Padalai Trails

The Padalai trail begins across river from Nanga Lubang Baya longhouse, near the Park HQ. There is a 30 metre climb to “Pendam Sepetang”, a traditional Iban burial ground dotted with old burial jars. The trail then follows the main ridge between the Lubang Baya (or crocodile pool) and Batang Ai rivers to its highest point, passing by pig wallows and cleared patches in the forest floor (the dancing grounds of the male great argus pheasant). It then descends gradually to the top of the Wong Padalai rapids, following the river downstream to a picnic area and pick-up point for longboats.

Bilitong Trail

This moderately difficult trail follows the Padalai trail for the first kilometer, then continues upwards along the crest of the ridge to Tuchong Bilitong, an important iban burial site. The remains of six tribal leaders are interred here. The trail continues through fine hill forest, gaining height until it reaches Ulu Sungai Sekerong at 320 m elevation. From here, an optional short but very steep climb leads to the peak of Tuchong Inggai at a height of 420m. This was an important look-out point in headhunting days, as the fires of enemy war parties moving up the Batang Ai river could easily be seen. A burial jar marks the final resting place of the warrior Tugang, whose spirit is said to guard the peak. The trail then descends rapidly to the confluence of the Batang Ai and the Lelayang stream, the pick-up point for the boat back to Park HQ.

Sium Trail

The most demanding and rewarding of Batang Ai’s trails, the Sium trail begins on the river bank opposite the Park HQ. The first 2.5 km of the trail is a steady climb to the main Sium ridge at a height of 415 m. It then continues along the undulating ridge, passing through pristine hill forest until it reaches an Iban burial ground. Shortly afterwards, it reaches its highest point at the peak of Bukit Sium Ukap, at an elevation of 704 m. The word “sium” in Iban means “to sniff”, as when climbing steep hills the Iban say they are “sniffing the ground”. A small area of ground has been cleared around the survey beacon at the top of the peak, and the unrestricted views are spectacular. The entire hydro lake and the surrounding forest are revealed in a green and blue panorama, and on very clear days the distant Danau Sentarum lakes can be seen in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The trail continues along the ridge for a short distance before descending rapidly to follow the Beritik river. A little further downstream is a majestic Tapang (Koompassia excelsa), its great height, white bark and broad canopy making it one of the most spectacular trees in the rainforest. Its broad horizontal branches are much favoured by nesting bees, so it is greatly prized by the Iban as a source of honey. They would never fell a Tapang as this is believed to cause madness, delirium and certain death, but if a Tapang falls in a storm or landslide, its wood is used for making the finest, straightest blowpipes. From here, the trail continues along the Beritik to its confluence with the Batang Ai, to meet the waiting boatmen or continue on foot along the riverbank to Park HQ.