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Step by Step: Top Hiking Trails in Singapore
- The Rail Corridor
- MacRitchie Reservoir Park - Central Catchment Nature Reserve
- MacRitchie TreeTop Loop
- Lornie Trail
- The Mandai T15 Trail
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
- Summit Trail
- Chestnut Nature Park Trail
- Dairy Farm Nature Park Trail
- Windsor Nature Park
- Drongo Trail
- Hanguana Trail
- The Southern Ridges
- Mount Faber Park Trail
- Hilltop Walk
- Forest Walk
- Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
- Kranji Trail
- Sungei Buloh Trail Route 1
- Woodlands Waterfront Park
- Rifle Range Nature Park
- Singapore Botanic Gardens
- Singapore Botanic Gardens Loop
- Rain Forest Walking Trail
- Labrador Nature Reserve Coastal Walk
Did you know that Singaporeans are the fastest walkers in the world? Besides having one of the best public transport systems, Lion City locals keep up with the fast-paced life of the city even on foot!
In Singapore, abundant walking and hiking trails wind through parks, green spaces, and nature reserves, offering a serene escape from the fast-paced urban life.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery or simply want to add extra steps to your step count, here are the best hiking trails in Singapore to keep on your radar!
The Rail Corridor
Address: Starts at 33 Keppel Rd, Singapore 089063 then ends at 960 Woodlands Rd, Singapore 738702
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
The Rail Corridor isn’t exactly the most beginner-friendly hiking trail in Singapore, but if you’re looking for a bit more challenge than exploring the cityscape on foot, this 24-kilometre stretch of greenery might just do the trick.
The Rail Corridor is one of the best ways to hike all the way through Singapore, starting at the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and ending at Kranji MRT Station. You can start from any point following these two spots, especially if you want to cut the trek short.
On this trail, you’ll encounter undulating paths leading to old bridges, an abandoned train station, elevated pathways, and pockets of quiet spaces for peaceful strolling. You’ll also encounter a few friendly animals like colugo, pangolin, and drongo.
| Tip: Although the Rail Corridor is open 24/7, it’s advisable to leave the trail once it gets dark. The trail doesn’t have lighting in order to preserve the natural habitat of nocturnal animals living in the area. Therefore, for your safety, don’t try to trek the trail at night. |
MacRitchie Reservoir Park – Central Catchment Nature Reserve
MacRitchie TreeTop Loop
Address: Lornie Rd, Singapore 298735
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
If the Rail Corridor wasn’t challenging enough, why not try hiking along Singapore’s forest canopies, 25 metres above ground, at the MacRitchie TreeTop Loop? The trail is one of the most popular attractions in the reservoir, so expect to find lots of tourists!
Despite the crowd, hiking this trail at least once during your trip is worth every penny. The trail is around 13 kilometres long and comprises undulating paths and a suspension bridge, taking you around the largest reservoir in the country.
You’ll encounter waterfront boardwalks, elevated shelters, and lots of tropical trees along this hiking trail. Because of the distance and the estimated 2 to 3-hour hike duration, this hiking trail ranks a little harder than other popular ones on the island!
| Tip: Keep your trail snacks close to you when hiking the MacRitchie TreeTop Loop, as the monkeys are known to steal them from visitors! Also, the TreeTop Walk suspended bridge may be closed if the weather isn’t good. It’s best to check out the website for updates regarding any closures on your planned visit date! |
Lornie Trail
Address: Lornie Rd, Singapore 298735
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
The Lornie Trail is a hiking trail within the MacRitchie Reservoir Park that takes you through the park’s waterfront boardwalks and hilly terrain. It’s only about 2 kilometres long, but the uphill then downhill climb along the way makes it slightly challenging.
The trail is part of the Lornie Nature Corridor within the MacRitchie Reservoir Park and was built to serve as the Central Catchment Nature Reserve’s green buffer. Aside from boardwalks, there are benches along the trail where you can sit and relax.
