Looking For A Real Hiking Experience In Singapore That Isn’t Just A Walk In The Park? Then You’ll Want To Check Out These Hills & Hiking Trails To Experience Real Hiking In Singapore
Let’s face it, there is no shortage of greenery to explore in Singapore especially with our country’s vision to be a true garden city. We have urban forests, nature reserves, nature parks, and countless neighbourhood green lawns in almost every township.
But there are some of us who are simply itching for a challenge aside from the usual strolls and brisk walks at the nearest park and walking trails.
Because there are very few things that beat soaking in nature’s goodness with a generous dose of stunning panoramic views after challenging ourselves to hike uphill, over the usual flat pavements we are all too familiar with.
If this is everything you’ve been looking for, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of hiking spots for you to finally experience the joys of hiking in Singapore.
What you’ll find here are hiking trails and hiking spots that are either suitable for beginner hikers looking to get into the world of hiking, moderate hiking trails for those seeking to maintain their endurance, and challenging trails for the adventurous hiking veterans among us.
So lace up your hiking shoes, pack water or a refreshing thirst quencher in your Montigo thermoregulated water bottle, grab a snack or two from your nearest convenience store (or make your own), and round up your hiking buddies because we’re going on a hiking adventure!
Top 11 Hiking Trails & Hills To Go Hiking In Singapore For A Real Nature Escape
1. Dairy Farm Nature Park
Did you know that the Dairy Farm Nature Park was actually named as such because it used to be the location of an actual dairy farm? Today, it’s one of Singapore’s most popular hiking and cycling spots because of its varied terrain and trails, and how the forest’s lush greenery makes it feel like you’re truly away from the city’s concrete jungle.
It boasts an easy to moderately challenging hiking experience because it’s home to countless stairs that challenge one’s stamina. That said, the trails are generally well-paved with a mixture of dirt paths like the one en route to the Bukit Timah Hill summit via the Dairy Farm Loop Trail, while the easiest trail is the Wallace trail, a straightforward 2.2km hike.
Even with the inclines and stairs, there is no need for a hiking pole since most of the stairs are properly equipped with bannisters to keep you steady.
Some of the notable highlights of the Dairy Farm Nature Park include the majestic Singapore Quarry, a granite quarry that has now become a wetland habitat, offering hikers and mountain bikers a serene view of the still waters and surrounding cliffs. And of course, not forgetting the Dairy Farm Quarry which is a unique waterless granite quarry.
Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy this hike as there are occasional sightings of macaques, monitor lizards, and wild boards. But bear in mind that the presence of wild boars typically signal that leeches are around, especially during the wet season (you’ll want to come equipped with eucalyptus oil applied to keep them away). Birdwatchers may also try their hand at spotting the native Oriental Pied Hornbill, Banded Woodpecker, and various Kingfisher species.
Hiking Distance: Up to 6.4km
Hiking Duration: Up to 2 hours 30 minutes
Elevation Gain: 164m
Opening Hours: 7am - 7pm, daily
Address: 100 Dairy Farm Rd, Singapore 679057
Nearest MRT Station: Hillview MRT (Downtown Line/Blue Line)
2. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Found just moments away from the Dairy Farm Nature Park is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, one of Singapore’s few remaining primary rainforests and its oldest that was established back in 1883.
This hiking spot promises six varied hiking trails with a difficulty rating of easy to challenging. Four of them are native trails, while the remaining two originate from the Dairy Farm Nature Park and the connecting link between the Rifle Range Nature Park and MacRitchie Reservoir.
What awaits hikers on these trails are steep inclines, countless steps en route to the summit, rocky paths, stretches of dense forested areas with exposed tree roots, and the occasional muddy stretch if it rained the night before.
But it will all be worth it once you conquer the summit trail and arrive at the Bukit Timah Hill summit, where you will be rewarded with majestic panoramic views of the nature reserve’s surrounding forest and cityscape. There are also various lookout points and scenic spots along the way to the summit, such as the Hindhede Quarry, a former granite quarry turned peaceful lake, and the Singapore Quarry.
While macaques are regularly spotted in most of Singapore’s forests, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is proudly home to the rare Malayan pangolin, plantain squirrels, Crimson Sunbird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, and Red-crowned Barbet. Which is why you’ll want to take your time along the trail to try your hand at spotting them all. ;)
Since the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is home to six individual hiking trails, I recommend bringing up to 2L of water if you intend to cover all that this nature reserve has to offer, along with a sandwich or two and some energy bars.
