Singapore On Foot

Getting up close and personal with nature in Singapore is fairly easy. There are several walking and cycling trails that wind through nature reserves swathed in lush greenery and forests where you can spot large numbers of biodiversity, birds and other species.

After we completed our first ‘walk across Singapore challenge’ traversing the Coast-To-Coast Trail a few months back, Amanda and I decided on a more scenic (and shorter) route.  We zeroed in on the Southern Ridges Trail and we were not disappointed.  Filled with flora and fauna, birds and bees, and monkeys too, we embarked on our 10km walk from Mount Faber to Kent Ridge.  It was fairly easy, and armed with just our water bottles, we completed it in less than two hours.

Marang Trail

The entrance of Marang Trail at Mount Faber Park is a wonderful welcome and start to the 10K walk.  Surrounded by the lush trees and sounds of birds, the walk is moderately challenging as it is uphill.

Henderson Waves

After reaching Faber peak and taking in the scenery, the next course is Henderson Waves.  The trail is easy to follow with many sign posts to lead you in the right direction!  

This award-winning wooden-wave-like structure is 274m long, built to improve the connectivity between nature areas.  It is the tallest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.  We were told that at night, the bridge takes on a different look, with the waveform illuminated by attractive LED lights. Note to return at dusk.

Forest Walk

Before reaching the Forest Walk, the trail passes Sembcorp Forest of Giants, a living gallery of giant tree species threatened in the region.  A hundred metres from Sembcorp Forest of Giants is the beautiful Alkaff Mansion, a unique and charming conservation mansion restored by the Singapore Tourism Board, where you can dine al fresco.

Another picturesque and step-free elevated walk is the Forest Walk.  The elevated floors of the walkway is 1.3km long and triangular shaped, architecturally inspired by the leaves of the fast growing “Mile-a-Minute” plant (Mikania micrantha).

Singing Forest

Midway through this walk, there is an area with more than 200 birds attracting trees native to the region.  NParks’ tree planning effort ensures that food resources for them are increased so as to attract a larger number and wider variety.  Isn’t that amazing?

Alexandra Arch

Next up is Alexandra Arch, which links Forest Walk to Floral Walk at Hort Park.  It is an 80m-long bridge that opens like a leaf over Alexandra Road.  We were told that in the evening attractive colour-changing LED lights on the bridge complement the dusk falling over the forested hill parks.

Hort Lawn

This 23-hectare park is a hidden gem, not to be missed!  Filled with a beautiful collection of themed gardens, showcasing different concepts and gardening trends with restaurants and retail spaces, it is an ideal resting stop that’s also suited for families with young children.

Hort Park

We could’ve already ended our walk here but continued with the scenic route to Canopy Walk. Similar to Marang Trail, with a wooden bridge overlooking the forest, it was an easy 280m long walk.  We finished on the main road where we took a Grab home.

Exploring Singapore on foot through our DIY South Ridge and Coast-To-Coast Trails opened our eyes to just how much of the green city we have not discovered. There are more trails we can plan for our next ‘walk across Singapore challenge’. 

Karmela | ws

Read more about other trails in Singapore.

Click here Southern Ridge Trail for a map and details.

Other DIY walking trails in Singapore.