Since the Lornie Trail is connected to the TreeTop Walk, you can access the suspended bridge and the TreeTop Loop from there. You’ll also find the Lim Bo Seng Memorial, a war memorial, just right next to the Macritchie Reservoir Car Park.
| Tip: The best time to hike the Lornie Trail is early morning or late afternoon. Although there is lighting at night, it’s best to hike during the day to avoid surprises by the numerous monkeys that live nearby. Also, hiking early in the morning or late afternoon avoids the harsh sun! |
The Mandai T15 Trail
Address: 451 Mandai Rd, Singapore
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Also known as the Mandai Trail or the Gangsa Trail, the Mandai T15 Trail is a hiking trail that spans over 7 kilometres long inside the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It offers a flat but undisturbed forest scenery, so prepare your hiking gear for this one.
The trail starts near the Singapore Zoo entrance (along Mandai Lake Road) and meanders through large oak trees and muddy terrain. Completing the whole trail will take you roughly an hour or two, and is completely safe for kids to join.
A few highlights of this trail are the serene freshwater scenery and wildlife at Mandai Lake, lush tree canopies, rich biodiversity, and a few hours of peace and quiet from the city life. You’ll also encounter monkeys, deer, and sometimes snakes along the way!
| Tip: The Mandai Trail is also highly popular among cyclists and mountain bikers, so be careful when traversing the path. Leave space for any cyclist taking the same trail as you to avoid any accidents! Because of the trail’s dense forestry, it’s highly recommended to stick to the main trail paths marked by signs. There aren’t any set pathways here, just natural earth, rocks, and mud, so keep an eye out for the signs as your guide! |
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Summit Trail
Address: Hindhede Dr, Singapore 589318
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Singapore doesn’t have tall mountains, but the closest thing we have to an uphill climb is Bukit Timah Hill, the highest peak on the island. It’s located within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve where avid hikers trek the uphill Summit Trail to get to the top!
The Summit Trail, as the name suggests, will take you to the top of Bukit Timah Hill which stands at 164 metres above sea level. The hike takes around 45 minutes from the base of the hill, which is where the Summit Trail starts.
The trail is suitable for both teenagers and adults, but trek with caution when bringing children. It starts with a steep uphill climb before the terrain becomes more manageable until you get to the top (but we think anyone can easily hike the summit!).
| Tip: The uphill path along the Summit Trail consists of rocks and stairs, and can be very slippery when it rains. Although doable, we highly suggest skipping the climb and waiting until the sun comes out before ascending. |
Chestnut Nature Park Trail
– From chanchunsing.sg
Address: Chestnut Ave, Singapore 679514
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Chestnut Nature Park is considered one of the largest nature parks in Singapore, spanning over 80 hectares within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve expanse. The park is known as a hotspot for hiking and biking trails that meanders all around the area.
The Chest Nature Park Trail has three divisions: a Southern Trail, and two Northern Trails. All in all, these three trails give a combined distance of nearly 6 kilometres of rocky, grassy, and often muddy terrain, with the occasional streams and bridges.
You’ll find multiple huts that serve as markers across these three trails, with the Piper Hut, Leea Hut, Munia Hut, and Cyathea Hut as the most popular. Many endangered fauna live in these areas too, like the Jungle flycatcher and Bulbul.
| Tip: Lots of wild boars pop out of nowhere along Chestnut Nature Park’s trails. Be careful and divert if you encounter one. Also, there’s limited parking in the arena save for a small car park in Chestnut Nature Park. We highly suggest coming here via public transport. The nearest bus stations are located 2 kilometres away at Chestnut Avenue. |
Dairy Farm Nature Park Trail
Address: 19B Hillview Ave, Singapore 669555
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
The Dairy Farm Nature Park Trail, stretching 2 kilometres from Hillview MRT station to the Wallace Education Centre, honours 19th-century naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, known for beetle-catching in the area.
Also known as the Wallace Trail, this hiking trail is more rugged than other trails on this list, making it an ideal spot for adventurers. Because of its rugged, muddy, and rocky paths, mountain bikers frequent it for more thrilling rides.
