Many make the trek along the Southern Ridges, the 10 km trail that stretches from Kent Ridge Park to Mount Faber. The well-marked route is highly popular and brings trekkers past landmarks such as the Alexandra Arch and Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge, Henderson Waves. Yet, if you simply power your way through the route, there are sights along the Southern Ridges that you may easily miss.
Here are five easily-missed sights along the Southern Ridges that you may wish to pause or make a short detour for.
Easily-Missed Sights Along the Southern Ridges
#1. Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Kent Ridge Park is one of the starting points of the Southern Ridges trek. While it is a tranquil green park today, it was also the site of one of the fiercest battles that took place during the Battle of Singapore.
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From the Canopy Walk – an elevated boardwalk that leads from Kent Ridge Park to HortPark – you can pay a visit to Reflections at Bukit Chandu. This World War II interpretive centre provides an overview of the events leading up to the fall of Singapore. It also humanises the war by providing personal accounts of the valiant actions of the Malay Regiment that defended present-day Kent Ridge Park.
#2. Native Garden and Mangrove at HortPark
HortPark is known as a gardening hub. Within HortPark are various plots that showcase different styles of gardens which those making the Southern Ridges trek are sure to spot of these as they pass by.
However, one of our favourite spots in HortPark is a bit off-the-main-path. The Native Garden is an area within HortPark that showcases local flora. This area of the park includes a quaint little stream which flows down to a Mangrove area – a nice place to explore while out on your walk along the Southern Ridges.
#3. The Real Forest Walk
Most people trekking along the Southern Ridges would know the Forest Walk as the 1.3 km elevated metal bridge that connects Alexandra Arch to Telok Blangah Hill Park.
However, for an experience much closer to nature, you can descend down from the elevated walkway and take the ground level path that runs beneath it. Known as the Earth Trail, this trek through secondary forest will have you feeling like you have stepped into Little Red Riding Hood’s woods. Watch out for the Big Bad Wolf!
#4. Terrace Garden, Telok Blangah Park
If you are hiking along the Southern Ridges and trying to cross from the Forest Walk to Henderson Waves, it is easy to miss Telok Blangah Park’s Terrace Garden. This scenic lookout point is sited along one of the peaks of Telok Blangah Hill Park.
Most people who are hiking the Southern Ridges simply walk past it as they trudge along the road from one end of the park to the other. Instead, look out for the flight of brick stairs close to the Forest Walk to get to this easily-missed sight along the Southern Ridges.
Here, you will find semi-circular terraces with beautiful bougainvillaeas bursting of colour. Those who make it to the top of the terraces will be rewarded with a view of the Singapore CBD in the distance and the waters of Keppel Harbour closer-by.
Stop by the park’s Therapeutic Garden too.
#5. Murals at Mount Faber
Mount Faber is a “terminal” of the Southern Ridges walk. One of Mount Faber’s peaks, Faber Point, is a popular spot for tour groups. You will find hordes of tourists coming and going, inspecting the splendid views Faber Point provides and the miniature Merlion that people love taking pictures with.
However, less visited is the copper-tooled mural wall just below Faber Point. This easily-missed sight along the Southern Ridges tells the story of Singapore from the days of Temasek to the present day. It makes a nice spot to end off your trek along the Southern Ridges of Singapore.
