Southern Ridges Walk ....

Did another walk this weekend and for several reasons. Firstly, to make myself feel better about overeating earlier this week and also in preparation for some meet up with friends next week. Secondly, was curious about the Southern Ridges Walk cuz heard friends talking about how the walks can be pretty cool. The Southern Ridges comprise a 9-kilometre chain of green, open spaces spanning the rolling hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Park. But take note that 9-kilometre here refers to the map distance without taking into consideration the elevation. I am a little irked that I didn't do the Southern Ridges 100% but left out the West Coast Park (which will take you through Clementi Woods and NUS) but I will live with that *laughs*.

As you do the walk, you will also come across two connections - Alexandra Arch and Henderson Waves. And you'll love the great views you will get with this walk (assuming the weather is good). Two places to start your research if you're interested to find out more about these walks. First would be the people who are responsible for these walks - National Parks and you can head to the NPark website for more information. It's always good to read up and be prepared for what you will see. The other website is the Singapore Tourism Board 'Uniquely Singapore' website. As I was planning for this walk, I reached a point where I knew what were the walks available but I was a little apprehensive because I am pretty sure the walks won't be as simple as described on the two websites. So I was thankful just a few days ago, I came across Dead Poet's Cave Visual Guide to the Southern Ridges. Had instructions/information of things to look out for which I took down and brought along with me together with an A3 size colour print out of the map (you can download this from the STB website) and those instructions/information came in real handy so a must read before you go for the walk! Thanks heaps!

We started out early and decided to start from Kent Ridge Park and walk towards Harbour Front which makes perfect sense for several reasons. More downhill than uphill stretches was my KEY consideration. And the other reason is ending at Vivocity, gives one opportunity to treat oneself to the many yummy food available there. So pretty easy decision to make. Because it's not a loop walk, driving was out of the question. We started at Kent Ridge Park (get to Carpark B which is closest to the Canopy Walk). There are directional signs around so look out for that. We were there about 5 minutes before 7am (was aiming earlier but got up a lil late and had to fix breakfast so got there a lil later). It's good to start early cuz it can get pretty hot after a while.

And there is no way you can miss this tank that will greet you when you get to Car Park B. If you take a bus, you will have to stop along South Buona Vista Road and it's quite a long walk up.

Take time to enjoy the view from that height. It was pretty early so it wasn't as clear but the sight was still awesome for us. Very different perspective of Singapore from up there.

These are the signs that you want to check as you go on your path. They can be found along most of the route that you will take. At certain points, the paths may split and you have options (usually one is longer than the other but may offer better view) but it will ultimately join back to one path.

The photograph below shows a short path that you will take that will lead you to the Canopy Walk. Very pleasant walk as its shaded and enjoy the sounds of nature around you ...

And lots of these directions on the path (they really tried to make it as easy as possible) so just look out for them ya.

Here I am at the start of the Canopy Walk (proof that I actually went for the walk! *laughs). It's wooden boardwalk throughout. Don't forget to spray on insect repellant before you start. Lots of mozzies around and I think I was breakfast for a couple of them. There are also signs along the walk to point out to interesting trees if you're interested.

We saw the sun rising and it was awesome. Zoomed in and captured the shot below. Hardly get to see the sun rise so that was a nice treat!

Another picture of the canopy walk. It took us easily about 20 minutes to complete the walk and it really depends on your pace. We weren't in a hurry and had many photo stops so naturally we took longer.

When we reached the end of the Canopy Walk, that was when it got tricky. To the left was a road (which I later learnt was Pepys Road) and to the right, you see the residential homes The Peak as seen below. No clear direction signage here so we took the road downhill and walked for about 15 minutes. I was thinking to myself that that stretch was too good to be true because it was downhill all the way. Until we reached the end of Pepys Road and hit the main road - Pasir Panjang Road. Then we realised that we took the wrong turn, and yes, had to turn back UPHILL!! It was too soon to give up so we traced back our steps to where the canopy walk ended. Take note this is what you need to do. You need to turn left towards The Peaks.

Look for a board with the map of the Southern Ridges. Look for steps that will take you downslope (see photo below) and THAT is the path you want to take. That was the path we took and it took us to the Hort Park.

The photograph below shows the Canopy Walk from below. Pretty awesome how high the walk was.

And this is winding path that you need to take that will lead you to the heart of Hort Park, an area devoted to the horticultural industry in Singapore.

At the Hort Park, that stretch of the walk is aptly name the Flora Walk because we had opportunities to see flowers in bloom. I suppose it depends on which part of the year you're walking, you'll get to see different things.

Here is one example of a pretty flower that I saw. Tried to blow the insects off the flower before taking a shot but guess they couldn't be bothered to wait until I finished my shot before returning to the flower *grins*

We also saw lots of birds having something sweet for their breakfast. Yummy!

In land scarce Singapore, the Hort Park is a great place to bring the kids and let them run without worry about traffic. And surrounded with all the greenery, and sections of the park dedicated to kids, great way to tire them out too! So if you have not brought your kids there, go ahead and plan a Sunday to do so. There is also the Hort Park Centre where you get a whole view of the park - lovely place for breakfast. But just be prepared that lots of other people will have the same idea and you got to be lucky enough to get a seat...

It's a shame that all roads in Singapore aren't as creative and fun as the Alexandra Arch. For somebody who hates going up them overhead bridges, I sure didn't mind going up this one. This is one of the two connectors that you will come across during the walk. And just note that after Hort Park, you will find more people along the way .... which ended up to be rather frustrating and I will tell you why soon enough *grins*.

