Gunung Belumut Exploration

Gunung Belumut in Malay means “covered or blanketed in moss”. It is 1010 m in height, putting it among the highest in Johor. This distinctive mountain resembling a "crouching dinosaur" is also the most prominent landmark in the district of Kluang. The mountain is clad in dipterocarp lowland and sub-montane forest. The summit is covered with Leporspermum trees, known in Malay as "Pokok teh". The water found near the summit adopts the colour of "Teh-O". It is however generally safe for drinking.

You can expect a breathtaking view from the summit on a clear day. From a vantage point, you can see Gunung Chemundong and the green vistas of rolling hills of the Kluang and Kota Tinggi in the south as well as the Endau Rompin forest in the north. Gunung Blumut is also well known for its diverse forest bird and mammal life. Notably well known are the hornbills and trogons. Commonly seen or heard at G Blumut are the Great Argus Pheasant, Yellow-crowned and Blue-eared Barbet, Trogon, Babblers as well as the Crested Serpent and the Changeable Hawk-eagle. The hornbills found here include the Rhinoceros, Helmeted, Wreathed, Bushy Crested and White-crowned Hornbill.

The mountain is accessible from Ulu Dengar recreational park and Kahang Timur oil palm estate. The climb to the summit will take about 6 hours, making it quite necessary to camp overnight. A namelist with particulars of climbers and duration of climb has to be submitted to the Kg Gajah Police station prior to the climb.

Historically G. Blumut was also during WWII, the site of resistance against the Japanese forces by stay behind British forces and the local Malayan People Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA). In the 50s, during the height of the Communist Emergency, a heli-pad was built at the summit for helicopters to supply the British security forces fighting the former MPAJA who was then turned freedom fighters.