When you hear the words “Route 66” you’ll naturally think of the famous highway in the US, the one where you “get your kicks” according to the 1946 song. That road originally ran for 2,500 miles heading west from Chicago through the heart of America all the way to Santa Monica, California.
It is less well known that Malaysia has its own Route 66, in Kelantan, a much more modest affair only 96 km long, running from Jeli to Dabong and on to Kampung Bukit Tebok where it merges with the Central Spine Road.
Malaysia’s Route 66 might be less famous than its American namesake but it does boast some fine scenery and a couple of natural attractions along the way.
The route begins at the small town of Jeli, not far from the Thai border.
Heading south you soon approach the mountainous landscape of Gunung Stong State Park. These are the twin peaks of Gunung Stong (1433m) and Gunung Ayam (1504m).
The State Park comprises 21,950 hectares of virgin jungle reserve and is intended to serve as a conservation area for rare creatures such as wild elephants, tigers, hornbills, the serow and the tapir.
Despite the State Park’s protected status, there were noticeable traces of logging activity going on in various places.
This is Sungai Balah, a tributary of the Sungai Galas and Kelantan Rivers which eventually flows into the sea near Kota Bharu.
The Jelawang Waterfall (or Stong Waterfall) is estimated to be 300m high, one of Malaysia’s tallest, and easily visible from the main road at Dabong.
It’s a short drive to the Gunung Stong State Park HQ where there is a ticket office, guides for hire, a cafeteria, toilets and accommodation. The resort, known as Stong Hill Resort, has seen better days but appears to offer basic accommodation for the adventurous.
Termites seem to have eaten this chalet and all that remains are the concrete stilts and a toilet.
You have to pay to enter the park and walk to the waterfall. If you want to climb Gunung Stong you need to pay more and hire a guide.
The waterfall is certainly spectacular although difficult to photograph in its entirety from this vantage point.
There is a railway station (Jungle Railway) at Dabong and most tourists wishing to visit Stong arrive by train.
A short distance outside Dabong is the Gua Ikan Recreational Park. This 150-million-year-old cave complex includes three caves, Gua Keris, Gua Batu Susun and Gua Pagar.
There is no way into the caves that does not involve you getting wet. The recreational park itself is badly overgrown. If you ever go back to this area you should hire a guide to take you up Gunung Stong and show you around the caves.
Malaysia’s Route 66 is a scenic drive. Let’s hope the logging companies do not spoil the scenery. It seems the forests are losing their battle with loggers but sometimes the trees find a way of striking back.
This article first appeared in http://thriftytraveller.wordpress.com