10 Best Places to Go Hiking in Singapore

If your image of Singapore is limited to shopping malls along bustling streets and tall buildings, you are not alone. Most of the people who know Singapore always associate the nation with the busy streets and manmade structures.

But to be frank, alongside its fair amount of staycation Singapore packages available, Singapore has an amount of beautiful greenery such as a multitude of parks as well as nature reserves. The best way to discover these beautiful green panoramas? By hiking in Singapore on the weekend or public holiday, of course!

From forested hills to swampy wetlands, Singapore has loads to offer for you who like hiking. Not only can you experience Garden City to its fullest potential and discover new places, but you can also exercise through hiking in Singapore. So, get your sunscreens on, bring mosquito repellent and pack some provisions.

Make sure you have a good night's rest to maintain your stamina to get through all of Singapore’s hiking trails. Put on your trekking shoes and go explore Singapore's best hiking trails.

Hiking in Singapore

Saying that there are many hiking trails in Singapore is an understatement. With the abundance of trekking and hiking trails in Singapore, it’s no surprise that you can be a bit overwhelmed in choosing where to start. Not to mention, there are plenty of hiking destination categories that are important to take notes of.

Such hiking categories are chill hikes, challenging hikes, and more adventurous hikes. All the hiking categories have their own merits, challenges, and not to mention a different approach of preparation that needs to be taken care of. No worries, from east to west, north to south, we have gathered comprehensive hiking trails Singapore guide you through.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

The first hiking in Singapore track that you can visit is MacRitchie Reservoir Park, one of the beloved sites located far from the hustle and bustle of Singapore. This site is known as the godfather of Singapore hikes. Its popularity cannot be doubted as everyone must have known this place and those who know it mostly have visited this site at least once.

This reservoir trail is best suited for beginners in trekking and hiking with a total distance ranging from 3-11 km depending on the trail to the reservoir. You can trek this reservoir in only 3-4 hours on foot. To access this, you can visit its starting point at MacRitchie Reservoir Carpark. From Marymount MRT (CCL), take bus 165, 52, or 855 for two stops to Opp MacRitchie Reservoir. Then you can walk for 1 min before arriving at MacRitchie reservoir.

This reservoir park is perfect for you who love nature and take an interest in hiking. Arriving at this place, you can indulge in a nature escapade right in the middle of a busy city by visiting its scenic and serene treetop walk, a 250m long free-standing suspension bridge with a clear view of the forest canopy.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park trail is facilitated by a water ranger station, in which the tourists can refill drinkable water in their water bottle, and also mobile network so you can still connect through your phone without needing to go to a certain place to get a signal.

Tourists can enjoy a panoramic view of the impressive MacRitchie reservoir surrounded by rubber trees and remnants of the plantations from the 19th century. To better prepare yourself before experiencing the beauty of MacRitchie Reservoir trekking and minimize your transport budget, book cheap hotels in Singapore located near this beautiful reservoir.

Windsor Nature Park

Next in line for the Singapore hiking trail is Windsor Nature Park. This site is best suited for beginner hikers with a trail distance of 4.4 km. Most of the trails can be reached in 2 hours. To reach this hiking in Singapore site, you can visit Venus Drive Park by taking buses 132, 163, 167, or 855 from Opp Shunfu Est at Marymount MRT (CCL) to Opp Flame Tree Pk for four stops then walk on foot for 5 minutes.

A much lesser-known younger cousin of MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Windsor Nature Park retains the untouched splendour that most of its developed counterparts lack. It has four unique trails which spread over 75 hectares and freshwater streams running through them.

Squirrel and, most notable for its wheel-chair friendly facility, Hanguana Trail provides you with leisurely walks through the dense vegetation. Drongo Trail includes a 150m long elevated walkway which can’t be missed when visiting Windsor Nature Park.

