Once you’ve taken the funicular up Penang Hill, how do you get away from the crowds? If you want to feel like you have a spot all to yourself, head to Hickory, a hidden gem on Penang Hill. A refreshing drink, tropical surroundings, and expansive views await. You’ll need to do a bit of walking — and summon the fortitude to tackle some steep slopes — but the reward is a peaceful escape that feels worlds away from it all.

This is the sort of adventure that comes from once meeting a stranger on our travels who told us, “If you’re ever in Penang, walk to the hotel that’s a few hundred meters away from the top of the funicular and have a drink.” But we failed to clarify which hotel, so we picked one that looked close and struck out on a path to Hickory on Penang Hill, a heritage black-and-white bungalow that’s been converted to a 15-room guesthouse.

The Many Charms of Hickory on Penang Hill

Here’s what we loved about Hickory. First of all, you’ll hear nothing but the buzz of cicadas, the trill of songbirds, and the swish-swish of bamboo stalks waving in the wind. The sounds of nature aside, it’s just quiet.

Then there’s the seating — lots of it, both shaded and sunny, all of it laid out to take maximum advantage of the views. And we had every chair and swing all to ourselves.

Oh, and those views. We could’ve sat for hours just appreciating the scene in front of us.

Hot and thirsty, we appreciated the modest self-service drink situation.

You’ll find limited choices — tea, instant coffee, Milo, water — but it’s all free-flow, and it’s all free. The helpful, cheerful gentleman running the property only asks that you leave a review in the guestbook in exchange for your beverage.

Two very friendly cats and a dog, all happy to be pet, roam the Hickory property.

Flora and Fauna on the Path to Hickory

While the walk to Hickory is not necessarily easy, you’ll discover amazing flowers, fruit, tree ferns, and other tropical plants along the way.

We were also lucky to encounter both a solitary long-tailed macaque …

… and a large troop of dusky leaf monkeys, also known as spectacled langurs or spectacled leaf monkeys.

You’ll only see these sorts of things if you make your way off the beaten path — and we were grateful that the route to Hickory took us away from people and into nature.

Getting to This Hidden Gem on Penang Hill

Google Maps will be your friend here, but here’s the quick version of how to get to Hickory.

• Follow the road straight up from the funicular exit.
• When the road splits, take the spur to the left.
• Look for a large sign on the left that says Bypath A.
• Walk downhill, following the signs to Hickory.

The route is seriously steep in places. You’ll be on stairs or paved roadway the whole time, but you’ll want good shoes and good footing.

The walk won’t take you more than fifteen or twenty minutes, and Hickory is entirely worth it. Most people never get away from the busy top station — they may explore the religious sites or The Habitat, but they miss so much of what Penang Hill has to offer.

With a bit of walking, you’ll find something entirely different — and entirely your own.

Further Reading

• Planning to walk through George Town? Be sure to take my two walking tours — one focused on architecture, and another exploring the city’s religious sites.
• Curious about what you’ll find as you walk? Here’s a photo tour of street scenes and daily life in George Town.
• If Singapore is also on your itinerary, Fort Canning has its own collection of hidden gems worth exploring.