Categories > Guides and Tips
Best Cycling Trails In Singapore Approved By An Avid Cyclist (AKA Me)
- The Southern Ridges Loop
- The Mount Faber Loop
- The Eastern Coastal Park Loop
- Rower’s Bay Park
- The Mandai Loop
- The Rail Corridor
- The Central Urban Loop
- The Changi Jurassic Mile
- The Marina Bay Loop
- The Coney Island Loop
- The Sentosa Cycling Route
- Sentosa Cove Trail
- Sentosa Beach Trail
- The Pulau Ubin Loop
- The Chestnut Nature Park Bike Trail
- The Northern Loop
- The Southern Loop
When I saved up enough money to buy my first bike, the first thing I did was hop on and traverse the whole of Singapore on two wheels. I didn’t have much cycling experience back then, so my first bike broke down easily after a couple of long rides.
I learned my lesson and began taking cycling a little more seriously after that. If there’s anything else I learned from that experience, it’s that there are a plethora of cycling trails in Singapore and not all of them are beginner-friendly (learned this the hard way).
So, to save you from breaking your new bike, I compiled a list of the best cycling trails in Singapore, covering all difficulty levels and even including family-friendly options!
The Southern Ridges Loop
Starting Point: South Buona Vista Road
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Trail Length: Around 9 kilometres
Contact Details: +65 1800 471 7300
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
The Southern Ridges is a great introduction to the best cycling trails in Singapore mainly because the route offers a good dose of greenery and the urban wonders of the island. This route is one of my top favourites.
There are many ways you can start the loop, but I like to start at South Buona Vista Road and then make my way to the Alexandra Arch. The arch is your gateway to the secondary forests of Telok Blangah Hill, and the terrain is relatively flat.
The next stop after the forest is the iconic Henderson Waves, which is where I like to stop and catch my breath. The views are fantastic, especially during sunrise or sunset (but I prefer the former because the weather is chilly, making it easier to ride).
| Tips: If you want more fantastic views like at the Henderson Waves, I recommend cycling uphill towards Mount Faber. This extension is more challenging, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning vistas of the harbour, plus a place to refuel your energy with hearty food at the hilltop. The nearest MRT station to the Henderson Waves is Telok Blangah. You can ride the train back home if you’re tired to make the loop with the extension to Mount Faber Park. |
The Mount Faber Loop
Starting Point: Harbourfront MRT Station, 83 Telok Blangah Rd
Difficulty Level: Hard
Trail Length: Around 3 kilometres
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
Continuing after the Southern Ridges Loop is the Mount Faber Loop, my second favourite cycling trail in Singapore. When I’m not tired, I ride this trail as an extension from the Henderson Waves, but it’s not the most beginner-friendly route.
The terrain is hilly, making for challenging uphill rides toward Singapore’s highest peak. The total distance is only 3 kilometres, but your legs might feel like you’ve been cycling for hours on end.
The trail starts from Harbourfront MRT, then up towards Mount Faber Peak from Pender Road. From there, the Mount Faber loop goes uphill then eastward towards Faber Point, then around Lepak Place which takes you back to Pender Road.
| Tips: I recommend making a detour to Mount Faber Park after completing the loop to refuel your energy. There are restaurants and bars where you can relax and reward yourself with a drink or snack! |
The Eastern Coastal Park Loop
– From littledayout
Starting Point: East Coast Park Service Rd
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Trail Length: Around 42 kilometres
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
If you’re looking for a cycling trail that you and your kids can enjoy, then I highly recommend the Eastern Coastal Park Loop. The whole loop runs for 42 kilometres, but you can easily split the whole trail into smaller routes.
When I completed the whole route, it took me about 4 hours. However, if you’re bringing your kids along, I recommend starting at East Coast Park, then cycling around Bedok North Road, and then back to East Coast Park.
For a more challenging route, I recommend starting from East Coast Park and then cycling your way to Sunplaza Park, Changi Beach Park, Telok Kurau Park, and then ending at Pasir Ris Town Park.
The terrain here is flat, but watch out for runners and cars!
| Tips: There are multiple pit stops along the Eastern Coastal Park Loop where you can catch your breath, sip on water, or reconvene with other cyclists who have fallen behind. You can also park your bikes there for a while to visit the parks connected to them. You also have the option to rent bikes at any bike rental kiosks located around East Coast Park. These bike rental kiosks open at 8:00 am and close at 10:00 pm, so time your trip carefully if you’re planning on just renting. |
Rower’s Bay Park
– From exploresingapore.sg
Starting Point: Seletar Club Rd
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Trail Length: Around 6 kilometres
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
Known primarily as a prime destination for kayakers and dragon boat rowers, Rower’s Bay Park also offers cyclists a scenic route along Lower Seletar Reservoir. It serves as part of the first 60 kilometres of the 150-kilometre Round Island Route.
