Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves

The Southern Ridges is the best urban walk in Singapore, a chain of green hills along the south of the island connected by bridges and walkways so you can hike above the city and the forest for around ten kilometres. It links Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve, and you can walk any section you like. The star is Henderson Waves, which NParks calls the tallest pedestrian bridge in Singapore: a 274-metre wooden deck that rises and falls in seven sweeping steel-ribbed curves, each forming a sheltered alcove with benches, high above Henderson Road and the treetops. It links Mount Faber to Telok Blangah Hill, and at night its curves are lit with LEDs from 7pm to 2am. Beyond it, the Forest Walk is an elevated steel walkway that weaves through the canopy of secondary forest on Telok Blangah Hill, where you are as likely to see colourful birds, squirrels and monitor lizards as other walkers. Next comes the leaf-shaped Alexandra Arch, a striking bridge that leads to HortPark, a free gardening park with themed gardens and a cafe, and then the Canopy Walk towards Kent Ridge Park, whose hilltop has views over the southern islands and the port. The whole walk is free, mostly shaded and well signed, with frequent exits to roads and buses, so you can do a short stretch or the full traverse. For most visitors, the classic section is Mount Faber to Henderson Waves and on through the Forest Walk to HortPark: about four kilometres, two hours at a gentle pace, and a completely different side of the city.

The best way to do it is from east to west, starting high. Take a taxi to Mount Faber Peak, or ride the cable car up from HarbourFront, enjoy the view over the harbour and Sentosa, then walk downhill along Marang Trail or the park paths to Henderson Waves. Cross the bridge, continue through Telok Blangah Hill Park and its Terrace Garden, take the Forest Walk through the canopy, cross Alexandra Arch and finish at HortPark, where buses and taxis are close to Labrador Park MRT. If you have energy left, continue on the Canopy Walk to Kent Ridge Park. Alternatively, start from HarbourFront MRT and climb Mount Faber on foot through the forest, which adds about half an hour of uphill effort.

Timing matters in the tropics. Early morning is coolest and the forest is liveliest with birds. Late afternoon is the favourite with locals: start around 4.30pm and you will reach Henderson Waves for sunset and walk back as the bridge lights come on. Avoid midday. Bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent, wear proper shoes (there are stairs and some steep sections) and carry a light rain layer, as storms build quickly in the afternoon. Toilets and drinks are available at Mount Faber Peak and HortPark, and less often in between.

The walk suits fit families with school-age children and anyone who wants green space without leaving the city; the elevated walkways are fun for kids, though some sections have stairs that make prams hard work. It pairs neatly with the cable car to Sentosa from Mount Faber or HarbourFront, and with dinner at VivoCity or the Sentosa beaches. For couples, the sunset on Henderson Waves is one of the most romantic free experiences in Singapore.