Sabah is a state of hundred mountains, and the top five highest mountains of Malaysia are located in Sabah, i.e. (1st) Mount Kinabalu, (2nd) Mount Trus Madi, (3rd) Mount Sinsing, (4th) Mount Tambuyukon, (5th) Mount Kaingaran. Climbers and hikers will be spoiled with choices, as every hills and mountains here have different characteristics in terms of geology, landscape and biodiversity. For example, today you can climb a mountain with dense rainforest cover, then tomorrow challenge a limestone pinnacle with bald rockface. The following is a list of 10 most unique hills and mountains in Sabah for a diverse climbing experience. Please note gunung and bukit mean mountain and hill in Malay language respectively.

1. Mount Kinabalu

Height: 4,095 Metres (13,435 ft)   Location: Kinabalu Park (GPS: 6.075260, 116.558813)

As the first UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highest mountain of Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu is the No.1 tourist destination of Sabah. Mount Kinabalu is 700 million years old, and a snow-capped mountain during ice age back in 30,000 years ago. Today climbers still can see the ancient traces and jagged peaks carved by glacier near the summit.

But what truly makes Mount Kinabalu special is its cloud forest which is high in plant endemism. On the way up, you would see bright-colored pitcher plant and rare orchid next to the trail. The majestic Mount Kinabalu is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Malaysia. The climb is about 8.7 Kilometres in distance and usually take 2 days 1 night. More Info…

2. Ruhiang Hill (Bukit Perahu)

Height: 300 Metres (984 ft)   Location: Tamparuli (GPS: 6.135493, 116.278955)

The locals say there are two ships stranded on the cone-shaped Ruhiang Hill. Actually they are two huge boulders that look like ships. The climb takes less than an hour.

Early birds who reach the peak in early morning would be rewarded by the breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu on a sea of cloud. I can’t help to imagine that I can get on a big ship to sail to Mount Kinabalu on the cloud. After the climb, the bonus is to eat Tamparuli Fried Noodle in Tamparuli town. More Info…

3. Bukit Kokol (Kokol Hill)

Height: 800 Metres (2,625 ft)   Location: Menggatal (GPS: 6.007611, 116.207367)

Two cool things draw many visitors to unwind on Kokol Hill. It is the nearest spot to escape the heat of Kota Kinabalu city, and its magnificent sunset view. You can just drive up there without climbing at all. If life is tough, have a cup of hot coffee in cooling breeze of Kokol Hill and enjoy the scenic view of Kota Kinabalu city and islands far away. To really free your mind, try paragliding on Kokol Hill. More Info…

4. Bukit Bongol

Height: 500 Metres (1,730 ft)   Location: Kota Belud (GPS: 6.310287, 116.408424)

Want a fun hike with a group of friends? I heard a lot of praises about Bukit Bongol. The slopes are mostly gentle and the trail is less challenging. The whole hill is carpeted by grass, which is green in wet months and yellowish during drought, a spectacular scenery you all won’t forget. Climb to the high point before 9am and you would be lucky to see Mount Kinabalu, a perfect backdrop for your Instagram shots. More Info…

5. Batu Punggul

Height: 244 Metres (800 ft)   Location: Nabawan (GPS: 4.607299, 116.587644)

Located in interior, where Murut headhunters roamed in the past, Batu Punggul is the most mysterious hill of Sabah. Legend says this limestone pinnacle is a longhouse being turned into rock by angry God because the villagers made fun of the animals. At the foothill there is a cave where you can find the “fossilized furniture” such as jar and table. Climbing this vertical 800-feet limestone pinnacle will peak your adrenaline rush, and nobody will question your bravery if you can conquer Batu Punggul. More Info…

6. Mount Silam

Height: 884 Metres (2,900 ft)   Location: Lahad Datu (GPS: 4.956901, 118.165534)

You don’t need to get on a plane to have a bird-eye view of this beautiful land. Just visit the tower of heaven on Mount Silam, where you can see the picturesque scenery of Darvel Bay. The air up there is refreshing and the peak is covered in fog sometimes. Beside the tower is a nature trail that leads you to an alien world filled with mossy forest, forest crabs, rare orchid, pitcher plant, etc. More Info…

7. Mount Nombuyukong

Height: 1,603.57 Metres (5,261 ft)   Location: Kota Marudu (GPS: 6.275650, 116.687114)

