As someone who loves being in nature but has been away from hiking for quite some time, I’ve dreamt of this day yet never quite knew how to begin. My mind was full of questions: What if Iliana (my little girl) had a flare-up or worse, an anaphylactic reaction in the middle of the jungle? What if she didn’t enjoy it the way I hoped she would? And what if the trail turned out to be difficult – not just for her, but for me too after such a long break?
After some online research, I finally found a trail that felt right for our little family. The Tugu Trail is kid-friendly, gentle enough for a mum easing back into the outdoors and reassuringly safe for us to try. For those who don’t know, Iliana has certain allergies that can cause sudden hives, at times, even trigger an anaphylactic reaction. Because of this, I was mindful to choose a shorter trail – one where we could make a quick exit if a reaction happened and we couldn’t get it under control.
Taman Tugu offers 5 trails:
+ Green Trail (1.5 km)
+ Yellow Trail (1.6 km)
+ White Trail (1.2 km)
+ Nursery Trail ( 1 km)
+ Orange Trail (1.2 km)
We decided on the Green Trail (1.5km), but as we ventured deeper into the jungle, we lost track of the checkpoints. Looking back at the map now (after reviewing it one too many times), I’m pretty sure we somehow combined the Green and Yellow trails and ended up doing 3.1km instead. There’s a trail map at the entrance, and I highly recommend snapping a photo of it. Especially if you’re like me and could get lost even in a shopping mall.
Despite the unexpected extra kilometers, the trail was still gentle enough for us and my 18 month old, Ili. She proudly managed about 200 meters on her tiny legs before deciding that the carrier was far more comfortable 😂 The paths were shaded by tall trees, with many manageable steps and a few steeper ones where parents might need to lend a hand. There were also plenty of spots to pause and rest along the way. Iliana had the best time pointing at leaves, picking them up (and occasionally trying to taste them 🙈), listening to birds and even spotting a bee and declaring ‘BEE!’. The jungle completely captured her attention.
ℹ️ WHAT TO KNOW ℹ️
Practical Info
Location: Taman Tugu, Kuala Lumpur
Operation Hours: 7.00am to 6.30pm (last entry at 5.45pm). Open daily, including weekends and public holidays.
Admission: FREE!
Parking and Accessibility: Free parking is available at the Taman Tugu Nursery Entrance. Do note that a RM50 fine applies for exits after 6.30 pm. On busy weekends, the car park may close temporarily once it’s full and reopen later (ours only opened at 9 am).
Facilities: Washrooms, shower rooms, a surau, and even a baby-changing room are available at the main entrance/nursery area.
Food and Drinks: On weekends, you’ll find pop-up stalls selling snacks and drinks, but most vendors pack up after lunch.
Best time to go: We tried a Saturday morning and found parking a bit of a headache, plus the trail was a little crowded. Next time, I’d probably go in the afternoon for a quieter hike and less parking stress (personal preference).
Trail Basics
Length: There are five main trails of varying distances. We unintentionally combined the Green + Yellow Trails and ended up with about 3 km. You can stick to just one trail, or go the full loop (around 5 km) if you’re up for it.
Trail Conditions: Expect plenty of steps, lots of shaded areas and resting spots. Since we went after a rainfall, the ground was damp with a few small puddles but nothing unmanageable.
Navigation: A trail map is posted at the entrance. Snap a quick photo before you start so you can refer to it along the way. There are also checkpoints throughout, so while it’s possible to miss a turn (like we did), it’s unlikely you’ll truly get lost.
Tips for Parents
What To Bring:
+ Water
+ Snacks – We packed Iliana’s breakfast and she happily munched during a rest stop
+ Insect repellent – Non negotiable! The mozzies here take their jungle guardian role seriously
+ Baby essentials and carrier – If you’re hiking with a little one. The trails aren’t stroller-friendly, so a carrier is your best friend
+ Change of clothes
💡 Bonus tip for parents of eczema-prone or allergy-sensitive kids:
Here’s what we always bring to keep Iliana comfortable and safe
+ A small towel for quick clean ups. Sweat and dirt can irritate sensitive skin
+ Soothing cream/ Meds – Your go to moisturizer or steroid cream if prescribed. For us, that means Telfast antihistamine syrup (for hives) and an EpiPen prescribed by Iliana’s allergist (for bigger reactions).
+ Moisturizer before heading out – we slather on a fair amount at home so her skin isn’t dry since dryness = itch waiting to happen.
+ Choose breathable clothing – lightweight cotton or bamboo fabrics reduce irritation. Avoid synthetics as they trap heat. We find that dressing Iliana in long pants help reduce skin contact triggers and saves us from constant ‘don’t scratch that!’ reminders.
+ Stay cool – Heat + sweat are major itch triggers. We clipped a mini fan to the carrier to help keep Iliana comfortable.
And that wraps up our little adventure at Tugu Trail. It truly made me happy to be back on a hike. This time bonding with my husband, Iliana and our helper along the way. Like most things with kids, it took some planning and preparation, but honestly, the effort was worth every bit. If you’re considering Tugu Trail with your family, I say go for it! Pack your basics (and a little extra if you’ve got kids with sensitive skin or allergies), and you’ll be set for a fun and memorable family hike.
Rooted in rufina 
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