Preparation To Climb Mount Kinabalu – All You Need To Know (2026)
It sounds easy on the ears but it requires a lot of preparation to climb Mount Kinabalu, the Summit of Borneo.
To be honest, it is something I had never imagined doing. Although I am not an avid fan of long hikes or climbing mountains, I really enjoyed and had one of the most unforgettable memories hiking Kinabalu.
I remember waking up in early of the year and receiving a WhatsApp message asking if I would like to join the group to attack the summit. Like it was only a few days after new year.
I scoffed, thinking that I was not fit for it. And 10 minutes later, I said yes!
I have heard many stories of people successfully conquering the famous Mount Kinabalu, but I’ve also heard stories of people who didn’t make it to the summit for various reasons.
I’m not here to scare you off. Because I am one of the person who did it! 🙂
I’ve received many good tips and advice from friends and family members who have been to Low’s Peak, from the types of training to climb Mount Kinabalu, what to bring to Mount Kinabalu, and some tips in surviving the long hiking hours.
Here are the things that I would love to share with you for a first-time hiker to Mount Kinabalu.
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All You Need To Know For Preparation To Climb Mount Kinabalu
Basic of Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia and Borneo, known widely by mountaineers and avid hikers, with a total height of 4095 meters.
It is situated in the Ranau district and is protected as Kinabalu National Park, one of the world’s heritage sites.
Every year, Kinabalu National Park allows a certain number of people to hike to the summit daily.
1. Can I climb Mount Kinabalu as a beginner?
Anyone can climb Mount Kinabalu, even beginners, as long as you are fit and in good health with no complications.
I started doing local hikes aroung Klang Valley every month to prepare my legs for the uphill and downhill challenges. These are some incredible hikes that you can do in Malaysia!
Get your legs familiarized with different types of terrain from rocky to slippery, and from hard to soft soil. The conditions can be unpredictable, so it’s good to be prepared.
Don’t miss out on Bukit Gasing; its terrain is very similar to certain sections of Mount Kinabalu.
I also incorporated step training for Mount Kinabalu by going up and down my apartment staircase, and it definitely paid off!
Additionally, try running for 30 to 60 minutes three times a week to build your stamina for the long hours of hiking. In general, if you can cover 3 km in under 30 minutes, you should be in great shape to check this off your bucket list!