Hiking Distance: Up to 3km
Hiking Duration: Up to 2 hours
Elevation Gain: 165m
Opening Hours: 7am - 7pm, daily
Address: Hindhede Dr, Singapore 589318
Nearest MRT Station: Beauty World MRT (Downtown Line/Blue Line)
3. Chestnut Nature Park
Singapore’s Chestnut Nature Park stands as one of the nation’s largest nature parks at 81 hectares. It’s found towards the western end of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, so naturally there’ll be one or two extensive trails here for those itching to leave the city’s concrete jungle for an actual jungle.
Hikers who enjoy hiking away from crowds often prefer the Chestnut Nature Park over the more popular Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The hiking trails here are generally easy to moderate in difficulty since both cater to different levels of physical fitness.
For starters, the Northern Loop is regarded by most hikers to be the easier of the two trails since it starts off with a paved trail and gradually leads to a dirt track, before ending with a climb to the on-site Observatory Tower, also known as the Chestnut Tower. Whereas the Southern Loop offers a slightly greater challenge with rocky trails and exposed fields of tall grass (no pokémon to be found unfortunately, unless you’re on Pokémon Go).
Overall, hikers can expect a diverse mix of flat paths, gentle slopes, rocky pathways, and uneven sections to hike through. There are also biking trails and an exciting pump track for mountain cyclists. The absence of steep slopes and extreme climbs here also makes it great for hikers of all fitness levels while being gentle on the knees.
Once you arrive at the peak where Chestnut Tower sits, you’ll be rewarded with a scenic view of the surrounding forest canopy. But honestly, the real rewards are the picturesque streams and small waterfalls found along the hiking trails.
Do note that there are leeches present along the unpaved tracks during the rainy periods, so come prepared with salt packs and eucalyptus ointment or essential oil applied on your legs. Birdwatching enthusiasts should also keep a lookout for bird species such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle and Changeable Hawk-Eagle which have occasionally been spotted here.
Hiking Distance: Up to 5.6km
Hiking Duration: Up to 3 hours
Opening Hours: 7am - 7pm, daily
Address: Chestnut Ave, Singapore 679514
4. Bukit Batok Nature Park
The Bukit Batok Nature Park is a serene and scenic park that was established on an abandoned quarry site. Today, it’s home to a tranquil quarry pool known as Little Guilin that is surrounded by rocky cliffs, making for a beautifully picturesque sight while also carrying with it a rich history associated with the Bukit Batok Hill and its World War II Memorials.
Bukit Batok Nature Park’s trails are considered easy to moderately challenging thanks to its mixture of well-paved paths, gentle slopes, gravel paths, and sets of stairs. The easiest trek would be the area surrounding the quarry pool, which is relatively flat. Hence, why this charming little nature park is suitable for beginner hikers to dip their toes into the hiking world.
The park’s main challenge lies in the tail end of the trail to the summit, where countless stairs await to lead you to the peak. But of course the hike to the top isn’t a boring one as you’ll have a chance to spot various wild mushrooms, the occasional resident roosters, turtles by the quarry pool area, monitor lizards, squirrels, and various flora along the way.
Since it’s a small area with a short hike, you’ll only need about 1L of water to keep you well hydrated throughout the hike.
Hiking Distance: Up to 3.2km
Hiking Duration: Up to 1 hour
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Address: Cnr Bukit Batok East Avenue 2, Bukit Batok East Ave 6, and, Singapore 659761
5. Coast-to-Coast Trail (Coney Island Park to Jurong Lake Gardens)
The Coast-to-Coast Trail may not be a hiking spot or dedicated hiking trail, but it’s certainly a lengthy 36km stretch of hiking trails that span from Coney Island Park in the northeast all the way to Jurong Lake Gardens in the west - and it can all be completed within a day.
It’s a moderately challenging hiking trail that stands as a true test of endurance, which is why some hikers regard it as one of the most challenging hiking trails in Singapore since it can be physically demanding for intermediate and beginner hikers. That said, the trails are typically well-marked and mostly flat with gentle inclines, and not forgetting its fun mix of paved paths, boardwalks, dirt tracks, grassy fields, urban stretches, parks, and nature reserves.
If you’ve always wanted to explore both Singapore’s urban and wild paths on foot, this is one challenge I recommend you embark on. The Coast-to-Coast Trail will take you through Coney Island Park, the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, MacRitchie Reservoir, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, before finally ending at the Jurong Lake Gardens. (That is if you begin your trek on Coney Island Park, which is the usual recommended trailhead).
The vast variety of what this trail entails also means you get to enjoy exploring tranquil quarry lakes, wartime memorials, a forest walk experience, lush green fields, spot diverse flora and fauna, and even trek through a wetland reserve. What an adventure eh? ;)
Since the trail is incredibly extensive, it’s best to come well-prepared. You’ll want to pack between 2L to 3L of water per person, a lunch pack, energy bars, and some fruits or snacks to sustain you through the long trek. Do ensure to stop for a breather whenever you encounter one of the several rest stops along the way to refill your water bottle and cool off for a bit.
