The Best View Of Langkawi Island In Malaysia Is From The Top Of The Langkawi Sky Bridge!

This is the view from the top of Gunung Matcincang, one of the highest peaks on green and rocky Langkawi Island, Malaysia. It’s the site of the epic Langkawi Sky Bridge, a mountain spanning walk raised high above the forest which gives those brave enough to walk across it vertigo inducing views of the whole island.

I travelled to top of this epic mountain, for incredible views and far off panoramic’s on one of Malaysia’s most scenic tropical destinations. Gunung Matcincang is the second highest peak on the island, standing at around 850 metres, and just beaten in height by Gunung Raya, which stands at 880 metres high. Both mountains are steeped in local Malay folklore, with legends of two battling giants being turned into mountains having been passed through the ages on the island.

I’m usually one for hiking, but the trail to the top cuts through almost impenetrable jungle; it’s steep, hot and humid, with sheer drops awaiting you at the end of rough, overgrown paths and every chance of getting lost. Without a machete to hand, I took the easy option. The convenient cable car to the the highest accessible point at 770 metres, where there’s sweeping panoramas and the elevated Langkawi Sky Bridge between the mountains.

The peak is unfortunately touristy, what with the cable car making the trek to the top just a little bit easier than walking of course. The mountain top fills with A LOT of tourists- especially when the skies are clear and the clouds are light- but from above for 360 degrees you can see the beaches, forests and mountains of the island in awesome detail, and with this being possibly the best view of the whole of Langkawi, sharing with the crowds becomes bearable for a glimpse of the stunning vistas you’d never otherwise have the opportunity to see.

The Langkawi Sky Bridge itself is 250 metres of steel suspended 100 metres off the forest floor below. The curvature gives an epic, changing view of the scenery around as you walk across it, and the odd glass panel makes you shudder at the distance beneath your feet.

Far off in the distance you can see mainland Malaysia and Thailand, and to the north is the close by Thai island of Koh Lipe and the tropical Thai National Parks with their limestone karts and verdant forests. It’s close enough to take a speedboat, and makes Langkawi one of the last spots in Malaysia before Thailand and a place where food, culture and people meet and merge. And a place of breathtaking tropical scenery too of course.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO THE TOP OF THE LANGKAWI SKY BRIDGE

• The Langkawi Sky Bridge is located in the north-west of the island, around half an hour’s drive from the tourist area at Pantai Cenang.
• The easiest way to get here is to rent a moped for around 35 Malaysian Ringgit a day, or to take an Uber. There is no public transport at all on Langkawi. Top Tip: Uber is significantly cheaper than a taxi on Langkawi so get yourself a local Sim to get booking!
• Access is through the bizarre Oriental Village- a collection of weird theme park attractions and restaurants- at the base of the mountain, from where you take the Cable Car to the top, then walk to the Sky Bridge itself. The Oriental Village is the closest you can drive to the top of the peak, and it is possible to walk part way up but no one seemed to have any info locally on the trails, and access to the Sky Bridge is only currently through the Cable Car as far as I could work out, so you’ll have to ride up with the rest of the tourists.
•  The cost of the Cable Car is 55 MYR including access to a few of the attractions in the Oriental Village which you are probably better of giving a miss… You’ll see what I mean you get there.
• The cost off the Sky Bridge is an additional 5 MYR per person. There’s also a new Sky Glide, which costs extra and seemed a bit of a waste of money considering the walk is only about ten minutes from the cable car station.
• Nearby you’ll find the awesome Seven Wells Waterfall too, where you can take a refreshing dip after a sweaty day on the mountain!
• There are plenty of awesome places to stay in Langkawi, and Cenang Beach is perfect for those backpackers and budget travellers, but if you are looking for a bit of luxury then it’s worth reading this Berjaya Langkawi Resort Review for inspiration on more upmarket stays!

Want to know more? Check out the gear that I use to shoot these pictures HERE!

All Photographs Property Of Richard Collett

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