Bukit Tabur is special for several reasons. First it stretches for over 22 kilometres, is only 200 metres wide and is made almost purely of quartz. Second it's one of my favourite adventure hikes. It's a bit of a scramble on a narrow, rocky path that undulates over exposed craggy patches, scrub vegetation and even some forested plateaus. The ecosystem changes are noticeable if you look at the flora and fauna carefully.

The best part of the hike is observing the city environs from atop the ridge. Great views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline and the reservoir make for nice picnic spots. Walk the trails at a leisurely pace and search the nooks and crannies. Sit down amongst the brush or watch panoramic vistas for wildlife to catch songbirds flickering nearby and eagles cruising the currents.Keep alert to ensure safe-footing on thin ledges and to enjoy a one-of-a-kind hiking experience.

The ridge offers panoramic views from an assortment of angles. Be sure to bring along your camera or video recorder to capture your journey atop the rock ridge Or just find a quiet spot to absorb the morning sunrise. The start of the trail - a 20 minute workout - is a rutted gully leading uphill in a hurry. It first cuts through an abandoned orchard until you scamper over bigger rocks to a flattened space that serves as the main meeting point.

This is where the two ridges taper down and you get your first look at the dam. Looking towards the water, hike the left arm of the ridge not the right arm. Hiking from start to end takes 3 hours. You are exposed to the elements most of the day, that means it's hot. Take all the necessary precautions regarding sunscreen, protective gear, food and water. Most day-trekkers usually hike up the path and come back down quickly the same way. That's the safest way to go. The exit point is tricky and not well marked. Plus you'll have to double back on the road to your parked car.

In brief, the terrain offers a challenging, enjoyable and exhausting outdoor hike. There are more choices than just hiking at Klang Gates. Explore the ridge outcrops and find attractive observation points of the horizon to test your photography skills. Early mornings make for nice misty vistas over the dam or shots of Bukit Tabur. Or search for remnants of exposed quartz crystals embedded in broken crevices.

Protected as a wildlife sanctuary back in 1936, Klang Gates is mountain goat (serow) habitat. Today seeing a serow is probably impossible - but keep looking! In the wooded areas, signs of wild pigs show up as hoof-trampled paths. As for birders, try to spot the Black-necked Tailor Bird or the Banded Bay Cuckoo. Unfortunately, disturbance from development, fires and agriculture has changed the environment and also threatens some of its 265 plant species. The popularity of the rugged trail sometimes hinders its safekeeping. So always keep in mind that the quartz ridge is a valued ecosystem to preserve.