Nowadays there are many avenues that people can choose from which they would keep fit. Some like to workout indoors like at the gym, while for others the calling of nature tends to be stronger.
Even for outdoors, there are various ways you can keep fit and healthy, such as going for a swim or running around with your kids outside during a rainy day!
If you prefer a more dry endeavour, hiking is one of the best options out there. Singapore offers some of the best hiking trails that you can attempt, be it easy or difficult.
18 Hiking Trails In Singapore That You Can Explore
1. Singapore Botanic Gardens
If you are just starting out and prefer easier routes, head over to the renowned Singapore Botanic Gardens that is easy on the feet.
The landscape of the park is mostly flat, making it perfect for leisurely walks as well as for bringing kids along.
Singapore Botanic Gardens is the first and only tropical botanic garden to make it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Here you will get to enjoy Asia’s largest collection of high elevation montane orchids and a beautiful play area inspired by nature.
Distance: 6.4km
Estimate Hiking Time: 3 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Opening Hours: 5.00am – 12.00am
2. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
For those preferring trails surrounded by bodies of water, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve offers a unique mix of wildlife within the wonderful wetland.
The reserve got its name from the bamboos that once flourished here, hence the name Sungei Buloh which means ‘bamboo river’ in the Malay language.
While walking along the seaside boardwalks, you will get to enjoy scenic views and wildlife hidden amongst the mangroves, such as the iconic Kingfisher Pod, water snakes, mudskippers, and maybe even crocodiles!
Distance: ~4.3km
Estimate Hiking Time: 3 hours
Website: ww.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve
Address: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
3. Bukit Batok Nature Park
For a hiking trail with unique history, Bukit Batok Nature Park boasts a stunning quarry pond as it was formerly a site for mining granite.
While the park itself is not vast for a challenging hike, it makes for a great leisurely one for it offers scenic routes.
There is also a Japanese World War II memorial in this park that has since been destroyed, leaving only two short pillars at the base and 120 steps to include in your hiking trip.
Distance: 3.2km
Estimate Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/bukit-batok-nature-park
Address: Cnr Bukit Batok East Avenue 2, Bukit Batok East Ave 6, and, Singapore 659761
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
4. Pasir Ris Park
For a hiking trail with scenic beach view, Pasir Ris Park would be a great choice as it is one of the few parks in Singapore with a beach.
Named after the park’s narrow beach, Pasir Ris Park is lined with sandy shores and palm trees, on top of having a Mangrove Boardwalk that allows you to take a closer look at mudskippers and other creatures, if you are lucky!
For birds enthusiasts, you may head to the three-storey Bird Tower for a satisfying birdwatching sessions, as the tower offers a perfect vantage point to spot birds like the White Collared Kingfisher.
Distance: 10km
Estimate Hiking Time: 3 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/pasir-ris-park
Address: asir Ris Central, Opposite MRT Station, Singapore 519639
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
5. Kranji Marshes
Another spot with a birdwatching advantage is Kranji Marshes, home to over 170 bird species with several lookout shelters to spot them from.
The most discernible landmark here is the 10.65m tall Raptor Tower, offering a panoramic view of the freshwater marshland to include in your hike.
Take note that only a small portion of the aprk is open to the public, and you can sign up for a guided NParks tour here.
Distance: ~2km
Estimate Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/kranji-marshes
Address: 11 Neo Tiew Lane 2, Singapore
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
6. Jurong Lake Gardens
To have the best of both worlds, take a hike at Jurong Lake Gardens where it is a haven for nature lovers while also boasting Singapore’s largest man-made floating wetlands.
There is a lot to explore at this expansive 90-hectare park, including the lakeside Rasau Walk, picturesque Grasslands, and even something for your kids at Forest Ramble.
Distance: 3.3km
Estimate Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/juronglakegardens
Address: Yuan Ching Rd, Singapore
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
7. Chestnut Nature Park
Chestnut Nature prides itself in being the largest nature park in Singapore.
Being part of the network of parks surrounding the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, the Northern Trail is a gentle 3.5km terrain featuring the Chestnut Observation Tower.
The Southern Trail on the other hand, while shorter in distance at 2.1km, offers a tougher route with steeper inclines and rockier paths for those wanting a little more challenge.
The park also offers 11 mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels for biking enthusiasts.
Distance: 5.6km
Estimate Hiking Time: 2 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/chestnut-nature-park
Address: Chestnut Ave, Singapore 679514
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
8. Windsor Nature Park
Opened in 2017, Windsor Nature Park offers four unique trails varying in difficulties, spreading over 75 hectares and even several freshwater streams cutting through it.
You can choose from the wheelchair-friendly trail, called Hanguana Trail or the more challenging ones like the Squirrel and Drongo Trail that includes a 150m long elevated walkway, which is the highlight of the park.
Distance: 4.4km
Estimate Hiking Time: 2 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg › gardens-parks-and-nature
Address: 30 Venus Drive, Singapore 573858
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
9. Mount Faber Park
If you are considering a very short hike, you might take comfort in knowing one of the oldest parks in Singapore offers this option.
While Mount Faber Park is a known place to take a cable car to Sentosa, you can also hike here with stunning views of the city and the southern islands.
In addition to that, you will get to enjoy the shade from dense forests while you hike, on top of being able to spot several bird species that are easily found here.
