Getting here:
The trail runs for 2-1/2 kilometres from the Park Headquarters at Telok Assam. It starts at a trail branch off the mangrove forest where the ascent will begin.

Description:
This is the trail which day-trippers should not miss. While it is said that Lintang Trail is the best in term of diversity of things to see, but I think Teluk Pandan Trail is not a bad option either, mainly because the variety of flora and fauna sightings that it offers, plus its moderate distance is suitable for a half-a-day round trip and can be attempted by almost everyone.

During the early part of the ascent, you will be treated with the sight of moss-covered rocks as the thick rainforest canopy high above keeps a wet and damp micro-climate on the ground below. The ascent, to me, was quite energy-sapping due to the humidity and the steep slope. Not to mention, I normally attempt most trails at a brisk pace instead of a leisurely walk.

If the rainforest ambience is something you find somewhat ordinary, at about 30 minutes into the trail, you will enter a totally different forest type altogether. The view suddenly becomes barren with very little vegetation to show. You have arrived at the little-known Kerangas forest which covers the area on a sandstone plateau. You can actually see the barren and exposed rock surface throughout the way, with small shrubs and shorter trees. Kerangas forest is also known as heath forest, which occurs on sandy and acidic soils that cannot retain a lot of water due to the abundance of siliceous rocks. Kerangas is an Iban tribe's word which means "the land that cannot grow rice".

While there are not many tree species to see, the chance to view the unique pitcher plants should not be missed altogether. I was under the impression that the pitchers were huge and can easily be spotted, but I was wrong. You have to properly stop at certain spots and carefully look for them. They come in various shapes and colours. Some are well-camouflaged in leafy green colour and some give out striking red or orange colour which are much easier to be spotted.

Note that the heath forest lacks a typical rainforest canopy, so it can get very sweltering hot here. Bottled water is must when attempting this trail. In fact, when I made my stop for a drink in a section of the heath forest, there were barely any shades under which I could sit down for cover. For most of the way in the heath forest, wooden plank is provided some inches above the watery path, just to ease your movement. At the end of the heath forest section, you will be provided with two branching directions - to the left is for Teluk Pandan Kecil and to the right is for Telok Pandan Besar. Take the left trail. I heard Telok Pandan Besar does offer a spectacular beach view as well, but for this hiking trip, I did not have time to try it out.

After the trail branch, you will soon return to the all-familiar rainforest surrounding, with tall trees growing very close to each other creating a compact forest zone. Again, it can get slippery here too, and wooden plank is provided at certain paths that are filled with water streams.

Soon the forest cover gets thinner and thinner as you approach the last leg of the trail. When you see a large and bare boulder rock, you know you will get to see the bird's eye view of your destination - the beach of Teluk Pandan Kecil. The view is truly spectacular especially in clear weathers. The vantage point should not be the end of the journey. Most hikers will proceed down the hilly switchbacks to frolic by the beautiful beach of Teluk Pandan Kecil.