Mount Lucia

Thursday, December 07, 2023 10:30:15 PM

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Mount Lucia

Sunset view at Hostel (Lodge) Km10.55 from park entrance

Gunung Lucia, at 1,240 m above sea level, is one of the several landmarks within Tawau Hills Park. It is 13.25 km of uphill jungle trekking from Park Headquarters.

The summit of Mount Lucia at 1,240 meters

Welcome to the summit of Mount Lucia at 1,240 meters

Balcony of Mountain Lodge

This balcony of Mountain Lodge Km10.55 is an excellent bird watching platform for Borneo birds. Over 600 bird species have been recorded in Borneo.

Mountain Hostel (Lucia Camp) is at 10.55 km for night rest for the next morning summit conquest.

Back view of Mountain Lodge (Lucia Camp) at Km10.55 of the hiking trail.

Back view of Mountain Lodge (Lucia Camp) at Km10.55 of the hiking trail.
Bed and water for night rest for the next morning summit conquest.
From this same Mountain Hostel Km10.55, Gunung Madgelena is 5 km further away on west ward and Gunung Lucia is 2 km on east ward.

A huge mossy rock wall

200meters before the summit is a huge mossy rock wall

When you see this huge rock wall with hanging mosses blocking the trail, you know you are almost (200 meters) reaching the summit of Mt. Lucia. Do not worry about climbing over the huge rock. The trail is just at the left side of the rock for you to continue.

Along the 3 Km stretch of Kerangas Forest are 2 resting huts:
1- Resting Hut at Km6
2- Resting Hut at Km8

Last hut of the trail, next resting place is Lodge Km10.55 (Hostel)
Water from these two leafy shallow pools need boiling before drinking. But may not fit for drinking during dry seasons when water level became too low and unclear.

The 3 Km stretch of Kerangas Forest has 2 resting huts: The Resting Hut at 6 Km and Resting Hut at 8 Km

These are the last two huts along the mountain trail. After this is the long expected hostel at Km10.55 where hikers rest for nights and refill water from fresh mountain stream.

Trial to Mount Lucia is considered tougher than trial Mount Kinabalu due to its natural terrain. At the starting portion of the Mt. Lucia trial is the opportunity to visit the world's second tallest tropical tree standing at a height of 88.32 meters.

Hiking direction map of Mt. Lucia

There are 3 official distance of Lucia peak from park HQ.
One is 13.25Km as indicated on the landmark on the peak.
Another is 12.30Km as indicated on route map in Kerangas Forest.
On the way is 12.40Km (10.7+1.7Km) as indicated on route sign.

Sabah Park's web page do not indicate any distances.
For hikers, just round the distance up to 13Km will do.

Mount Lucia and Mount Magdalena both mountains share the same trail for 90% of the hike, and visitors to both mountains use the same Mountain Lodge (Lucia Camp) for overnights.

In 2012, Tawau Hills Park was promoting their mountain climbing expedition to Mt. Lucia FREE OF CHARGE. Their FREE offer was inclusive of climbing permit, free hostel stay at 10.55KM mark and climbing certificate.
However, guide and porters are at optional charges.

The 2012 promotion for FREE Mt. Lucia Expedition is in conjunction with the Tawau Hills Park Biodiversity Expo from 6-9 December, 2012.

Cost in 2020 to climb Mount Lucia :
a guide is 40 ringgit per day,
a porter is 4 ringgit per kilo to the hostel or 5 ringgit per kilo to the Mt. Lucia peak.

Bird Photo of Tawau Hills Park
Tawau Hills Park bird images provided by the Borneo Bird Club
www.borneobirdimages.com

Sunday, March 31, 2013 Wong Tsu Shi
The birds of Tawau Hills Park
borneobirds.blogspot.my

For arranging a trip to Mount Lucia you can contact Sabah Parks:

+6088-273 238
+6088-205 180
+6088-276 698
contactus@terazglobal.com.my
+6088-201 564

Most of the major travel agents provide arrangement to Mount Lucia such as :
Sticky Rice Travel