Hiking Distance: 36km
Hiking Duration: Up to 8 hours
6. Southern Ridges Trail
Looking to challenge your endurance but find that the Coast-to-Coast hike is far too lengthy? Then you’ll want to give the Southern Ridges a try!
The Southern Ridges is a 10km network of trails that connect several parks and green spaces in the southern part of Singapore, hence its name. The entire trail takes you through Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and the Labrador Nature Reserve.
What’s popular about this particular trail is the iconic elevated walkways, the majestic Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge, and the Forest Walk. In fact, the Henderson Waves serves as the highest pedestrian crossing in Singapore that allows you a vantage view of the lush greenery below that surrounds it.
This particular series of hiking trails range from moderate to challenging in terms of difficulty since it features various terrains along the way. Think paved paths, elevated walkways, countless stairs to be climbed, the occasional steep inclines, some merciful gentle slopes, and natural rugged dirt paths. That said, the elevated walkways in particular are a real treat thanks to the breathtaking sight.
While the Southern Ridges has several entry points, one of its best trailhead is the Telok Blangah Hill Park because you’ll then get to experience the full hiking trail without having to make any loops nor detours.
Do pack at least 2L of water to stay hydrated along the way since you’ll be experiencing a mixture of shaded and hot exposed paths. There are several rest stops, cafes, and vending machines along the way so you don’t have to pack much beyond water and a snack or two.
Hiking Distance: 10km
Hiking Duration: Up to 3 hours 45 minutes
7. Thomson Nature Park
Ever wanted to venture through the ruins of an old, pre-war village? Well get your historical hats on because you can do so in the Thomson Nature Park!
Though it may be one of Singapore’s newest nature parks, it spans over 50 hectares that include the former site of the local Hainanese community and immigrant’s village from the era between 1800 - 1980. Having said that, remnants of the old village can still clearly be seen thanks to careful conservation efforts and well-placed signages that tell of the place’s history.
All five hiking trails found on-site are considered easy to moderate as they are well-marked with mostly flat terrain, while featuring some gentle slopes. The terrain includes a mixture of paved paths and dirt trails through a dense forest, little streams, and some rugged muddy paths that get increasingly so during the rainy season.
Historical buffs are in for a treat as you’ll get a real glimpse into the past with remains of old houses from bygone days, roads, and now-dried wells along with natural streams and small waterfalls along the way.
There are plenty of macaques that prowl the way, so I highly recommend keeping your snacks securely within your backpack while keeping noise to a minimum to avoid attracting them. If you’re lucky, you may encounter the Lesser Mouse-Deer, which is said to be the world’s smallest hoofed mammal, and the Coppersmith barbet which is renowned for its metronomic call that sounds just like a hammer crashing onto metal.
Hiking Distance: Up to 3.8km
Hiking Duration: Up to 1 hour 30 minutes
Elevation Gain: 112m
Opening Hours: 7am - 7pm, daily
Address: Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore
8. Windsor Nature Park
The Windsor Nature Park’s name may make one think of London’s Hyde Park, but contrary to its name, it’s anything but. Instead, it’s a park and wetland that covers up to 75 hectares, while serving as a green buffer for the Central Catchment Reserve.
It’s located just a stone’s throw away from the Thomson Nature Park and it is one of the easier places to go hiking in Singapore for beginner hikers to train up their endurance before attempting tougher hikes or multi-trailed hikes.
With its easy to moderate difficulty, the Windsor Nature Park is excellent for families and beginner hikers to enjoy leisure hikes in one of its several trails; the Venus Loop, Hanguana Trail, Drongo Trail, and Squirrel Trail. Each trail offers different types of terrain, from boardwalks to gravel paths and dirt trails with the occasional gentle slopes and steps.
Those seeking a greater challenge can even begin the multi-trail hike from Windsor right up to the MacRitchie TreeTop Walk through a connecting trail. That said, it’s a real challenging one that spans up to 7km so you may want to allocate up to 2 extra hours to conquer that trail.
The Drongo Trail is one of the more popular ones because it’s an easy 4m elevated canopy walk that allows hikers to enjoy sights of the flora and fauna at ground level. Aside from that, wildlife enthusiasts ought to try their hand at looking out for the Crimson Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, squirrels, and the Masked Rough-sided Frog - y’know, the frog that goes “yip-yip-yip”. And no, it’s not Appa.
