The Best 1 hour Walks in Singapore

Welcome to Singapore! Perhaps you’re on a short holiday or a business trip looking for an alternative to a gym workout – then consider a walk. You’ll sweat just as much – I promise! I’ve rounded up some of the best one hour walks in Singapore for you here.

Old brick doorway at Gillman Barracks: T Jelsma

People ask what it’s like to live in Singapore. Apart from the usual answers of ‘clean’ and ‘safe’, I have to add that it is exceptionally green. But it didn’t happen by accident. Singapore started on the City in a Garden concept back in 1963 and its evolved into just that. 

Singapore is noisy with all the traffic, so walks are a great respite as well as good exercise. You will find me most days walking somewhere along the Southern Ridges. My favourite walks in the tropical humidity of Singapore are about 1 – 1.5 hours in length (brisk walking pace).

The deeper you dig, the more great places you will find to walk, all for free. There are clear paths where ever you go.

Good to know:

Consider walking before the sun is up, most paths are usually lit.

For your protection, and the protection of the habitat and wildlife, please stick to the trail or path at all times (no one wants a snake bite!). It is not unusual to see monkeys or otters on these walks.

Walking (or running) etiquette on busy paths: keep to the left.

You can get to most of the starting points listed by taxi, but for convenience of overseas visitors, I have listed nearest MRT stops. There are plenty of buses, but for visitors, taxi or MRT are your best bet.

If you’re walking after 9am, remember sunscreen and a hat. Ready? Great!

Put on your walking shoes, grab your water bottle and camera if you wish, and let’s get going!

Helpful links:

• MRT stations map
• National Parks website

1. Gardens by the Bay – Outdoor Gardens

Difficulty level: easy

Getting there by MRT:

1. Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (on Circle line or Downtown line)
2. Take Exit B and follow the underground linkway
3. Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay

From there, walk any which way you like. It’s all level walking.

These gardens open at 5am. There is always something to see and photograph. The cityscape, super trees and Marina Bay Sands Hotel make stunning backdrops to the green spaces you’re walking through here. The bio domes are admission by ticket only, but you wouldn’t want to speed walk through those anyway.

Super Trees at Gardens by the Bay at night: T Jelsma

Meandering tourists in the outdoor gardens will appear after 10am when Singapore starts to come to life. If you want to add another kilometre, take the path out to Marina Barrage and back again. If it’s the weekend you’ll see kite flying from the Barrage.

2. Marina Bay Loop

Difficulty level: easy

Getting there by MRT:

1. Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (on Circle line or Downtown line)
2. Take Exit D and walk through the Marina Bay Shoppes mall out to the promenade

This walk is a 45-50 min fast walk, but if you’re staying downtown, this is a quiet place to walk in the early morning. All with unbeatable views. Turn right and cross the double helix bridge then follow your nose around the waterfront. You’ll pass the Merlion statue by the Fullerton, the towers of the financial district and loop back round to your starting point.

We enjoy this walk on regular occasions, and at night it truly comes alive with vibrant colours. Give up the power walking in the evening though. Expect it to take an hour plus in the evenings. Too many people. Best to stroll, catch the free laser light show in front of the Marina Bay Shoppes and grab an evening meal halfway round at Gluttons Bay.

Southern Ridges Trails

This is 10 km worth of trails and walks along the ridge lines near the south coast of Singapore. There are hours of good walking along here, and there are lots of ways in and out. I love the Southern Ridges for the trees and tropical forest feel. The three walks I’ve listed here can be joined into one big walk. It would take about about three hours if you joined them up. Here’s my recommended in and out spots for accessing some beautiful walks here:

Stunning views from Mt Faber: T Jelsma

3. Marang Trail to Mt Faber

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Getting there by MRT:

1. Alight at Harbourfront MRT Station (on Circle line and North East line)
2. Take exit D and follow the path to Marang Road

Marang Trail is pretty much straight uphill to Mt Faber Road. At only 350m, it’s not a long trail but you go up the height of a 24 storey building.

