Great Malaysian Railway Journeys
BENTONG ROAD TRIP

The former Gap Resthouse

I wrote these Great Malaysian Railway Journey pages during the period 2014-2017. They used to be hosted on a separate Weebly website but, since mid 2026, Weebly is no longer available for customers in Malaysia so I am transferring the content here. Some of the information may be outdated and of historical interest only.

Map showing rail and road route to Bentong in 1914.Map showing rail and road route to Bentong in 1914.

The 1914 Pamphlet of Information for Travellers suggests a drive to Kuala Kubu and Bentong as a possible day trip from Kuala Lumpur. Here is the pamphlet's description of the trip:

"Supposing that Kuala Lumpur is the starting point, we run out of the town by the Batu Road and on the hill above Setapak village take the Bentong turn and get there a glimpse of the barrier of hills through which we are to penetrate."

Klang Gates Quartz Ridge

The author would probably have been referring here to the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge which forms a striking border to the northeast corner of KL.

Clean river at Chamang Waterfalls near BentongClean river at Chamang Waterfalls near Bentong

"Soon we reach the valley of the Gombak's upper water and pass the power station where Kuala Lumpur generates its electric light. Beyond it a pipe-line goes up into the hills and down into the valleys beneath, and we are at the 23 mile on top of the first pass, the Ginting Sempah.

Here without pause begins a long descent which lasts as far as Bentong.

Though the water on the Pahang side is stained with mining high up in the hills, the long river vista past which the road runs before reaching Bentong is very fine.

Bentong, a little mining village on the river of the same name, should be reached about noon.

Lunch can be procured at the resthouse there if a wire has been sent ahead to order it.

Leaving Bentong the ascent begins again through a section of bamboo jungle, but drops again to reach the little villages of Tranum and Tras."

TrasTras
The Gap Resthouse is now semi-derelict and awaiting a makeover.The Gap Resthouse has been semi-derelict for many years and its future is looking doubtful.

"Here we turn to the left and begin to mount again.

At the 28 mile begins to blow a breeze which started in the China Sea and is going to end in the Straits of Malacca.

It is deliciously cool and the views on both sides of the ridge along which the road runs are magnificent.
The Gap resthouse should be reached at 3pm and there will perhaps be time for tea and to admire the roses and dahlias which grow so well at this height of about 2,900 feet.

From here we drop steadily down on a very good and quite broad road to Kuala Kubu."

You can read more about the places mentioned in this passage by clicking on these relevant posts on this website and my Thrifty Traveller blog:

The Gap Resthouse

Bentong

Chamang Waterfall

The Punishment of Tras

Klang Gates Quartz Ridge

Share this page:

AUTHOR BIO

the author

David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing first-hand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published over 790 pages on this website, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places that even some Malaysians have never visited.