Introduction

Gunung Ledang is commonly known among the locals for its mystical character and as a camping destination rather than a hill resort. Steeped in legends and folklore, the mountain holds awe-inspiring experiences for many a visitor up the mountain. Tales of supernatural encounters and visions of the legendary mountain princess, Puteri Gunung Ledang, are not infrequent among believers of the 'twilight zone'. Mysticism aside, the mountain is a natural beauty with its challenging mountain trails, icy waterfalls, cascades, diverse birdlife, flora and fauna. Straddling the Johor/Melaka border, Gunung Ledang is the highest mountain in the two southern states and can be accessed either via the Melaka or Johor route. The mountain's plateau-like summit peaks at 1, 276m above sea 1evel and offers a panoramic view of the Straits of Melaka and Sumatra coastline on a clear day. Gunung Ledang is ideally-suited for picnickers, nature lovers, birdwatchers rock-climbers and jungle trekkers and those who seek nature in raw splendour.

History
Refered to as Mount Ophir in the days of the British, Gunung Ledang's history is tied up with folklore that is both intriguing a inseparable. Ancient history points to the mountain being the site of rich gold deposits, luring traders from as far as Greece and China. The name 'ophir' itself is thought to have originated from the Hebr language. In the 14th century, the Chinese seafarers plying the Straits of Melaka called it 'Kim Sua' meaning the 'Golden Mountain'. The Javanese during the period of the Majapahit empire, named it 'Gunung Ledang' which means 'mount from afar'.

Folk-memory gave it enduring tales which continue to exist till today. The mountain is said to contain a secret cave where Puteri Gunung Ledang lives. Puteri Gunung Ledang, according to folkore, was a beautiful princess who captivated the heart of Sultan Mansur Shah of Melaka during the 15th century. He wanted to marry her but she set impossible conditions for him. She asked him to build a golden bridge linking his palace in Melaka to the mountain. The princess also asked the sultan to bring her seven jars of women's tears, seven trays of the hearts of mosquitoes and seven bowls containing the blood of The Sultan's son, all of which the Sultan could not fulfill. Thus, the story goes, she continued to live on in her beloved mountain.