Best for: The explorers

This ecologically sustainable park focuses on conserving energy and water while retaining natural elements in the park. For example, timber from uprooted Casuarina trees are collected and recycled into park signages, seats, benches and boardwalk. Explore the forest and mangrove habitats wither on foot or by bike and find an array of fauna and flora. While you’re here, explore the Coney Island park Connector too, which offers views of the Serangoon Reservoir. The park is closed from 7 pm to 7 am.

Best for: An easy morning trail

This five km long connector features well-paved pathways for easy access and is filled with lush greenery. If you’re looking to extend your hike, the park connector also links with Ulu Sembawang Park Connector with the Khatib Bongsu Park Connector. The best time to visit is in the morning, when you’re able to catch the sunrise. While the connectors are open for 24-hours, do note that there are unlit areas throughout the trail.

Best for: Bird watching

Find this tropical haven opposite Alexandra Hospital. Bordered by Ayer Rajah Expressway and Portsdown Avenue, the area that had once been untouched by development for decades has turned into a semi-natural woodland. Take a walk and find a variety of habitats and wildlife. Bird watchers should keep their eyes out for unique bird species while exploring the area as 86 different species have been recorded. Some include the Glossy Swiftlet, Spotted Wood Owl and Straw-headed Bulbul.

Best for: Those who enjoy being close to wildlife

Spanning 36 hectares, this park is home to an abundance of flora and fauna. Here, you will find natural habitats such as freshwater wetlands and open grasslands. Choose between three hiking trails and keep your eye out for various species of birds and butterflies while exploring the area. Multiple bird hides have also been places along the park, providing the perfect opportunity to catch glimpses of birds.

Best for: Those looking to catch stunning views

The Southern Ridges comprises 10km worth of greenery connecting various parks in the area. The Southern Ridges Walk is a popular five-kilometre trail that takes you through Kent Ridge Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park. The walk will also take you across the Henderson Waves bridge. The highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, the Henderson Waves is located 36 meters above ground and offers stunning views of the island.

Best for: Beginners and history buffs

Perfect for beginners, this nature park sees five easy trails spanning 3.8 km. What’s more, as the park was the site of a former Hainan village, these trails have been specially curated to give us insight on the ways of life during the kampung days. Those looking to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of the village, the Ruins and Figs trail will take you through conserved ruins. But, if you are looking for a leisure walk, take the Streams and Ferns trail and admire the park’s freshwater habitats and aquatic animals.

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Best for: History buffs

On top of being a popular venue for celebrations, concerts and plays, this hilltop park is also rich in history. For one, the hill previously served as the headquarters of the Far East Command Centre and British Army Barracks, this iconic park is rich in history. Take a trip down and explore its trails while learning more about Singapore’s history.

Various gardens are also available—the Sang Nila Utama garden, for one, reimagines the Southeast Asian gardens of old. Popular within palaces in the past, this garden has adopted various traditional features including a symmetrical layout and a reflective pool. Look out for various trees and ornamentals including Gardenias, Mangolias and pomelo fruit trees.

Best for: The adventure seekers

Those looking to go off the beaten track can head to this untouched forest filled with muddy crossings, tunnels and abandoned railway tracks. As there are no official trails, make your own path across the forest or follow one left by other hikers. That said, the National Parks Board has shared (in 2021) that two nature trails are set to be completed by the end of 2023.

Best for: Animal lovers

This park is the eighth and latest addition to the Central Nature Park Network (a network of parks surrounding Singapore’s Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve). Previously home to kampung trails and an abandoned quarry, Rifle Range Nature Park now boasts over 7km of trails and boardwalks, and at least 40 per cent of the island’s native flora and fauna.

Walk along the quarry wetland and keep your eye out for wetland animals including the Scarlet Skimmer, Common Kingfisher and migratory birds. Or, hike up the gliders boardwalk and you will find animal crossing features such as rope bridges and colugo poles. If you're lucky, you may catch a Sunda Colugo (flying lemur) crossing to the other side. 

Best for: Those looking for a brief respite from the city

Tucked away in the hustle and bustle of the CBD is Pearl’s Hill City Park, a hidden oasis built around a reservoir atop Pearl’s Hill. Built in 1904, this park spans nine hectares and is home to a range of flora and fauna, including Tembusu trees, terrapins and squirrels. Take a walk around the park and catch stunning views of Chinatown, or relax by the pond and admire its beautiful lotus plants. 

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Best for: Serious hikers

When it comes to hiking, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve always comes to mind. After all, the nature reserve is also one of the oldest—dating back to 1883—and the home to Bukit Timah Hill, the tallest natural hill in Singapore at 163m tall. The reserve thrives with about 40 per cent of the country’s native flora and fauna, boasting an abundance of wildlife such as the Singapore freshwater crab, long-tailed macaque, Sunda pangolin and the Blue Bronzeback snake.

