Introduction
Penang is a nature-lover's haven. It is home to one of the oldest and unique tropical rainforests in the world right in the vicinity of the island and also to many interesting species of plants and animals, some of which may not be found elsewhere in the country.
On the northeastern part of the island is found a gazetted area covering some 873 hectares called the Telok Bahang Forest Reserve. In here is located the 32 hectare Forest Park. Established in 1974, the Forest Park was set up to inculcate among people of all ages interest, appreciation and knowledge of Malaysia's unique biodiversity. In the effort to bring people closer to nature, a Forestry Museum was set up and several hiking trails were mapped out.
Various facilities are provided in situ to encourage outdoor activities- picnic and camping grounds, leisure-stroll paths, forest-educational plot, lecture hall, meeting rooms and hostel for men and women.
o Getting there: The Telok Bahang Forest Park is located about 15 minutes away (if you travel on foot) from Telok Bahang town. Take one of the northbound buses from Komtar or the jetty to Telok Bahang. Depending on the traffic situation, this trip takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. When you reach the town, get off the bus and walk past the eating shops until you reach a roundabout. Turn left and walk for about 15 minutes or so, past the Butterfly Farm on your left, until you reach the entrance to the Forest Park. There is no entrance charge.
o Teluk Bahang nature hikes: There is a Forestry Museum, four hiking trails within the Forest Park and a fifth trail spanning the Forest Park in the north and Penang Hill in the south. These five trails are all open to the public at no charge and each is planned according to different levels of difficulty. Guides may be available but you can identify the trails and the plant species by referring to the hiking trail leaflet, which is available from the Forest Park grounds or the Forestry Department, Komtar. See contact details at the end of the article.
