![]() |
||
|
Follow @psychling
Langkawi - Malaysia's tropical paradise islandLangkawi is by many people seen as Malaysia's tropical paradise. But is it also for the average cyclist visiting Malaysia? I would say: YES. Langkawi has much to offer in terms of general tourism, beaches, tropical jungles, culture, diving but few realize it's a nice island to travel around on bicycle.
If you push it, you can cycle around Langkawi in one day but you will not see too much. But for the serious cyclist, Mount Raya, Gunung Raya is a serious contest but the reward is good too with some excellent views over Langkawi.
But like the rest of Malaysia, the roads, and especially the smaller roads are in excellent condition and Langkawi is no exception. Getting there and awayLangkawi is quite easy to reach for any cyclist. Coming from Phuket and Krabi you have the choice to go to Hat Yai or Satun. Some prefer to stay a night (or two) in Hat Yai and do some bicycle shopping in the two good bike shops there before coming to Malaysia. Others choose Satun and take the boat.
I have done both and both are easy to do. Satun is probably the least interesting town to stay. More then an afternoon is a visit not worth, even though in the are there are some quite nice villages to visit. Hat Yai is more a typical bordertown where you can get almost anything. And the border, Padang Besar, is about 50km away, an easy ride.
If you decide to cross the Padang Besar border you have two choices to go to Langkawi. The first is just across the border in Kuala Perlis or a bit more south at Kuala Kedah. Where to stay?Most cyclist do not prefer to stay in expensive hotels. However, if you are in for a splurge, Langkawi is an excellent location to enjoy the enjoy paradise. The cheapest hotels and guesthouses you will find at Cenang Beach though not on the beach site. Here are some very good hotels at Langkawi and another set of excellent choices at Cenang Beach. For cheaper option, please check our recommended guesthouses and hostels in Langkawi Diving
The Pulau Pangkor.com website has some ideas for diving in Langkawi available. Click here to review them. Bicycle shopLangkawi has no longer a good bicycle shop. If you need special repairs, I recommend Gary Yap's shop in Georgetown Penang. 216 Lebuh Carnavon (Carnavon Street) What to see
And last but not least white sand beaches in blue waters with spectacular views towards some of the 99 islands of which Pulau Langkawi is the main one. But to me, cycling around the island is the preferable way to go. And it's apart of the Gunung Raya mountain road almost all flat. Maps of Langkawi
I remember my first visit to Langkawi and had no idea how far Cenang Beach was... If I had then the maps now available on the bicycle adventures website, it would have made my life a lot easier. See also our Cycling in Langkawi page Back to the Bicycle Adventures.com homepage
Custom Search
|
Custom Search
+1 Bicycle AdventuresPageBest bicycle buys at NashbarReady to get your last minute bicycle materials? I bought my last sandals here.
Last chance bargains on bikes, cycling gear, clothing at Nashbar.com
Hostels in LangkawiOr check our Hostels at Langkawi page More about cycling at LangkawiLangkawi is not known for the cycling options but it's a pleasant bikeride around the island Penang to PangkorAn alternative road, through BM, Kulim and Selama to Taiping. It's much nicer and more quiet then the trunk road. Here are the details for cycling from Penang to Pangkor South Thailand and North MalaysiaThere are several routes possible to cycle from Thailand into Malaysia From Surat Thani to SatunJust north of Langkawi is the ferry border with Thailand. Here's an interesting road to cycle leads from Surat Thani via Krabi to Satun |
|
|
||
|
Bicycle Adventures Blog |
Introduction To Cycling | Contact Me
|
||


Langkawi is a duty
free zone but it doesn't mean it's rock
bottom cheap. And Malaysia is not particularly a cycling country. Many people
will either think you're crazy or admire you for cycling in the baking heat. 
From
Satun a ferry brings you direct to Langkawi, it takes about
1.5 hours.
Langkawi hosts the only Marine Park on the West coast of
Malaysia: Pulau Payar. This little island is uninhabited and an excellent place
to start your Malaysian diving adventures. It's closer to Langkawi then to
Penang, so if you are interested in diving, you probably prefer to stay at
Langkawi.
As you can expect, there's plenty to do at Langkawi




New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.