Mount Nombuyukong is another mountain in north of Kinabalu Park. Its pointy peak kind of triggering my insect-like instinct that motivates me to crawl to its tip. The climb is quite challenging but takes only half a day. This is a forested mountain for nature lovers who appreciate the fauna and flora in tropical rainforest of Borneo. You won’t be disappointed when you see so many interesting fungus, flowers, trees, and birds along the way. More Info…

8. Bukit Lugas

Height: 600 Metres (1,965 feet) above sea level   Location: Tambunan (GPS: 5.506507, 116.277218)

This is a great example to inspire a person that he doesn’t need to be tall to be attractive, if he has awesome characteristics. Bukit Lugas is just a small hill, but it has an impressive ridge that looks like dragon spine. Though the narrow path is a nightmare for people with acrophobia, they still want to try it. Anyway, it is safer than it seems. This hidden dragon is exposed when its pictures went viral a few years ago. More Info…

9. Bukit Tengkorak (Skull Hill)

Height: 183 Metres (597 ft)   Location: Semporna (GPS: 4.438507, 118.619756)

Bukit Tengkorak is part of an ancient volcanic rim (about 2 KM in diameter) and the largest pottery making site in Southeast Asia during the Neolithic period (about 3,000 years ago). It is estimated that more than 6 million prehistoric potsherds found on this hill, and you would see hundred of pottery potsherds on the way up.

On top of this hill, you can have a panoramic view of Semporna town and islands. You can go further behind to explore the grassy knolls dotted with black volcanic rocks, to bag some amazing profile photos. More Info…

10. Maragang Hill

Height: 2,232 Metres (7,323 ft)   Location: Mesilau (GPS: 6.039138, 116.585750)

The distance between the peaks of Mount Kinabalu and Maragang Hill is only 5 Kilometres! This makes Maragang Hill the best viewpoint for the highest mountain of Malaysia. The viewing platform on the peak allows you to capture Mount Kinabalu, lush montane forest and blue sky in one frame.

The 4-Kilometre climb is fairly easy and takes only an hour. A camping site is available nearby for those who want to stay back for stargazing. More Info…

List of Hills and Mountains in Sabah

The list doesn’t end here. The following is a list of over 140 hills / mountains grouped by city and towns. Please note that not all of them are tourist-ready. Some destinations would require you to hire a guide or apply an entry permit. I try to link them to some useful websites (informative articles are so hard to come by nowadays). Please note the height is measured from sea level (above sea level or asl).

Beaufort

1. Bukit Balibata

Keningau and Sook

1. Gunung Alab (2,050 Metres / 6,726 ft)
2. Bukit Donguan: Facebook
3. Bukit Janda
4. Bukit Kosimbut (534 Metres / 1752 ft): Facebook, video
5. Bukit Kulanga: Facebook, video
6. Bukit Naundarangan: video
7. Bukit Malik
8. Bukit Matanoi: Facebook
9. Bukit Selomitha: Facebook
10. Bukit Sigup
11. Bukit Soborong
12. Bukit Trig Apin-Apin (574 Metres / 1,883 ft)
13. Chanang Hill
14. Bukit Durian: Facebook
15. Nulu Gundi: Facebook
16. Bukit Bandukan
17. Bukit Baverly Kikiran
18. Bukit Gonipis
19. Bukit Kara
20. Bukit Kawah
21. Bukit Masin
22. Bukit Silui Mandanan
23. Bukit Sumbiling Kikiran
24. Puncak Dimie (Mile 16 Jalan Kimanis – Keningau)

Kota Belud

1. Mount Nopungguk (1,430 Metres / 4,692 ft)
2. Bukit Bongol (527 Metres / 1,730 ft)
3. Mount Nungkok (1,652 Metres / 5,420 ft): article 1, article 2, video
4. Puncak Donggiranuk (736 Metres / 2414 ft): Facebook
5. Bukit Bendera: video 1, video 2
6. Bukit Budu Sundu (599 Metres / 1,965 ft)
7. Bukit Garas (690 Metres / 2,264 ft)
8. Bukit Pakis (184 Metres / 604 ft): video
9. Bukit Tinjau (video)
10. Bukit Tunggul (video)
11. Bukit Singkug
12. Gunung Minodtuhan (2,360 Metres / 7,743 ft): video
13. Bukit Pinontungan (1,119.6 Metres / 3,673 ft)
14. Bukit Bogung via purak ogis (866 Metres / 2841 ft)
15. Bukit Karak: video
16. Bukit Kowatuan (986 Metres / 3,235 ft): Facebook
17. Bukit Kolumpisau (1,033 Metres / 3,389 ft)
18. Dulu Hill: video, Facebook
19. Nandal Hill: video
20. Nulu Koimayaan: Facebook
21. Gunung Sadok
22. Bukit Bagong via narinang
23. Bukit Kujau
24. Bukit Mogilin
25. Bukit Trinity Kg Pandat

