)
pushing a boat in the shallow waters of the melinau river - mulu (borneo), boatman, boatmen, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, men, pebbles, rain forest, river bed, river boat, rocks, shallow river, small boat, sungai melinau, trees, yellow boat
Pushing a Boat in the Shallow Waters of the Melinau River - Mulu (Borneo)
pushing a boat in the shallow waters of the melinau river - mulu (borneo), boatman, boatmen, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, men, pebbles, rain forest, river bed, river boat, rocks, shallow river, small boat, sungai melinau, trees, yellow boat
Pushing a Boat in the Shallow Waters of the Melinau River - Mulu (Borneo)
peaceful jungle river (borneo), borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, rain forest, sungai melinau, trees
Peaceful Jungle River (Borneo)
peaceful jungle river (borneo), borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, rain forest, sungai melinau, trees
Peaceful Jungle River (Borneo)
reflections in river water, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, rain forest, sungai melinau, trees
Reflections in River Water
reflections in river water, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, rain forest, sungai melinau, trees
Reflections in River Water
pushing a boat in the shallow waters of sungai melinau river - mulu (borneo), boatman, boatmen, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, men, rain forest, river bed, river boat, rocks, shallow river, small boat, sungai melinau, trees
Pushing a Boat in the Shallow Waters of Sungai Melinau River - Mulu (Borneo)
pushing a boat in the shallow waters of sungai melinau river - mulu (borneo), boatman, boatmen, borneo, gunung mulu national park, jungle, malaysia, melinau river, men, rain forest, river bed, river boat, rocks, shallow river, small boat, sungai melinau, trees
Pushing a Boat in the Shallow Waters of Sungai Melinau River - Mulu (Borneo)
wooden walkway along river cliff, borneo, cliff, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, lumber, malaysia, melinau river, pathway, plant, rain forest, rock, sungai melinau, trail, trekking, walkway, wooden
Wooden Walkway along River Cliff
wooden walkway along river cliff, borneo, cliff, gunung mulu national park, hiking, jungle, lumber, malaysia, melinau river, pathway, plant, rain forest, rock, sungai melinau, trail, trekking, walkway, wooden
Wooden Walkway along River Cliff