Distance: 0.8km
Estimate Hiking Time: 15 minutes
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/mount-faber-park
Address: Junction of Kampong Bahru Road and Telok Blangah Road
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
10. Labrador Nature Reserve
Rich in not just biodiversity but also history, Labrador Nature Reserve is a former fort built to defend Keppel Harbour during World War II in 1878.
During your hike here, you will stumble upon war relics such as a machine gun post that offers a glimpse into the past and make your hike all the more fun.
At this park, you can look out for over 70 bird species and on top of that, it is the only rocky sea-cliff on the mainland with a series of coastal walks.
Distance: 2.1km
Estimate Hiking Time: 1 hour
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/labrador-nature-reserve
Address: Along Labrador Villa Road
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
11. Fort Canning Park
Originally a location of significance as the place where the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese in 1942, Fort Canning Park offers nine unique gardens to indulge a variety of hikers.
Aside from hiking for nature lovers, this park is also popular amongst wedding photographers for its lush greeneries and unique spots such as Fort Canning Tree Tunnel, built with a spiral staircase on the edge of the park.
Other attractions you can spot while hiking include the Sang Nila Utama Garden, as well as the First Botanic Garden which dates back to 1822!
Distance: ~2km (Ancient History Trail)
Estimate Hiking Time: 1 hour
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/fort-canning-park
Address: River Valley Rd, Singapore 179037
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
12. MacRitchie Nature Trail & Reservoir Park
Constructed in 1867, MacRitchie Reservoir Park is not a strange name amongst avid hikers, and perhaps any nature lover!
The Tree Top Walk is the main highlight here, being a 250 metre-long free-standing suspension bridge offering a magnificent view of the forest canopy.
For actual hiking, the park has six routes of varying distances and challenges that you can choose from. The longest trail would be a 11km round-trip hike around the park.
For an easier endeavour, there is also a boardwalk you can utilise that snakes along the reservoir.
Distance: 11km
Estimate Hiking Time: 4 hours
Address: MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore298717
Opening Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm
13. Dairy Farm Nature Park
For a truly unique and special hiking experience, check out Dairy Farm Nature Park that offers considerably challenging trek up Bukit Timah Hill via the Dairy Farm Loop.
Interestingly, the park used to be a cow shed, though now the park offers a stunning view as your hike here will take you through dense forest with lots of stairs to conquer along the way.
Distance: 6.5km
Estimate Hiking Time: 2 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/dairy-farm-nature-park
Address: 100 Dairy Farm Rd, Singapore 679057
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
14. The Southern Ridges
For avid hikers, The Southern Ridges offers a 10km route that cuts across five parks, namely Mount Faber Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Kent ridge Park, and HortPark.
While it may start with a gruelling number of stairs at the Marang Trail, you will get to enjoy a realxing stroll down the somewhat flat Faber Walk and Henderson Waves.
You can also include the elevated Forest Walk and The Singing Forest in your hike, where you can spot colourful birds of various species.
Distance: 10km
Estimate Hiking Time: 4 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/the-southern-ridges
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
15. Keppel Hill Reservoir
For a shorter hike that would still give you enough satisfaction, Keppel Hill Reservoir is the hidden gem you are looking for.
Re-discovered in 2014, the area is totally unspoilt and your hike will take you through vegetation and muddy tracks to get to this beautiful spot.
Nestled within the slopes of Mount Faber, the calming reservoir was believed to have started operating as early as 1905 and served the water needs of the Tanjong Pagar Docks nearby.
Distance: ~1.5km
Estimate Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Address: Keppel Hill, Singapore
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
16. Thomson Nature Park
Thomson Nature Park offers a relatively simple and short hike, albeit still providing scenic routes. What is more special is that the part used to be a part of a Hainan Village.
Your hike here will feel as if you are navigating ancient ruins within the lush and dense forest. You might even be able to spot several Macaques or the critically endangered Raffles’ Banded Lungur.
Distance: 3.8km
Estimate Hiking Time: ~3 hours
Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/thomson-nature-park
Address: Off Old Upper Thomson Road
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
17. Clementi Forest
You will be pleasantly surprised to find that Clementi Forest is a rare gem for a hiking trail in Singapore as it is a piece of land that is relatively untouched.
Should you decide to hike here, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to basque in the magnificence of mother nature here.
There are no official marked trails or signages, so be sure to go with an experienced hiker or someone who has been here before that will be able to guide you if you are not confident to meander yourself here.
Distance: ~2km
Estimate Hiking Time: ~1.5 hours
18. Coast-to-Coast Trail
For the longest hike in Singapore, the Coast-to-Coast trail will surely test your endurance as it requires one full day for you to complete the hike.
The 36km trail across the island cuts through numerous park connectors and there are 10 checkpoints starting from Jurong Lake Gardens and ending either at Lower Seletar Reservoir or Coney Island.
Whether you know of someone who has tried it before or have just only heard of it, you might want to consider trying this trail at least once as it will definitely be something you can be proud of once you have accomplished it.
Distance: 36km
Estimate Hiking Time: 1 full day
Hiking in Singapore is a great activity that you can do alone or with friends and family while being able to choose the level of difficulty that you prefer. We hope you have found this article useful and will endeavour to try one of the trails listed above!