Hiking Distance: Starts at 2.1km right up to 7.7km
Hiking Duration: Up to 1 hour for the Venus Loop, up to 3 hours for the MacRitchie connecting trail
Elevation Gain: Up to 185m
Opening Hours: 7am - 5pm, daily
Address: 30 Venus Dr, Singapore 573858
9. Mount Faber Park
Most of us would immediately think of the cable car rides when it comes to Mount Faber Park. But did you know that you can actually hike up to the peak via the Marang Trail rather than ride the cable car all the way up?
Even though Mount Faber Park is part of the Southern Ridges, hikers can opt to hike only this particular park for a leisurely hiking experience.
The hiking trail here is regarded by most hikers to be easy thanks to its well-maintained paths and steps, but the fact that it comes with countless steps definitely ramps up the challenge. (After all, what’s hiking if not to scale higher?)
The trails are mostly shaded with little exposed paths, and the terrain consists of paved paths, little natural trails, and stars after stairs. Some stretches are part of the iconic Henderson Waves, making it one of the stunning attractions to look out for here. Other than that, you’ll definitely want to make it to the peak to enjoy one of the cafes and restaurants there.
Fun Fact: Interestingly enough, Mount Faber Park’s peak is home to one of the world’s most iconic and beautiful public toilets which features glass panels instead of walls to offer visitors a panoramic view.
Hiking Distance: Up to 3.2km
Hiking Duration: Up to 1 hour 30 minutes
Elevation Gain: 118m
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Address: Mount Faber Rd, Singapore
10. MacRitchie Reservoir Park
You can’t have a guide to hiking in Singapore without mentioning the famous MacRitchie Reservoir Park! As one of Singapore’s most popular nature spots, the MacRitchie Reservoir is home to many well-maintained hiking trails that cater to both casual walkers and regular hikers. One of its most popular attractions is the suspension bridge trek known as the MacRitchie TreeTop Walk.
This particular hiking spot offers various hiking trails that range from easy to moderate. You have the family-friendly main boardwalks and easy paths for casual walkers, and the lengthier, more extensive, challenging hiking trails like the ones that lead to the MacRitchie TreeTop Walk and the MacRitchie Nature Trail.
Expect a diverse range of terrain here from paved paths, dirt trails, and suspended boardwalks. You’ll also have long stretches of flat pathways, followed by hilly and uneven trails with exposed tree roots and rocky paths. That said, it’s really nothing too daunting even for beginner hikers.
If you’re attempting the shorter Prunus Trail, Petai Trail, or Lornie Trail, then you’ll only need about 1L water for the hike with you along with a chocolate bar or two. But if you’d like to cover the entire nature reserve along with the TreeTop Walk, I recommend bringing at least 2L water with a sandwich and some extra snacks to keep your energy levels up.
Hiking Distance: Up to 12.2km
Hiking Duration: Up to 3 hours
Elevation Gain: 259m
Opening Hours: 7am - 7pm, daily
Address: Lornie Rd, Singapore 298735
Nearest MRT Station: Caldecott MRT (Circle Line/Orange Line and Thomson-East Coast Line/Brown Line)
11. Clementi Forest
While the rest of the hiking spots here offer well-maintained trails with proper trail markers and maps at the entry points, the Clementi Forest is one of Singapore’s rare, untouched forests that spans up to 85 hectares.
It’s still relatively new, even to veteran hikers. This means you’ll be in for a real hiking adventure into the unknown with no official trails, making it a hiking spot to attempt only when you’re with a group of experienced hikers.
The Clementi Forest features dense vegetation, uneven ground, muddy tracks, paths blanketed by overgrown tree roots, natural streams, and rich biodiversity amidst its unmarked trails, leading veteran hikers to rate it as a highly challenging hike since the trails are not developed. Not forgetting steep inclines, slippery slopes, and rolling hills too!
Hikers who’d like to challenge the Clementi Forest can enter through one of the more popular entry points; via the Rail Corridor nearby the King Albert Park MRT station.
To prepare for this hike, most veteran hikers recommend wearing long sleeved clothing, waterproof high top hiking boots, and to bring your hiking poles along. Don’t forget your insect repellent! Since it’s basically a wild rainforest, nature lovers will love the fact that they will definitely encounter various native animal and insect species.
Bring along at least 2L of water with you as the hike can be strenuous with no facilities nor rest stops along the way. It’s also highly recommended that you bring along some energy bars and a sandwich or two to keep your energy levels up, but remember to keep your food wraps with you and bin them only once you’ve exited the forest!
Hiking Distance: Up to 5km
Hiking Duration: Up to 3 hours
Nearest MRT Station: King Albert Park MRT (Downtown Line/Blue Line)
