Waterfall Trek @ Sg Gapoi, Pahang

Brief Information

Sungai Gapoi (Gapoi River) is situated southbound beyond the town of Karak in Pahang. The waterfall itself is sort of multi-tiered if one notices. However the main beast of a fall is plunging vertically into an exquisite pool which is suitable for taking a relaxing dip, frolicking or whatever you can imagine.

My Experience

Gapoi waterfall has got to be one of the easiest waterfalls to access in my experience. Park your car, gather your picnic goodies, and walk another 10 minutes. You will know when you’re reaching as Gapoi waterfall teases you with its sheer power, creating loud audible noise from its vast volume of plunging water. The familiarity of such noise creates excitement and a pinch of adrenaline into the blood, but one has to sidetrack and continue through the stream before Gapoi waterfall truly welcomes you with its tranquility.

I reckon this post would focus more on how to get the parking lot before the falls as 2 hours (Including rest stops from KL) of the journey is by car and only 10 minutes on foot. Anyhow, it was a cloudy morning as I stepped out of the car and prepared for the ‘stroll’. Be prepared to get your legs wet as the first obstacle happened to be crossing the stream!

At this point the waterfall becomes audible, you look at your watch only to notice that 5 minutes had passed since embarking from the starting point and you think to yourself, “Wow what an easy trek, I wonder whether the waterfall would be worth visiting?” Normally we’d expect the difficulty of a task to match the satisfaction of the outcome right? Walk on another 5 minutes and it’ll prove the statement wrong.

What I like about Gapoi Waterfall is the volume of water that plunges down vertically creating a lot of force along the way. What was even more amazing is that you could actually stand waist deep and feel the water with its absolute power crashing onto your body; simply refreshing!

Check out the video (www.facebook.com/footstepstonature)! I was trying my best to get as close as possible whilst stabilising the camera before the current got the best of me.

Satisfied. What more can I say? I love being able to get up close to a waterfall and feel the water overcoming my balance as I beat my chest like a caveman; great way to get in touch with my animalistic side. Nonsense aside, Gapoi Waterfall was probably one of my best waterfall experiences to date. Super easy access, peaceful, and a skull-crushing waterfall, I repeat, what more can I say?

What to bring/wear?

There were no leeches during my trip hence it’s a green light to wearing shorts.

Jo’s ratings (ratings are subjective and biased towards participants’ experience)

1. Accessibility: 9/10 (It’s almost literally a drive to the waterfall just a bit longer distance)
2. Difficulty: 1/10 (What more can I say here?)
3. Rewarding Experience: 7/10 (I like powerful vertical waterfalls therefore Gapoi is a plus point for me, not to mention the short distance stroll)
4. Overall Rating: 8/10 (I’m rating Gapoi an 8. Aside from its easy access nature and beauty, it’s also clean and unspoilt)

Additional Information

You’d have to pass through an Orang Asli (Natives) village before arriving at the parking spot, put on a friendly face, and just smile and wave.

For more information on waterfalls in Malaysia, check out http://www.waterfallsofmalaysia.com

Getting there

GPS Coordinates (Decimal Degrees): 3.263861 102.109650 (Entrance to road leading to parking spot)

• From KL, use the Karak Highway until you reach the town of Karak. Follow Exit 9 towards Kuala Pilah.

• Once you’re in Karak town take Exit 9 towards Spg. Pelangai.

• When you’ve reached the small town of Gapoi, the entrance to Gapoi Waterfall is right after the water treatment plant on your right.

• Head all the way through the Orang Asli village until you reach the parking spot made noticeable by an open space with a tall tree.