Rifle Range Nature Park, the large nature park be found at the southern end of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, offers nature lovers a chance to take a walk along hiking trails and pay a visit the former Sin Seng Quarry, now a Quarry Wetland.
Rifle Range Nature Park was opened on 12 November 2022 by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, hosted by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.
Rifle Range Nature Park: Outdoor Exploration for Nature Lovers
Rifle Range Nature Park was first announced back in 2017. With its opening in 2022, the large, 66-hectare park provides a new spot for outdoor hikers and nature enthusiasts to explore.
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It also acts as a buffer park to reduce the pressure on the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Over 400 species of flora and 300 species of fauna have been recorded at Rifle Range Nature Park. These include rare mammals like the Critically Endangered Leopard Cat and the Lesser Mousedeer.
What to Expect at Rifle Range Nature Park
Rifle Range Nature Park has numerous walking trails and multiple entrances. The visitor centre is the nucleus of the park. It is also where there are amenities such as rest rooms and a drink vending machine.
From the visitor centre, the walking trails brunch out in multiple directions.
Quarry Wetland
A highlight of Rifle Range Nature Park is the former Sin Seng Quarry, now converted to a scenic Quarry Wetland.
The granite quarry was once 55 metre deep, one of the deep quarries in Singapore. It has been turned into a freshwater habitat for animals like the Scarlet Skimmer and Common Kingfisher.
The quarry is now a idillic spot where visitors can visit to look out for marsh birds. A Bird Hide provides a quiet spot to observe the birds or simply to enjoy the view.
Rifle Range Nature Park’s Quarry Wetland can be reached via a 700 metre boardwalk, the Gliders Boardwalk, from the Visitor’s Centre.
The boardwalk makes the quarry accessible even for those in wheelchairs and for parents with prams.
Colugo Trail and Colugo Deck
Want an even better view?
Take the walking trail that lead up to the top of the quarry, through the secondary forest.
There is even a choice of paths available, hard and moderate.
At the top is a viewing deck known as the Colugo Deck, with a stunning view of the Quarry Wetland from above.
Located 31 metres above, the Colugo Deck is as tall as a 10-storey building and one of Singapore’s tallest viewing points in the nature parks. The design of the viewing deck has been inspired by the Malayan Colugo with its limbs outstretched and in flight.
Forest Exploration Trail
Young children and families will appreciate the Forest Exploration Trail.
This located along the boardwalk between the Visitor’s Centre and the Quarry Wetland.
Kids can put their balancing and climbing skills to the test on log trails as well as a boulder pile, the latter is a fitting tribute to Rifle Range Nature Park’s former life as a granite quarry.
Another tribute to the quarry is a rock-sorting display that provides a way for kids to learn about quarrying operations. You can have a look at four different processes involved in sorting rocks.
There are also miniature colugo poles and rope bridges that show children the measures which NParks has put in place around the park to allow wildlife to navigate in a safer way around.
Bayan and Gaharu Trails
Those looking for a more rustic hiking experience can head out along the Banyan and Gaharu Trails.
These lie beyond the quarry wetland.
One of the highlights along the Banyan Trail is a small stream crossing.
The walking trails stretch out all the way till Jalan Kampong Chantek.
Rambai Boardwalk: Beauty World to Rifle Range
Rifle Range Nature Park can be reached on foot via the Rambai Boardwalk that connects to Beauty World. This elevated walkway takes visitors into the park with a view of the secondary forest’s canopy layer.
Senapang Trail and Hindhede Link
Yet another trail that you can explore is the one that links the visitor centre to Hindhede Drive. This was previously the old Kampong Trail back in the day. Now it is a pleasant walk that you can take at Rifle Range Nature Park.
Rifle Range Nature Park and the Visitor Centre
Besides the foot bridge, Rifle Range Nature Park and its Visitor’s Centre can also be reached by Rifle Range Road. There is a small car park at the Visitor’s Centre. An alternative parking location is at Temasek Club, a short walk away.
An interesting bit of trivia is that the Visitor Centre has been designed to look like the baffles that were used to stop stray bullet in the old rifle ranges.
There are also other entrances from Hindhede Road, which is close to the Rail Corridor, and Jalan Kampong Chantek. It also makes a nice spot to visit if you are doing the Cross Central Catchment Area walk or if you are looking for a side trip from the Rail Corridor.
Do also keep a look out for the animal crossing nets across Rifle Range Road.
And the mural that you will find on the way in along Rifle Range Road.
Rifle Range Nature Park: How To Get There From Beauty World MRT
If you are taking MRT to Rifle Range Nature, it is easy to get there from Beauty World MRT.
Once you arrive at Beauty World MRT, take Exit A. Then head to Beauty World Centre (the one with the McDonald’s) and make your way up to Level 4.
There is an overhead bridge that connects directly from Beauty World Centre to Rifle Range Nature Park.
Rifle Range Nature Park is open from 7 am to 7 pm.
While are you in the area, you may also wish to pay a visit to the bird murals under the Anak Bukit Viaduct.
