The '''Southern Ridges Walk''' is a nine-kilometer stroll across the hills of southern Singapore.

Understand

Singapore is one of the world's most densely populated countries, but after a slow start the country has recently put much effort into preserving the bits of greenery that remain, and the '''Southern Ridges''' [http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=62&Itemid=73] are perhaps the most impressive result.

The trail consists of four parks stretching across the western half of Singapore, with impressive bridges allowing pedestrians to cross busy highways. Several parts of the trail are suspended high above the jungle, offering great views of the often surreal contrast between Singapore's ultra-modern buildings and the primeval greenery around the trail.

Prepare

This is about as far from hardcore hiking as you can get: the entire main trail, from end to end, is paved or otherwise surfaced and not only needs no equipment, but is perfectly accessible by baby stroller or wheelchair. Most of the trail is even lit at night until midnight or beyond.

About the only equipment you will need is '''comfy shoes''' and an '''umbrella'''. Toilets, drink vending machines and rest shelters are scattered throughout the trail, and there are several full-service restaurants and cafes along it as well.

The trail is best visited early in the morning before it gets hot, or late in the afternoon after 5 PM. The sunset from the bridges and other viewpoints can be stunning.

Get in

The Southern Ridges Walk can be accessed at numerous points. From west to east, the most common options are:

  • Bus 197 from Clementi MRT to "Opp Jin Tai Primary School" bus stop, next to Clementi Woods and a short distance to West Coast Park (via West Coast Link).
  • Bus 200 from Buona Vista MRT to "National Leadership Institute", a short walk from Kent Ridge Park via Vigilante Drive.
  • Buses 61, 97, 100, 166 from HarbourFront MRT to "Opp Gillman Heights" bus stop, right next to HortPark.
  • HarbourFront MRT (North-East Line), Exit D, right at the start point of the Marang Trail to Mount Faber Park.
  • Bus 409 (''weekends only'') from Seah Im Bus Interchange (opposite HarbourFront MRT) to Mount Faber Park.
  • Walk

    The entire trail can be covered in 2.5 hours if you hurry, but that wouldn't be much fun. The most scenic portion of the trail is the section between Hort Park, in western Singapore and Mount Faber, the gateway to Sentosa in the south.

    Anything wheeled, including bicycles and roller skates, is not allowed on most of the trail. Running or jogging is OK and quite popular. The parks get busy on weekends, but are quiet on weekdays.

    West Coast Park and Clementi Woods

    ''Todo''

    Kent Ridge Park and HortPark

    ''Todo''

    '''HortPark''', an unfortunate acronym of "horticultural park", is a buzzword-laden "one-stop gardening hub", with a resort-like main building with an open-air deck with great views, and a smattering of tiny garden plots with overblown names along the lines of "The Next Dimension in Greenery". The central pavilion is host to '''Kha''' [http://www.kha.sg/], a very expensive "modern Thai" restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner, plus vending machines, public toilets, and free exhibitions on the latest in gardening.

    Telok Blangah Hill Park

    From HortPark, the '''Alexandra Arch''' bridge crosses the busy Alexandra Road and immediately segues into the '''Forest Walk''' (1.3 km), one of the most impressive sections of the trail. Don't let the name fools you: the elevated metal walkway soars as high as 18 meters above the ground, on level with the treetops, and those with fear of heights may want to opt for the ground-hugging (and much more punishing) trail below it instead.

    About halfway through, the walk returns to earth for a moment, paralleling '''Preston Road''' and its impressive collection of "black and white" bungalows originally built for the officers of the British army and now much favored by wealthy expats in Singapore. (They're private property, so no peeking inside.) The walk continues after Preston Road, eventually zigzagging its way up a steep hill.

    The '''Hilltop Walk''' (1.0 km) that follows is much more anticlimactic, although there is a bizarre, oddly Romanesque "Terrace Garden" up a small hill that offers an almost-360-degree view of Singapore. Some exercise stations, an information kiosk, vending machines and public toilets can be found about halfway through.

    Mount Faber

    Next is another of the highlights of the trail, the 36-meter-high '''Henderson Waves''' pedestrian bridge, connecting Telok Blangah to Mount Faber. Shaped like an undulating caterpillar sculpted from wood and steel, the name is appropriate and the view out towards the sea across the jungle stunning. The bridge is lit up with a light show from 7 PM to 2 AM daily.

    Once over to Mt. Faber, one of Singapore's older parks, the unappetizing choices for the first stretch are to either follow along the paved roads next to cars, or to stomp off on the short, poorly signed little trails that all seem to lead back to the roads. The one point of minor interest along the way is the '''Danish Seamen's Church''', a colonial confection of white and red that can be reached by following the paved road south.

    But the main attraction for most is '''Faber Point''', home to the third and smallest of Singapore's many Merlions, decent views in all directions and an inexplicable abundance of tour groups ferried here on buses. A series of murals around the base of the pavilion offer a cheery and sanitized summary of Singapore's history.

    Just down the road is the '''Jewel Box''', containing the terminus of the cable car from Sentosa plus an assemblage of five expensive restaurants, all of them rather too fancy after spending a few hours stomping around in the tropical heat. You could do worse than sunset drinks at '''Moonstone''' on the top floor.

    For more substantial fare, though, it's best to keep going further down. The '''Marang Trail''' branches off to your right, an unlit staircase that offers the shortest route down to HarbourFront; alternatively, keep on going straight, and you'll reach the car park at the end of Mt Faber Park, from where you can take a bus to HarbourFront. In either case, you can now choose from the dozens of restaurants in the Vivocity shopping mall, or chow down hawker style at the Seah Im Food Centre, on the other side of the street right next to the bus terminus.

    Stay safe

    The walk is as sanitized as you'd expect in Singapore, and the trails are dotted with signs warning visitors that, out in the untamed forest, it's possible for a branch to fall. Don't feed any monkeys you may encounter, as not only will you encourage them to pester humans, but this is illegal as well.