Hiking and nature walks at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Free of charge

About the trails

Enjoy the multiple health and wellness benefits of hiking by planning a walk in and around the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

The Reserve is a special area where the plants and animals are protected by law. Stay on the trail and keep your distance from wildlife you encounter during your hike.

Hikes within Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Choose from 4 trails that begin at the Visitor Centre, which are of various difficulties and distances.

Note

Only routes Routes 1, 3 and 4 lead to the summit of the hill.

View the park map (PDF, 2.1MB) to see where the trails are located.

Route 1: Moderate, 1.2km
- This is the most direct route to the summit, via the main road.
- View this DIY trail guide (PDF, 1.74MB) for more information on what you can see along this route.
Route 2: Moderate, 0.8km
- This is a path to the Telecomm Tower via the main road.
Route 3: Difficult, 1.8km
- This is a longer route to the summit via the South View Path and Cave Path.
Route 4: Difficult, 3km
- This starts off with the same path as Route 1, but there is an additional Dairy Farm loop after the summit.

There are also other hikes starting from nature parks next to the Reserve:

Wallace Trail (starts from Dairy Farm Nature Park): Easy, 2.2km one way
Murnane Trail (starts from Rifle Range Link of MacRitchie and ends at Rifle Range Nature Park): Difficult, 3km

What to look out for

As Singapore's first forest reserve, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve houses one of the few remaining patches of primary forest on the island. The Reserve is home to:

Over 140 species of birds
Over 60 species of butterflies
Over 30 species of mammals
Over 1240 species of plants

View this video for a virtual tour of what you can see in the Bukit Timah forests:

YouTube video player

Other hikes in the surrounding area

If you are looking to explore hiking trails in and around the Bukit Timah area, try one of these trails.

If you are interested in...	Try this trail...
Bukit Timah's history	"Pieces of Bukit Timah's History" (6.6km) Visit places which are a part of Singapore’s mining, manufacturing, war, and transport histories. Route includes: Little Guilin, World War II Memorial, Former Ford Factory, Former Gun Club and Bukit Timah Railway Station and more
Quarries	"Scenic quarries" (11km) View quarries that serve as a reminder of Singapore's booming construction industry in the 1980s and 1990s. Route includes: Dairy Farm Quarry, Singapore Quarry, Hindhede Quarry, Sin Seng Quarry, Poh Kim Quarry and more
A long hike	"How far can you go?" (>12km) Challenge yourself with a trail stretching from Central to Northern Singapore. Route includes: Bukit Timah Railway Station, Sin Seng Quarry, Rail Corridor, Singapore Quarry, Chestnut Observation Tower and more
An easy hike with children or seniors	"Easy walking" (4.5km) A family-friendly trail in the Bukit Timah area, suitable for the whole family. Route includes: Bukit Timah Railway Station, Sin Seng Quarry, Rail Corridor, Singapore Quarry, Chestnut Observation Tower and more

View a guide to the trails (includes map) (PDF, 13.57MB)

Note

Follow the park dos and don'ts and hiking etiquette to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.

View trail map (PDF, 2.1MB)

Download the NEAR mobile app to find a route via our park connectors or trails.