Amazing Hiking Trip to Niah National Park (Sarawak)

 Hiking adventure to Niah National Park

Quick summary of our experiences in Niah Park

Niah Park has always been a place I always wanted to visit since I was a kid (reading and seeing pictures of it from our Geography and History lesson from school day) and finally I am here. Felt really excited and at the same time nostalgic as though I have been here before.

My partner and me decided to visit this place in May 2024 just right after our hiking trip to Mulu National Park, a few days earlier. We flew in from the town of Limbang to Miri via MASWings.

 

The Niah Park cave systems especially the Great Cave was amazing and awestruck. The size and width of the cave mouth is unbelievable and limestones formation is such an amazing work of beauty. Getting the chance to walk in the dark cave (in complete pitch black) was humbling. All in all, the experienced and feeling we had throughout this journey is simply priceless and one of a kind. Looking forward for more adventures to this magical place real soon.

A bit of Niah Park history

Niah National Park is one of Sarawak’s smallest national parks - what is most interesting about Niah is that one of the main claims to fame is the birthplace of civilization in the region. The oldest modern human remains in Southeast Asia along with many other relics of prehistoric man were discovered about 40,000 years ago, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

Niah Park includes Paleolithic & Neolithic burial sites, ancient cave paintings and the spectacular Great Cave, one of the world's largest cave entrances, Niah national park was gazette in 1974 and covers 3000 hectares of virgin rainforest and limestone hills.

All in all, the experienced and feeling we had throughout this journey is simply priceless and one of a kind. Looking forward for more adventures to this magical place real soon.

Niah National Park (main entrance) 

Picture of yours truly standing at the entrance of the park

Park registration office

Before entering the park, you need to perform self-registration and pay an entrance fees to the park office. The fees are RM10 (per person for Malaysian only) and a different rate for overseas foreign visitor. You will be issued a ticket that need to be shown to the security guard near the river crossing point as proof of payment.

Note: There's ample parking space available at the park HQ and is free.

Entry point to Niah Park & Museum (across the river)

The entry point to the Niah Park's trail is actually located across the river and you need to take a boat ride. The jetty for boat ride is just less than 5min walk from the park HQ office (where you do your registration and payment earlier).

Jetty for river crossing

You need to pay a small token sum of RM1 (1 way) to go across the river. It takes less than 3min to go across - I must say this is one of the shortest boats rides I ever had in my life. hahahaha!

Beware of crocodile in the river

Hey, Sarawak jungle is wild areas. Hence, is not surprising if you chance to see a crocodile somewhere in the river. So, no swimming or threading of water to go across. Pay the boatman and use the boat instead!!!

When you reach the other end of the river crossing, you need to walk-up the wooden stairs and will see a signboard for the different location to visit and its distances from the jetty.

Map /route trail to the cave systems

The distance to the great cave from the jetty is approximately 4km (one way).  As you will be walking slowly and viewing the different cave systems, do ensure you allocate at least 3-5hours for the round trip. Most people will visit the 3 cave systems - Traders Cave, Great Cave and lastly the Painted cave before backtracking using the same trail to return back to the park HQ.

Walking trail to the cave systems

The walking trail to the cave systems is quite neat - raised wooden plan/walkway all the way to the cave.

Walking trail to the cave systems

Gate before entering the cave systems

Note: I was informed that after 5pm the gate will be closed, and no one is allowed to enter the park. If you haven't come back by this time, likely the park office may call the forest ranger to come and search for you,

Walking trail (with stairway) to the cave systems

Reaching the Trader's cave systems entrance

Brief info of Trader's Cave & the Niah Cave complex (map) 

Entering Trader's Cave

Inside Trader's Cave

Trader's Cave

Trader's Cave

Great Cave (entrance of the great cave)

Great Cave (toward the main cave complex)

The writer and partner standing beside the old building used previously by the archeologist

Great Cave (bird nest hunter poles)

The pole and role used by the bird nest hunter are easily 200-300feets high straight up to the ceiling of the cave. I bet those hunters have the nerve of steel (or mad) to be able to do the climbing. A fall from such height will instantly kill anyone.

