Mount Faber guide
“The cable car place? Go before lah!” might be your reaction to the idea of visiting Mount Faber.
Not just a pit stop to get to Sentosa, Mount Faber offers one of the highest vantage points we have on our little island. Many of us would have mistaken it as an actual mountain as kids – standing at 106m-tall, it’s nevertheless a scenic hill that offers sweeping vistas of the CBD and Harbourfront.
Below is a quick guide to the nature park that might inspire a revisit:
Hike to the top of Mount Faber Peak for panoramic views
Image credit: @quynhquynh0803 via Instagram
Spending time cooped up at home is sure to get us itching to head outside – it’s no wonder that many of us have gone nuts over hiking and cycling trails. If you’re looking for one with breathtaking scenery to boot, add Mount Faber to your list of weekend to-dos.
Faber Point Lookout
Image credit: @lifeofpoo via Instagram
You can hike to the top of Mount Faber from the bottom of the hill via Marang Trail, which lies near Harbourfront Exit D. From there, it’s about a short 800m walk to the highest peak of Faber Point.
Alternatively, start from the nearby Henderson Waves and cut through Faber Point. Both of these routes offer well-paved paths taking you through a thicket of trees, with panoramic lookout points along the way.
Image credit: @bazonbike via Instagram
If walking isn’t your thing, there’s also the option of cycling to the top or driving up. At the peak, plenty of attractions await:
Rainbow staircases & wishing bells
Image credit: @jiawentanx via Instagram
The iconic cable cars we all confirm know about aside, there are also IG-worthy photo ops including a flight of colourful rainbow staircases and Poland’s Bells of Happiness – a pair of wishing bells that were gifted from, well, Poland.
One of the bells dates all the way back to 1909, and legend says if you ring these your wishes will come true!
Image credit: @sana_subba via Instagram
While you’re exploring the area, also look out for a mini Merlion Statue and a mural wall that encapsulates Singapore’s history way back from the 14th century.
Do a #2 at a toilet with a view
No better home for a porcelain throne than a toilet with a million-dollar view.
The bathrooms at nature parks don’t often have the best reputation, but you’ll be in for a surprise with Mount Faber Peak’s washroom. Having recently gone viral on TikTok, this is arguably one of the best public toilets in Singapore, with a view of Sentosa and cable cars gliding off into the distance.
There’s even an official name for this toilet: Peek-A-Loo – though if you ask me, it should be called Peak-A-Loo. Nevertheless, you can wash up here after your hike up – there’s even a giant mirror for a picture-perfect #OOTD with lots of natural light.
Hilltop restaurants for date night or a unique wedding
View from Dusk Restaurant & Bar.
Image credit: @bellasakurah via Instagram
Date ideas don’t come easy but if you’re looking to impress your boo for a special occasion, a restaurant with a view is sure to be the kicker of the night. Enjoy a romantic dinner at either of Mount Faber Peak’s 2 restaurants, Dusk Restaurant & Bar or Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro, both of which are perched over the top of the hill.
Arbora.
Image credit: Knotties Frame
Should you fall in love with the place, Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro is also a quintessential spot for a non-hotel wedding. Sweeping views aside, it also has an alfresco garden perfect for wedding solemnisation.
Take the cable car to Harbourfront
Pokémon-themed cable car.
Once you’re done exploring the area, it’s time to hop on the cable car for a scenic route down. You can enjoy unblocked views of the cityscape and attempt to spot the iconic beaches at Sentosa. It’s also a great way to chase the sunset, so plan your ride around 7pm to catch that orange sky.
Also, fans of Pokémon will be glad to know that all cable cars are Pokémon-themed from now till 30th September 2023. You’ll see adorable Fuecoco, Eevee, and Pokéball motifs peppered throughout the cabins, and Pokémon collectibles at the cable car’s gift shop too.
Visit Mount Faber Singapore
Image credit: @fictionoverfact via Instagram
Singapore may not have sky-high mountains or a vast expanse of national parks, but give Mount Faber a shot if you’re looking for something refreshing to do – it has plenty to offer to satiate the adventurers and aesthetes among us. As usual, sunrises and sunsets are the best time to visit, especially if you’re planning to hike through the nature park.
Mount Faber also lies close to the Southern Ridges, Hort Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve, so you can continue through these other parks if you’re up for a long-distance hike.
For more nature guides:
- Pulau Ubin guide
- MacRitchie Nature Reserve guide
- Best nature parks and reserves in Singapore
- Less predictable nature walks
Cover image adapted from: @lifeofpoo, @jiawentanx & @bellasakurah via Instagram
Originally published on 8th June 2021 by Kezia Tan. Last updated by Joycelyn Yeow on 28th June 2023.
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