Skip to main content

KIONSOM WATERFALL, INANAM


Not too far from Kota Kinabalu city, is the Kionsom Waterfall located in Inanam town. You can catch a bus from Kota Kinabalu to Inanam town, and from Inanam town you can ask around how to get to the waterfall.


Brilliant Day LauraMZira  Reviewed 5 September 2016

We got a bus from KK to Inanam, (number 4A) from outside the Shangri La Hotel for RM 1.50. The bus was awesome, with music and brilliant vibes.

From Inanam we got a minivan to the waterfall itself for RM 4 per person.

To enter the waterfall was RM 1.50 and was very worthwhile, we swam in many pools and explored the several waterfalls, the water was chilled and refreshing and there were quite afew local people about. Some of us even jumped into the pools along with some local boys.
The experience was really authentic because it seemed like a very local picnic destination. We got caught in some rain but because we were already swimming it didn't matter and there was a small alcove to keep bags dry.

There were stalls outside with fresh fruit and snacks, which we bought waiting for the minivan to return. The minivan returned to pick us up at the time we asked, and the trip back to KK was very smooth.

An overall pleasant day out :)
Would recommend to anyone.


The comment above were posted on Tripadvisor in case you're wondering how to reach there. You can try Uber & Grab as well.


                                                                Guardian of the park.

There are few stalls selling tidbits, drinks and fruits at the entrance. You can even have mi soto for lunch at one of the stall which cost RM4.50 only for a bowl of soto ayam. There's a toilet and changing room outside at the parking lot before you enter the park. 


Upon entering, you will have to pay RM1.50 entrance fee for a daytrip. There is a cemented path that leads to the waterfall. Skip that boring part, there is hidden gem up there. There is a narrow path that leads to the other side of the waterfall. ( I will update with pictures later). 


When you reach the waterfall at the end of the path, where most people think that that's the end of the waterfall, there is actually a small path across the stream, where you will have to climb a bit, and after a few minutes you will reach another waterfall. 


I hike there last December, up to the highest tier, all alone with my backpack and camera, walking on the slippery rock, grabbing to whatever branch and roots I can hold on to. 


The waterfall is a quite damp and mossy jungle, and along the way you can spot a few interesting bugs, insects, butterflies and all sort of plants.


Bathing in the sunlight, sitting all alone in the middle of the jungle, listening to the sound of the birds and crickets, there's nothing more blissful than this. In a place far away from human, my soul find it inner peace.


After a while, it started to get creepy. 


Hiking down are far more dangerous and hard than climbing up the waterfall. At one point I have to take off my shoes because walking barefoot are easier on wet rocks.


Waterfalls are dangerous. The stone are slippery. I fall really hard one time, then I noticed my leg are bleeding. Not because I hurt myself, but because there's actually leeches in the forest. 


Halfway down, I stop to wear my shoes, only to notice that there is actually one leech on my shoe, trying to find his next meal. Lost story short, I walk barefoot until I reach my car to get my slipper.


A free and easy hike takes me around 3 hours wandering in the jungle, sitting and daydreaming, occassionally stopping by to take pictures and a few minutes of wondering, "should I just burn my shoes?"




For more information about the waterfall, check this site.


Comments