Report: Cape Rachado forest hike at Raptor Watch 2026

This year, Pathfinders SIG joined the Raptor Watch weekend at Cape Rachado on 14–15 March and chose a forest hike instead of the usual low-tide coasteering route. Raptor Watch is held annually at Tanjung Tuan and centres on the migration of raptors from Sumatra.

Unlike our more demanding shoreline traverses, this trip followed a forest-based route that still echoed the spirit of a full circumnavigation. Starting from the second trail inside Tanjung Tuan Recreational Forest, we moved through Pantai Keramat, Perigi Hang Tuah, the Pakat Pasang, Pakat Surut promontory, Pulau Intan, the lighthouse bird-counting area, Bukit Batu Putih, Monkey Bay, and finally exited via Blue Lagoon.

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The hike took about four to four-and-a-half hours each day, for the two days, including breaks, and offered a good mix of coastal scenery, short climbs, and shaded forest walking. Though the lighthouse stands only a little over 120m above sea level, several steep sections still gave hikers a decent workout, especially around Pulau Intan, Bukit Batu Putih, and the Monkey Bay exit.

Visit Pathfinders website for a more detailed write-up and the collection of photos.