Now, I’m only going to focus on the trail around Rower’s Bay Park because completing the whole 150 kilometres is a pretty long stretch. The trail in this park is pretty short, but it’s really doable because of its flat terrain (plus, you can go multiple laps!).
A few points of interest you might encounter while cycling here are a mangrove boardwalk, some wetland birds like the grey heron, and a lookout pavilion that serves as a pit stop. I personally love taking my son here when we go cycling together.
| Tips: If you’re feeling famished, there are food and beverage vending machines scattered around the park. If you want a more challenging cycling route, you can complete the whole 60 kilometres of the Round Island Route’s first phase starting at Rower’s Bay Park. Instead of looping around the park, head towards Sengkang Riverside Park then cycle along the coast towards Punggol Waterway Park. |
The Mandai Loop
– From timeoutsg
Starting Point: 451 Mandai Rd, Mandai T15 Trail or Orchard Road MRT Station
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Trail Length: Around 40 kilometres
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
For avid cyclists out there who prefer longer routes, I recommend the Mandai Loop. Stretching around 40 kilometres, this cycling trail takes you around Singapore’s main catchment reserve with lots of lush greenery to keep you company.
When I tried this trail recently, I found it pretty easy save for some uphill climbs in the more forestry areas. It’s a pretty long stretch, so going uphill can be tiring if you’ve already spent a lot of your energy cycling through the flatter areas.
Nonetheless, it was a good run around the route. I do recommend completing the whole trail with a few friends, especially during the early hours of the morning when it’s not too hot and the air is chiller (it’s not the safest route to do night cycling, unfortunately).
| Tips: The Mandai Loop is favoured by mountain bikers due to the numerous uphill climbs and downhill runs. If you’re not geared for mountain biking, I highly recommend sticking to the edges of the trail to avoid clashing with those speeding down. The reason why I highly recommend cycling in a group here is it’s easier for other bikers to spot you when using the trail. Remember to adjust your speed accordingly to avoid leaving other cyclists behind! |
The Rail Corridor
– From urasingapore
Starting Point: #1 Railway Station, Bukit Timah Railway Station Community Node
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: Around 4 kilometres
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
The Rail Corridor is one of the most popular running trails in Singapore, but it’s also pretty well-known among cyclists like me who love a change of scenery. I’ve only cycled the central area of the Rail Corridor, and it was a relatively short ride.
The central area sits along Bukit Timah Reserve, so there are lots of trees and shaded areas there. The rest of the Rail Corridor sits along highways and streets, so I recommend cycling only in the central area for your first time there.
The route is around 4 kilometres long and starts at the old Bukit Timah Railway Station. Along the trail, you’ll find the Bukit Timah truss bridge, Hindhede Bridge, and the Rail Mall at the very end (you can grab snacks and drinks here to cap off your day!).
| Tip: Although the Rail Corridor is open 24/7, I don’t recommend doing a night cycle here, as it gets dark starting at 7:00 pm. There are no lamp posts along the route, so it gets dangerous if you traverse this path late at night. |
The Central Urban Loop
– From mndsingapore
Starting Point: 1384 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (towards Kallang Park Connector)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: Around 36 kilometres
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
Another long route for avid cyclists is the Central Urban Loop, which takes you through several of the island’s green spaces and residential communities. The loop stretches approximately 36 kilometres and a single lap may take around 2 hours to complete.
I would usually start the trail at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, one of Singapore’s largest urban parks. You can spend an hour or two traversing the park alone, then head south towards the Kallang Park connector that takes you down towards Toa Payoh.
Once you reach Toa Payoh, I like to cycle by the Kallang River to reach Toa Payoh Town Park and make a pit stop. If I don’t want to catch my breath, I turn around and head back the same way back to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
| Tips: The Central Urban Loop goes through many residential neighbourhoods, so always stick to the cycling paths whenever you reach any playground or street. It can get crowded with pedestrians in these parts, so I would dismount and walk along the sidewalk when there are too many of them! You don’t have to make a pit stop during this route, but I personally recommend cooling off with a drink or snack at Circuit Road Hawker Centre. It’s worth it! |
The Changi Jurassic Mile
Starting Point: Airport Blvd., Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: Around 1 kilometre (or 3.5 kilometres using the Changi Airport Connector towards Terminal 2)
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
Are you tagging your kids along with you for a ride? My best recommendation is the Changi Jurassic Mile, a 1-kilometre stretch along Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 that’s packed with life-sized dinosaurs and dinosaur eggs on the border.
It’s a child-friendly trail that even runners enjoy bringing their kids there, so be careful when you’re cycling and stick to the sides. It’s only a short distance, but you’re free to do several laps around this charming spot!
