The country roads to Ulu Kemensah are tight and winding

A greeting signboard to Jinbara Campsite.

Especially on the weekends, many city dwellers cars may be seen escaping with their family to enjoy some quality family outing, bathing in the cool clear stream, or camping at the many small chalets operated by the locals there. The stream flows by the square attap-roofed wooden chalets while shady forest trees and a small hill add a cooling effect to the natural surroundings. All along the Sungai Kemensah, there are many interesting picnic or safe camping areas frequented by groups of school or college students.

Some of the mountain bikers having breakfast.

The village coffeeshop named Jinbara Cafe after a local Rock Band name.

For us the nature enthusiast, there are several peaceful tracks into the jungle trails we can take, that may lead either to the Klang Dam, or to Janda Baik in Pahang or to Pungsun in Ulu Langat. Some of the trek is actually in the Titiwangsa or Main Range at the fringe of the Hulu Kemensah Klang Gates Reserves. One of the tracks may lead to a beautiful waterfall popularly known as Sofea Jane Waterfall (...was a movie filming location where a local actress Sofea Jane once acted) may also terminate at the 18th mile in Ulu Langat. To get there the trail will begin from the entrance of The Institut Budaya Baru Melayu, an UMNO bootcamp, through steep hills and valleys, but the waterfall scenery is worth the struggle to get there.

The 'Sofea Jane' Waterfall

Dr.Baha focusing in on the forest ecosystem

A giant fern tree

The jungle trail where the mountain bikers or motocross riders will transverse

The forest trees feaching high into the sky

For those fanatic anglers, there are several commercial fishing ponds to pass your time away. Despite the hot afternoon sun, they sit steadfast there, determined to bring back a hefty catch.

A wild banana fruit

The flower of the wild banana tree	The brilliant red colour of the heliconia

More closeup shot of jungle flowers	The young shoot of the wild fern

Further in Kampung Kemensah, one of the trails leads to an Orang Asli (Aboriginal) Resettlement Area that was set up by the Government but I have yet to pay it a visit one of this days. I was told that the people there are very friendly.

Closeup view of a wild purplish flower

The briliance of orange colour attracting insects

The purple flower truly stands out

The grasshopper basking in the morning sun

A brilliantly coloured moth

More fern shoots opening up

A creeper plant clinging on to the cliff surface	The young bamboo shoot reaching up or sunlight

A famous Durian tree	The creepers using the tall tree trunk for support

Since the village is at the end tail of Titiwangsa Range, lush forest, difficult terrain, rivers and waterfalls are added attractions for all the rides. The most interesting rides are those that go to the Klang Gate Dam and the seven-tier Khamisah Waterfall, both favourite tracks with the mountain bikers. The undulating hilly terrain further in Kampung Kemensah is also a very popular venue for mountain bikers and motocross riders. Added to this explore race maniac, recently is the rental facilities of a four-wheeled all-terrain Vehicle (ATV) which you can drive to explore the jungle terrains.

For the youth, there is even an active Paintball shooting range situated in the middle of a real jungle setting. The cracking sound of the air-pistols is really in sharp contrast to the otherwise serene jungle atmosphere.

Back into the traffic jam of Inner Ringroad motorway.

Spending time in Hulu Kemensah will soon make you practically forget that the hustle bustle of metropolitan city life is only few kilometers away.