Kota Kinabalu (KK)

1. Bukit Kokol / Kokol Hill
2. Bonduk Hill (Bukit Gundul / Bukit Botak)
3. Bukit Padang, famous jogging park of KK people
4. Bukit Helang (at Kg. Kebagu, Sepanggar): Facebook, video
5. Bukit Janggut (300 Metres / 984 ft): video 1, video 2
6. Bukit Kopungit
7. Bukit Tuah (660 Metres / 2,165 ft)
8. Kolonutan Hill (575 Metres / 1,886 ft): Facebook
9. Signal Hill
10. Sinundu Hill: video 1, video 2
11. UMS Peak (190 Metres / 623 ft): video
12. Bukit Bubuk
13. Bukit Lumpugou

Kota Marudu

1. Gunung Nombuyukong (1,603.57 Metres / 5,261 ft)
2. Gunung Minitinduk (1,059 Metres / 3,474 ft): video
3. Bukit Cinta
4. Bukit Pancaran /TV
5. Bukit Doa
6. Bukit Lotong
7. Bukit Mundan: Facebook, video
8. Bukit Tagaroh
9. Rumun Kondiu Hill (715 Metres / 2,347 ft): Facebook, video
10. Sagang Hill: Facebook, video
11. Mt. Cochrane (580 Metres / 1,903 ft): video

Kudat

1. Gumantung Hill (405 Metres / 1,329 ft), Matunggong: Facebook, Video
2. Senambung / Sinambung Hill (529 Metres / 1,736 ft), Banggi Island: Video

Kunak

1. Bukit Madai, edible bird nest mountain
2. Bukit Tongkat Ali
3. Bukit Pidung
4. Bukit Tisop (Madai Cave): video

Kundasang and Ranau

1. Mount Kinabalu (4,095 Metres / 13,435 ft), the highest mountain of Malaysia
2. Mount Tambuyukon (2,579 Metres / 8,461 ft), the 4th highest mountain of Malaysia (tough!)
3. Mount Mantapok (1,481 Metres / 4,959 ft): Facebook, video
4. Maragang Hill (2,232 Metres / 7,323 ft): Facebook, Video
5. Bukit Lugas Kg Waang Ranau (1,215 Metres / 3,986 ft): Facebook
6. Sosodikon Hill / Bukit Pyramid (1,465 Metres / 4,806 ft): Facebook, video
7. Daparak Hill: Facebook, video
8. Bukit Dompurungon
9. Bukit Hampuan Forest Reserve
10. Bukit Kamunsu, Sabah Tea Garden
11. Bukit Kimondou, Kg. Kibbas (899 Metres / 2,950 ft): video, Facebook
12. Tinorindak Hill (2,330 Metres / 7,644 ft)
13. Bukit Babi (Swine or Pig Hill)

Lahad Datu

1. Mount Silam
2. Bukit Piton: Facebook
3. Bukit Belacon: video 1, video 2
4. Bukit Klasik (Classic Hill): video
5. Taruakan Hill, Pulau Sakar: Facebook, video
6. Mount Danum (1,093 Metres / 3,586 ft)

Long Pasia

1. Bukit Botoii: video

Membakut

1. Bukit Samudera

Papar / Kinarut

1. Bukit Bendera
2. Bukit Boya, Outward Bound School
3. Kinandukan Hill / Bukit Kinandukan Kelanahan (135 Metres / 443 ft): Facebook, video
4. Bukit Kuburan
5. Bukit Lumagas

Pitas

1. Morovidu Hill: video
2. Piniapat Hill (141 Metres / 463 ft): Facebook, Video
3. Mondou Hill (Bukit Mondou) (<80 Metres)
4. Bukit Tudturan

Sandakan / Kinabatangan

1. Batu Tulug, the coffin hill (ancient burial site)
2. Berhala Island (Peak 1: Menara Api, Peak 2: Bohey Dulang)
3. Bukit Leila
4. Bukit Mawar
5. Bukit Sim Sim
6. Bukit Sundang
7. Bukit Trig
8. Bukit Seguntor or IOI Peak (305 Metres / 1,001 ft): video 1, video 2
9. Mount Walker
10. Bukit Melanta
11. Bukit Nenas
12. Bukit Sapa Taring

