The cross-island trek from Tekek to Kampung Juara on the east coast is the best inland walk on Tioman, crossing the spine of the island through primary rainforest on a trail that has been used by islanders for generations. The route takes about two hours each way, climbing steadily through dense jungle before dropping to the quieter, rougher east coast village of Juara.
The trail passes a waterfall roughly halfway across, where you can swim in a clear jungle pool — bring a picnic. The forest is genuinely wild: monitor lizards are common, and if you are quiet and lucky, you may see hornbills and long-tailed macaques. Juara itself has a calmer beach than the west coast and excellent surfing from October to March during the northeast monsoon swell. You can take the boat back to Tekek from Juara rather than walking both ways.
story: "Juara is technically on the monsoon side of the island — the east coast catches the full force of the northeast monsoon from October to February, when the west coast beaches are calm and clear. This is why Juara remains quieter: it is only accessible by foot or boat, and for half the year the sea is rough enough to discourage casual visitors."