Bukit Timah Hill

What an amazing place! Who knew you could get so «deep» into the woods in Singapore. If you are looking for an escape from the city and some exercise this is the place to go. This is a steep climb with some uneven stairs so I suggest being somewhat in shape before attempting this climb. Do this once per week for a few months and you will definitely whip yourself into shape! The area has lots of forest with some lookouts to see out into the city beyond. It took a little under an hour for us to complete one circuit but there are different lengths of trails on the hill. On this hill is the highest point in Singapore, which as a visitor to the country I am glad to say I visited!
Try to get there early on the weekend or take a taxi because parking can be difficult. If you decide to bring lunch or snacks be careful of the monkeys! Please take your garbage with you when you leave or put it in the trash cans near the restrooms. The monkeys should not be eating from our litter…

Being Singapore’s highest peak, this is one of the few places in Singapore where you can get to hike and explore some trails. It’s a really popular place but a bit difficult to get to if you don’t have a car or are not willing to take a taxi.
Climbs are simple though, not too challenging, which is nice for a late afternoon workout but don’t expect too much if you’re those thrill-​seeking kind of hiker. Oh and watch out for snakes, there are some which slither alongside the hiking paths.
Make a trip to the quarry if you have the time to spare, there’s a pretty lovely view and they’ve built a rest area nearby to just take a time out.
Finally, if you bring food, beware of monkeys which may try to steal them! The monkeys here are pretty bold, probably due to the fact that people try to feed them.

Singapore’s highest peak (and at one point of time, where there tigers and all sorts of tropical life forms), Bukit Timah Hill is as close as it gets to climbing a mountain in our fair island, and it has everything for everyone — a high-​intensity steep pathway that goes straight to the top in 5 minutes (if you can manage!) or the long, winding road that’s great for kids and discovering wildlife.
I always look forward to coming here and my mum (who’s a marathon runner) loves to run all the way here and cool down by climbing the hill. This is a true national treasure that needs to be exercise more (haha!).

After been through the hiking trips to Macritchie Reservoir, I suggested to boyfriend to challenge Bukit Timah Hill. And there we were one day below the hill getting ready for the challenge.
When we reached, many people were already walking down from the hill. You will realize it is really a popular hiking place with so many people around. Quite packed.
The route up is steep and can be quite challenging for some. Within 30 mins or so, we are already up at the top of the hill. Never knew it was such a short one. Despite that, I am sweating like mad since steep slope is one of my weakness. Boyfriend suggest to try another route and explore the area. So we walk and walk till I came to an open area like Alice entering the wonderland. A beautiful field with no one around. We check our phone to check where we are, but since we are unfamiliar with the road names here, I didn’t take extra effort to remember the road name.
Since then, I never returned to the place. But I will surely return to the Wonderland again one day. It felt like only me knew about the secret place.

My memory of Bukit Timah hills were one of pain and torture. I was in cross country back in secondary school and this was the dreaded place where we did our hill runs! Although not a long way up to the summit, the varying gradient of the trail does take its toll on your legs. The most common animal you would spot on the trail would be monkeys due to their recent influx in the Bukit Timah area terrorizing low rise apartments. Monkeys here can be aggressive in groups so try not to taunt them. Overall a great place to get your leg muscles working! There are multiple resting stations along the trail for you to catch a breather if you need to!

I’m not usually a sporty person, but I did accompany my dad on some hiking trips up after his retirement, and I have to say it is a nice get away from daily life activities. Although there isn’t much to see or do, it’s interesting to either take a smooth walk upwards through the designated path, or pick the more adventurous trail that cuts through the woody area of the hill.
The general feel of the walking trail is a sense of calm and peace where there are times when you feel completely alone and cut off from the rest of the world. It’s also very interesting how you can smell different fragrances emitted from different plants and trees along various stretches of the path.
The woodsy trail is a lot more ‘happening’, with lots of chances to spot fruit bats, squirrels and even small reptiles here and there. My favourite past time is to snap close up shots of breathtakingly beautiful butterflies that aren’t seen along dusty roads in Singapore.
There is also a small pavilion at the summit of the hill where you can take a break, do your stretching exercises, or take shelter from the rain or sun. Aside from the less than satisfactory amenities like the restrooms and exhibition area, it is quite the nice place to take a stroll!