Hiking Trails with a View

• Posted on 24 May 2021
• By -EM-
• Posted in clementirainforest, fortcanningpark, greencorridor, hikingtrails, oldbukittimahrailway, photographer, photography, railcorridor, thelearningforest, thesouthernridges, trussbridge
• 0

A brief introduction of places to hike with an amazing view that you would bring your family and friends back for.

As many of you would know, Singapore itself has a limited land area but it has plenty to do! Nevertheless, it has built herself an amazing island with hiking trails that stuns you with a marvelous view. Let's take a look at some of these fascinating trails!

Green Corridor aka Rail Corridor

The Green Corridor is a walking trail that links Clementi Forest, Truss Bridge and the Old Bukit Timah Railway Station. It has in fact been one of the few that has gained a surge in popularity over the past year. If you've always wanted to visit a railway or have your photo taken at a railway station, this is your best spot without travelling out of Singapore!

If you did not know, in the past, there used to be a KTM train line (Malaysia) that would drive through to Singapore from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint to the currently closed Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Since the removal, certain bits and pieces of the railway have been turned into a nature trail, which we now know it as the Green Corridor. Due to where it is located, it gets the name from a vast amount of greenery.

If you are adventurous enough, you could most definitely go for the entire trail of 24km. Through this trail, you would be passing by the central section which is between Hillview and the Old Bukit Timah Railway Station which is now open for you to have a shot taken and post it up on your social media! For those of you that had been to Taiwan, you most likely would have visited their famous railways over at Shifen. Just like Shifen, the Old Bukit Timah Railway Station has railway tracks that you can freely sit or lie down on without any worries about being run over by the train!

One of the highlights of this particular trail would be the original station sign which is located right outside and come to think of it who doesn't like an old school rustic feel kind of atmosphere.

Following the trail, you would be bypassing the Truss Bridge. This bridge is an Instagram famous spot that you would most definitely come across on your feed as most, if not all the hikers have ventured to this place just for a quick snap of it. Wedding photos as well as influencers or photograpers have come thus far to get a few aesthetic images that are to die for especially if you were to visit this place around the early evening, you might even get a shot that has a view of the sunset.

Moving on, if you are a big nature lover, this would be what you are waiting for! As much as we love the railways, we love the great outdoors even more. Venturing in would lead you to the Clementi Forest which is surrounded by enormous trees that you could embark a journey into the jungles. Bring along your partner or family to the wilderness and explore a totally different side of Singapore. If you're feeling up to it, maybe bring along a picnic mat or a leisure sheet (https://www.outdoorlife.com.sg/coleman-leisure-sheet.html) and pick a spot to enjoy the impressive scenery.

Be sure to be equiped with the necessary gears from a handy dandy energy bar, down to a good pair of hiking shoe/boots.

For more information about gearing up, do visit us at Funan, #02-20 or shop online with us at https://www.outdoorlife.com.sg

The Learning Forest

If you are staying nearer to the central part of town, you would be pleased to know that there is a hiking trail that you could venture on. The Learning Forest has opened at the Botanic Gardens with a majestic 10 hectare forest which is roughly the size of 15 football fields! It is now opened to the public, for everyone to view its history and be wowed by the legend of the place which can be traced back to the early 19^th century!

The Learning Forest comprises of installed walkways and elevated boardwalks thus it is more suitable for the eldery or parents with young children. Even though there are hardly any steps to climb, the pathway of the terrain still rises gently across the land.

As the forest matures over time, the growing amount of flora and fauna increases as well. Up to date, there are now 120,000 different variety of species available for viewing. Explore freshwater forest wetland and lowland rainforest habitats or see giant wild fruit trees! The forest comprises of 5 different sections which includes the SPH Walk of Giants, the Lowland Rainforest, the Keppel Discovery Wetlands, the Bambusetum and also the Wild Fruit Tree Arboterum.

First up is the SPH Walk of Giants. This place brings you to a height of 8m through an elevated boardwalk among the canopy layer of century-old trees. It would also definitely bring you back to the time where you were sitting in your classroom, learning about the great rainforests and canopy of the wilderness from your Geography textbooks. There are canopy webs aka rope beds for you to lie down and relax, to enjoy and gaze up to the crowns of the trees and just maybe reflect on life or just shut out your problems and appreciate nature. According to our insights, some of these trees will continue to grow up to at least 60m in height which is as good as almost any 20-storey building in the CBD area!

You can learn all about a freshwater swamp habitat which is connected by trails and boardwalks over at the Keppel Discovery Wetlands. The current area is now a home to marsh plants and orchid islands. If you are more prone to getting bites from the mosquitoes, do remember to lather up some mosquito repellents (https://www.outdoorlife.com.sg/search/para+kito/) to prevent itching.

At the Lowland Rainforest, you are able to enhance your knowledge of a collection of trees with interesting barks or even learn about the forest plants that are cultivated for us humans to be using, such as timber.

Moving forward, fruit lovers can explore and learn about their favourite fruits at this arboretum which showcases over 50 species of wild fruit trees which includes some of the favourites of our locals such as mangosteen, jackfruit, lychee and more. While most of the fruit trees are young, you could definitely look forward to seeing the sprouting of fruits!

Last but not the least, would be the Bambusetum. Over 30 species of tropical bamboos which are tall relatives of grasses! This area would be an instaworthy picture as it is home to a multitude of bamboo species which can grow up to 10-storeys tall and its stems are wide enough to be used as buckets! If you know of anyone or if you have friends that are super tall (2m), you might want to have them join you in the adventure of finding such picturesque scenery.

