Four wooden bridges and staircases leading up to “Phnom Mrech Kongkeb,” located in the Stung Areng eco-tourism community in Koh Kong province’s Thma Bang district, are set to be renovated to better accommodate tourists.

The renovation is part of the “Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project” (CSLEP), which is funded by the World Bank, explained Khin Meng Kheang, director of the Ministry of Environment’s ecotourism department and CSLEP project manager.

The CSLEP project aims to improve the management of protected natural areas and promote nature-based tourism services within the Cardamom Mountains–Tonle Sap (CMTS) landscape. The renovation plans were announced after Meng Kheang and his team recently conducted their first on-site inspection of Phnom Mrech Kongkeb.

“The landscape is beautiful, but we’ve identified problems with four wooden bridges that need to be repaired. Some sections of the staircases are broken and require renovation. As part of the CSLEP framework, we believe we can help, including by installing signage and rest stops — because the climb is exhausting, and people need somewhere to pause before continuing,” he said.

The track to the peak of the mountain, also known as “Areng Heaven”, is more than 3 kilometres. It attracts adventurous tourists, who hike to the top of the mountain to admire the lush green scenery, the clouds that crown the summit and the sounds of animals calling to each other at dawn.

The climb to the top takes more than an hour, while descending takes about one hour.

Meng Kheang added that since the area does not yet receive large numbers of tourists, waste management remains under control. However, the lack of hygienic toilet facilities is still an issue, and the project aims to address this as well.

To ensure tourist safety and prevent falls, a wooden railing has been built atop the summit’s rocky outcrop. Yet some tourists and tour guides have requested changes, saying the railing detracts from the natural aesthetic that they came to see and photograph.

“In that regard, we have to consider the feedback from visitors. Service providers also need to reflect on this. We’ll consult with the community to figure out the best way to improve the experience for adventure-loving tourists,” noted Meng Kheang.

Long Koy, head of the Stung Areng eco-tourism community, described Phnom Mrech Kongkeb as one of the standout attractions in Areng, among many other beautiful eco-tourism destinations. To fully explore the area, he suggested that tourists would need up to two weeks — travelling by motorbike, bicycle or on foot.

Koy acknowledged that the bridges, staircases and handrails are currently the main obstacles preventing easier access to the summit.

Koh Kong deputy provincial governor Orn Sothearith highlighted the province’s rich tourism potential, especially the coastal and mountainous areas. Among Cambodia’s four coastal provinces, Koh Kong has the longest coastline — 257 kilometres of the country’s over 400km total. Its coastline also contains the largest mangrove forest in the ASEAN region.

“This represents an opportunity to develop the eco-tourism sector. Thma Bang district offers both nature-based tourism and cultural tourism, with ancient pottery, burial mounds and indigenous communities,” he added.

The CSLEP (2020–2027) is managed by the environment ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development. It supports Cambodia’s efforts to meet sustainable development goals. The project leverages nature-based tourism to drive rural economic growth and strengthen management of Cambodia’s rich natural resources in the Cardamom Mountains – Tonle Sap region.

Key protected areas involved include Phnom Kulen National Park, Phnom Kravanh National Park, and wildlife sanctuaries in Peam Krasop, Tatai, Oral and Phnom Samkos. The CMTS landscape spans over 3.8 million hectares, covering some of the world’s most productive freshwater fisheries and the largest protected forests in Indochina.