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 name of the river and the falls comes from the mahseer, a freshwater fish called ikan kelah in Malay, which was once found in large numbers in these waters. The decline of this fish is part of why the surrounding forest was set aside as a protected recreation area.
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 mahseer fish that gave the river its name is now rarely spotted in the main current but can still be seen in some of the deeper pools on quieter days. Visitors who look carefully into the water from the rocks above have the best chance of seeing one.
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