Moongate to Station 5 circular walk, Penang Hill (3km)

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Climb steep jungle steps to the colourful steps of Station 5 on this 3km circular walk from Moongate, before descending gently to Penang Youth Park.

The Moongate near Penang Botanic Gardens is a historic stone archway that once marked the entrance to a grand colonial-era mansion built in the mid-19th century. Although the mansion was destroyed during World War II, the arched gateway, with its distinctive circular ‘moon’ opening, survived. Today, Moongate is a popular trailhead for hikers heading up Penang Hill, particularly to the numbered Stations (rest stops) along the way.

This circular walk is one of the most popular Penang Hill routes from Moongate, leading up to Station 5 with its colourful garden, painted steps, and even a small gym for those wanting extra exercise beyond the steep ascent. The return takes a different path, descending gradually to Penang Youth Park, just 600 metres from the Moongate starting point.

Please note that even though this is a 3km walk, allow time for the ascent and terrain. We suggest 2-2.5 hours for this walk.

As with many of our Penang walks, facilities are limited, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Basic squat toilets are available at Station 5. Hiking poles are also useful, particularly for the descent.

Map of the Moongate to Station 5 circular walk

Footpaths are not shown accurately on Google Maps, but the marked route here is correct. If you’re unsure, follow the step-by-step directions with photos below.

Getting to the start of this walk

Moongate is the official start point of this walk, but the road here is closed partially closed while they build the new cable car to the Upper Station of Penang Hill (this commenced in June 2024 and will take a few years to complete). Therefore, if you are arriving by Grab (which is what we recommend) your driver will drop you at this point (see below photo) and you will need to walk the 300 metres to the Moongate. Motorbikes and mopeds are still allowed through.

A Grab should only cost RM10 from George Town (although the price increases with demand), and take about 20 minutes.

You could theoretically take a bus from George Town or Batu Ferringhi. Several routes drop off on Jalan Burma, which is a 2km (30 minute) walk away from the Moongate. It’s an option, but we’d suggest saving your energy for the steps up Penang Hill.

Route instructions for the Moongate to Station 5 circular walk

START: Moongate
Total distance: 3km
Total ascent: 230 meters
Total descent: 245 meters
Time: allow 2-2.5 hours for this walk (including rest stops)

1. Walk through the distinctive circle of Moongate and follow the steps uphill on the left. The footpath shortly makes a sharp turn to the right.

2. Keep following the steps up and up and up. Take it slow and steady as there are a lot of steps on this ascent.

3. About 750 metres up, you’ll reach a small viewing area with concrete benches and a clearing that looks out towards the coastline’s high-rises.

4. Just past the end of the steps, a concrete picnic table sits to the left; a convenient spot to rest and rehydrate. Notice the footpath leading downhill on the left; you’ll return this way.

5. But for now, ignore the steps downhill to the left and continue straight ahead. Here the footpath flattens out.

6. 250m on you will arrive at Station 5, with a colourfully painted, small garden on the right, toilets on the left (squat toilets), and even a gym further along to the right (in case you need to do even more cardio after all those steps).

7. To head back down, follow your footsteps back to the picnic table and take the steps downhill on the right.

8. When you reach the large rest area with lots of picnic benches (Station 3), walk through the tables to the right, and pick up the downhill steps on the right.

9. After the first set of steps the footpath splits. Ignore the steep steps to the left and take the flatter footpath to the right, which shortly switches back to the left.

10. Continue downhill with the poles on your right.

11. Keep following the footpath downhill and then after a left turning look out for steps leading downhill on your right. There’s a view of Gurney Bay high-rises. Do be mindful of the macaques around here as they are known to be rather aggressive (do not feed them, keep food and drink out of sight, and don’t look them in the eye).