the view of mt Kinabalu from Mesilou village
Step by step climb to the top of Mt kinabalu 2023
The climb up Mount Kinabalu begins at Timpohon Gate, with an initial descent to Carson’s Fall, named after Kinabalu Park’s first warden. From there, depending on your fitness level, the climb typically takes about 4-5 hours. Start by registering at the park headquarters where you’ll sort out your badges, mountain guide, porter, name tag, insurance, food, and water before setting off.
The trail ascends through a steep staircase of tree roots, leading to a mossy landscape of drifting clouds and orchid-draped trees, where pitcher plants and rhododendrons are plentiful. The first shelter, Kandis, at 1,981 meters, offers views of the road linking Kota Kinabalu to the Park on clear days. The second shelter, Ubah, at 2,081.4 meters, is home to the unique Nepenthes lowii pitcher plant. The trail passes the Sabah Telecoms Station at Komborongoh (2,252.2 meters), where ‘Komborongoh’ refers to a plant used by locals in traditional rituals to ward off evil spirits.
The third shelter, Lowii, at 2,267 meters, is followed by a climb through a mossy forest of bamboo and tree ferns, with more rhododendrons visible. Mempening Shelter, at 2,516 meters, features wild begonias and offers a chance to spot squirrels, tree shrews, and birds. Past the Layang-Layang TV station, you reach an exposed ridge at Layang-Layang (formerly Carson’s Camp), where the Timpohon and Mesilau Trails meet at 2,740 meters.
Continuing from Layang-Layang, you pass Villosa Shelter at 2,691 meters, with open rocky patches and stunning views of Mount Kinabalu above. Higher up, you traverse a forest of twisted, silvery-grey trunks. At 3,052 meters, a small track leads to a helipad with magnificent views of the Summit Plateau. Paka Shelter, at 3,080 meters, is near Paka Cave, a historical resting spot for early explorers.
As the air thins, breathing becomes harder. Accommodations for the overnight stop include Laban Rata Resthouse, Pendant Hut, Lemaing, Mokodou, and Kinotoki Huts, providing hostel facilities and a restaurant for climbers. Panar Laban, meaning ‘the place of sacrifice,’ holds historical significance where rituals were performed to appease ancestral spirits.
The final ascent begins around 2:00 am to catch the sunrise at the summit. The climb takes about 3 hours, with ladders and ropes aiding the steeper sections. The trail to the summit reveals dramatic landscapes of cliffs, gorges, plateaus, and precipices. About an hour from Panar Laban, you reach Sayat-Sayat Hut (3,668 meters), the highest shelter where your permit is checked for summit access. The final stretch crosses eerie granite slabs, culminating at the summit at 4,095.2 meters. Here, witness a breathtaking sunrise and the dramatic drop of Low’s Gully.
The descent to the mountain’s base should be timely to avoid obstructive clouds. It takes about 2 hours to return to Panar Laban, and another 4-5 hours to reach Timpohon Gate. The record for the slowest descent from Panar Laban to Timpohon Gate is 12 hours.
- Begins at Timpohon Gate which is 5.5 Km from Kinabalu Park HQ
- For beginners as it is equipped with clear paths to help in ascending the steep and rocky terrain
- No valleys or plateaus – endless steps goes all the way up with rocky step
- Proper huts for refreshments every kilometre
- 2 – 3 hours climb to reach Layang-Layang
- 4 – 5 hours climb to reach Panalaban