South Ridges Trail
Friday, May 30, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
Woke up real early one Sunday morning (2 wks ago :P) to walk the latest Southern Ridges trail with Mum and Dad plus my 2nd Aunt and Uncle.
The Southern Ridges Trail is the latest addition by National Parks Board, that let people walk through the southern part of Singapore, through the forests, admiring the wonderful scenery and discover the quaint side of our little sunny island.
One suggestion: If you want to walk the whole route from Harborfront all the way to Kent Ridge Park, I will advise to start real early in the morning like 7am, so that by the time you're half way there, the sun is not too bright and hot, and ideal for a really slow stroll.
Alternatively, the trail is great in the evenings to the Henderson Waves, as lights will lit up from 7pm to 2am, which I think will be a romantic place for couples :P
For the benefit of my readers, I've taken pictures along the way of our trail, so that you guys can roughly picture how it was like walking the entire stretch :)
After alighting at Harborfront MRT, exit at the side of Seah Im Hawker Centre. Next to the public carpark beside, there's a little road called Marang Road. This is the start of the trail, where it will lead you up towards Mt Faber.
Not for the faint-hearted though, coz Dad was having some difficulties climbing the steep stairs. Reminder: Pls wear comfortable pair of sport shoes that has ample cushioning. My aunt and uncle actually worse slippers! *faints* But they didn't complain much, so I guess they're used to it? :P
It was really nice walking up to Mt Faber, as it was usually at night that we drove up some times for drinks at Altivo. Quite a different view in the day too :)
Continue to walk past Jewel Box (where Altivo is) and you will see signs that will lead you down slope (not the stairs, else it will lead you to Telok Blangah instead) towards the entrance of Henderson Waves.
It is possible to drive, but I'm sure it wouldn't be that interesting. It's all the perspiring and work out that makes it more fun! :P:P
After about 1hour, we reached the Henderson Waves bridge! It was unusually crowded in the morning, perhaps after much news publicity about the newly opened trail in the papers.
There are maps with description for each section of the Trail, estimated distance to cover and time required. Too bad it's only in English, perhaps they should have an automated voicebox for introduction or something in future?
After the Waves bridge, you will reach Telok Blangah Hill Park. Supposedly, if you climb up the park you can see a great bird's eye view of Singapore, but we missed it (coz the elderlies were tired) and continued on to the Forest Walk, which is an elevated walkway cutting through thick forests and at it's highest point was 18m above ground.
The Forest Walk was the longest stretch in the Trail, and you will just ease your way through the tree canopy and I'm really thankful that I was able to discover another side of my home island. Away from the busy and buzzing streets, sometimes, it is good to stop for awhile to admire on the nature that we're often too busy to notice. :)
If by then you haven't given up, WELL DONE! :P After the Forest Walk, you will see the Alexandra Arches that links to the new flora hub, Hort Park.
Hort Park is quite near to River Valley High School at Alexandra Road. Saw quite a number of people actually went off to take a bus back to Harborfront MRT, but the 4 elderlies plus me are brave to carry on to Kent Ridge Park! :P
Hort Park was pretty interesting, there are educational exhibits showcasing Singapore's extensive range of flora collection, and a big nursery with loads of interesting bonsai and ideas to decorate your house with loads of greenery! Pretty cool if I have a house like that in future :P
On we go towards Kent Ridge Park, got a bit lost after we walked through the Canopy Walk that links Hort Park to KRP. Road signs wasn't that clear and all we saw was signs to Science Park I. So we took another route and ended up at NACLI camp, where there's FINALLY a bus stop to bring us out!
The whole journey took us 3 hours and by the time we reached 'civilisation', it was already 1230pm! You can totally imagine the sun that we had to bear throughout the trail, and I'm so tanned now!
It was a really great outing and family bonding time. Next stop, HSBC Treetop Walk! :P
Labels: family, hot sun, keeping fit
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