Taman Eko Rimba Kanching Waterfalls — Day Trip Worth Making, But Don't Expect to Camp
The Vibe
First things first — this is a day trip destination. No overnight camping here. You can pitch a tent at the base area but reviewers have flagged that it gets crowded and blocks the walking paths, so honestly, don't plan your weekend getaway around sleeping here. Come for the day, enjoy the falls, go home. That's the move.
That said, Kanching is genuinely one of the better waterfall day trips you can do from KL. It's inside Templer Park, about 30–40 minutes north of the city, and the place has this cool, shaded rainforest feel the moment you step in. Multi-tiered waterfall, good trail, lush green all around — it's the kind of spot where you forget for a moment that you were stuck in Rawang traffic 45 minutes ago.
Weekdays it's peaceful. Weekends it turns into a pasar malam near the base. Families, kids, foreign tourists, the occasional BBQ group at the gazebo — it gets busy. The monkeys don't help either. They're bold, they're everywhere, and they will ruin your picnic if you let them.
Getting There
Head to Templer Park, 48000 Rawang, Selangor. From KL, take the PLUS North-South Highway and exit at Rawang. From there, follow signs to Templer Park — it's well-signposted. Google Maps works fine here, just search Taman Eko Rimba Kanching or plug in the address directly.
The road in is paved and manageable for normal cars — no 4WD needed. Parking is right at the entrance. Pay RM5 per car. Entry is RM5 per person on top of that. Bring cash just in case.
What to Expect
The trail goes up through multiple tiers of waterfalls. Most people stop at the lower tiers, take their photos, and call it a day. Don't do that. Keep climbing. The upper tiers are quieter, more rewarding, and honestly way more worth the sweat. One reviewer described it as a mini Lata Kijang Kenaboi — that's high praise, and I get why they said it.
The trail is well-marked and manageable for most people. Not a hardcore hike, but you do need decent footwear — flip flops will get you into trouble on the wet rocks. Families with older kids should be fine. Small kids and elderly might struggle past the lower tiers.
Water is clear and cool — good for a dip at the base. Just be aware the crowd situation at the lower pools on weekends can feel more like a public swimming complex than a jungle waterfall. Midweek visits are a different experience entirely.
Facilities
Toilets
They exist, and one reviewer said they were clean. Another said they need renovation badly. Safe to say — bring your own paper and manage your expectations.
Gazebos
There are gazebos at the base area. Good for families who want to sit, makan, and chill while the kids play near the water. Some groups even do BBQ here.
Parking
Limited spots, especially on weekends and public holidays. Get there early or you'll be parking on the roadside. RM5 per car.
Food
Very limited food options on site. Bring your own food and drinks — and please, tapau balik your rubbish.
Camping
Technically you can pitch a tent at the base area but it's not really suitable. The space is narrow, it gets crowded, and tents end up blocking the walking paths. This is not a campsite. Come as a day trip.
What Campers Are Saying
A few reviewers called it a hidden gem, which is funny because it's really not that hidden anymore — but the sentiment is right. Farahin came with family and appreciated the gazebo setup and the chill base area. She mentioned people doing BBQ, which gives it that classic Malaysian family outing feel.
T Tan compared it to Lata Kijang Kenaboi and specifically told people not to stop at the lower tiers. That's good advice. The upper levels are where the magic is — just keep going even when the path looks like it ends.
Feroz gave it full marks and described the water as cool and clear, worth a quick dip. His one advice — go on a weekday if you want some peace. Weekends the crowd kills the mood a bit.
DG had a more measured take. The parking is limited, toilets need work, and the monkeys are genuinely a problem. They're aggressive, they steal food, and too many visitors feeding them has made it worse. Also called out the litter issue — mostly from visitors who don't bother to clean up after themselves.
Moe brought the family and had a great time overall. Clean toilets, good signage, clear water. Sometimes it just depends on which day you go and how lucky you are with the crowd.
TAHAN Tip
Don't stop at the first or second tier. Seriously. Most of the crowd piles up at the bottom, so the higher you climb, the quieter it gets. If you push all the way to the top tier, you'll often find yourself almost alone up there — which is a completely different experience from the chaos at the base. Budget at least 2–3 hours if you want to do the full trail properly.
About Mike
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.
You Might Also Like
- Sungai Chilling Campsite — another Selangor waterfall favourite with crystal clear water, but this one actually lets you camp overnight.
- Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest — a classic Selangor recreational forest with river access and proper camping facilities if you want to make a full weekend of it.
