Parks & nature reserves in Singapore
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get a good supply of fresh air, know that there are more than 350 parks in Singapore to choose from.
Whether it’s just to find a new hiking trail, quiet picnic spot, or go on a cycling adventure, there’s a fit for every activity.
It’s a long list, but we’ve narrowed it down to the biggest and best ones for that break from city life, aside from the usuals like Singapore Botanic Gardens, East Coast Park, and Pasir Ris Park.
Table of Contents
– North & West –
1. Kranji Marshes
Home to more than 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies and 33 species of dragonflies, Kranji Marshes is one of the largest freshwater marshes in Singapore. This is probably the best place to spot shy marsh birds like Japanese sparrowhawks during raptor migratory season at one of the dedicated bird hides waiting for you along your trek.
2. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Image credit: @jshenn via Instagram
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a majestic sight during the bird migration season. You’ll get to see flocks of sandpipers and plovers populating the reserve before they take off on another journey. You’ll also spot native marsh animals such as mudskippers, monitor lizards, and water snakes throughout the year.
Image credit: @komsinha via Instagram
Follow their weekly guided walks or take it easy with the junior adventure trail to experience walking on the paths alongside the muddy mangroves and getting up close and personal with the swamp animals.
3. Jurong Lake Gardens
The iconic pagodas of the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden’s torii gates are part of a larger nature park – Jurong Lake Gardens. This national garden spans along the West of Singapore and is a hotspot for families and couples alike. It also includes Lakeside Garden, which features lalang-filled grasslands with a lone tree.
If you’re coming from Lakeside MRT, you will first come across paths leading to the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. Within these parks are a unique landscape of pagodas and traditional oriental buildings.
As for Lakeside Garden, follow the boardwalks to get the most scenic views of the lake then head to the Forest Ramble, a playground with 13 different zones for your kids to scamper around in.
– East –
4. Tampines Eco Green
With no lamps or pavements and the only toilet with a natural flush in Singapore, Tampines Eco Green is probably one of the most unpolluted parks you can find here. You may face difficulties spotting the entrance to this park because the wooden signage is usually covered by a blanket of vegetation, but follow the Sun Plaza Park connector from Tampines MRT and you’ll be good to go.
Spanning 36 hectares, visitors can look forward to taking a relaxing stroll around the nature park to explore the flora and fauna it has to offer. Look to the bird hides to spot perching birds like the Bulbul bird. Or take a breather at one of the log benches around the park.
Tampines Eco Green is easily accessible via Tampines PCN, so there’s no excuse to not drop by.
5. Coney Island
The green gates to Coney Island have made it to our Instagram timelines way too often but it’s safe to say that its recurrence only shows how fulfilling every experience is. This island off Punggol, also known as Serangoon Island, features a misty trove of unfamiliar trees that’ll make you feel as if you’re in an enchanted forest.
When following the main path, look out for the entrances to the quiet beaches where you can take in the sight of ships cruising by.
6. Punggol Waterway Park
Image credit: @mindycwc via Instagram
Punggol Waterway Park offers a beautiful water frontage for a relaxed stroll. The sand and water play areas and fitness corner cater to both the young and elderly.
Kelong Bridge.
Take a walk along the Punggol waterfront into the park and you’ll come across the Rope Bridge and Kelong Bridge. To truly take in the magnificent views here, visit when the sun’s setting.
– Central –
7. Chestnut Nature Park
Chestnut Nature Park is a haven for mountain biking enthusiasts as it offers an 8.2km long mountain biking trail fit for beginners and advanced riders. For the full rugged experience, bikers can train at the Pump Track – a circuit of bumps and banks – or the Northern and Southern Biking Trails.
Chestnut Pump Track.
But if you’re not into cycling, there are 3 hiking trails you can venture along, ranging from 1.5km and 2.1km long.
The Northern Hiking Trail has a well-defined path that will lead you to an observation tower where you can bird watch and take in the view of the woodlands. The other 2 trails – the Nature Trail and Southern Trail – are tougher with more dirt tracks and undulating terrain in a grove of trees.
8. MacRitchie Reservoir Park
MacRitchie Reservoir Park is most known for its TreeTop Walk, a 25m high suspension bridge overlooking a forest canopy. But getting to the bridge itself is no joke when you’ve to trek a whopping total of 7km-10km in a round trip.
The toughest part is the last 100m before reaching the bridge itself. It’s a really steep climb but once you overcome it, you’ll be greeted by the magnificent view of the rich forest.