Sapulut

1. Batu Punggul (244 Metres / 800 ft)

Semporna

1. Bukit Tengkorak / Skull Hill (183 Metres / 597 ft)
2. Bohey Dulang, beautiful sea view of Semporna Islands Park
3. Bukit Kemiri
4. Bukit Parapat: video
5. Bukit Pokas
6. Mount Conner (368 Metres / 1,207 ft): video

Sipitang

1. Mount Lumaku (1,900 Metres / 6,234 ft)
2. Mount Rimau / Senipung Hill (2,025 Metres / 6,644 ft), Long Pasia
3. Gunung Muruk Miau
4. Bukit Tampalagas: video

Tambunan

1. Mount Trus Madi (2,642 Metres / 8,668 ft), the second highest mountain of Malaysia
2. Gunung Wakid (1,372 Metres / 4,501 ft)
3. Gunung Sinsing (2,586 Metres / 8,484 ft) and Gunung Kaingaran (2,468 Metres / 8,097 ft): article 1, article 2, video
4. Bukit Dandab / Dandab Hill (Tambunan Viewing Point or Sinurambi)
5. Bukit Lugas
6. Bukit Dampasak (950 Metres / 3,117 ft)
7. Bukit Kolindasan (1,130 Metres / 3,707 ft)
8. Bukit Kalas (Kg Tontolob)
9. Bukit Kimbolung

Tamparuli

1. Ruhiang Hill / Bukit Perahu (300 Metres / 984 ft)
2. Bukit Kusai
3. Bukit Mayang
4. Mara Kara Hill (641 Metres / 2,103 ft): Facebook, Videos (part 1, part 2)
5. Malba Trig Hill
6. Nomburungui Hill
7. Bukit Talantang (332 Metres / 1,089 ft)
8. Bukit Sinagang
9. Bukit Kulintangan

Tawau

1. Bombalai Hill (530 Metres / 1,089 ft), ancient volcano rim
2. Mount Lucia (1,240 Metres / 4,068 ft) & Mount Magdalena (1,312 Metres / 4,304 ft): video (part 1, 2, 3, 4)
3. Mount Wullersdorf, Balung: Facebook, video
4. Mount Lutong (1,675 Metres / 5,436 ft): highest point of Maliau Basin
5. Bukit Pancang (Bukit Tinagat) (398 Metres / 1,306 ft): video
6. Bukit Gemok (428 Metres / 1,404 ft)
7. Bukit 38
8. Bukit Akar: video
9. Bukit Cinta (276 Metres / 906 ft): video
10. Bukit Hero: video
11. Bukit Kayawan: video
12. Bukit King Kong (Batu Payung): video 1, video 2
13. Bukit Lim Man Kui: video
14. Bukit Lipan
15. Bukit Middle
16. Bukit Sungai Udin
17. Bukit Tiger (407.9 Metres / 1,338 ft)
18. Bukit Tukok, Kalabakan
19. Lion Hill
20. Gunung Maria
21. Mount Mostyn (495 Metres / 1,624 ft)
22. Bukit Batu Hitam
23. Bukit Lika / Bukit Botak
24. Bukit Sumundu

Telipok

1. Bukit Nulu Kebayau
2. Bukit Tirig, Kg. Lapasan
3. Bukit Binaong
4. Bukit Kayu Madang
5. Bukit Malawa
6. Bukit Payung

Tenom

1. Bukit Layang-Layang
2. Bukit Rukud (281 Metres / 922 ft): video

Telupid

1. Mount Meliau (1,336 Metres / 4,383 ft): video
2. Bukit Doji
3. Bukit Microwave

Tongod

1. Bukit RISM (Gunung Tinkar) (584.2 Metres / 1,917 ft), Centre of Sabah

Tuaran & Kiulu

1. Bukit Nuluh Lapai
2. Bukit Kapur
3. Bukit Ketam, Tenghilan Tuaran: video 1, video 2
4. Bukit Merlin / Morokolingn
5. Bukit Merah, Karambunai
6. Bukit Purak Mato, Kiulu (720 Metres / 2,362 ft)
7. Bukit Tompinangan / Gray Hill
8. Bukit Tungkalingan
9. Dapako Hill, Kiulu (598 Metres / 1,961 ft): Facebook, video
10. Kokobuan Trig Hill (950 Metres / 3117 ft): Facebook, video
11. Sangod Hill: Facebook
12. The Peak of Hope

It would take you almost 3 years to conquer all of them, even if you climb a new one every week, and there are probably hundred more new mountains to be added to this list in future. For every mountain that we conquer, it’s like making a new friend and you will always want to go back again. Stay safe and happy climbing!

Photos taken in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo