Rockclimbing At Batu Caves

When not adventuring into the unknowns, we rock climb. Here’s a video snippet of our rock climbing experiences at Batu Caves, Malaysia. The Gua Damai Extreme Park at Batu Caves is one of the popular hot spots for both beginner and professional rock climbers in Malaysia. This huge limestone outcrop boasts 8 crags, 170 beginner-friendly routes, and some tough multi-pitch routes for the advance climbers.

There are 4 climbing sections of Batu Caves:

Damai Wall – Suitable for beginners, and popular for multipitch climbing

Difficulty: 5C to 7A
No of Routes: Approximately 30 with multi-pitch
Length of Route: 15m to 30m

Nyamuk Wall – Suitable for intermediate and advance climbers. The longest and best sport climbing routes in Batu Caves

Difficulty: 5b to 8a+
No of Routes: Approximately 50 with multi-pitch
Length of Route: 15m to 40m, mostly below 33m
No of Bolts: 5 to 15

Nanyang Wall – Suitable for the advance climbers. Features short and technical routes

Difficulty: 5c to 8a
No of Routes: Approximately 25 with multi-pitch
Length of Route: 8m to 30m
No of Bolts: 3 to 12

Comic Wall – Suitable for the advance climbers. Features overhanging and technical routes

Difficulty: 5c to 7a
No of Routes: Approximately 15
Length of Route: 7m to 25m
No of Bolts: 2 to 8

How to get to Batu Caves (Damai Wall):

• From your hotel/guesthouse in Kuala Lumpur city centre, take the red taxi (avoid taking the blue taxi as it’s pricier) to Kampung Wira Damai which is located near the main section of the climbing area. This section is known as Damai Wall.
• Markers: There’s a large soccer field infront of Damai Wall and a mosque
• The climbing site is located on the other site of Batu Caves where there is a Hindu Temple and a big golden statue.

Travel time: 20 mins (without traffic)

Travel cost: MYR $25

Pro-tip: To return to KL city centre from Batu Caves, it’s best that you download the Uber app on your mobile and book a cab. Flagging down a cab from this area may take some time.

Where to Stay?

1.The 5 Elements Hotel, Chinatown

You will be located right in the heart of Chinatown which means a plethora of food choices!

If you are coming from Singapore, you’re in luck! Bus company KKKL serves hourly buses that leaves from Golden Landmark directly to the entrance of the hotel. If you plan to take the evening bus, say 8pm, you will reach Elements 5 by 2am. At the wee hours of the morning and after a 6 hours bus ride, I don’t think you would want to walk around KL to hustle for a taxi to your hotel.

Room Price / night: SGD $36 Deluxe room with buffet breakfast

Address: Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60 3-2031 6888

2.  Ceria Hotel, Bukit Bintang 

This light-hearted hotel is located amidst popular hotels like Berjaya Times Square, Furama Hotel. Situated just behind Berjaya Times Square, Ceria Hotel is a quaint hotel that is value-for-money, unique in interior decoration as well as comfortable. You won’t feel like you’re in Malaysia once you step inside this hotel. Trust me.

Getting to Ceria Hotel from Singapore:

• Take the bus to KL and alight at Berjaya Times Square. From here, walk towards the back of the building. (7 mins)
• Better yet…Google Map it!

From KLIA via rail:

• Take the Express Rail Link to KL Sentral
• Switch to monorail line
• Exit at Imbi monorail station and walk to us

Room Price / night: Starts from SGD $29 for Standard Double room without breakfast

Address: 270 Changkat Thambi Dollah, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2143-1111

3. Lighthouse Hotel & Shortstay, Damansara

Lighthouse is located just 10mins away by cab from One Utama. One Utama is home to the biggest indoor climbing gym in KL. It’s massive! Being near to One Utama is always a good choice for those who decide on going to Camp 5, after sweating it out at Batu Caves.

There are rows and alleys of cafes, pubs, dessert bars, restaurants, and coffee shops around the area. Best of all, the ever-popular and tasty Nasi Lemak cafe is right infront of the hotel. Just be sure to be there as early as you can to avoid the breakfast crowd/queue.

Uber ride from Lighthouse to One Utama: RM10

Room Price / night: Starts from SGD $36 for Deluxe room without breakfast

Each room has its own unique theme.

Getting to Lighthouse from Singapore:

• Take the bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (One Utama)
• From One Utama bus terminal, it’s a 10min drive to Lighthouse

Address: 2, Jalan SS 21/58, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: +6 03 7733 2379 | +6 012 227 5526

A detailed information on routes and the various climbing sites at Batu Caves can be found in this book. Included: Location maps and climbing areas around Malaysia.

Points to note:

1. You don’t have to book with any climbing operators if you have experience leading. You can borrow the guide book from the counter to see what are the routes available. However, should you require assistance from a climbing operator, you may check out Vertical Adventure
2. You can bring your own ropes and equipment or rent it from the counter at the site
3. There is no climbing fee to the park
4. The best time to start climbing is at 7am. It’s early but this will give you ample time to explore the routes before a whole group of people arrive for their top rope/lead course. It may get really crowded around 10am
5. Bring your own helmets for safety reasons

Multi-Pitch Climb At Batu Caves (Damai Wall)

We decided to try a 3-person multi-pitch route named Sweet Maria. (5c, 5c)

It was an easy route to lead. However, the surface is rather jagged and edgy at some parts. There will be a really nice comfy ‘nest’ that can fit 3 people max on the 2nd pitch. Once at the top, you’ll get a great vantage point of Kampung Wira Damai and the surrounding Batu Caves area.

Also read: Beginner’s Guide – Top 4 All-Time Favourite Batu Caves Multi-Pitch Routes

Multipitching Sweet Maria from Kirzruba on Vimeo.

For more enquiries, you can leave me a message and I’ll be happy to join you for a weekend climb at Batu Caves. =)

Gua Damai Extreme Park Address: Kampung Melayu Wira Damai, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia

Safety first and happy climbing!