Looking for a place for your next family outing? Why not take them to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for the best outdoor experience! Be one with nature and enjoy some leisure hiking or biking with the entire family.
Home to many other smaller parks and kid-friendly trails, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the place to be for a day full of fun nature activities with the kiddos.
Not only is it one of the oldest parks in the little red dot, it also holds the title for the highest point in Singapore!
Image source: Visiting Singapore website
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Important Details You Should Know
Opening hours
Open daily from 7am to 7pm
Location
77 Hindhede Drive, Singapore 589333
Before you visit the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, you can first check safedistparks.nparks.gov.sg to ensure your family’s safety by avoiding crowds. If you’re planning to go on a weekend, be ready for it to get crowded in the middle of the day.
Better keep the puppies at home, because no pets are allowed at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Keep in mind that the place is also a smoke-free area.
For parents bringing along their little tots, you should also take note that there are no changing tables in the bathrooms within the visitor centre. But other than that, their restroom facilities are fairly nice and clean.
While there are no restaurants within the reserve, you will still find plenty of vending machines to get some snacks and drinks.
There are also face masks and cans of bug spray available here. You can also choose to bring your own food and set out a picnic around the area.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: How To Get There
Getting there by bus
There are multiple bus lines that you can take that stop right near Upper Bukit Timah Road and Jalan Anak Bukit. Bus stops 42109 and 42119 are the closest to the visitor centre at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
To get there, many buses are available including 67, 75, 170, 171, 184, 852 and 961.
Getting there by MRT
You can also choose to ride the MRT to arrive at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The closest MRT Stop in the area is Beauty World on the Downtown Line.
You can take Exit A and in about a 10-minute, you would have already reached the visitor centre!
Getting there by car
There is a large carpark at the Nature Reserve, and you can also check safedistparks.nparks.gov.sg whether it is open with available spaces.
Visitors should be informed that the carpark may be closed to allow safe distancing. But you can always check the site for any updates before you kickstart your trip.
Image source: Visiting Singapore website
Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails Around Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
There are many trails to trek through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and a lot of them are easy to follow since they have been revamped with new steps, boardwalks and rope railings.
According to the map provided by NParks, all these trails range between easy, moderate, and difficult.
But of course, since you will be bringing the kids along, it’s best to stick to the easy ones so that everyone can enjoy the hike. Save the Yellow Dairy Farm loop trail for later and stroll along these paths instead!
This neighbouring park holds beautiful views and an easy hiking trail to follow that your kiddo’s little legs will be able to handle.
The Wallace Trail, in particular, provides an easy yet exciting trekking trail for you and the kids to explore the little jungle within the park.
Avoid the steep slopes Bukit Timah Hill and bring the kids along instead to Hindhese Nature Park that has easy trails and well-defined footpaths to stroll through.
The kids will also be excited to see the playground structures located right at the bottom of the hill next to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre.
This is said to be the easiest trail to follow at the reserve which leads to the summit. The Red Trail is only 1.3km long, which is enough for the kids to be exposed to the wildlife and rich ecosystem the area has to offer.
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The main road up to Bukit Timah Hill
If you planned to visit the reserve for the exact reason of climbing up Bukit Timah Hill, then you can also take the most direct route of the main paved road.
This is 1.3km and will take around 30 to 45 minutes on foot which is perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll with the entire family.
Image source: iStock
Cycling Route At Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Families who want to explore Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on wheels rather than on foot can follow the Mountain Bike Trail. Not only is it the oldest mountain biking trail in Singapore, but it is also one of the best ways to see most of the forested areas as it snakes through the reserve.
This biking route is 7km and is quite an intense trail. So if you’re a beginner, perhaps you can try something another route. Visitors are also reminded that this trail is only for mountain bikes so best not to stroll your way through here. Hikers will be even fined $200 if caught.
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