As a naturalist, one of the things I love about Singapore is the fact that it’s filled with some of the most remarkable green spaces in the world. I always love exploring nature and being surrounded by greeneries that bring out the true beauty of the Garden City. 

Among the nature reserves I’ve seen, the two parks that captivated me the most are the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park. The parks feature lovely nature trails and, most importantly, Singapore’s highest peak!

In this guide, I will provide you with all the necessary details you need to know when you visit Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park. 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve & Hindhede Nature Park History

Both Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park have a rich history, which shows the efforts of countless conservationists to preserve the natural beauty of the land. 

Learn more about the history of Singapore’s oldest reserves and find out how they came to be. 

History of Bukit Timah

One of the things I love about Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is its history which is deeply rooted in Singapore’s development and conservation efforts. This park started as a mining area and later turned into one of the country’s most valued reserves. 

The name Bukit Timah can be translated as “Tin Hill”. This reserve got its name from the tin deposits discovered within its area in the 19th century.

It was also suggested that Bukit Timah was a corruption of the word Bukit Temak. Temak is a Malay term used for the Shorea trees, commonly found within the park area. 

Before Bukit Timah became a reserve, there was a point when the area was deforested rapidly enough that the colonial government was forced to put the Bukit Timah hill under protection for climactic purposes.  

Then colonial engineer, J.F.A McNair, recommended the formation of a forestry department to carry out the conservation of Singapore’s remaining forests in 1879. Sadly, his efforts were ignored. 

It was only in 1884 when Nathaniel Cantley, the former superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, pushed for the protection of the forests that Bukit Timah was declared a reserve. Even then, the reforestation efforts weren’t easy. 

Only 48 hectares of the land were replanted with trees and the reforestation efforts were met with mixed success. In 1931, the government proposed to abolish the forest reserve saying that it only generated a small income. 

Fortunately, the then-director of Botanic Gardens, Eric Holttum, proposed to preserve at least a portion of Bukit Timah. This small portion later came under the charge of the Botanic Gardens and was re-gazetted as a forest reserve in 1939. 

In 2019, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This highlights the forest’s exceptional ecological significance and integration of research conservation and sustainable development. 

History of Hindhede Nature Park 

Hindhede shares almost the same history as Bukit Timah since the two parks are located right next to each other. This area used to be a granite quarry where most of the materials for the reservoirs and waterworks in the region came from. 

In 1980, however, the quarry operations ceased and efforts were made to turn the abandoned mining site into a nature park. The aim was to restore Hindhede into a green space that the nearby community can enjoy. 

The construction and rehabilitation of Hindhede ended in 2001 which is also the same time that the park was officially opened to the public.  

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve & Hindhede Nature Park Location 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park are located directly across each other in Hindhede Dr, 589318, Singapore, which is in the Central Region of the country, about 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) from the city center. 

Bukit Timah encompasses the highest summit and slopes of the country while Hindhede Nature Park covers the Hindhede quarry. 

How to Get to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve & Hindhede Nature Park 

You can get to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Park by riding the MRT on the Downtown Line towards Beauty World. You can also ride bus lines 67, 75, 170, 171, 184, 852, and 961 and alight at stops 42109 or 42119.  

The estimated travel time from the city center to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is around 30 minutes by MRT or bus.

Opening Hours and Fees

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. All guests are free to enter without paying any fees. 

While the park is open from morning until the early hours of the night, I recommend visiting the park between 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The park has more visitors giving it a livelier atmosphere and the sun is still up to let you appreciate the view. 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park Facilities

The facilities you can find in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park include restrooms, vending machines, car parks, Visitor Center, a walkway, a picnic area, and a playground. 

Restrooms

The restroom in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is located near the Visitor Center and the Hilltop Loop. Meanwhile, the nearest restroom in Hindhede Nature Park is located at the  Recreation Center, which is about a 10-minute walk from the park entrance.

Vending Machines

You can find an array of vending machines in the Visitor Center near the car park and one more machine at the end of the main trail near the summit of Bukit Timah Hill. These machines offer a variety of drinks and snacks along with masks and bug spray. 