However, hikers can still traverse this trail on foot, albeit with a bit more resistance and challenge. Along the trail, you’ll find freshwater flora, fauna, and the Singapore Quarry. It’s mostly quiet and untouched, so nature lovers might love this trail more than others!
| Tip: After finishing the Wallace Trail, we highly recommend stopping by the Wallace Learning Centre to learn more about Singapore’s biodiversity and biogeography. It opens at 8:30 am and closes at 5:00 pm! |
Windsor Nature Park
Drongo Trail
Address: 30 Venus Dr, Singapore 573858
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Take your hiking skills to new heights (literally) at the Drongo Trail. Located within Windsor Nature Park, this hiking trail features a 150-metre sub-canopy path that’s designed to give hikers a better glimpse at canopy-level flora and fauna.
The Drongo Trail is also connected to the Squirrel Trail, and together, offers a combined distance of 2.2 kilometres. You can finish both trails within an hour and you won’t exhaust a lot of your energy since the terrain is mostly flat!
You’ll find monkeys, monitor lizards, birds, and bunches of small trees along this trail. Sometimes, wild boars will pop out, but since you’re on an elevated walkway, you won’t worry about them chasing you (save for the monkeys that can climb up).
| Tip: The only pet-friendly trail or area within Windsor Nature Park is Venus Walk, so don’t bring your furry friends to Drongo Trail! Although the trail is elevated, it’s still best to keep your pets at home (especially since there are lots of animals around the trail). |
Hanguana Trail
Address: 30 Venus Dr, Singapore 573858
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
The Hanguana Trail is the shortest hiking trail within Windsor Nature Park, spanning just 350 metres. Despite its short distance, the hiking trail is child-friendly and wheelchair-friendly thanks to the wide boardwalk that covers the entire trail.
This trail is best for hikers who love native flora, especially rare trees and the Hanguana plant, the trail’s namesake. Just like the Drongo Trail, you’ll find monitor lizards, birds, monkeys, and the occasional wild boar (but they don’t always show up here!).
Aside from flora and fauna, the Hanguana Trail also features a freshwater stream that flows along the boardwalk. Completing the trial only takes about 10 minutes, and is a great spot to bring your kids and anyone who needs wheelchair assistance.
| Tip: There’s a reason why feeding the animals is absolutely prohibited: the water in the streams eventually goes through the reservoir, thus ending up in your tap. Feeding the animals with all sorts of food or feed might contaminate the water source. So, keep your snacks to yourselves (more for you, anyway!). |
The Southern Ridges
Mount Faber Park Trail
Address: Mount Faber Rd, Singapore
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
The Southern Ridges is an expanse that connects nine parks and green spaces within its 10-kilometre stretch. Its starting point is at Mount Faber Park, where you can find the Mount Faber Park trail.
The trail starts at the top of Mount Faber and meanders westward to Faber Point until you reach the Henderson Waves. The path leads you through Mount Faber Park, giving you stunning hilltop views of Sentosa, the sea, and the lush greenery below.
The trail boasts vibrant murals at Faber Point, a small Merlion statue, and clear vistas of cable cars on Mount Faber. You can begin either at the hilltop or from Henderson Waves and ascend from there (for a little more challenge to your knees and stamina!)
| Tip: At Mount Faber Peak, there are multiple dining establishments you can visit for a snack or a hearty meal after your long trek. If you want to cut your downhill climb shorter, you can take a cable car ride down to HarbourFront Station as well! |
Hilltop Walk
Address: Telok Blangah Green, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Singapore
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Arguably the most popular trail within the 10-kilometre Southern Ridges, the Hilltop Walk is a solid hiking trail in Singapore for tourists who want to see two famous landmarks in one hiking session. It’s only a kilometre long but offers great scenery!
If you’re coming from the Mount Faber Park Trail, you can start the Hilltop Trail from the Henderson Waves just to the east of Faber Point. The 36-metre-high bridge connects the trail to Telok Blangah Hill, Terrace Garden, and the Sembcorp Forest of Giants.
