Nature Mega Trail Event Puts Jeli On Extreme Sports And Adventure Tourism Map

By Azli Shafii

KOTA BHARU, June 25 (Bernama) -- Jeli is poised to emerge as a leading destination for extreme sports and adventure tourism on the East Coast through the inaugural Jeli Nature Mega Trail 1.0, scheduled to take place from July 3 to 5.

Kelantan Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Md Noor told Bernama that the event marks the first step in showcasing the district’s unique terrain to off-road and motorsports enthusiasts from Malaysia and abroad.

He said Jeli offers a diverse range of natural routes suited for extreme sports activities, including forest trails, logging roads, hilly terrain and challenging tracks rarely found elsewhere.

“Jeli has a distinct advantage in terms of its landscape and terrain, making it highly suitable for off-road motorsports activities.

“This potential can be developed into a new tourism product capable of attracting more visitors and participants in the future,” said.

The 180-kilometre route traversing Jeli and Gual Ipoh in Tanah Merah would not only test participants’ endurance and skills but also showcase the district’s nature-based tourism attractions.

Among the sites featured along the route are Gunung Reng, the Kampung Kalai Gold Tunnel, the Sungai Rual Orang Asli settlement, Gua Setir and Kampung Air Naga.

Kamaruddin said exposing participants to these attractions would help raise Jeli’s profile as a preferred venue for trail expeditions, motorised recreation and adventure tourism activities.

“The state government views programmes such as this not merely as sporting events, but as strategic platforms to build Jeli’s brand as an extreme sports destination with the potential to gain international recognition.

“If the response is encouraging, the programme could become an annual event and be included in the state’s tourism calendar,” he said.

He added that the initiative aligns with the state government’s efforts to diversify Kelantan’s tourism offerings while strengthening its position as a destination for travellers seeking nature-based experiences and adventure activities.

-- BERNAMA