By The Diary desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
MacRitchie Reservoir (the gateway to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve) and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are Singapore’s two great forest walks, and both are free. Trails open 7am to 7pm. The TreeTop Walk, a 250m freestanding suspension bridge through the rainforest canopy, keeps shorter hours: closed on Mondays (except public holidays), 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 8.30am to 5pm on weekends and public holidays, last entry 4.45pm. From MacRitchie, NParks puts the TreeTop Walk route at 10.3km; from Windsor Nature Park it is about 7km there and back, or three to four hours. Bukit Timah’s 163m summit, Singapore’s highest natural point, is 1.2km from the visitor centre by the most direct route.
Pick the right trail for your legs and your morning, and either reserve makes a wonderful half-day. Here is how they compare.
Quick facts
- Both reserves: free entry, trails open 7am to 7pm.
- TreeTop Walk: closed Mondays (except public holidays); one-way flow on the bridge.
- Nearest MRT for MacRitchie: Caldecott, Marymount or Upper Thomson; for Bukit Timah: Beauty World.
- No pets in either nature reserve, and no bicycles or personal mobility devices on Central Catchment trails.
- Current closures (as of October 2026): Casuarina Entrance and Cyathea boardwalk until March 2027; the Golf Link section since 25 September 2026.
- NParks has also flagged works at the Bukit Timah summit area; check its notice before going.
Which MacRitchie trail should you pick?
NParks lists these routes starting from MacRitchie Reservoir Park. Distances are the totals it publishes for each route.
| Route from MacRitchie | Distance | Difficulty | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prunus Trail | 3km | Easy | A first forest walk, families |
| Chemperai and Jering boardwalks | 4.8km | Easy | Reservoir views, flat going |
| Sime Track route | 9.5km | Difficult | Fitter walkers |
| TreeTop Walk route | 10.3km | Moderate to difficult | The canopy bridge |
| Full circuit via Jelutong Tower | 11km | Moderate | A long morning loop |
For a shorter TreeTop Walk outing, start at Windsor Nature Park (buses stop at Flame Tree Park). NParks warns that the trail is undulating with steep sections and is not recommended for young children, pregnant women, people with heart conditions or a fear of heights. On the bridge, walk in one direction only, and do not run or jump.
How do you climb Bukit Timah?
Four numbered routes start at the visitor centre. Routes 1, 3 and 4 reach the summit; Route 2 goes to the Telecomm Tower.
| Route | Distance | Difficulty | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 1 | 1.2km | Moderate | Most direct summit route, on the main road (steep) |
| Route 2 | 0.8km | Moderate | Path to the Telecomm Tower |
| Route 3 | 1.8km | Difficult | Summit via South View Path and Cave Path |
| Route 4 | 3km | Difficult | Summit plus a Dairy Farm loop |
| Wallace Trail (Dairy Farm Nature Park) | 2.2km one way | Easy | A gentle alternative nearby |
Bukit Timah has a car park with 83 car lots, 10 motorcycle lots and 2 accessible lots, and parking fees apply. Beauty World MRT is the nearest station.
When is the best time to go?
- Go at 7am. It is coolest, the forest is liveliest with birds, and you finish before the midday heat.
- Choose a weekday if you can; weekend mornings are busy on the Bukit Timah summit routes.
- Time the TreeTop Walk so you reach the bridge after it opens (9am on weekdays, 8.30am at weekends) and before last entry at 4.45pm. Not on a Monday.
- Watch the sky. Afternoon thunderstorms are common; staff will ask you to leave the bridge in lightning or heavy rain. Our weather by month guide helps you plan.
- Carry water and wear proper shoes. There are no shops on the trails once you are in.
What are the rules?
Both are protected nature reserves. Pets are not allowed, Central Catchment bans bicycles, skateboards and personal mobility devices on its trails, and you should stay on marked paths, take nothing and feed no animals. The macaques at MacRitchie are bold around food and plastic bags, so keep snacks zipped away. Our guides to nature reserve rules and fines and meeting wildlife cover the details.
The WahLiao Verdict
For a first visit, do the TreeTop Walk from Windsor Nature Park on a Tuesday-to-Friday morning: about 7km, three to four hours, and that unforgettable bridge. Short of time? Bukit Timah’s Route 1 gets you to Singapore’s highest natural point in 1.2km, steep but quick. Start at 7am, check NParks for closures the night before, leave the dog at home, and turn back if thunder rolls in. The forest will still be there next weekend.
Questions people ask
Do I need to pay or book for the TreeTop Walk?
NParks lists the TreeTop Walk as free of charge. Arrive within opening hours, and not on a Monday unless it is a public holiday. Groups planning an organised visit should check NParks’ page for any group requirements.
Can I bring children?
Yes, but pick the trail to suit. The Prunus Trail and the boardwalks are easy; NParks does not recommend the TreeTop Walk trail for young children because of its steep, uneven ground.
Can I cycle at Bukit Timah?
Not on the hiking routes inside the reserve. NParks points mountain bikers to designated trails nearby and publishes mountain biking etiquette; check its page for which trails are open.
Is MacRitchie part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve?
Yes. NParks treats MacRitchie Reservoir Park as one of the ways into the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, alongside Windsor Nature Park, so the reserve’s rules and hours apply once you are on the trails.
Sources: NParks, Central Catchment Nature Reserve visitor information and closures; NParks, trails and TreeTop Walk hours; NParks, TreeTop Walk e-guide; NParks, Bukit Timah routes. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Nature Reserve Rules in Singapore: What’s Not Allowed, and the Fines · Park Connectors in Singapore · Back to The Diary
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