International travel is picking up again as more countries begin to ease their border restrictions. That said, there’s still plenty to be explored in our own backyard too. Why not take a break from the urban jungle and embark on a hiking adventure? After all, going on nature walks can help improve your psychological well-being while keeping your physical fitness levels in check too.
What to note when hiking in Singapore
Strap on your hiking boots and explore Singapore’s scenic nature spots on foot.
Singapore is mostly hot and humid all year round, but it’s best that you’re prepared for both rain and shine. Apart from decking yourself in water-proof hiking gear in case of sudden downpours, do bring along a portable charger, water, and a first aid kit. If you're looking to travel solo, it's also best that you inform your close ones about your latest whereabouts. Read up on the hiking places in advance too to prepare yourself better for the experience.
Ready to go trekking? Discover Singapore’s most scenic nature spots with these top 13 hiking trails — ranging from Chestnut Nature Park to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
1. Bukit Batok Nature Park
Bukit Batok Nature Park (Photo from: nparks.gov.sg).
Bukit Batok Nature Park spans 36 hectares and was developed on an abandoned quarry site in 1988. Make your way to the park’s lookout points to enjoy breathtaking views of the quarry or take a leisurely hike around the forested area to get in touch with nature. Be sure to stop by the picturesque pond that is situated at the foot of a high cliff wall too.
How to get there: Bukit Batok Nature Park is located along Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 and Bukit Batok Avenue 6. The park is open for 24 hours and is accessible via bus, train (Bukit Batik MRT station) and car. More details here.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate. Beginners, opt for the meandering footpaths located in the secondary forest. Experienced hikers, consider attempting the park's undulating terrain instead.
2. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve covers 163 hectares and stands at 163M. This forest on the hill is a must-visit for nature lovers as it is home to a “high percentage” of Singapore’s native flora and fauna.
How to get there: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is located at the end of Hindhede Drive. The reserve is open from 7AM to 7PM daily and is accessible via bus, train (Beauty World MRT Station), and car. More details here.
Difficulty level: Ranges from moderate to tough. This reserve includes Singapore’s highest hill, Bukit Timah Hill, so brace yourself for a heart-pumping uphill climb.
3. Chestnut Nature Park
Chestnut Nature Park is Singapore’s largest nature park to date and spans 81 hectares. Here, you can participate in a variety of recreational activities, such as hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. It features two hiking trails: a 2.1KM Southern hiking trail and a 3.5KM Northern hiking trail. Keep your eyes peeled for charming bird species, such as the Orange-bellied Flowerpecker and the Little Spiderhunter.
How to get there: Chestnut Nature Park is located along Chestnut Avenue and is open from 7AM to 7PM daily. It is accessible via bus, train (Bangkit LRT Station) and car. More details here.
Difficulty level: Moderate. The park features two hiking trails: a 2.1KM Southern hiking trail and a 3.5KM Northern hiking trail. Go with the former if you’re less experienced at hiking. Trek through both trails in a single visit if you’re a seasoned ‘pro’.
4. Coney Island Park
Coney Island Park (Photo from: nparks.gov.sg).
Coney Island Park is home to around 80 species of birds and features a wide variety of habitats ranging from mangroves to coastal forests. It also boasts a rustic setting and is rich in diversity.
How to get there: Coney Island Park is situated beside Punggol Promenade Nature Walk and is open from 7AM to 7PM daily. The park is accessible via bus. More details here.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate. The park’s terrain at some parts and hence may be unsuitable for young children and people with mobility issues.
5. Dairy Farm Nature Park
Dairy Farm Nature Park contains multiple trails for hiking and biking and spans 75 hectares. It is home to Singapore's first community nursery as well as the Wallace Education Centre, a cow shed turned education gallery that teaches you about the biography and biodiversity of our region.
Set foot on the 2.2KM Wallace Trail to discover the park's wide variety of flora and fauna. A must-visit photo spot? The Singapore Quarry Wetland. Travel along the boardwalk and try spotting fish and turtles in the lake.
How to get there: Dairy Farm Nature Park is located along Dairy Farm Road and is open from 7AM to 7PM daily. It is accessible via bus, train (Hillview MRT Station) and car. More details here.
Difficulty level: Ranges from easy to tough, depending on the trail that you opt for. New to hiking? Set foot on the 2.2KM Wallace Trail, which is suitable for families and nature lovers.
6. Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is a hilltop landmark containing nine historical gardens. You are encouraged to plan your own trail and explore the park at your own pace. The trail is 2.5KM-long and has eight checkpoints placed throughout the park.
Make a pit stop at the Sang Nila Utama Garden, which is named after the first ancient king of Singapore. Walk under the garden’s series of Javanese split gates and stop by the reflective pool located within the space.
How to get there: Fort Canning Park is bounded by Hill Street, Canning Rise, Clemenceau Avenue and River Valley Road. The park is open for 24 hours and is accessible via train (Fort Canning MRT Station, Clarke Quay MRT Station and Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station). More details here.
Difficulty level: Easy. The trail is 2.5KM-long and has eight checkpoints placed throughout the park for you to catch a breather whenever you have to. That said, the park is located on a hill, so you may need to get used to the gentle slope.
