Henderson Waves is the most photographed part of the Southern Ridges and the section people most often ruin by attempting the whole route with a five-year-old.
The Southern Ridges is about 10km linking Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill, HortPark and Kent Ridge. Do a section.
With children: park or get dropped at Telok Blangah Hill Park, walk to Henderson Waves, cross it, and come back. Twenty to forty minutes, mostly shaded, with the bridge as the payoff.
Henderson Waves itself
Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge, around 36 metres above Henderson Road, built as a series of curved timber ribs that form alcoves you can sit inside. Children treat the curves as things to climb, which is the appeal and the thing to keep an eye on.
- Very little shade on the bridge. The approach is shaded; the crossing isn’t.
- Best at sunset or early morning. Midday is unpleasant and the view is worse.
- It’s high. Hold hands with young children. The railings are safe, and the alcoves invite climbing.
- Lit at night, and an easy evening outing with older children.
Choosing a section
| Section | Suits |
|---|---|
| Telok Blangah Hill Park to Henderson Waves and back | The best short option with young children. Shaded approach, clear destination, easy to turn back. |
| Forest Walk (elevated walkway through secondary forest) | The most interesting stretch: you walk at canopy level. Longer, and there are stair sections, so check before committing with a pram. |
| HortPark to Alexandra Arch | Gentle and flat. HortPark itself has gardens, a playground and toilets, and works as a destination on its own with under-fives. |
| Mount Faber | Views and the cable car. Steep approach on foot. Most families arrive by car or taxi. |
| The full 10km | Older children and teenagers only, early in the day, with a plan for getting back from the far end. |
Practical
- Go before 9am or after 5pm. The middle of the day is hot and largely unshaded on the exposed sections.
- Water for everyone, with few refill points along the route.
- Toilets are at the parks, not along the walkways. Go before you start.
- Prams work on parts and not others. The Telok Blangah to Henderson Waves stretch is manageable; Forest Walk has steps in places. A carrier is the safer choice with a baby.
- One-way is easier than a loop. Walk a section and get a taxi back instead of doubling the distance.
- Insect repellent, as anywhere green here.
- It’s a real walk, not a stroll. There are slopes and steps, and distances between exit points are longer than the map suggests.
Making it work for children
- Give them a destination. “We’re walking to the wavy bridge” works far better than “we’re going for a walk”.
- Snacks at the top, as the reward for the uphill section.
- Let them set the pace and stop for things. Being outside is the aim, not the distance.
- Turn back early without treating it as a failure. Reaching the bridge and coming home is a complete outing.
- Combine with the cable car from Mount Faber for older children, which turns a walk into an event.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk the Southern Ridges with young children?
A section, yes. The full 10km is for older children and teenagers. With young children, walk from Telok Blangah Hill Park to Henderson Waves and back: twenty to forty minutes, mostly shaded, with a clear destination.
What’s the best time to visit Henderson Waves?
Sunset or early morning. There’s very little shade on the bridge itself, so midday is unpleasant, and the view is better at either end of the day. It’s lit at night and makes an easy evening outing with older children.
Is it pram-friendly?
Partly. The Telok Blangah to Henderson Waves stretch is manageable, but Forest Walk has stair sections. With a baby, a carrier is the safer choice.
Which section is most interesting?
Forest Walk, the elevated walkway through secondary forest, where you walk at canopy level. It’s longer and has steps, so it suits older children better.
What should we bring?
Water for everyone, since refill points are few; hats; insect repellent. Use the toilets at the parks before starting, as there are none along the walkways.
Is it safe for children on the bridge?
Yes, the railings are secure. But it’s 36 metres up and the curved alcoves invite climbing, so hold hands with young children.
What to remember
Don’t attempt the whole 10km. Telok Blangah Hill Park to Henderson Waves and back is the family version.
Go before 9am or after 5pm. The bridge itself has no shade.
Give them a destination rather than a walk, bring more water than you expect, and turn back early without calling it a failure.
Read next
- Nature reserves with children: heat, monkeys and which one to pick
- Family weekends in Singapore
- Rainy day activities for kids