To better prepare yourself before visiting this place, you can always book a hotel near Windsor Nature Park. Don’t forget to make use of the sweet offering SingaporeRediscovers Vouchers by Traveloka for a great travel experience!

Thomson Nature Park

Located between Old Upper Thomson Road and Upper Thomson Road, Near Springleaf and Windsor Nature Parks, there is Thomson Nature Park, another beautiful Singapore hike site. This hiking site is best suited for those who love a more adventurous hiking activity.

While it’s true that you can hike for approximately 2 hours, this park does not adhere to a typical park blueprint.It has five trails spanning 3.8 kilometres. Each of the trails will take you on a sightseeing tour through the greenery, ruins, macaques, streams and the Raffles’ banded langur; an elusive and endangered monkey species.

This nature park also is home to a former Hainan village in Singapore. If you are lucky to find it, you can get a glimpse of this from the ruins and rubble that have been left behind from its heyday in the 60s. Not only that but there is also the remnants of a rambutan plantation, a farm and several old village houses.

Visiting this hiking site, you can find old street signs that are left untouched. It’s a literal walk through an old kampong in 1960s Singapore if you try to get through Thomson Nature Park trails.

As mentioned before, this Singapore hiking spot has a more challenging trekking compared to the other sites. So, it is best to prepare yourself and make sure you are in the right condition for experiencing the beauty of Thomson Nature Park. In that sense, book a hotel nearbyso that you can explore its full nature potential and get the best hiking in Singapore experience!

Kranji Marshes

Another Singapore hiking and trekking you might not want to miss is Kranji Marshes. Spanning over 56 hectares of land and known most notably for being Singapore’s largest freshwater marshland, this site is home to a vast range of green habitats, a myriad of birds and butterfly species. There are approximately over 170 bird species that you can find here and, best of all, there are also several lookout shelters built to spot them from.

A great destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, Kranji Marshes’ trail is around 2 kilometres long and can be explored in around 1.5 hour. To get here, head to Kranji Gate via a shuttle bus from Kranji MRT. If you want a more comfortable travel, it is suggested to get there by car as the location is quite out of the main road.

Visiting this serene hiking spot, you can make your way up to the Raptor Tower for a birds-eye view of the marsh. At this 10 meters up tower, prepare your eyes for the best panoramic view and inhale that sweet air full of O₂. Every visitor who visits Kranji Marshes is free to explore the area on foot, however, there is also an area that is not designated for the public as it is reserved for conservation. Don’t worry you’ll miss everything there, though. Every now and then, NParks organises monthly guided walks that enables visitors to look at the conservation area.

While this trekking and hiking spot is categorized as an easy walk, you might want to take full rest before going through the journey to experience it’s beauty in its fullest potential. For an easy hotel booking with high quality service, you can always rely on Traveloka to see the best hotels in Singapore.

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Are you an adventurous soul who is looking for a more challenging trail to explore? This is the perfect place to go hiking in Singapore. Named Dairy Farm Nature Park, this site is isolated from the busy city life and will make you feel like an experienced hiker. As the name suggests, this site is formerly a cow shed which leads to Bukit Timah Hill.

Offering for a more rugged and jungle-like hiking experience, this park is located not far from Dairy Farm Road Carpark A – Dairy Farm Quarry, just a 15 minute walk if you reach it on foot from that location. With the trail distance covering up to 6.5 kilometres, this park can be explored in just 2 hours more or less.

While its topography suits the needs of mountain bikers and quite a bit challenging for people who don’t own a bike, there is Wallace Trail which can be traversable by foot. This trail is generally flat and paved with jungle tracks and pathways, making it suitable for most people of all ages. At the end of the park, lies Singapore Quarry Park which has been an ideal spot for rock climbers and photographers.

To experience the beauty of Dairy Farm Nature Park in its fullest potential, make sure that you have rested enough and prepare your body to get through the challenging trekking route. You can always book a hotel near Dairy Farm Nature Park and use SingaporeRediscovers Vouchers to cut off the transport budget.

Coast-to-Coast Trail

Another hiking and trekking in Singapore that you can’t miss is the Coast to Coast Trail. Stretching from Jurong Lake Gardens to Coney Island Park, this trail is no walk in the park. Covering a 36 kilometers trail distance, this site, true to its name, will take you from coast to coast while passing 10 checkpoints, 11 park connectors and 18 parks and nature reserves.

Coast to Coast Trail starting point is at the Lakeside MRT. You’ll just need to go to Lakeside MRT and walk around 10 minutes to the first checkpoint. We suggest you take a full day to explore this site as the distance it covers is long as mentioned previously and bring a partner to accompany you in your nature reservations hops.

While the distance is long and you certainly will be befriended with pain at the 25 kilometers mark, your hardship is paid in cash with the best greenery and panoramic view Singapore has to offer. To make your life easier when doing this trail, plan your route efficiently by downloading an app for Coast to Coast. Not only will this app help you navigate between checkpoints easily, but you can also look for each park's amenities.

Staying in the best body condition for Coast-to-Coast exploration is a must but lying down on a comfy bed afterwards is truly a bliss. For you who want to go through this trail, a nice hotel nearby will certainly be a blessing for the tired feet. Book near Coney Island or Lower Seletar Reservoir Park easily with Traveloka. Not only do you get the best hospitality service, but also the best hotel promotion in Singapore.

Labrador Nature Reserve

For those who love to imagine they can walk along a boardwalk trail in the most picturesque seaside trails, look no farther than heading off to Labrador Nature Reserve. This beautiful reservation features nature trails, natural habitats, and seafront promenade; all in one package for those who are interested in hiking in Singapore.

A feast for nature lovers, this reservation is best for all ages and all physical conditions as the trail is quite easy to get through and span only 2 kilometers distance. You can explore its beauty splendor in only an hour. However, if you long for a more challenging distance to get through, you can head off to Southern Ridges trail which connects Labrador Nature Reserve with several other parks.

As this site is still a part of the Southern Ridges, Labrador Nature Reserves is home to the only rocky sea-cliff in Singapore and over 70 bird species. It offers a panoramic view of the sea and cliff-side vegetation so beautiful and breathtaking you’ll want to visit this site again. While taking a leisurely waterside stroll, you can also explore the tunnels and forts that are remnants of WWII and find war relics like a machine gun.

After taking a stroll and enjoying nature, what’s best is to try various activities available around Labrador Nature Reserve. One of them is staying at the most comfortable hotels nearby. See our staycation Singapore hotels guide for more detailed info and great deals.

Pulau Ubin

To state Pulau Ubin as just one of the remaining villages or surviving “kampong” is an understatement. The site is home to a great number of historical significance and natural splendor. Having a sprawling 1.020 hectares wide, Pulau Ubin is a fantastic granite island filled with lush greenery and abundant wildlife, perfect for those who love cycling and hiking in Singapore. As a matter of fact, the island has many cycling and trails to explore.

Those who visit Pulau Ubin and in search of hiking trails mostly go to Puaka Hill, the highest point in Pulau Ubin. It is located 1.9 kilometres away from the main village and can be reached in 20 minutes to the top.

That short hike offers breathtaking sightings of Malaysia and the Johor Straits as well as lush greenery with body water surrounding Pulau Ubin, still untouched by urbanization and commercialization and creating a magical forestry panorama.

On the east side of the Island, you can find Chek Jawa Wetlands. The area is home to rich mangrove forest with a 1 km boardwalk facing the ocean. There, you can also trek through six unique ecosystems which include mangrove and coastal forest areas. Keep your eyes peeled, for there you can easily find sea critters such as the peacock anemone and sea star.

To reach Pulau Ubin, board a bumboat at Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Spare a day to visit Pulau Ubin’s nook and cranny so you don’t miss anything. A little tip to make your holiday trip and hiking in Singapore experience more comfortable is to book hotels in Changi. Not only can you get the best service before and after visiting Pulau Ubin, but you can also get the best price if you book the room via Traveloka.

Mount Faber Park

A hotspot for both tourists and locals, Mount Faber Park is another Singapore hiking site that you can visit. Mount Faber Park, which is also formerly known as Telok Blangah Hill, is located in the central region of Singapore and becomes one of the parks connected through the Southern Ridges, at Junction of Kampong Bahru Road and Telok Blangah Rd.

While Mount Faber Park is considered as one of Singapore’s oldest parks, the site is still packed with tourists and locals. This is given as the site offers stunning views of the city and the southern island.

Don’t worry about Mount Faber Park being the oldest park because the trails have been revamped over the years to cater the number of visitors. The trails are safe and easily traversable for all age groups.

On Mount Faber you can see a tower that forms a part of the cable car system connecting Harbourfront and Sentosa. If you want to skip all the hiking, you can hop on this cable car and enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of Harbourfront and scenic views of Sentosa Island. Not only that, but you can see the reservoir which was known to be the water provision source for Singapore back in 1905 at Mount Faber Park.

This rustic-raw landscape and slippery tracks with overgrown busses of Mount Faber Park is fun to explore and quite easy to get through, making it one of the most favorite spots for hiking in Singapore. To make sure you are in the fittest condition to enjoy all the scenic view Mount Faber Park has to offer, book the best hotel that will cater your needs nearby.

Bukit Batok Nature Park

Enjoy the laid-back hike in the western region of Singapore with a trip to Bukit Batok Hill. This Singapore hiking spot is a must visit list for hikers and adventure junkies. Bukit Batok Hill offers less than 4 kilometers of trail long of 36 hectares that goes through the jungles and connects to a forest.

Bukit Batok Nature Park has lush greenery and refreshing trekking trails best suited for beginners and intermediate hikers. As the park isn’t huge, you can explore it in 1.5 hours, more or less. Indulge your senses with refreshing air, see the lush greenery and enjoy the refreshing trekking trails here at Bukit Batok Nature Park.

As it is the 3^rd highest hill in Singapore, you can see vines and trees forming natural tunnels and various wildlife there such as reptiles, monitor lizards, white-crested laughing thrushes, monkeys, etc in Bukit Batok Nature Park. Besides the wildlife, you can also see the remnants of two short pillars of Japanese World War II memorial.

Overcoming countless stairs and winding footpaths of Bukit Batok Nature Park is truly the best feeling a traveler can have. To make sure you recharge properly after burning those calories in Bukit Batok Nature, try staying at the hotel nearby. Your feet will thank you afterwards.

Hindhede Nature Park

Searching for a leisurely hike with the family? You can always head to Hindhede Nature Park which is located next to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. This park has easy trails and well-defined footpaths which are great for the elderly, family with children, and beginner hikers. You can easily explore the park in less than 15 minutes, but the view is amazing and on par with the other hiking spot mentioned before.

Having only 90 meters of trail, Hindhede offers scenic and serene greenery. As you visit the park, you can also spot wildlife here as the park is also home to banded woodpecker, clouded monitor lizard and plantain squirrel. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled and camera ready to capture any wildlife at Hindhede Nature Park.

At the end of the trail, you can see the majestic Hindhede Quarry which is a favorite spot for family pictures. Access to Hindhede Nature Park is easy. Just go to its entry point at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Center and you’ll be there before you know it.

After strolling at Hindhede Nature Park and going along with the activities following the visit, a staycation near the energizing place will complete your holiday. Book a hotel for staycation near Hindhede Nature Park or anywhere else in Singapore easily with Traveloka. Not only you’ll get the best hotel, but you can also snatch good deals that can save your wallet!

When most people search for hotels to spend their holiday, you can try to go hiking for a new experience. Now, are you ready to go hiking in Singapore?