The Mossy Forest sits high near the peak of Gunung (Mount) Brinchang, its high elevation affording it a year-round moist environment, so a colourful green moss grows on almost everything there. The ridge of the mountain forms the border between the states of Perak and Pahang, and parts of the walk afford views in both directions, though it is frequently foggy and often raining in the afternoon. These conditions are possibly the best in which to see the Mossy Forest, as the stillness and eerieness is quite surreal. The strange-shaped trees draped in heir mossy costumes take on an almost ghostly quality in the dim light.
A boardwalk now makes navigating the gnarled tree roots a simpler experience, so you can climb up and down stairs, around and under the trees, without damaging the fragile ecosystem. If you start at the base of Mt Brinchang, though, or if you choose to continue walking after the boardwalk ends, you will be tackling jungle trails that are sometimes steep and nearly always muddy. We have seen pitcher plants, a civet and other interesting wildlife in this area.
There are a number of ways to get to the Mossy Forest.
1. Drive yourself, or take a motorcycle. Take the main Cameron Highlands road and take the turnoff to the BOH Tea Sungai Palas plantation, at the sign. The drive through the tea plantation is picturesque and interesting, and you may well catch sight of the foreign workers harvesting the tea, but the road is winding and narrow, so take care and sound your horn on the blind corners.
Just before the guard gate to the tea plantation, there is a road branching to the left, with a large sign indicating "Gunung Brinchang". Take this turn, then soon after, you will come to an unmarked fork in the road. Again, take the left turn. Follow this road for about 5 kilometres, until you get to the Mossy Forest parking area. This part of the road is pretty rough and recommended for confident drivers only. Many people take conventional vehicles, but it is easier with an SUV. Once again, the road is narrow, but there ARE parts just wide enough to pass, though you may have to do some reversing. Parts of the road are badly eroded and very bumpy, but at least since mid-2018 the drains across the road are safely covered! Return the same way, past the BOH tea plantation.
2. Walk up from Brinchang. You can walk along the roads as described above, but more interesting and quicker (and often a lot messier) is to walk up Mt Brinchang from the town of Brinchang. To find the start of the path, walk to almost the end of Brinchang and turn west on a small uphill road. Follow that until it forks and there is a sign for the jungle walk (you have to go right here). The trail is well marked on Open Street Map. The walk to the top takes about 1-2.5 hr, depending on your fitness and how wet the trail is. It is easy to follow and it is perfectly possible to do this trek without a guide. The trek is not very steep but you need to be in decent shape. When you reach the top, walk around the fence of the communication station and then down the paved alley to reach the car park. From here you can drive/walk/hitchhike down to the main road past the BOH Tea Plantation and back to Brinchang, or you can walk on the boardwalk in the Mossy Forest. For more information on the walks, see Wikitravel or Cameron Highlands Info, or one of the other websites providing information. Remember to take plenty of drinking water, and please note there are no toilets or other amenities at the Mossy Forest.
3. Take a taxi. Make sure you negotiate the price before you leave!
The cache has been replaced in a spot that is easier for a stealthy and quick retrieval. Malaysians are curious of foreigners, so please practice stealth when retrieving it. It is near the car parking area at the very beginning of the boardwalk.
