In our last post, we talked about some steps seniors can take when going on a hike. Before that, we also gave a list of some affordable lightweight backpacks you can use when going on a hike. In the guide we also listed some trails you can take.
There are many hiking trails in Singapore, many of which are linked by the Park Connector Network (PCN), allowing you to easily navigate each one. Of course, it’s also important to choose the one that’s just right for you and within your capabilities.
Here are some of the best hiking trails for seniors.
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1. MacRitchie Reservoir
Starting off our list is MacRitchie Reservoir, the oldest and most popular nature park in Singapore.
This is an easy trail that takes you past the scenic reservoir on a boardwalk into the rainforest. The trail is around 3 km long, but 11 km if you want to go into the rainforest itself, and gentle and relaxing with very few slopes.
The rainforest trail is a little more difficult than the boardwalk since the terrain there is rougher, so be sure to prepare well and bring lots of water.
2. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park
One of the largest parks in Singapore, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park is a vast, open area perfect for a leisurely stroll through it. Kallang River runs through the length of the park, flowing down from Lower Pierce Reservoir, with banks of greenery and flowers on each bank.
The park also has numerous eateries and spas, such as Grub, Canopy Garden Dining, and Aramsa Garden Spa, meaning you’ll have plenty of places to dine and relax after finishing your long hike.
The trails here are all paved, so you won’t have to worry about any rough terrain.
3. Southern Ridges
Less of a hiking destination in itself and more of a connector that links five of Singapore’s parks together, Southern Ridges is a vast area that consists of 10 km of green, open spaces. This trail is fairly long, taking you 3-5 hours to complete, but the sights you will see will be worth it. It takes you on a raised trail above the treetops, giving you a spectacular view.
Henderson Waves, the tallest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, Mount Faber to Telok Blangah Hill Park, and is distinctive for its signature wave-like architecture.
4. Kranji Marshes
Taking you through the largest freshwater marsh in Singapore, Kranji Marshes is famed for its unique biodiversity, being home to more than 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies and 33 species of dragonflies. It is a great place to enjoy Singapore’s wildlife.
If you’re a bird enthusiast, be sure to bring a pair of binoculars to watch as the marsh birds swoop down from the skies or fish for food in the shallow waters.
The trail is around a kilometre long, and won’t take you much time at all.
5. Bukit Batok Nature Park
Developed from a quarry that was abandoned in 1988, Bukit Batok has since been turned into a lush nature park with crystal clear waters and vibrant wildlife. A serene location full of nature, this park is perfect if you want to relax.
You can climb lookout points that can reach 10 storeys in height for a stunning view of the former quarry, and the pond that lies at the foot of a cliff wall. The pond itself is a remainder of the quarry’s former mining days.
You can also pay tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Second World War at a memorial located within the park.
6. Labrador Park
Perhaps one of the most picturesque parks in Singapore, Labrador Park is built at the edge of the island’s secondary forest and right by the coast, giving a stunning view of the sea. This reserve is thriving with life, and is the only rocky sea-cliff in Singapore, giving a panoramic view of the cliff-side vegetation.
Labrador Park is host to many species of birds, such as oriental magpie-robin and black-naped oriole. It also has relics left over from the days of the Second World War, such as Fort Pasir Panjang and hidden underground tunnels.
7. Punggol Waterway Park
A fairly new park, Punggol Waterway Park is built around Punggol Waterway and located along Sentul Crescent, Punggol Waterway Park. It offers plenty of spaces for leisurely activities. Taking you right by the river, the park is divided into four themed sections: Nature Cove, Recreation Zone, Heritage Zone and Green Gallery.
This park is excellent for hiking and cycling, and you may stop at the nearby Waterway Point Shopping Centre for a drink or meal once you’re finished. This is also a great park to go birdwatching, seeing many different kinds of waterfowl who call this park home.
8. Thomson Nature Park
This nature reserve in the heartlands of Singapore has recently received a revamp, truly transforming it to allow visitors to be closer to nature than ever before. The latest buffer park around the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Thomson Nature Park is unique for its heritage as a former Hainanese village and rambutan plantations dating back to the 1930s.
It is also known for its rich biodiversity, being home to monkeys, insects, snakes, and even hornbills. The park consists of five trails spanning 3.8 km around the village’s former road network. The Ruins and Figs Trail allows visitors to view the parks heritage with carefully-conserved ruins, while the Stream and Ferns Trail allows visitors to view the freshwater stream running through the park, and the many fern species dotting the trail.