If you want a longer route, you can complete a whole loop from Tanah Merah Coastal Road, ride down the Changi Jurassic Mile, and then continue towards the Changi Airport Connector that takes you to Terminal 2!
| Tips: If you and your kids want to freshen up and change, there are shower facilities located at Hub & Spoke just beside Terminal 2. It’s a pay-per-use shower facility, so you’ll have to buy entry tickets from Hub & Spoke or through the Singapore Changi Airport’s mobile app. It costs $5 per person, with shampoo and soap included. They don’t provide towels at Hub & Spoke, so bring your own or purchase a new one at the cafe’s vending machines. |
The Marina Bay Loop
Starting Point: 10 Bayfront Ave
Difficulty Level: Easy
Contact Details: +65 6688 8868
Trail Length: Around 3 kilometres for the short route and 11 kilometres with the extension towards East Coast Park
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
If you prefer to stick to cycling within the central business district of Singapore, I recommend doing the Marina Bay Loop. This cycling trail is also a popular route for avid night cyclists thanks to the area being lit all night long!
The Marina Bay Loop, as the name suggests, takes you around popular tourist spots in Marina Bay. There are two ways you can do the loop, either within Marina Bay (3 kilometres) or with the extension towards East Coast Park (11 kilometres).
For beginners, I like doing several laps around the shorter Marina Bay Loop route, which takes me to Merlion Park, The Esplanade, The Singapore Flyer, then lastly, the Helix Bridge (it’s really pretty at night, so I super recommend doing it at night!).
| Tips: Honestly, there are many ways you can explore the Marina Bay Loop, depending on your time and skill level. If you’re a beginner, I recommend the short route, but you can also extend this route towards the Singapore River and Gardens by the Bay if you don’t want to head towards East Coast Park. If you’ve never gone on a cycling trail before, I also recommend doing a bike tour with a guide. There are many tour guides servicing Marina Bay, but I recommend booking a tour using Klook’s Singapore Historical Bike Tour by Bike Around Tours. |
The Coney Island Loop
– From xianwenpoops
Starting Point: Punggol Promenade Nature Walk, Coney Island Bridge
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: Around 2.4 kilometres
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
When I crave a complete change of scenery and a little escape from the city, I make my way to Coney Island for a secluded but enjoyable ride. The Coney Island Loop is relatively short, but I love making several laps around the coastal trails and beaches.
The trail stretches only 2.4 kilometres long, but it’s perfect for cyclists who long for solitude and nature. The terrain is relatively flat, and I can finish a whole loop around the island in less than an hour (maybe even more if you’re bringing friends along with you).
My favourite things about the Coney Island Loop are the multiple scenic pit stops by the coast. There’s a mangrove boardwalk, hidden beaches, and forests that offer shade while I ride (plus, the chirping of birds to keep me company).
| Tips: The best way to reach Coney Island is by bus that takes you across the Coney Island Bridge. Take Bus 84 from the Punggol Interchange with your bike then start your lap from the Coney Island West Coastal Viewpoint. Currently, some areas within Coney Island are under construction for more recreational spots. These areas may cause you to take alternate routes around the island, but you can use the walking trails as a guide while you’re there. If you don’t own a bike, you can rent one at the Punggol Jetty bike rental for about $10 an hour. |
The Sentosa Cycling Route
Sentosa Cove Trail
Starting Point: 1 HarbourFront Walk or 11 Cove Drive, #01-01
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: Around 6 kilometres (around 11 to 12 kilometres for a round trip)
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
The first trail within the Sentosa Cycling Trail is the route from VivoCity Mall to Sentosa Cove. The whole trail runs for 6 kilometres one way and is safe for children (so long as you keep them in convoy during the highway or street parts).
The route starts at VivoCity and takes you down the Sentosa Boardwalk until you reach Sentosa Island. The trail’s first phase is flat, but it gets a bit hilly once you reach the main Sentosa Island (but it’s not too steep, so don’t worry about getting tired!).
From there, dismount and take your bike down an underpass to reach the Silat Sengkir Channel and the Sentosa Gantry. Ride down Allanbrooke Road which takes you eastward towards Sentosa Cove (you can drop by any of the beaches here!).
| Tips: Take note that the Sentosa Boardwalk is designed for pedestrians and the management is very strict with cyclists using it to cross from VivoCity to Sentosa Island. There’s a designated cycling track on the boardwalk, so only use that lane when crossing! Always follow the signs that lead you towards the Sentosa Gantry, especially when you’re inside the underpass. I recommend sticking to the underpass instead of riding the tunnel along with the cars (this is not safe, especially when you’re cycling with children!). |
Sentosa Beach Trail
– From gogreensegwaysg
Starting Point: 10A Siloso Beach Walk
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: Around 3.2 kilometres (around 7 kilometres for a round trip)
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
Once you’re in Sentosa Island, another cycling trail I highly recommend trying (especially if you love beaches and don’t mind riding under the sun) is the Sentosa Beach Trail which takes you through Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong Beach.