Along the short trail, you get 360-degree views of Singapore from the hilltop, a terrace filled with flower beds, and a series of special giant trees that are native to Singapore. There are over 600 trees in the forest, with some reaching over 80 metres tall!
| Tip: If you’re feeling parched, you can take a short detour from the Terrace Garden and visit the Alkaff Mansion. The colonial landmark runs a cafe and tapas bar serving Spanish fare. |
Forest Walk
Address: 394 Alexandra Rd, Singapore 119953
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
The Forest Walk is located at the western side of Telok Blangah Hill, connecting it to the Alexandra Arch. There are two ways you can hike through this trail: either via the Elevated Walkway or the Earth Trail.
It offers a combined hike duration of 30 minutes.
The Elevated Walkway of the Forest Walk consists of a 50-metre suspended boardwalk that meanders through the Adinandra Belukar, a secondary forest featuring lush canopies and rich biodiversity. You’ll find butterflies, dragonflies, and birds up there!
For hikers who want a more challenging trek, the Earth Trail is a solid option to take. The route is located just below the Elevated Walkway, featuring undulating terrain, rocky slopes, and steps (prepare your knees for this as it’s not as easy as it looks).
| Tip: Be careful when you walk through the Elevated Walkway of the Forest Walk. At some point, you’ll encounter a concrete slope that can be slippery when wet. It was placed there following a landslide incident that occurred in 2011. Although it’s safer now to traverse it, tread slowly because you may still slip! |
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Kranji Trail
Address: 60 Kranji Way, Singapore 739453
Contact Details: +6567941401
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is home to the Kranji Marshes, a 57-hectare green expanse and conservation area for many of Singapore’s flora and fauna, and the Kranji Nature Trail that meanders around the Kranji Coastal Nature Park.
Kranji Marshes, Singapore’s largest freshwater farmland, hosts abundant freshwater wildlife along its 2-kilometre trail. The diverse landscape includes rich grassland, secondary forests, a sandy beach, mangrove forests, and the Raptor Tower viewing deck.
You’ll walk through muddy terrain, concrete paths, a wooden boardwalk, and stone walkways, so make sure to wear appropriate shoes before heading to this trail. It’s one of the best places to explore if you want to stay far from the city!
| Tip: The Kranji Marshes have a conservation area, so lots of wildlife lurk around the area. You’ll occasionally bump into monkeys, snakes, birds, and even crocodiles, so be very careful when traversing the trail. If you’re a fan of reptiles, however, we highly recommend hiking this trail during the raptor migratory season which runs from November until March. The best spot to catch them is at the Raptor Tower! |
Sungei Buloh Trail Route 1
Address: 301 Neo Tiew Cres, Singapore 718925
Contact Details: +6567941401
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore’s inaugural ASEAN heritage park, is globally acclaimed for migratory wildlife sightings. Route 1 offers safe designated walking paths for exploring the area during migration season.
Route 1 is a 3-kilometre trail that goes around the reserve’s mangrove forest, ponds, and wetland areas. It should take you around 1 to 2 hours to complete the whole trail (plus, it’s not a super difficult trek, so you can bring your children along with you!).
This hiking trail is one of the best ways you can explore and discover Singapore’s rich biodiversity, and we highly recommend you take your time trekking. There are three shelters or hides located along the trail, so stop and take a breather when needed!
| Tip: Admission to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is free on weekdays and $1 per adult. Children can enter for just $0.50, but if you really want to save more and skip the crowds, we recommend doing the hike on a weekday! |
Woodlands Waterfront Park
Address: Admiralty Rd W, Singapore 759956
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
The Woodlands Waterfront Park sits at the very edge of Singapore and spans 5 kilometres along the coast. This trail won’t really give you the same wilderness scenery as most trails on this list, but it will offer scenic sea views along its promenade.
The trail comprises a waterfront promenade and a jetty right next to the Straits. It’s quite a long walk, but there are plenty of reasons for you to take your precious time completing it.
The best reason to hike this trail is the unobstructed views of both sunrise and sunset. The long promenade offers a more relaxed and breezy walking session, with designated seating areas at some areas along the boardwalk, so don’t haste to quicken your pace!
| Tip: After exploring Woodlands Waterfront Park, grab drinks and snacks from vending machines by the jetty. For a satisfying meal, try Rasa Istimewa Waterfront, a halal-friendly seafood restaurant nearby! |
Rifle Range Nature Park
Address: Rifle Range Road, Singapore 589322
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Rifle Range Nature Park is a unique addition to Singapore’s network of parks and green spaces. Not only does it offer easy-to-moderate hiking trails, but it’s also fully powered by solar energy.