If you are up for the challenge, the summit trail is a 1.4km hike with a moderately steep incline that will take between 30 to 45 minutes to complete. If you prefer to cycle, however, the reserve also boasts the oldest mountain biking trail in Singapore, which snakes around the old granite quarries and secondary forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Do note that the 7km track requires intermediate to advanced skills in biking.

Best for: Sports enthusiasts

Completed in 1868, MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore's oldest reservoir and also a hotspot for cross-country races, nature trails, and leisure activities, such as fishing and kayaking. Hikers of all levels will be able to enjoy the park’s trails of varying distance and difficulties, from the 3km Green trail along Prunus and Petai Boardwalk to the 11-kilometre Yellow trail, which would take you around the entire park. There’s also the seven-kilometre Orange trail, which will take you to the Instagram-famous MacRitchie Treetop Walk, a 250m suspension bridge connecting the two highest points within MacRitchie. Unfortunately, the Treetop Walk is currently closed for maintenance works, which will be complete by May 2021.

Regarded as a gateway to Singapore’s nature reserves, MacRitchie Nature Trail & Reservoir Park’s forests boast rich biodiversity. Interesting species to spot include the Rusty Oil fruit, Cheng Tng tree, Torch Ginger flower, as well as creatures like the Malayan colugo, crimson sunbird, and long-tailed macaque.

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Best for: History buffs

Developed on an abandoned quarry site in 1988, you’ll find hints of Bukit Batok Nature Park’s rich history as you embark on a peaceful stroll on its low-intensity trails. At the entrance of the park, a picturesque pond at the foot of a high cliff wall remains from its mining days, and various look-out points within the park—which would require some exercise to get to—offer stunning views of the quarry. Another relic not to be missed is the Bukit Batok Memorial at the top of the hill, a tribute to the soldiers and victims of World War II. Only two pillars and stairs to the original memorial remain today, with a new memorial plaque erected in 1981 to mark its legacy.

Other interesting things to see at the park include native orchid species as part of Nparks’ orchid conservation programme, and a delightful collection of birds, such as the Grey-headed Fish-eagle and the White-crested laughingthrush.

Best for: Adventurous cyclists

A 10 min boat ride away, Pulau Ubin is home to Singapore’s last kampongs as well as the Chek Jawa Wetlands. A throwback to the 1960s, Pulau Ubin oozes with rustic charm, with former farms, rubber plantations, abandoned quarries and even an old Wayang (Chinese opera) stage waiting to be discovered. The 1,020-hectare island can be explored on foot, with trails and tours conducted to visit the kampongs and wetlands. However, bicycles are a popular choice for getting around if you’re exploring on your own.

The island is estimated to host over 786 native plants, 242 birds, 201 butterflies, 89 mammals, reptiles and amphibians, many of which are rare and not found on the mainland. Look out for the Greater Mousedeer, Ashy Roundleaf Bat and Lesser False Vampire, as well as birds such as the Straw-headed Bulbul, Mangrove Pitta, Barred Eagle Owl and Brown Wood-owl.

Best for: Avid birdwatchers

Singapore’s largest freshwater farmland, Kranji Marshes is home to a unique biodiversity that boasts more than 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies and 33 species of dragonflies—making it a favourite for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to spot woodpeckers, monitor lizards, or a Changeable Hawk Eagle and White-bellied Sea Eagle perched atop the trees. There are also bird hides located around the park where you can observe shy march birds such as the Purple Swamphen and Common Moorhen, if you’re lucky. Visiting species such as the Black Baza and Japanese Sparrowhawk are also often spotted during the migratory season between November and March.

Another highlight of the Kranji Marshes would be the Raptor Tower, which offers panoramic views of the Kranji Marshes and Kranji Reservoir. The beautiful wooden tower can often be spotted in photos on social media, so don’t miss the Instagram-worthy photo op!

Best for: Kids

If you have kids, you're going to want to make sure that you take them to Changi's Jurassic Mile which is part of the new Changi Airport Connector, which links Changi Airport with East Coast Park.

Your kids will love getting to see the large dinosaur statues along the path and it makes a great place to get some fun pictures for sure. 

If you are a cyclist or a bit more experienced, you could even try doing the full connector, taking you from Changi to Marina Bay.

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Best for: Experienced hikers

If you have the stamina for it and you love the challenge, why not try this 36km trail that spans across Singapore, linking up nature areas, parks and park connectors all over the island. 

The trail will take you along Jurong Lake Gardens, Lornie Nature Corridor, Coney Island Park and more. It is scenic and certainly not for the faint of heart so make sure you're ready before trying to attempt the entire thing at one go. 

This story was first published on September 9, 2020, and updated on June 7, 2023. 

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