The whole route actually encompasses the whole West Coast of Sentosa Island, with lots of exposure under the sun. It’s only around 3.2 kilometres long, with mostly flat terrain, so don’t be afraid to bring your kids along with you.
The trail starts at Siloso Beach Walk and down towards Ola Beach Club, then a pit stop at Palawan Green, then Palawan Beach. You can catch sight of Palawan Island before heading further southeast towards Tanjong Beach Club and Cove Grove.
| Tips: The main road, Siloso Beach Walk, is a shared road. Be careful to stick along the edges to avoid cycling past cars, buses, and even trucks that use the same route to get around the island. If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one from GoGreen Cycle. There are different kinds of bikes for different skill levels, but tandem bikes are currently unavailable. You can rent one for about $15 an hour or $18 for two hours (I recommend the latter to save more money!). |
The Pulau Ubin Loop
Starting Point: Jalan Pekan Ubin Road, Pulau Ubin
Difficulty Level: Moderate to hard
Trail Length: Around 10 kilometres around the whole island trail
Opening Hours: Open 24/7
Another secluded island cycling trail in Singapore is the Pulau Ubin Loop. I’ve only gone here a few times with a cycling group, but I can safely say that the island is perfect for anyone who wants a bit more challenge and an escape from the city.
The whole loop spans about 10 kilometres, so it’s a bit of a stretch compared to Coney Island. Plus, the island is a bit more inhabited, so you’ll encounter more pedestrians and more pit stops with food and beverages to refuel your energy.
Experienced mountain bikers usually start at the Ketam Trail for its uphill and downhill slopes, but you can also stick to the island route that takes you through mostly flat terrain around Pulau Ubin. You can ride at your own pace here, but not at night!
| Tips: There are three main routes to complete the Pulau Ubin Trail: Eastern, Northern, and Western Trails. I recommend the Western Trail, as it takes you through Pekan Quarry, Puaka Hill, and Ketam Mountain Bike Park. You can only use mountain bikes to ride the Ketam Mountain Bike Park Trails, so if you don’t own a mountain bike that passes the entry requirements, I suggest sticking to the normal island route. For a shorter ride inside Pulau Ubin, take the Sensory Trail. It’s only 1.5 kilometres long! |
The Chestnut Nature Park Bike Trail
The Northern Loop
Starting Point: 201 Chestnut Ave
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: Around 8.2 kilometres combined with the Southern Loop
Opening Hours: Open 24/7 (main trail), Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm (Pump Track)
Avid mountain bikers consider Chestnut Nature Park to be a prime destination for exhilarating outdoor rides across its 64 hectares. The park has a total of two trails, the Southern Loop and the Northern Loop, and both run for about 8.2 kilometres.
The Northern Loop features both easy and moderate rides encompassing uphill climbs and downhill slopes, but I personally found them easy to cycle over. You’ll encounter rest huts near the Chestnut Bike Park and along the Pump Track.
Both hikers and bikers use The Northern Loop for its steady slopes, but make sure to stay within the designated cycling tracks to avoid accidents. I like to start my Chestnut Nature Park ride in the Northern Loop then make my way down southwards.
| Tips: The Northern Loop has one extremely difficult trail called the On The Rocks, located just to the west of Chestnut Bike Park. This trail, as its name suggests, features rocks along the path, making it a prime spot for mountain bikers to do tricks and glide downhill on steep slopes. For an easier ride, I recommend sticking to the southern portion of the Northern Loop. There’s a trail called the Tender Forest, and it features gentle slopes that even kids can ride on! |
The Southern Loop
– From tugmyheartstring
Starting Point: 500 Chestnut Ave
Difficulty Level: Hard
Trail Length: Around 8.2 kilometres combined with the Northern Loop
Opening Hours: Open 24/7 (main trail)
The Southern Loop is where you can find most of the difficult cycling trails within Chestnut Nature Park. I recommend riding this trail if you’ve already tried mountain biking in sloped terrain because it’s not beginner-friendly.
The whole loop is also smaller than the Northern Loop, but it packs a lot of thrill if you’re brave enough to ride it! I have tried some portions of the Southern Loop, and even an avid cyclist like me gets easily drained on this trail.
The trail features a total of 9 sections featuring a combination of high slopes, narrow tracks, and even drop-offs. There are only three rest huts within the loop, with one dedicated to hikers only!
| Tips: You may encounter wild boars. I recommend slowing down once you see a rest hut! Only stick to the designated biking trails within the Southern Loop. If you try to do stunts outside of the track, you might hurt unknowing hikers right next to you! |
