If you think Singapore is all high rise buildings and shopping malls, then you will be pleased to learn that there is far more to it than that! It’s also home to lots of beautiful walking and nature trails, which I spent my most recent visit discovering. One of the best is Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (including Hindhede Nature Park). I’ve been twice now across my many Singapore visits, and this is my top choice for some lovely, well marked, hiking trails.
Bukit Timah is home to Singapore’s largest surviving area of primary rainforest, which in itself is reason enough to visit. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also home to Singapore’s highest hill, at 163m. It doesn’t sound that high, but honestly, in the heat and 95% humidity it really feels like it is!! So read on to find out more about visiting!
Hiking Information
- The park is open from 7am-7pm.
- There are two formal trails; orange (difficult), and blue (moderate).
- There are also numerous side trails throughout the nature reserve which you can divert off along, including my favourite to Hindhede Nature Park.
- The orange trail is around 5km, and the blue trail around 3km.
- I spent 1.5 hours hiking the orange trail, and then a further 1.5 hours meandering off side trails and parts of the blue trail. In total I spent 3 hours at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
- There is a small car park at the entrance, but it was full both times I visited. I therefore recommend either:
- Taking the MRT (Train): Take the Downtown Line to Beauty World MRT Station (DT5). From there, it’s about a 10–15 minute walk to the reserve entrance. Just follow signs toward Hindhede Drive.
- Taking a Taxi: Use the local ride hailing app, Grab, and select Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre as your destination.
- I completed this hike solo and had no issues; I didn’t get lost, it’s well signed, and I never felt unsafe even in parts of the trail where I was alone.
- Wear comfortable shoes and sensible clothing. Take lots of water, and wear suncream.
- The walk terrain varies depending on route chosen but the summit route ranges from moderately steep to virtually vertical; it’s not a challenging walk as the routes are well maintained (no scrambling or anything close needed), but it is a heavy incline. My calves still hurt just thinking about it.
Top Tip: Only do this walk if you’re going in the morning or evening; it’s just too hot to do with the full sun on you! I recommend arriving between 7-8am.
Why Visit Bukit Timah Nature Reserve?
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the first forest reserve in Singapore established for nature conservation in 1883. And quite simply, a visit enables you to see the Singapore that is primary rainforest, not urban metropolis.
It’s also a microcosm of the amazing biodiversity found in this part of the world. All the
major plant groups in a tropical rainforest can be found here – from flowering plants, which include emergent trees, fig trees, forest shrubs, rattans, palms, lianas, vines and epiphytes, to fungi and lichen. In fact, you’ll find over 40% of Singapore’s native flora and fauna here!
You will also encounter a lot of wildlife, from long tailed macaques, to spiders, snakes, and a whole variety of amazing birds – the most beautiful of which I’ve spotted is the Asian Fairy Bluebird (I know, that sounds made up but I promise it’s not!).
Important: Do NOT feed the monkeys if you see them, and also don’t eat in front of them or they will be straight on you!
And the main draw from me is to get away from it all – just 20 minutes from the centre of urban Singapore, it’s a joy to find somewhere that is so immersed in nature. The sound of the wildlife can actually be seriously loud at points; which is just such a great contrast to the centre of the city.
Bukit Timah Trail Information
Orange Route (Summit Route)
Starting from the base of the visitor centre, the orange route to the summit is the main path in the reserve. It’s not particularly long, only 1.3km to the summit, but wow is it steep. It’s always interesting to me to see people coming down going backwards; I assume to help the lactic acid! Be sure to stop as you go up the trail to take in all the beautiful trees surrounding you. The sounds of the rainforest are truly spectacular.
After reaching the summit you can extend the orange route by taking the “Jungle Fall Path” or the “Dairy Farm Loop”. I’ve walked both and they provide lovely, much quieter trails than the main route up to the summit. Both loop back round to the main road part of the orange route.
Blue Route
Again starting from the base of the visitor centre, the blue route takes you through the rainforest at a lower level with no significant climb. If you have mobility or fitness challenges, then I highly recommend this route instead. It provides some lovely views out of the rainforest and is a better route for spotting wildlife.
Hindhede Nature Park (side trail)
If you want a short, but absolutely beautiful route, then head up the steps and in to the visitor centre. Once you’re at the top you can walk straight through and in to the open. Instead of turning right to join the main trails (orange and blue), turn left following the sign to Hindhede.
This route is a 20 minute loop through the forest and out to Hindhede Quarry. Originally an active granite quarry, Hindhede was part of Singapore’s early construction industry before operations ceased and nature slowly reclaimed the site. Today, it has transformed into a tranquil lake surrounded by steep rock cliffs and dense greenery.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful viewing deck perfect for photos. I arrived to one elderly lady doing tai chi while a young girl sang to her. It was quite beautiful.
Rifle Range Nature Park (side trail)
This trail actually starts below the visitor centre, so from there walk downhill to the road (Hindhede Drive). You will then see a turning on your left in to Rifle Range Nature Park. Opened in 2022, this 66-hectare park was created as a “buffer” to protect Bukit Timah’s sensitive rainforest while still letting people enjoy nature. Unlike the steeper, more rugged reserve, Rifle Range feels more accessible with elevate boardwalks and scenic lookout points.
Interestingly, it’s also Singapore’s first net-positive energy nature park, meaning it generates more energy than it consumes – I thought that was pretty cool for a hiking spot. My favourite area here is the peaceful freshwater wetland at the heart of the park which attracts birds, dragonflies, and other wildlife, making it great for slow walks and photography.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a reminder that even in one of the world’s most modern cities, wild nature still thrives. I always love experiencing this side of Singapore, and on my latest visit, I didn’t see another European during my entire 3 hours of hiking – meaning I’m off the tourist trail and experiencing a bit of every day Singapore as the locals exercise and enjoy their nature. I love that.
What do you think of Bukit Timah? Let me know what you think in the comments below, and as always stay safe and happy travelling!
Enjoyed this? Check out more of my Singapore posts!
- Singapore 2 Day Itinerary HERE
- Singapore Layover Guide HERE
- Free things to do in Singapore HERE (coming soon)
- Gardens by the Bay HERE
- Singapore Botanic Gardens HERE
- Mount Faber & The Southern Ridges Walk HERE
- Singapore’s Best Gardens HERE
- Singapore’s WW2 history HERE
- Jurong Lake Gardens HERE
- Rail Corridor Walking Guide HERE (coming soon)
- MacRitchie Treetop Walk HERE
- Singapore Museums HERE (coming soon)
- Civic District Area Guide HERE
- Sentosa Area Guide HERE (coming soon)
- Chinatown Area Guide HERE (coming soon)
- Marina Bay Area Guide HERE (coming soon)
- Bukit Timah Area Guide HERE (coming soon)
- Hotel Reviews: Raffles Singapore HERE, Conrad Marina Bay HERE, The Clan Hotel HERE (coming soon)
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