Air Terjun Pahang: 8 Waterfalls From Bentong to Kuantan (2026)
You know that feeling — it's a hot Saturday morning, you're already sweating before 9 AM, and someone in the group chat drops "jom air terjun" like it's the easiest decision in the world. If you're heading into Pahang, you're actually spoiled for choice. This state has arguably the best spread of waterfalls in Peninsular Malaysia: Bentong's roadside classics that the whole family can do, Raub's lata hidden in proper jungle, and then Kuantan's famous Rainbow Waterfall way out east. No other state gives you that range.
I've personally written a full guide for every single waterfall on this list — drove the roads, walked the trails, checked the fees, the lot. So when I say something needs a 4x4 or a licensed guide, that's not a disclaimer I'm copying from somewhere. It's what I found on the ground. This roundup is ordered roughly west to east, starting from Bentong (closest to KL) and finishing in Kuantan. Use it to pick your spot, then click through to the full guide for the details before you go.
Quick note on keywords if you're Googling around: "air terjun near KL," "air terjun Pahang," "waterfall Pahang" — this list covers the family day trips AND the serious treks. Something here for everyone, but read the full guides. The conditions vary a lot.
- 1. Chamang Waterfall Bentong
- 2. Lata Hammer Waterfall
- 3. Air Terjun Jeriau
- 4. Lata Berembun
- 5. Lata Jarum, Pahang
- 6. Air Terjun Berkelah
- 7. Rainbow Waterfall Sungai Lembing
- 8. Sungai Pandan Waterfall
1. Chamang Waterfall Bentong
Chamang is Bentong's crowd favourite, and honestly, that reputation is fully earned. It's the most accessible air terjun in the whole Pahang lineup — proper facilities, a decent-sized fall, and close enough to KL that you can do it as a morning trip. That's also the catch: on weekends this place gets packed. Like, really packed. Families, school groups, the works. If you want the falls mostly to yourself, a Tuesday or Wednesday morning is a different universe compared to a Saturday. No 4x4 needed, no guide required — this one is genuinely suitable for anyone.
Read my full Chamang Waterfall guide →
2. Lata Hammer Waterfall
Still in Bentong, but a completely different vibe from Chamang. Lata Hammer is a riverside picnic falls — the kind of spot where the water comes to you at a more relaxed pace, and the whole atmosphere is just slower and greener. It's a hidden gem by Bentong standards, meaning the crowd is much thinner even on weekends, but there's a jungle trek involved so you need decent footwear and some basic fitness. Don't show up in flip flops. Great option if Chamang feels too overrun for your liking and you want something that feels a bit more like an actual adventure.
Read my full Lata Hammer Waterfall guide →
3. Air Terjun Jeriau
Jeriau sits right at Fraser's Hill, so you're already in cool highland air before you even reach the falls — that alone is worth something on a hot day. It's a single vertical horsetail-type fall that drops into a main pool below, with a weir creating a shallow beach area that's genuinely nice for families with young kids. The walk in from the car park is only 15 to 20 minutes along a well-maintained paved path, so this is one of the easiest treks on this whole list. One real thing to note: Jeriau closes for monsoon season from 1 November to 31 January every year, so plan accordingly.
Fee: Free entry · Hours: Monday–Sunday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed 1 Nov – 31 Jan) · Swim: Main pool below the fall, shallow beach area
Read my full Air Terjun Jeriau guide →
4. Lata Berembun
Moving into Raub territory now, and Lata Berembun is the benchmark for what people mean when they say "clear-water lata." Seven cascading tiers, and the water genuinely is that kind of clean blue-green you see in photos and think must be edited. Three of the seven tiers allow swimming; the other four are off-limits, and that's enforced for good reason — some sections are genuinely dangerous. The jungle trek from the Damak parking area takes 30 to 40 minutes to reach the first waterfall. Entry itself is free, but if you're coming with a 4WD operator tour, their package charges separately. Worth every sen if the access road is rough — check my full guide for current road conditions before you go.
Fee: Free admission · Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Swim: 3 of 7 tiers open for swimming
Read my full Lata Berembun guide →
5. Lata Jarum, Pahang
Lata Jarum is Ulu Dong's quieter option — and "quieter" is really the key word here. This is a spot where you might genuinely have the pool to yourself on a weekday, which is increasingly rare in 2026. The walk in from parking is only about 0.16 km, and it's an easy trail, so the physical barrier to entry is low. Features a main waterfall with several cascades and one large pool at the base. Operating hours officially run daily 8 am to 5 pm according to the Forestry Department and Pahang Tourism, though there's some conflicting info out there — see my full guide for the current situation. Free admission for all visitors, managed by Pejabat Hutan Daerah Raub.
