By Nova Renata
(Jan 12) Sabah is a thriving adventure playground, teeming with opportunities for adrenaline binges, cultural exploration and rare wildlife encounters. If you are a local, chances are you have conquered Mount Kinabalu more than once and have ticked off the major tourism destinations that Sabah offers — amazing destinations like Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Spring and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Luckily, several new and exciting adventure destinations seem to have emerged post-pandemic and are slowly gaining popularity. If you are looking for new rugged destinations to tick off in 2025, here are some of the places worth visiting:
1. Crocker Range Park
Encompassing a vast 3,500 square kilometres, the UNESCO-listed Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve stretches across Sabah, showcasing a remarkable diversity of ecosystems. From lush lowland forests to the misty peaks of montane forests, this region teems with life, harbouring a wealth of flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth, including endangered species.
Designated a forest reserve in 1968, the Crocker Range plays a crucial role in protecting vital water sources for Sabah’s west coast and interior. While its neighbour, Kinabalu National Park, often steals the limelight, the Crocker Range remains a relatively undiscovered gem. However, this seclusion offers a unique opportunity to experience Sabah’s natural beauty more intimately and authentically.
If you have less than 24 hours, you can opt to discover Crocker Range Park on a day trip. A short day trip allows you the opportunity to see numerous orchids, pitcher plants, and if you’re lucky, a blooming rafflesia. Of course, a visit to the Mahua Waterfall is also in the book if you’re looking for a cooling dip.
Should you want to discover more of the Crocker Range montane forest, the two-day, one-night Gunung Alab expedition is recommended. This moderately challenging hike takes you to the peak of Mount Minduk Sirung (2,050 metres above sea level) and offers plenty of opportunity to observe Sabah’s rarely-seen birdlife.
For hardcore travellers who aren’t scared to get themselves scratched and muddy, the Mount Trusmadi expedition is for you. Standing at 2,642 metres above sea level, the Trusmadi is the second-highest peak in Sabah and Malaysia. Compared to Mount Kinabalu, Mount Trusmadi offers a tougher challenge to its climbers and many won’t even reach the summit. However, if you tough it out, you will be rewarded with the most breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu from its summit.
2. Kudat
Famous for the stunning view of Tanjung Simpang Mengayau — the Tip of Borneo — Kudat is home to the Rungus indigenous people of Sabah. The Rungus people are widely known for their craftsmanship and beautiful beaded accessories, known as the pinakol and litai.
In the past, Kudat has been widely promoted as a beach vacation and surfing destination. This year, why not make it a point to get to know the ethnic Rungus people of Kudat better through community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives? By participating in local homestay programmes, you will get to experience the daily life of a local Rungus family, experience their culture and warm hospitality, and even learn to make their traditional dishes in a cooking class.
3. Orou Sapulot
With sustainable travel being a major industry trend in recent years, it’s good to know that Sabah is now offering more community-based tourism options for travellers eager to immerse themselves in an authentic community experience. Enter Orou Sapulot — a community-based tourism project in the interior of Sabah, Malaysia. It aims to promote sustainable tourism while preserving the Murut culture and environment.
Orou Sapulot offers a unique adventure, cultural immersion, and sustainable tourism experience, from spelunking in ancient caves and scaling the 240-metre-tall Batu Punggul limestone pinnacle to staying in traditional longhouses and learning how to make delicious rice wine.
4. KOPEL Kinabatangan
Another excellent sustainable tourism initiative, KOPEL Kinabatangan stands for Koperasi Pelancongan Mukim Batu Puteh Kinabatangan Bhd. It’s a community-based tourism organisation located in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Having won numerous awards for its conservation and cooperative work, KOPEL is notable for its conservation efforts in the Lower Kinabatangan region and in generating income for the surrounding community. This cooperative seeks to provide employment opportunities for local indigenous youth and minimise youth migration while spreading awareness on the importance of preserving biodiversity in the ecosystem.
You can do your part as a responsible tourist by taking part in KOPEL’s unique jungle camp or homestay programmes or even volunteering your time and expertise. Besides contributing to the livelihood of the local Kinabatangan community, the jungle camps and homestay programmes also raise funds for KOPEL’s long-running forest conservation initiatives, which are low energy, and low impact by design.
5. Taralamas Rive Canyon
The Taralamas River Canyon is a picturesque hidden gem located in Ranau. Many are unaware but the river canyon was actually formed over 15 million years ago, making it older than Mount Kinabalu! Over the centuries, the river has carved its way through layers of sedimentary rock, creating a breathtaking landscape worth exploring.
Surrounded by the lush rainforest surrounding the canyon, Taralamas is recognised by its uniquely smooth canyon walls formed by millions of years of water erosion, creating a mirror-like reflection, and offering a truly unmatched experience.
Depending on your fitness level, you can choose to explore the trail via two main trails. The standard Loop Trail offers a moderate six-kilometre hike with stunning views of the canyon walls and the Widu River. The Sadoron Trail offers a more challenging eight-kilometre hike leading to the remarkable Sadoron Waterfall.
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