Here’s your ultimate, updated Kangkar Pulai JB hiking guide: a beautiful “secret” blue lake near Skudai.
While researching new fun things to do in Johor Bahru, we chanced upon an old article about a very blue lake near the Skudai area. Curious— and also wanting to do something besides eating and shopping — we decided to find the lake and see if it was really that dreamy teal colour.
But we realised the available information online is mostly dated, so we decided to write an updated, easy-to-follow Kangkar Pulai JB hiking guide to the lookout point of Kangkar Pulai’s Blue Lake (Google Maps).
Disclaimer: The blue lake is part of an active quarry and is not a natural lake. Some of the areas surrounding the hiking trail are marked as restricted zones due to the presence of heavy vehicles and machinery. So, stay on the trail and away from restricted areas.
Where is the Blue Lake of Kangkar Pulai？
The Blue Lake is located in Kangkar Pulai, a small town about a 30 to 40-minute drive away from JB Sentral.
It’s within the Mount Pulai (Gunung Pulai Mountain) hiking trail, a 4-hour-long jungle trek with a summit elevation of 654m.
However, this 40-minute-long “shortcut” detailed in our Kangkar Pulai JB hiking guide leads directly to a lookout spot where you can see the Blue Lake in all of its glory.
We recommend taking a GrabCar from JB Sentral. Then, set the destination as “Kangkar Blue Lake”, which will lead to the car park.
If you’re self-driving, set your GPS to “Taman Awam BBKP” (Google Maps) — the open-air car park next to the hike’s starting point.
As it’s not an official hiking trail, the path to the Blue Lake is unmarked.
Here’s how you can identify the path: it’s right next to a blue makeshift washroom marked “TOILET”, with tree branches and sticks neatly placed in a row by fellow hikers nearby.
There’s also an Indian Temple, the Malaiyalum Murugaperuman, in the area. The path to the temple is marked with red poles and has a flight of concrete stairs. Do not take that path as it does not lead to the blue lake.
Note: You can also reach Blue Lake via a concrete pathway on the left side of the car park. Simply follow the signs that read “Tasik Biru” (indicated by blue dotted lines on the map above). That path passes through an area with giant rocks before winding up to the lookout point via a narrow pathway… but more on that later. 😉
Hiking Up to the Lookout Point of Tasik Biru (Blue Lake)
To be very honest, the start of the hike caught us by surprise. Instead of a gradual ascent, it was an immediate workout with near-vertical steps — a beaten path created by hikers who had explored the place before.
There’s also a rope tied to a nearby tree to pull yourself up.
We recommend packing light for the hike. We were carrying full backpacks loaded with our camera equipment and belongings for a 3D2N trip in JB, and we felt the impact on our ascent significantly.
Read also: 3D2N JB Itinerary — Mount Austin, Kulai, JB Sentral
After that steep incline, it’s mostly gentler inclines followed by about four steeper slopes that may require you to get on all fours to get up.
Then the hike will get easier with more flat ground. You’ll walk through the luscious jungle of Malaysia, and might even spot some wildlife like macaques!
Although the trail lacks signage, it’s a pretty straightforward route; simply stay on the path to avoid getting lost.
We also met many hikers going to and returning from the Blue Lake lookout — fellow Singaporeans and young kids too — suggesting this is an easy-to-follow trail… and maybe not so secret after all. 😂
Whenever we encountered a forked path, we took the upward trail. If both paths were uphill, we chose the visibly more-travelled route, although both paths eventually led to the lookout point, as we found out after asking other hikers we met on the way.
Reaching the Lookout Point of Tasik Biru (Blue Lake)
After about 40 minutes, we reached the lookout point! Although the average hiker might take closer to 20 minutes, since we paused frequently for photos and videos.
To our delight, the Blue Lake lived up to its name, showcasing the vibrant azure hues we had seen online. Its colour leaned towards turquoise, an intensely concentrated shade that echoed the beauty of the precious gemstone.
But why is it such a striking shade of blue?
A quick search on the Internet explained the science behind this phenomenon: the presence of minerals like limestone powder and calcium carbonate reflect sunlight from the quarry waters, resulting in the brilliant shade.
The lookout point is a great place to relax and take in the mesmerising, glistening lake. There’s enough space for hikers to chill and snap some pictures.
Be aware of the steep drop at the cliff’s edge, though. Some areas are cordoned off, but still, keep a safety distance and watch your footing.
Just a heads-up, while the Blue Lake might look like a straight-up dream, you’ll also get a 100% real reminder that it’s a working quarry thanks to the sights of trucks and construction sounds. Still a real charmer, though, in my opinion!
Like us, other hikers were equally drawn to the uniquely blue waters during our visit. One remark we heard a lot was, “Wow, it’s so blue.”
We stayed at the lookout point for about 20 minutes before making our way down.
Going Down to the Rock Garden
Having seen other hikers take a path different from ours, we decided to descend on that route.
Along the way down, we met a friendly local Mr. Goh, who kindly guided us to another area with large rock boulders (Google Maps). Some locals and visitors termed the place “Rock Garden”. We’d also later realise that this is where the car park’s concrete pathway leads.
There isn’t much information we can find about the origins of the giant rocks, but they’re likely excavated from the quarry site and deposited there, as told by Mr. Goh.
Numerous rocks of varying sizes are scattered across the expansive open area, creating a stark contrast to the dense jungle we were in just a couple of moments ago.
The enormous rocks tower several metres above us, making us feel tiny. We also noticed odd parallel markings on some of them, likely left by quarry machinery like bulldozers… or a lost civilisation—we may never know.
Not gonna lie, the scene’s dramatic scale evoked a feeling similar to Jurassic Park. We took some photos under the blazing sun before heading down to the concrete pathway that led to the car park.
And within 20 minutes, we were back at the car park area!
Getting a Grab back to the town centre or JB Sentral is not difficult.
Essentials and pro-tips for hiking Kangkar Pulai’s Blue Lake
1) Footwear: Albeit a short hike, it’s still challenging, especially if you’re not good with steep slopes. Wear good grippy footwear like proper hiking or sports shoes, or hiking sandals. We also recommend wearing long pants as parts of the hike pass through taller grass.
2) Pack light: Because there are several steep slopes, we suggest packing light — just a water bottle and some snacks in case you get hungry along the way. However, we have to warn you that we saw some wild macaques, so it’s best to avoid carrying food in your hands.
We also recommend applying insect repellent before entering the trail to keep the pesky mosquitoes at bay.
3) Timing: Start the hike earlier in the morning, too, as it gets hot during the day. For your safety, do not hike in the evening, as the Kangkar Pulai hike is not a regulated hiking trail or a national park, and there are no street lights beyond the car park area.
And if this Kangkar Pulai JB hiking guide has piqued your interest in exploring the Skudai area of more, you might find these guides useful:
– 11 Exciting Yet Affordable Things to Do in Skudai Under S$20 — JB’s New Up-and-coming Neighbourhood
– Skudai Food Guide — 11 Lesser-known Local Eats, Cafes and Bars Just 30 Minutes Away from JB Checkpoint
– 11 Best Things to Do, See, Eat in Sutera Mall and Surrounds — JB’s Lesser-known Local Shopping Hub
Do you know of any other nature spots in Johor Bahru? Let us know in the comments below.