While being at places as such, do remember to keep yourself hydrated and just have an enjoyable morning or evening breeze while your at it.

For more information about gearing up, do visit us at Funan, #02-20 or shop online with us at https://www.outdoorlife.com.sg

Fort Canning Park

More than just a green space, Fort Canning Park is a gateway to fascinating historical insights and relics from the past that dates far beyond the time Sir Stamford Raffles set foot on our shores. One of the country's historical landmark where the British decided to surrender to the Japanese during WWII or where the Malay royalty once ruled in medieval times, this is where you can learn and find out about these great events.

Introducing some background story of Fort Canning Park. It was once known as Bukit Larangan which meant “Forbidden Hill”. With a chock full of attractions which comprises of ancient artefacts to greenery for nature lovers, it is currently holding on 18 hectare of space.

Some of the more interesting attraction within would include the Maritime Corner which portray's Singapore's evolution from an entrepot trading post to an international Maritime Centre for all. Also, the Fort Gate where the remnants of a foretress built there in the 19^th century. Currently, located at the heart of Fort Canning is a perfect natural auditorium which is a popular venue for stage performances and classical music concerts.

If you were born and bred in Singapore, you would most likely heard of Sang Nila Utamam, way too many times. Although, if you didn't, maybe it is high time for you to bring out those History textbooks before you venture out to Fort Canning. A relatively new addition to the Park is the Sang Nila Utama Garden which he was the founder of Singapura. Walking through the entrance, the majestic Javanese split gates would greet you with statues of frogs, fish and ducks. Being there would give off an ancient royalty vibe for each individual to appreciate.

If you know Sang Nila Utama, then you would definitely have known Sir Stamford Raffles. If you've forgotton how the late Sir Stamford Raffles looked like, fred not as Singapore has not one but two sculptures/statues that depicts him. That being said, of course a country like Singapore would have more memories of him rather than just having the statues. Raffles Garden was inspired by the man himself for the love he had for plants. The garden features a collection of plant species that Sir Stamford Raffles had encountered during his travels through SEA. The garden eventually leads up to Raffles House which is a neoclassical style building that was once the humble abode of our founder.

There are many great photo opportunities at Fort Canning Park, especially for nature lovers. One of Singapore's most instagramable shots is from within. The most famous and the best by far would be the spiral staircase. Many wedding couples and photographers would immerse themselves in this beauty which forms a perfect round frame from the sky which includes the branches of the tree sitting above.

Immerse yourself in the military history at the very room where a significant piece of history occured is the Battlebox which is also known as the Fort Canning Bunker. It was where Lieutenant-General Arthur Pervical surrendered to the Japanese on the very morning of February 15^th, 1942. Descending almost 9m underground into the bomb-proof bunker sits the interactive displays whereby you could take a deep look into the drama and tension behind this very disaster.

The most interesting part about Fort Canning would be that it is a 5 mins walk away from Funan whereby you could always visit our store which is located at #02-20 (https://www.outdoorlife.com.sg) to stock up your items and gears for your next hiking adventure!

The Southern Ridges

The 10km long trail starts by ascending Faber Peak which is renowned for being one of the tallest hills in Singapore which leads right into Kent Ridge Park though a series of elevated walkways, paved trails and dirt tracks. The Southern Ridges is a trail with a unique outdoor adventure which allows you to breathe the fresh air, have a little sweat and just enjoy the greenery.

Through 200ft up into Faber Peak comes the great forest which would reveal some of Singapore's greatest skyscrapers. If hiking up the peak is more than enough for you, do find yourself a cable car from above to catch a good view of the city. Moving on, if you're carrying on for the hike, you could easily get to Henderson Waves through a peaceful walk along the top ridge down.

Henderson Waves has been rated the main reason that the Southern Ridges trail is one of the best hiking places in Singapore. It hovers a 100ft above the ground at 300m long! The deck is pretty much known for its shelter from the rainstorms or the blistering sun. A little guide for an instaworthy shot here would be in the late evenings as these beautiful curves would be illuminated by the glow of the LED lights. Even though it is a short trail, it is still relatively impactful as a great artwork as such would be structured in the middle of the city for everyone to enjoy.

Making your way through the forest canopy which would lead you to a ground-level trail that brings you to the Alexandra Roads. Over there, you could stop by your way at Gillman Barracks to grab some food before you continued your way on to the HortPark! Dont forget to be on a look out of a practical walkway on the Forest Walk whereby it is designed to look like a leaf opening in the wind.

The HortPark is where many botanical fauna start their lives in. The greenhouses that are built there enables a variety of plants from all around the world to be grown safely. Moving forward would be the Canopy Walk. It would bring you from the HortPark to Kent Ridge Park. Through the Canopy Walk, one can enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of the forest from the steps and footprints that were paved out nicely.

A little reminder to all that you should start your hike as early as possible to avoid the hottest part of the day. Remember to bring plenty of water (https://www.outdoorlife.com.sg/camp/hydration-treatment/) or even some energy bars to keep yourself hydrated. Urban development is often our everyday view so why not take that step out into the wilderness to breathe in those amazing fresh air , be wowed by the forest creatures and escape from the city life! Our small island is surprisingly filled with nature spots, all we have to do is to step out of our comfort zone and dig a little deeper into the great outdoors!