It’s now more than a hundred years since someone had the good sense to build a funicular up to the top of Penang Hill but, if you’re up for a challenge, there’s still the option of stepping back in time and walking to the summit using much of the original route. This Penang Hill walk follows the Heritage Trail, a two mile hike which climbs and weaves around the funicular track.
But be warned that this walk shouldn’t be taken lightly; you’ll need a decent level of fitness, plenty of stamina and water, good hiking footwear and high levels of perseverance. There are countless steps and you will be ascending 691 meters.
Allow 2 hours for this walk (from bottom to top). This timing is one way and does not include walking back downhill.
The first section of the walk is particularly challenging, with a constant climb up steep steps before reaching the Middle Station. Once here, the views towards George Town and the mainland open up, and the gradient becomes just a touch friendlier as you gradually approach the summit of Penang Hill.
Despite the challenges, this is a diverse and rewarding walk, with the promise of an easy funicular ride back down to the bottom when you’ve finished. There’s also beautiful flora and fauna to appreciate en route, and you may also spot a monkey.
This Penang Hill walk features on our best Penang walks guide. Don’t fancy the walk? Then check out our guide on how to get up Penang Hill for alternatives.
Map of Penang Hill walk via the Heritage Trail
Getting to the start of this Penang Hill walk
Whilst you can technically start this walk at the Lower Station for Penang Hill, it’s often very busy there. So we recommend starting from Thean Kong Thnuah Temple. Click here for location.
There is a car park here for those with their own wheels. Otherwise you can order a Grab taxi to drop you here (make sure they take the turning on the right for the temple, just before Lower Station, where the funicular up Penang Hill starts).
Route instructions
Allow 2 hours for this walk (from bottom to top). This timing is one way and does not include walking back downhill.
START: Thean Kong Thnuah Temple
Total ascent: 691 meters
1. With the temple on your left, continue on the paved road (Temple Road) up the hill to the left. This leads you under the funicular.
2. You will soon spot ‘Penang Hill Heritage Trail – Since 1890’ on a rock to your right. Just past this on the right is the official start of the Heritage Trail. Start walking up the steps. These are the first of many.
3. The first rest stop is 400 metres on, the second after another 100 metres, and a third after another 100 metres. With all the steps you’re climbing up, take the opportunity to sit down at these rest stops and catch your breath. They’re also good marker points to aim to (this section can feel like quite a slog).
4. 150 metres before the Middle Station there is a very steep section with no hand rails. Keep going, as just after here the Middle Station (which is just under halfway) comes into view. Follow the steps to the left and then the right to reach the station. Take a moment to stop and take in the view. Hopefully the clouds have cleared to reward your climbing efforts. Can you spot Kek Lok Si Temple on the far right? It’s the most impressive temple on Penang Island and worth a visit if you haven’t yet been.
5. Continue past the toilets and pick up the trail on the left. There are more steps to climb, although the footpath soon meets up with a paved path (no steps, but still going uphill). With the open views, this section feels much less of a slog than the first section.
6. Just as the footpath flattens out (yes really, it’s flat for a short section), you arrive at Claremont Station (449.3 metres above sea level). It’s worthwhile stopping here to watch a carriage pass and appreciate the fantastic engineering that went into building the funicular. Before you consider jumping on to avoid the thigh burn, tourists aren’t allowed to embark here.
7. Return to the footpath and continue around to the right from the direction you walked up. Enjoy this very short flat section, before taking the steps leading uphill on the left, following signs to ‘Top Station’. The steps soon change to a typical jungle path where you’ll need to negotiate tree roots.
8. After the next rest stop, the path levels out again. Follow the yellow ‘Top Station’ sign round to the left and continue uphill.
9. You will reach another station. Continue following the footpath immediately to the right of the funicular and then underneath an arch. Walk up the steps and continue along the footpath, which is now to the left of the track.
10. At the top of the steps, cross Viaduct Raod to the ‘By Path’ and continue up the steps. This bypasses the upper and lower tunnel that the funicular passes through to reach Upper Station.
11. Take a right at the top of the steps, still following signs to ‘Top Station’. Continue straight on, uphill. Don’t veer off this steep slope. Keep following it to the top.
12. At the top of the steep slope, take a left along the road. Then take a right to Upper Station, up the steps.
13. The viewpoint next to the top of the funicular soon comes into view on your right. You’re almost there!
14. The footpath leads you to a road. Take a right and walk to the viewpoint on the right, just next the the main square (or rather circle) of Penang Hill. You’ve made it! If you walk down to the metal walkway to the bottom left of the below photo, this will lead you to a better viewpoint. This is also where you can get the funicular back down Penang Hill.
Getting back down Penang Hill
You can, of course, walk back down the way you came. Please be mindful that this can be very slippery in wet weather and tough on the knees on the steep sections.
If you don’t fancy the walk back down, you can take the funicular. Walk along the metal walkway to the end. Here you can purchase a ticket (RM15 per person). But before you join the queue to head down Penang Hill, take the short detour on the right to the viewpoint for those views across to George Town and Butterworth beyond. You might even catch a glimpse of the Butterworth to George Town ferry. Enjoy the sense of achievement, as it’s quite a climb you’ve just completed!
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On Penang ebook£16.95
On Penang ebook
New for 2025, the On Penang ebook is the only travel guide you need for exploring the island of Penang. It is jam-packed with inspiration on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and also includes a step-by-step self-guided walking tour of George Town (with photos).
This is a PDF download for use offline and on the go (and ad-free!). Save it to read on the plane to Malaysia, download to your phone to follow the self-guided walking tour, or print it off at home before you leave on your adventures and highlight all the bits you want to remember for your visit.
Before your go, check out these useful reads for your visit:
The best things to do in Penang
15 BEST restaurants in Penang
Top tips for visiting Penang
One day Penang itinerary
Best hotels in Penang
How to get around Penang
A brief history of Penang