From the Alexandra Arch, it led us to the Forest Walk, which is a step-free ramp that takes you through the forest from the canopy level. What was frustrating here is that you will have throngs of people going for this and they have no respect whatsoever that they are amidst nature and they are people who are there to get away from the noise that prevails in most part of Singapore. Because it's naturally quiet, there will be those who take it as permission to speak even louder without realising how the noise gets carried and you can pretty much follow the threads of conversation taking place. Then there is another group of young adults/older teens who are there with their handphones with the music blasting out loud *sighs* Why come for this when you should be at some fast food joint with your loud music and loud chatting. Very very frustrating!!!

And I realised that it was futile trying to give them irritated looks cuz my looks were just lost on them *shakes head* So decided instead to take deep breaths in and made a note to self to share this story when am back to work to my young charges! Hopefully there are still some from our younger generation that can be saved *laughs*. And I guess when their parents behave in such inconsiderate manner, the kids follow suit.

When you look down, you can see the Earth Trail (see photograph below) that you can go on - just look out for exist stairs that will take you to these trails. We pretty much stayed on the ramp throughout the Forest Walk.

Thanks to the signs scattered throughout the walk, you'll learn more about the trees in the area. Too bad the bananas on the tree wasn't ripe but I can just imagine how sweet they will be when grown in the 'wild' like this! Also this area seems to be the playground for squirrels. Saw one happily feasting on rambutans on a tree - very cool!

Last shot of the Forest Walk and you can see how the ramps wind quite a bit. Whole idea is to walk leisurely and not rush through it ...

After we reached the end of the Forest Walk, we came out to Car Park 3. Lots of sheltered area for rest stops. Here is where the path separates and you can choose which path to take. We turned to the right and detoured up (small uphill path on the left) the Garden Terrace for another awesome view from the top. We walked down and continued downhill. There was a group of people making a lot of noise and one guy screaming 'Squirrel! Squirrel!' as he pointed to several squirrels on the tree for his groupie to look at. It probably didn't occur to him that he was not helping, instead scaring the lil fellas away with all the noise. And they were all surprised when the squirrels hopped away *sighs*

As part of the Hilltop Walk, we took the path above that took us through a short walk through the forest and when we got to the top, it led to another connector, the Henderson Waves which was built across the main roads. We actually stopped for a breakfast break there before walking on the waves ....

It's pretty cool how the waves look like and they serve as shelters for people. It's high enough that you are not affected by any fumes from the cars below and the concave 'waves' serve as shelters. Lots of people just sitting around, having breakfast picnics. Saw another elderly couple snoozing some. Looks like a place for people to just hang out.

As you walk, look down too cuz the height is indicated on the boards. At midpoint of the waves, it was about 65.74m above sea level but that is not the heightest point.

I was pretty glad we were at the Henderson Waves because it meant that we were half way done for the Southern Ridges walk. Yay!!

After the Henderson Waves, it's on to the Faber Walk which is an uphill stretch but if you pace yourself slowly and stop occasionally to enjoy the view, it wasn't too bad. I wasn't huffing and puffing like I was last weekend going up Bukit Peirce to reach the HSBC Tree Top Walk *grins*.

I started smiling when I hit the Jewel Box cuz I knew things were going downhill hence forth *laughs* It was a nice spot to enjoy the breeze as you watch the cable cars go by. And also, perfect timing for .... a toilet break! Go ahead and use the toilets. The staff will thank you afters (I am NOT kidding, I asked for directions to the ladies and when I came back down afters, she happily said 'Thank you Mam!'. I was like err, okay...

Walk down and after you pass the lookout point, you will get to the Marang Trail. More smiles as it's steps doing down. Saw some people huffing and puffing up the stairs and again, I was glad we were headed towards Vivocity instead of going the other direction for the Southern Ridges Walk.

The Marang Trail is a nature trail that consists of part wooden steps and some sections of the steps had gravels and pebbles. That was when I felt my ankles hurting cuz I didn't have very good support from my shoes. But the trail wasn't too long so it was bearable and my feet didn't hurt as they did last weekend.

Oh yes, at the start of the trail, there is this sign (see photograph below). I am not sure how to lookout for falling branches but I took note to Take Care yes...

Take time to enjoy the greenery of this trail and you'll see some lovely old colonial bungalows too along the way.

Here's the last look of the Marang Trail (photograph below) before we headed to Vivocity Kopitiam for some cold drinks and chilled fruits! Definitely nice treat after the walk. And yes, I remembered to do a proper stretch afters to prevent the pain that I felt last weekend. So far, it seemed to help some.

If you're wondering how long we took ... we finished the Southern Ridges in 3 hours plus an additional 30 minutes of the detour when we took the wrong turn. So not too bad ya. Done by 10.30am. Enough time to go shopping or catch a movie at Vivocity afters (just clean up at the loo there - bring along a clean t-shirt to change so that you'll be more comfy). Day just started and who would have guessed that you did a whole 3 hour walk in the morning *grins*

Another walk down, and I am going to start researching for the next walk to do. If you have any suggestions, am open to new walks around the island. For another considering this walk, go for it. I am not fit at all and actually found this walk pretty enjoyable (and manageable). Just got to have an early start, bring along lots of water, proper shoes, snacks, cap and brollie/poncho (in case of wet weather). Good luck! :o)