But that’s not the only thing this reservoir park has to offer. It is also one of the best places to engage in both land and water activities. You can hike, kayak and canoe with a scenic view of the pristine forest and waters.
9. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Standing at 163m, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is not only home to one of the first forest reserves in Singapore but also our highest hill. You can expect a very steep climb, either on the paved main path or sets of stairs. It can get strenuous if you are not well-prepared but once you’re past the initial slope, the rest of the trek is relatively easier.
A tip to spare your legs from muscle cramps: Try going down backwards as there’ll be less strain on the knees.
On your way down, keep your eyes peeled for pangolins shuffling over fallen branches. For an adventure, follow the Cave Path and it’ll lead you to two caves built by the Japanese during the war.
Another gem you can check out nearby is Hindhede Quarry. It’s a short, leisurely walk from the main Bukit Timah Nature Reserve car park with well-paved footpaths and easy trails to follow.
Also, check out these hiking trails around Bukit Timah Nature Reserve if you’d like to get some steps in.
10. Central Catchment Nature Reserve
Image credit: NParks
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is one of two main water catchments in Singapore. You can choose among the 3 nature trails available here – the Walking Trail that’ll lead you to the TreeTop Walk, Chemperai Trail that’ll bring you along the edge of the reservoir, and the Prunus Trail to be immersed in the dense rainforest where you’ll possibly get a peek of the critically endangered Banded Leaf Monkey.
Image credit: NParks
The trails at this nature park are relatively easy considering the well-paved tracks. The only difference between these 3 trails is the amount of time you’ll spend trekking along them. The latter two will take around an hour’s walk, while the trail to the TreeTop Walk will take about three hours.
11. Rifle Range Nature Park
One of the newest additions to Singapore’s arsenal of parks is Rifle Range Nature Park, which sits pretty close to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Here, take a walk along the park’s many trails such as the Rambai Boardwalk and Forest Exploration Trail, which have aerial views of the surrounding forests and a mini obstacle course respectively.
The Quarry Wetland is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Make sure you’ve got the appropriate outdoor shoes on before ascending the Colugo Trail’s 30m “challenging” route, which will take you through boulders before you reach the top. Otherwise, you can opt for a less strenuous 50m “moderate” route with stairs.
– South –
12. Fort Canning Park
The famous staircase that’s a hotspot for wedding photos.
A historical site by day and occasionally an arts venue by night, Fort Canning Park is probably one of the more happening parks in Singapore.
Sang Nila Utama Garden at Fort Canning.
In its heyday as “Bukit Larangan” or Forbidden Hill, this nature park has witnessed many historical milestones. One of the more notable spots you can make a quick pit stop at is the Battlebox, where the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese.
But if you’re not a history buff, you can still enjoy the vast open space through an outdoor movie or a picnic while watching a live play – events like these are commonly held at this park throughout the year.
13. HortPark
Image credit: @hazwanyazit via Instagram
Part of the Southern Ridges, HortPark is a hotspot for gardening enthusiasts. You can take a stroll along the different garden plots with flowers that Singaporeans have helped grow, as well as walk through the various themed gardens like the Butterfly Garden where you’ll get to meet those beautiful creatures in a netted house.
Image credit: @kyrsson_de_amor via Instagram
There’s also a Nature Playgarden for kids to explore and get connected to nature by playing with sand and gravel or making music with hanging bamboo poles.
14. Labrador Nature Reserve
Berlayer Point Lighthouse.
Located near the southern tip of Singapore, Labrador Nature Reserve is home to the only coastal cliff in the country so you can be sure to enjoy the sea breeze and the sound of waves crashing here. If you’ve always wanted to try fishing in Singapore, this is one of the few places where you can legally do so.
Other sights you can find here include war relics, namely the tunnels and the fort built at the higher points in the nature reserve, which are hidden along the trail.
Nature reserves & parks in Singapore to visit
Singapore might be a small urban country but we definitely have an abundance of green spaces and parks in Singapore to unwind at. These places are convenient and family-friendly so if you ever need a break from the bustling city, you can freshen up by being immersed in nature before another week of hustling.
To find out more about Singapore’s nature spots, check out these articles:
- Beaches with intertidal walks in Singapore
- Singapore’s camping spots
- Less crowded northeastern SG parks
- Bishan-AMK Park
- Bollywood Farms
Originally published on 24th August 2019. Last updated by Kezia Tan on 15th August 2023.
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