Berkelah falls, Cascade waterfalls in Pahang, Malaysia

Berkelah Falls is a series of seven waterfall tiers along the Berkelah River in Pahang, Malaysia, set within a forested nature reserve. Between each tier, the river widens into natural pools that sit at different heights along the hillside.

The river and falls take their name from the ikan kelah, the mahseer, which once lived in the river; the species has since suffered a severe population decline and is now considered threatened because of habitat loss. The falls lie in Pahang, roughly 31 to 35 km from Kuantan toward Maran, and the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia records seven tiers, though more continue above the seventh.

The lowest tier draws local families who come to swim and share meals by the water on weekends and holidays. The upper tiers see far fewer visitors, so the feel of the place changes noticeably as you climb higher.

The site sits inside the Hutan Lipur Berkelah recreation forest and is reached by following signs to the parking area near the entrance. The paths between the tiers are uneven and stay wet, so sturdy footwear is a good idea before you set off.

The name Berkelah comes from the ikan kelah, the mahseer once abundant in this river. The species has suffered a severe population decline and is now considered threatened because of habitat loss, so the fish that named the falls is no longer a reliable sight in its waters.