Great Cave (entrance of the great cave)

Great Cave systems

Path to go into the dark cave complex

Dark Cave systems (when you wonder around inside)

Do ensure you follow the sign board and stay on the walking platform at all times to ensure you don't get lost or get yourself injured through mishaps. The dark cave is inhabited by large colony of swiftlets and bats - hence, the floor of the cave as well as the walking platform is full of guano (swiftlet and bats droppings) which make the place very slippery and dangerous in some steep areas.

Dark Cave systems

Dark Cave systems (picture without light)

The trail to Painted Cave 

At the other end of the Great Cave, you will find the signage that point you the direction to last remaining cave to visit, the Painted Cave. You need to walk for about 20min to reach there. But, to my opinion there isn't anything interesting to see here. The drawing on the call wall is all but faded and you can't really see anything. Furthermore, the area is fence up and you can really go near to the painted wall.

Important Note:

One keynote is that after visiting Painted Cave, you need to backtrack and use the same trails you came here to find your way back to exit the cave (in the sequence of Painted Cave-->Great Cave-->Trader's Cave--> Jetty). Thus, it will basically take almost the same amount of time 1-2hours of walking before you can reach back to the jetty areas.

Quick visit to Niah Archeology Museum

After completing our viewing of the three cave systems, we visited the small museum (just before you exit the park beside the boat jetty)

There're quite a few interesting reads of the history of the park and some archeological findings from the pre-historic days. Do drop by here and you get to fill-in the blank and getting better understanding of the cave and its history. We did spend about 30min here before hopping onto the boat and go across the river for our return trip back to Miri.

Detour for the local food - giant freshwater prawn noodles

We left Niah Park around 2pm and on our way back to Miri town, we decided to do a quick stop to try out the popular freshwater prawn noodles at a restaurant nearby (beside Shell petrol station).

The restaurant is well known for its freshwater prawn - cooked in your choice of either noodles or with rice. We chose the noodles instead - ordered 2 dish - 1 plate of noodles with gravy and while the other noodles are fried. As you can see from the picture, the serving is very generous and delicious too.

My hiking partner enjoying her delicious prawn

Tusan Beach/Luak Esplanade /Tanjong Lobang

On the way back, we took a small detour to the beach areas.

Luak Esplanade Beach

Luak Esplanade Beach

Tanjong Lobang/Brighton Beach

I would say there not much interesting place to visit at these 3 beaches. Hence, we just spend a few minutes at each of the beaches and didn't take any pictures as nothing special here. 

The Tusan beach was a big disappointment as the so called famous "Horse head" cliff has collapsed and the with the beach front not accessible, we just left the place (our earlier plan was to stay for the sunset view). The picture below with the missing "horse head" cliff

The consolation point is that we did manage to catch the sunset view but at the Miri Waterfront area instead.

Night view beside the famous Miri mascot - Sea horse

Important note on preparation before you start the trip:

• Clothing:  As you will be trekking through the dense tropical forest, the weather there is very hot and humid and best you wear something light and breathable. 

• Hiking/walking gear: A lightweight and waterproof bag pack to store all the items you need, a comfortable hiking boot. I don't recommend anyone to wear sandal/flip-flop as the walkway is very slippery due to swiftlet/bat droppings all over the walkway and also is very wet.

• Light: Most important of all is either a torch light or headlamp. (Note: You will need the light when you enter the great cave systems as the trail is completely pitch black)

• Food/drinks: But do ensure you have at least a 1.5L drinking water bottle. Do get yourself some energy bar or snacks to provide some sugar rush to your tired body.

Best time to visit Niah National Park:

It rains a lot in Niah Park throughout the year. Literally, every day it will have close to 100% chance rain will fall especially in the afternoon. 

Note: Best to bring along with you either a raincoat or umbrella 

How to get to Niah National Park:

The best entry point to get to Niah National Park is via Miri. From my travel search, I found many airlines offers direct flight to this location. We actually flew from the town of Limbang to Miri. From Miri, it is best to rent a car (that's what we did) or you can book a tour. (Note: I don't recommend taking public transport - it will take you forever to wait for the bus/taxi in such remote place)

The distance from Miri town to Niah Park HQ is about 90km (one way) and will take approximately 1 hour and 30min driving through small coastal road.

Hope you will have a safe and enjoyable trip. Bye bye.