Our initial search for things we wanted to see and do during our 5 days in Singapore didn’t bring up the MacRitchie Trail. When most people think Singapore, they think “Crazy Rich Asians”, high-end shopping, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and other amazing tourist destinations near downtown. All things we wanted to see but after spending a relaxing, peaceful week exploring Hoi An, Vietnam, we were looking for quieter, more nature-oriented activities.
Of course we started with the basic searches like “Top Cheap/Free Things to do in Singapore” and came up with oodles of lists of items that could have had us busy in and around the downtown area for at least a week or more. But you know us. We kept digging. Looking for the local gems that most tourists miss out on.
My next Google search: “Hiking in Singapore”
Bam. MacRitchie Reservoir Hiking Trail
Now my search results were filled with lists that included the MacRitchie Trail and TreeTop Walk.
The MacRitchie Reservoir is the oldest one in Singapore. It’s located dead center of the country of Singapore and while we took the MRT and hoofed it to the park, there are also plenty of bus stops to save you a few more steps. It was completed in 1868 and is a popular spot for locals to come to get in their daily run or walk and say hello to the local monitor lizards and Macaque monkeys (more on that in a minute….)
There are a couple of different trails you can follow at MacRitchie, but we opted for the full 11km loop, including the TreeTop Walk. We wanted to take our time and soak in every bit of nature the trail had to offer. I would label the trails as moderate for the most part—well-maintained, mostly dirt and rock, and plenty wide in most places. The paths were easy to navigate, with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting.
Bikes and dogs are not allowed on the trails, ensuring a serene environment. Other than the occasional chatty group of humans, it’s a quiet, peaceful hike. It was a welcome escape from the usual city noise.
We started from the Reservoir Car Park on the southeast side where you can also find the Mushroom Cafe. We didn’t stop for food but it seems to be the only place around the park so if you are hungry, stop here.
The weather in Singapore is typically hot and humid. Most days I was sweating before we even left our hotel. So be sure to bring along plenty of water and some snacks too. And beware the monkeys!
Lizards & Monkeys
I don’t think we were even 1km into our hike before we met our first monitor lizard. Maybe 50ft later, our first Macaque monkeys!
Mostly, they kept to the trees, picking off berries and swinging above our heads. It was fascinating to watch them move so effortlessly through the branches. At one point, we even saw a family of them come down onto the path. They strolled casually along the boardwalk, as if they were just out enjoying the weather. It was a charming sight, adding to the natural allure of the trail.
There are plenty of signs warning you not to feed the monkeys or walk around openly eating food in crinkly bags. It seems they’ve become a bit too friendly and are known to swipe food from visitors. Luckily, we never had any issues with them. Over the course of our hike, we saw at least 25 monkeys.
While they were curious, they seemed content to go about their business, allowing us to observe without interference. It was a delightful experience, blending a sense of adventure with moments of peaceful coexistence with nature.
Birds
We came in the early hours to avoid the heat and hopefully see many of the local birds out and about as well. I didn’t have the perfect lens on my camera for close-up shots, but I still managed to snap a few worth sharing. The birds were vibrant and active, adding an extra layer of magic to our hike. After reviewing a list of current sightings in that area on WaxwingEco.com, I can tell you that we saw the Indian Cuckoo, Rock Pigeons, Asian Koel, Purple Heron, Collared Kingfisher, Red-crowned Barbet, Black-naped Oriole and the one that was our favorite, the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.
The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo will look like any other blackbird at first glance but if you look closely, you will notice he has these long secondary feathers that trail behind his tail feathers. You will usually find one of them perched out in the open nearby where the Macaque monkeys are moving around. What we were told is that the monkeys stir up insects as they swing between the branches and the Drongos will catch and eat those insects.
The TreeTop Walk
On the northern end of the 11km MacRitchie Trail is the TreeTop Walk. It’s a free-standing suspension bridge that connects the two highest points (Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang) in MacRitchie.
The distance to the entrance of the TreeTop Walk was about 4.5 km (1.5 – 2 hr walk) from the main MacRitchie Reservoir Park. It’s also accessible from the car park on Venus Drive. The distance from the car park is about 2.5 km (45 mins – 1 hr walk).
The weather was hot but quite nice on the Monday we hiked the trail. But we had to come back again on Tuesday since we didn’t know the TreeTop Walk was closed on Mondays with the exception of public holidays. Gah!! What?!? Dang it… Totally worth the second trip though 🙂
Fast Facts About MacRitchie Trails and TreeTop Walk:
The Reservoir Park and TreeTop Walk are both free to enter
Singapore National Parks Pages: MacRitchie Reservoir Park and the TreeTop Walk
Trail grade on average is moderate
Only bathrooms are at the Ranger Station. There are water fountains there too
Full loop trail is 11km. Approximate walking time: 4 hours
TreeTop Walk is free. It is closed on Mondays (except public holidays) and closes at 5pm each day
Closest MRT station is Caldecott on the Circle Line (orange)
Bikes and dogs are not allowed on the trails.
Have you been to the MacRitchie Reservoir, TreeTop Walk or other great hiking trail in Singapore? Tell us about it in the comments!
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