Once at the top of the hill, turn left to keep walking to Mt Faber. Follow the paths along the ridge line. Go past the cable car stop. A bit further on, at the top of Mt Faber is one of Singapore’s merlions and excellent views as a reward.

To complete a 1-1.5 hours for circular trip from here, follow the road down off Mt Faber and circle back to Harbourfront MRT.

But otherwise, let’s keep walking along the Southern Ridges!

From Mt Faber keep heading west towards Henderson Waves – the iconic pedestrian bridge where many adverts are filmed.

4. Henderson Waves to Alexandra Arch

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Getting there by MRT:

Henderson Waves from below: T Jelsma

1. Not easy or quick, but doable. About a 15 min walk from the MRT Station to the steps.
2. Alight at Telok Blangah MRT Station (on Circle line)
3. Go up the escalator to street level. Walk straight, till the first traffic lights just after the bus stop. Cross the road to head up Henderson Road.
4. Head uphill, up Henderson Road, on the right hand side of the road. Keep walking (about 400 m) till you see a bridge crossing the road high above you. That’s Henderson Waves. Take the steep steps up the hill by the bus stop.

Whether you arrived by MRT, or walked from Mt Faber, you are now on the Mt Faber side of the Henderson Waves. Enjoy the slight uphill walk across this bridge. Younger locals like to come here and relax with a takeaway meal in the evenings.

Henderson Waves bridge is the link between Mt Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park.

Steps to Telok Blangah hilltop: T Jelsma

Once across the Henderson Waves follow signs to Forest Walk. You’re now walking through Telok Blangah Hill Park. Like most parks in the early morning, you will find groups of older citizens working out at different spots. Keep walking west.

See those stairs? Take them to reach the top of Telok Blangah Hill.

Stick to the road to avoid the  hilltop, but it’s another great view from there, and the terraced stairs are pretty cool.

Once on the other side of the hilltop is a metal shelter (see photos of these in the gallery below) that marks one end of the Forest Walk. This is a elevated metal walkway of 1.3 km that takes you through the treetops to Alexandra Arch. There’s another metal shelter at the other end of the Forest Walk.

Once you’ve done the Forest Walk through the treetops there are three choices:

1. Finish your walk! Take the steps by the metal shelter down to the road. Head downhill. You’re now in an area known as Gillman Barracks. It used to be old army barracks but are now art galleries and restaurants. When you get to Block 9, head through the carpark to behind the building. Here is a gorgeous old brick doorway reminiscent of days gone by. Cross the metal bridge to Alexandra Road. Keep heading downhill, (cross the main road) all the way to the Labrador Park MRT Station. (Total walk time of this loop which started at Telok Blangah Station, ending at Labrador Park Station: about 1-1.5 hours)
2. Continue to Labrador Park Nature Reserve. From the metal shelter keep walking on the metal walkway till you get to Alexandra Arch. Take steps down to Alexandra Road. Walk downhill. Cross the main road and head behind Labrador Park MRT station to the Berlayer Creek Boardwalk and keep exploring.
3. Continue to Hort Park. Cross the Alexandra Arch Bridge and make your way into Hort Park.

5. Hort Park to Kent Ridge Park

Difficulty: moderate

Getting there by MRT:

1. Alight at Labrador Park MRT Station (on Circle line)
2. Cross the overhead pedestrian bridge to Alexandra Road.
3. Walk up the left side of Alexandra Road to the entrance of Hort Park (about 10 min walk from MRT station)

The Alexandra Arch pedestrian bridge: T Jelsma

Hort Park is a fun place to walk and explore. Not nearly as big as Gardens by the Bay, but full of interesting themed gardens nonetheless. Head straight through Hort Park to zigzag your way uphill towards the Canopy Walk and Kent Ridge Park.

Follow signs to the Canopy Walk. This is a 280m long elevated boardwalk through the treetops. It connects to  Kent Ridge Park. Do the Canopy Walk then turn around and walk back down the steps under the Canopy Walk to head back to Hort Park. Walking out of Kent Ridge Park any other way can be confusing if you’re from out of town.