The most popular trail in the park is the Glider’s Boardwalk, a 400-metre elevated pathway leading through the park, including the Visitor Pavilion, Quarry Wetland, various rope bridges, and colugo poles.
There are also the Banyan and Gaharu Trails that showcase the park’s abundant Banyan trees lining the pathway. In total, you can finish this whole loop within Rifle Range Nature Park within 40 minutes, as the distance is estimated at 2.83 kilometres.
| Tip: Close to Rifle Range Nature Park, there’s a parking zone designated for cyclists. However, in the park itself, at the Senapang Entrance, only 10 bike slots are accessible. To secure a spot and steer clear of crowds, it’s advisable to visit on weekday mornings or afternoons. |
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore Botanic Gardens Loop
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 12:00 am
For the ultimate Singapore Botanic Gardens exploration, embark on a whole loop around the 82-hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t anticipate rugged hiking; instead, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the lovely garden complex.
The whole loop stretches 10 kilometres and takes you through the major attractions in the gardens such as the Green Pavilion, the Learning Forest, Botany Centre, Heritage Garden, Sundial Garden, Palm Valley, Symphony Lake, and the Foliage Garden.
There are many ways you can traverse this whole loop, but we highly recommend starting from Tanglin Gate and walking towards Main Gate Road until you reach Swan Lake. You can walk the whole loop within two hours or more if you take your time.
| Tip: Take a look at this map to see where you can start and end your loop. From Tanglin Gate, you can head to the Green Pavilion to the right or towards Swan Lake to the left. There’s no right way to do the loop, but keep this map with you as a guide if you want to traverse (almost) the whole 82 hectares! |
Rain Forest Walking Trail
– From botanygeek
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Botanical Garden, Singapore 259569
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 12:00 am
For a shorter trail in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, head over to the nearest map board and follow the signs that lead to the Rain Forest Trail. It’s located just 5 minutes away from Nassim Gate and 20 minutes away from Tanglin Gate.
The Rain Forest Trail is designed to show visitors the rich rainforest landscape of Singapore, featuring different foreign plants and trees as well as tropical birds and mammals inhabiting the dense area.
The trail is only 600 metres long (a far cry from the 10-kilometre loop we just mentioned), and will only take about 30 minutes to complete. It’s open until midnight, but we highly recommend dropping by in the early morning or late afternoon!
| Tip: If you’re bringing a car, there are parking slots located near the Visitor Centre, Botany Centre, and Bukit Timah Core. The closest car park to the start of the Rain Forest Walking Trail is the Visitor Centre near Nassim Gate. From there, head over to Palm Court (using this map) to start! |
Labrador Nature Reserve Coastal Walk
Address: 91 Labrador Villa Rd Singapore 119190 Labrador Villa Rd, Singapore 119190
Contact Details: +6518004717300
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
The Labrador Nature Reserve Coastal Walk is located just south of Telok Blangah Hill. The trail stretches over 2 kilometres and consists of three zones: the Bukit Chermin Boardwalk, Berlayer Creek, and the Alexandra Garden Trail.
Along the trail, you’ll find mangrove flora, mudflats, a coastal forest, and a secondary forest called Adinandra Belukar. The route starts at Berlayer Creek, which features a 960-metre creek and a mangrove patch, then leads to Bukit Chermin Boardwalk.
The Bukit Chermin Boardwalk is elevated and stretches 330 metres, giving you both coastal views of Keppel Bay and the hilly scenery of Bukit Chermin Hill. The trail ends at Alexandra Garden Trail, which spans 830 metres and links the trail to Forest Walk.
| Tip: The Labrador Nature Reserve Coastal Walk links the nature reserve to the Southern Ridges, but instead of reaching it from Telok Blangah, you can either access the trail via the HarbourFront MRT Station or the Labrador Park MRT Station. The nearest car park is located near the Labrador Park MRT Station1 |