7. Lower Peirce Reservoir Park
Lower Peirce Reservoir Park (Photo from: nparks.gov.sg).
Lower Peirce Reservoir Park is home to Lower Peirce Reservoir, Singapore’s second-oldest reservoir, and is lined with numerous rubber trees and oil palms. Catch a glimpse of native birds here as you step onto the 900-metre wooden boardwalk through a mature secondary forest.
How to get there: Lower Peirce Reservoir is located along Old Upper Thomson Road and is open from 7AM to 7PM daily. It is accessible via bus and car. More details here.
Difficulty level: Easy. The Lower Peirce trail is suitable for families with young children and the elderly. It covers 900 metres and takes around 45 minutes to one hour to complete.
8. Kranji Marshes
For a more rustic hiking experience, make your way to Kranji Marshes, one of the largest freshwater marshes in Singapore. Spanning 56.8 hectares, it is home to more than 170 species of birds and is an ideal spot for you to observe and enjoy nature. Make your way to the top of the Raptor Tower, a 10.65-metre-tall wooden structure that offers you scenic views of the Kranji Marshes and Kranji Reservoir.
How to get there: Kranji Marshes is located at 11 Neo Tiew Lane 2, S 718814 and is open from 7AM to 7PM daily. The park is accessible via car. You can also take the Kranji Express bus from Kranji MRT station, which will bring you to the D’Kranji Farm Resort. More details here.
Difficulty level: Moderate. The park is rugged in certain areas and is deemed potentially unsuitable for younger children. As such, it’s best that you visit this park if you have prior experience in hiking.
9. MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park
The Treetop Walk is situated within the MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park (Photo from: visitsingapore.com).
Touted as a “playground of nature”, MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park features an 11KM nature trail loop and is anchored by Singapore’s largest reservoir. It is home to many different species, including long-tailed macaque monkeys, flying lemurs and owls. Be sure to attempt the Treetop Walk, a 250M-metre suspension bridge that spans the two highest points within MacRitchie.
How to get there: MacRitchie Reservoir Park is located at S 298717 and is situated in the southern east end of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It is accessible via bus and car. The Nature Reserve is open from 7AM to 7PM daily, while the TreeTop Walk is available on selected days and timings. More details here.
Difficulty level: Moderate. As shared, this park contains an 11KM nature trail loop, which makes it around four to five times longer than regular parks’ trails. The forest trail terrain can be undulating and uneven at times as well.
10. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Hoping to spot a crocodile? You might just see one during your hike at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore’s first ASEAN heritage park. The park spans a whopping 202 hectares and includes a variety of trails for you to explore. See if you're lucky enough to spot some of the reserve’s most beautiful ‘residents’, including herons, sunbirds and kingfishers.
How to get there: The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre is located at 60 Kranji Way, #01-00, S 739453 and is accessible via car. The park is open from 7AM to 7PM daily. More details here.
Difficulty level: Easy. The reserve offers four types of trails, which range from 300 metres to 1.9KM long. The trails are planted with observation pods along the way for visitors to pause and admire the reserve’s scenery.
11. The Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges.
The Southern Ridges offers one of the best panoramic views of the city and features 10KM of green, open spaces for nature lovers to explore. It connects five nature spots and is known for Henderson Waves, a distinct, wave-like structure that doubles as a pedestrian bridge connecting Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park.
As evening falls, make your way to the Alexandra Arch, a smaller but no less Instagram-worthy pedestrian bridge within the Southern Ridges that has changing LED light displays from 7PM to 12AM daily.
How to get there: Begin your hike along the Southern Ridges at Mount Faber Park, which is accessible via bus, train (HarbourFront MRT Station) or car. More details here.
Difficulty level: Moderate. You’ll need to do a good deal of uphill trekking in order to reach the park’s distinct landmarks, such as Henderson Waves and Telok Blangah Hill Park.
12. Thomson Nature Park
Step inside Thomson Nature Park, a 50-hectare park that is well-liked by avid bird watchers and nature photographers. It contains five trails spanning 3.8KM, which aim to introduce visitos to what life was like during Singapore’s kampung days.
How to get there: Thomson Nature Park is located off Old Upper Thomson Road. The park is accessible via bus, MRT (Lentor MT station) or car. The park opens from 7AM to 7PM daily. More details here.
Difficulty level: Easy. All five trails in this park cover less than 1.5KM each — a relatively achievable feat for those who are new to hiking.
13. Windsor Nature Park
Windsor Nature Park (Photo from: nparks.gov.sg).
Fan of dragonflies? You can find nearly half of all the dragonfly species in Singapore at Windsor Nature Park, which spans an impressive 75 hectares. You can also explore the park’s new trails — such as the Hanguana Trail and the Drongo trail — and discover rare native plants here.
How to get there: Windsor Nature Park is located at 30 Venus Drive, S 573858 and is accessible via car. The park opens from 7AM to 7PM daily. More details here.
Difficulty level: Mostly easy. Three out of the four suggested routes available at this park take less than an hour to complete and are less than 2.2KM each. For more experienced hikers, take the trail to the Treetop Talk, which covers 7KM and will take approximately three to four hours to complete.
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