What now?

Well, retrace your steps across Alexandra Arch, back through Telok Blangah Hill Park, across Henderson Waves into Mt Faber Park. Or, take any of the exit points from the Arch listed above. The cool thing about walking is that you can go anywhere you want. The great thing about the best one hour walks in Singapore is that you can’t really get lost!

MacRitchie Reservoir Trails

Getting there by MRT:

Sorry, not really feasible for Macritchie Reservoir. Best to get a taxi or Grab car. Main entrance is off Lornie Road.

Macritchie monkeys: T Jelsma

6. Chemperai Trail x Lornie Trail Loop

Difficulty: easy

This is an easy flat walk that goes along the water’s edge of the reservoir on a boardwalk built pretty much at water level in places. The boardwalk can be narrow in places. It’s about 1.5km long. Once you’ve reached the end take the inland route along the Lornie Trail back to your starting point. It’s about an hour loop. These two trails are only a small taste of the 20 km of trails that surround the reservoir, so there are plenty more places to explore.

7. Treetop Walk at MacRitchie

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Treetop walk at Macritchie Reservoir: T Jelsma

A lovely walk that takes 2-3 hours for a 6km loop. The highlight is the 250m suspension bridge. Start and finish points are from Venus Drive, and you will need to arrange your own transport. This is longer than the 1-1.5 hour walks I’m highlighting here, so for more info I recommend this pdf download from National Parks Singapore.

8. Bishan Park

Difficulty: easy

Getting there by MRT:

1. Bishan MRT Station (Circle line and North South line)
2. Take exit B (head towards taxi pickup)
3. Head right on Bishan Road. Walk about 500m. Cross the road into the park.

This is a popular park, with good reason. Wide paths everywhere. Lots to see and do, including exercise stations dotted throughout. This used to be my neighbourhood park and I miss it at times. The best time to walk Bishan Park is early morning, or in the evenings.

For an hour circuit, start your timer from Bishan MRT station, meander at will through the park and at the 30 min mark head back. There are a number of paths and bridges to cross. And yes, there is a McDonalds restaurant in the park too!

9. East Coast Park

Difficulty: easy

Once the Thomson-East MRT line (TEL) is completed, this park will be a lot more accessible by train. For now, this very popular park is best accessed by taxi or bus.

However, by train is possible. Currently, the closest stop is Mountbatten. It will be a 20 min walk before you hit the park proper.

Getting there by MRT:

Wharf at East Coast Park: T Jelsma

1. Alight at Mountbatten MRT Station (Circle line)
2. Take exit B
3. Walk down Mountbatten Road towards Fort Road.
4. Continue straight down Fort Road. You will pass construction of the MRT stop that will become the TEL Station called Katong Park.
5. Cross under the motorway and head to the trees on your left.
6. You’re now in East Coast Park.

There are wide paths travelling the length of the coast here. Walking paths and cycling paths are everywhere. There are plenty of facilities and restaurants dotted throughout the length of the park. Enjoy the sea breezes and wide open spaces.

10. Chinese Garden

Difficulty: easy

Getting there by MRT:

1. Alight at Chinese Gardens MRT Station (East-West line)
2. Take exit B
3. Walk five mins to the Garden

Bridge at the Chinese Garden: T Jelsma

This park is out west, which puts it out of the mind of locals and visitors alike. However, the Chinese Garden has lots of architectural landmarks to inspire you as you walk. The park opens at 5.30am and like all the parks and trails listed is free to enjoy. Cross the bridges, follow your nose and enjoy the fresh air and open spaces.

Get walking!

Other well known walks in Singapore include Bukit Timah Hill (the highest natural point in Singapore) and Bukit Batok. Lesser known walking trails include Sungei Buloh and the island of Pulau Ubin. Hopefully, this snapshot of my favourite walks will inspire you to put on your walking shoes and go explore!