If you’ve had a long day’s work or have been stuck at home all day, you might be thinking of stretching your legs and getting some fresh air; someplace quiet where you can destress amidst the greenery of nature.
If you live in the Klang Valley, here are seven of the best-kept “secret” parks, trails and green spaces you can head to with your partner and children. Spend quality time as a family while immersing yourselves in the great outdoors.
1. Bukit Jelutong Eco Community Park
This lovely location features a huge lake surrounded by spacious green lawns where your kids can run free. Set up a picnic mat and your little ones can enjoy their snacks while watching farm animals – chicken, ducks, geese and sheep – being fed, too (from 7am to 8.30am and 4pm to 7pm).
Fishing is allowed at the lake, so your little ones can practise their catch-and-release skills. Besides walking around the track, you can ride your bikes and scooters to fully appreciate the beautiful greenery.
Open daily from 7am to 7pm, entrance to this community park is free.
Address: Jalan Lelangit U8/45, Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, Selangor
2. Pulai Trail
Walk through one of the last remaining public green spaces in Bukit Persekutuan, or Federal Hill, and your kids will enjoy being surrounded by tall trees, spotting small creatures such as spiders and butterflies, and taking in the views of the Bangsar neighbourhood.
The trail, an easy 1km loop for hiking beginners, can be entered either from Jalan Negeri Sembilan or via the Free Tree Society Bangsar Nursery. The organisation actively maintains the trail and also offers online workshops to help children appreciate urban biodiversity and forest conservation.
Address: Jalan Limau Purut, Bangsar Park, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Click here for more information on the Free Tree Society.
3. Sri Bintang Hill
Put on your kids’ best walking shoes and stride through the natural beauty of Sri Bintang Hill, located strategically between Desa Park City and Sri Bintang.
The well-paved trail to the peak makes it an easy hike for the whole family, including those with little feet! Young hikers can easily conquer this 3.3km forest trail in under 60 minutes.
If a small break is needed, there is also a resting ground with self-made gym equipment. The trail is open daily to the public, with free admission.
Address: Jalan Sri Bintang 8 (also called Jalan 11/36), Taman Sri Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
4. Commonwealth Forest Park (Taman Eko Rimba Komanwel)
Pack your kiddies’ favourite backpacks and experience camping life at this charming nature park and resort in Rawang.
There are four camping zones, with up to 51 campsites near the two rivers and the main entrance for families to choose from. Toilet and bathing facilities are also provided at the base of the camp.
Kids who love water will definitely enjoy fishing and kayaking at the lake. Alternatively, enjoy a stroll along the park’s hiking trails and jogging tracks, amidst attractive landscaped gardens and serene water spots.
Address: Kilometer 23, Jalan Kuala Lumpur, Rawang, Selangor
Reservations are required prior to entry. For more information, click here.
5. Bukit Ketumbar, Cheras
Hike up 300m above sea level and you will find a colourful, floating umbrella canopy waiting for you at the peak of this hill.
Visitors have a choice between two trails: a shorter but steeper route, and the longer, more scenic option that is better suited for those with younger kids. Ropes are in place to assist you on the steeper parts of the path.
At the top, catch a breather as you observe the hill’s famed wild boars and monkeys (don’t worry, they’re used to humans), or try out the gym equipment left behind by fellow hikers for public use.
Address: Jalan 6/95b, Taman Cheras Utama, Kuala Lumpur
6. Kepong Metropolitan Park
Go fly a kite… at Kepong Metropolitan Park! Colourful kites in a range of sizes and designs can be bought just outside this lovely community space. The kids will have a blast watching them soar to great heights in the large open field on a windy day.
Families can also jog along the rubberised tracks that trail the 95-ha park, with its large, scenic lake in the middle. Open daily from 6am to 7pm.
Address: Jln Lingkaran Tengah 2, Kepong Metropolitan Lake-garden, Kuala Lumpur
7. Bukit Jalil Recreational Park
Still yet to travel internationally? This park has your family covered!
Its unique international garden, featuring architectural structures from 10 different countries – England, Holland, Japan, China, Malaysia, Iran, Peru, Canada, Thailand, and Indonesia – allows kids to “travel the world” simply by walking around the gently sloping, 32-ha terrain.
Besides this “Little World”, this park has a children’s playground, exercise stations, a reflexology path, heliconia garden, lakes full of catfish, and a dedicated area for people with disabilities to enjoy. It is open daily from 6am to 7pm.
Address: Jalan 13/155c, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
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This article was written by Aliaa Baharudin for makchic, a Malaysian-based online site for chic, curious, and spirited parents. makchic and has been providing trustworthy and authentic family-related content since 2013. For diverse stories of parenthood that inform, support, and uplift all families, visit makchic.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.