Crocker Range Park

The Crocker Range Park was gazetted by the government in 1984. It covers 139,919 ha and is presently the single largest totally protected area in Sabah. The boundaries of this park are being surveyed but no facilities have yet been developed, thus making it a popular destination for real jungle trekking for adventure lovers.

Moving eastwards from Kota Kinabalu, a long range of hills dominates the landscape. The Crocker Range is a giant backbone of green-clad ridges that stretches down the west coast from Mt. Kinabalu's granite peaks, across the gorge of the Padas River and down into the swamp-forests of the Sarawak border!

The easiest way to access the park is by road from Kota Kinabalu City to Tambunan. The modern highway follows an old bridle path that was once the only link between the west coast to the interior plains. The road passes close to the highest point of the range, the Sinsuron Pass (1670 m) and the drive takes one from steamy lowland heat to cool mountain air with orchids and rhododendrons flowering on roadside cuttings within an hour.

The KK-Tambunan Highway cuts right across the park. Another, rougher road further south cuts across from Kimanis Bay to Ranau. The Kimanis - Ranau road is now being upgraded but some parts are still best mastered by 4x4. Guided tours are the best way of discovering this route. Some companies offer 4x4 excursions through this area and beyond, into abandoned logging concessions where off-road driving can become rather challenging, especially during the rainy season.