Fee: Free admission · Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (verify before visiting) · Swim: One large pool at the base
Read my full Lata Jarum guide →
6. Air Terjun Berkelah
This one is in Maran and it is a proper multi-tier trek — not a stroll, a trek. Seven main tiers with a seventh tier that hits approximately 50 metres high, and several of them have very deep pools. The first section takes about 20 to 30 minutes of easy hiking from the park entrance to the twin waterfalls, but going higher means increasing effort and proper jungle trail conditions. No formal entry fee to the falls themselves, though a small parking fee may apply at the Taman Negeri park entrance. Berkelah rewards the effort massively — the upper tiers especially are stunning — but don't attempt the higher sections without experience and someone who knows the trail. Not a 4x4-required access situation, but the trek itself demands respect.
Fee: No formal entry fee (small parking fee may apply) · Swim: Multiple deep pools across 7 tiers
Read my full Air Terjun Berkelah guide →
7. Rainbow Waterfall Sungai Lembing
This is the one people travel across the country to see, and for good reason. The rainbow phenomenon at Sungai Lembing's waterfall is real — but there's a specific window, roughly 9 to 10:45 AM, and you need clear morning sun for it to appear. Miss that window and you've got a very nice waterfall but no rainbow. Tours depart from Sungai Lembing town at 6 to 7 AM and get you there by around 8:30 to 9 AM. Here's the critical bit: this waterfall requires a guided tour and a 4x4 vehicle — no exceptions, no walking in on your own. As of 2022, a tour package runs RM60 per person including entry permit, a meal, hot drink, and guide. There are small add-on costs at the trailhead (rubber shoes, hiking poles, water) — bring cash. The falls have three tiers and reported heights of 150 to 250 metres depending on the source. Either way, it's massive. Book through your hotel in Sungai Lembing or directly with local operators.
Fee: Tour package RM60/person (includes permit, meal, guide) · Hours: Depart 6–7 AM, rainbow window 9–10:45 AM · Swim: 3 tiers
Read my full Rainbow Waterfall Sungai Lembing guide →
8. Sungai Pandan Waterfall
Last on the list geographically but absolutely not least. Sungai Pandan is Kuantan's big easy-access falls — and the word "big" is not an exaggeration. If you're already on the East Coast and thinking about air terjun Kuantan, this is the answer. It's the kind of waterfall that earns genuine "wah" reactions when you first see it. Easy enough access that you don't need specialist gear or a guide, but substantial enough to feel like a real find rather than a tourist trap. A solid closer to any Pahang waterfall road trip — do Rainbow Waterfall in Sungai Lembing, then swing through for Sungai Pandan before heading home.
Read my full Sungai Pandan Waterfall guide →
Before You Go
Weekday versus weekend is not a small difference at these spots — it's massive. Chamang and Jeriau especially can go from peaceful to overwhelming between Friday afternoon and Sunday. If you have flexibility, aim for Tuesday to Thursday. For Lata Berembun, Lata Jarum, and Berkelah, the crowd is naturally thinner but trail conditions matter more, so check recent reports before committing.
Bring cash for everything. Parking fees, small entrance charges, the Rainbow Waterfall tour package, the RM0.30 toilet at the Sungai Lembing trailhead — none of these places are going to take your card. Smaller denominations help.
Water levels can rise fast even when it's sunny where you stand — watch the weather upstream, and get out of the water the moment it turns murky or debris starts flowing.
FAQ
Which waterfall in Pahang is nearest to KL?
Chamang Waterfall in Bentong is your closest option from KL, followed closely by Lata Hammer (also Bentong) and then Air Terjun Jeriau up at Fraser's Hill. All three are doable as day trips from the Klang Valley without an overnight stay.
Air terjun mana boleh mandi?
Several on this list have proper swimming spots. Lata Berembun has three of its seven tiers open for swimming. Air Terjun Jeriau has a pool with a shallow beach area. Lata Jarum has a large base pool. Chamang and Sungai Pandan also have swimming areas — check the individual guides for current conditions before you jump in.
Which is best for families with young kids?
Air Terjun Jeriau at Fraser's Hill wins here. Free entry, a paved 15 to 20 minute walk, a shallow beach area in the pool, and cool highland weather. Chamang Waterfall is also very family-friendly with good facilities, though it gets crowded on weekends.
Do any of these waterfalls need a 4x4 or a guide?
Yes — Rainbow Waterfall at Sungai Lembing is the one that requires both a licensed guide and a 4x4 vehicle. You cannot walk in independently; tours are mandatory and that's the right call given the terrain. For Lata Berembun, a 4WD operator tour is available and worth considering depending on road conditions. The rest of the list can be reached in a normal car, though a higher clearance vehicle never hurts on jungle access roads.
Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.
