There are many great things about living in Singapore, except for the fact that we don’t have a lot of nature, and it can get a little soul sucking being surrounded by high-rise buildings all the time.
Places like Gardens by the Bay are beautiful; but it’s man-made at the end of the day, and sometimes, all we need is some real flora and fauna to make us smile. There are, however, a few spots in our mostly concrete city that allow us to connect with Mother Nature, and these gems come in the form of hiking trails, which surprise, surprise; are actually quite prevalent over here.
We’ve rounded up the 10 best hiking trails with the best sights for you to get your trek on, but do note that places like Mount Faber and Southern Ridges are excluded, because even though they have spectacular views – they’re mostly boardwalk.
Dairy Farm Nature Park
From rare dragonflies to elevated rock formations, Dairy Farm Nature Park is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. This picturesque trail is scattered with muddy and uneven stones, so it’s the domain of mountain bikers, while a viewing platform called the Singapore Quarry is located at the South Western zone of the park for you to admire the beautiful scenery.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Macritchie Reservoir
Ah, Macritchie Reservoir – a little mainstream, but undeniably one of Singapore’s best hiking spots. Popular with nature enthusiasts, this charming 12-hectare locale has trails that range from easy to difficult – with boardwalks, forests paths, and a gorgeous treetop walk that gives you a bird eye’s view of the entire catchment. You can even canoe or kayak here, but just be careful if you’re hiking; people have gotten lost before!
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Windsor Nature Park
Singapore’s newest park, which opened on April 22, 2017, is also Singapore’s largest, measuring a total of 75-hectares. Located just off Upper Thomson, this mostly untouched nature park is a true hiker’s paradise, with a sub-canopy walk at the Drongo Trail; and a pathway filled with rare plants that are native to Singapore at the the Hanguana Trail. In it also lies a marsh habitat, along with a number of freshwater streams.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Coney Island
Well, Coney Island isn’t exactly an island, being connected to the Punggol Promenade Nature Walk and all. But it is definitely a place of biodiversity, even without the Brahman bull that sadly died after a sedative complication. Down here, hikers can look forward to checking out rare plants that are considered extinct in the wild, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a macaque or two, or even some otters.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Most Singaporeans hardly come across any wildlife, except for the odd cockroach or lizard, which makes Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve an entirely different world. Inducted as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003, this ecological gem has mangroves, mudflats, ponds, and forests for trekkers to check out, as well as diverse variety of animals like water snakes, herons, kingfishers, and monitor lizards.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Chestnut Nature Park
Compared to the rest of the trails mentioned so far, Chestnut Nature Park is a little more relaxed. Most of the pathways in the park are flat, although if you’re up for a challenge, there are more difficult routes with rocky stones and side steps available. And thanks to old wells and roads in the park, you can probably get a good idea of how the kampong life was like back in the day, before skyscrapers started to sprout.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Kranji Marshes
If you’re looking to clock up some serious mileage, say hello to 56.8-hectares of solid trekking ground at Kranji Marshes, a largely untouched park that’s also every bird watcher’s dream come true. Down here, there are over 170 species of birds to admire, with woodpeckers, common moorhen, and white-bellied sea eagles regularly spotted perching on trees.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Bukit Batok Nature Park
It might not be obvious, but Bukit Batok Nature Park was once an abandoned quarry site, only as recently as 1988. Thankfully, it’s now a peaceful and tranquil refuge for nature lovers who are looking to venture out of the city. There are plenty of vantage points over here that extend well over 10 storeys high, so you’re pretty much guaranteed a spectacular view, while hikers can get some solid trekking action at the various off-the-beaten paths.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Say hello to the OG of Singapore’s nature reserves. Part of the original Malayan rainforest (yes, that’s how old this nature reserve is), Bukit Timah has remained intact despite all the architectural changes that have shaped modern Singapore. Visitors can check out a diverse range of flora and fauna over here, as well as scale Bukit Timah Hill – Singapore’s highest (and only proper hill) that stands at 163m.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Pulau Ubin
Contrary to popular belief, Pulau Ubin isn’t just a hotspot for tourists or avid cyclists. It has a few mean hiking trails up its sleeve as well, the most breathtaking of which is Puaka Hill, the island’s highest point, and a safe, 74-metre trek for hikers. It only takes 15 minutes to reach the top, so challenge-wise; you’d be better suited with some place else, but if you just want to be one with nature, there is hardly anywhere better in Singapore.
For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg.
Top image: Wikipedia Commons
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