Car Parks

There are two car parks located in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve:

• Car park A is located at the entrance of the reserve, off Bukit Timah Road.
• Car park B is located at the Dairy Farm Nature Park, which is connected to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve by a walking trail.

Both car parks are open from 7 am to 7 pm daily. The parking fee is $3 per entry.

Please note that there is limited parking space at both car parks, so it is advisable to arrive early or to take public transport to the reserve.

Visitor Center 

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The Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your journey in Singapore’s largest and oldest nature reserve. This park features different exhibits informing you about the reserve’s geology, history, flora, and fauna. 

Personally, the trail information helped me pick the best trail to go for my hike so I recommend checking it out before you explore the reserve. If you want to relax first, you can also read the books and resources in the library inside the center. 

Vending machines and restrooms are also available inside the Visitor Center so you might want to take advantage of that before going straight to your hike. After all, it would be hard to find these facilities on the trails. 

Walkway 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve’s walkway is a long, elevated bridge that gives you the perfect view of the rainforest surrounding the area. The walkway is made up of sturdy wood panels that look gorgeous in photos but also provide steady support. 

The walkway is one of my personal favorites in the park. I love how it makes me feel close to nature since it takes me closer to the plants and animals living in Bukit Timah. 

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You can occasionally spot animals like birds, snakes, and even monkeys although I would suggest avoiding interaction with them. If you want to take a picture of the animals, make sure that you turn your flash off and you are a distance away. 

The monkeys have a bad habit of snatching small items like phones, earphones, candies, etc. Make sure that you have a secure hold of your essentials if ever you have an encounter with them. 

Picnic Area 

There is a large picnic area located near the summit of Bukit Timah. It is the perfect place to relax with your friends and family after a long hike. 

There are tables and benches available in the area, but you can also set up your picnic blankets on the lawn if you feel more comfortable that way. Just remember to pack up all your stuff and throw away all the rubbish after eating to keep the park clean. 

The Four Hiking Trails in Bukit Timah

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has four major hiking trails. These hiking trails are the main path, Tiup Tiup path, old railway station, and Quarry Loop. 

Bukit Timah Main Path Trail 

The main path is a 2.6 km trail that offers a moderately challenging route for hikers. This path is popular for those who want to enjoy light and easy hiking or walking. 

This path is the kind of trail that you can only enjoy with your friends and family. Guests are not allowed to bring their pets and you can’t ride your bike in the main trail. 

Tiup Tiup Path 

The Tiup Tiup path is a 4.2 km loop trail in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It can take up to 1 hour and 28 minutes to complete the hike on this trail due to the slopes and the rocky areas in the path. 

Old Railway Station

The old railway station path is a 2.4 km trail that is considered one of the easiest trails for walking and jogging in Bukit Timah.

Since the trail is covered in gravel, it is less slippery than the other nature trails, especially during the rainy season. The ground is also more leveled so it’s easier to jog here compared to the hill trails of the reserve. 

Quarry Loop 

The quarry loop covers both Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hindhede Nature Park. This path is over 5.8 km long and could take up to 2 hours to finish hiking around the whole trail. 

This is the perfect route for you if you want a long trail that doesn’t require much effort to hike. It also provides an amazing view of the old quarry that is now home to different species of animals like birds and turtles. 

Mountain Biking at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 

While not all trails of Bukit Timah are open for mountain bikes, there is a mountain bike trail called Double Diamond Trail that begins near the car park. It offers an exhilarating challenge for bikers with its rocky paths and high slopes.  

When riding your bike down the trail, be mindful of the animals that would often come barrelling in on the path. There are some wild boars in the area and it’s best to approach them with caution. 

Additionally, if you are a beginner, you should stick to the easier trails on the hill to avoid major accidents. Some trails can be extremely steep so you need to wear complete protective gear before you start your adventure. 

Where to Eat at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 

The nearest food centers and restaurants in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are located at Beauty World, the Rail Mall, and the Hillview. 

Beauty World Food Center

The food center in Beauty World might not be the fancy restaurant you’re looking for, but it’s home to some of the best hawkers in the area. Two of my favorite stores in the center are Ye Ri Xiang Xiao Chi and Satay Bee Hoon. 

Most stalls in Beauty World sell grilled meat, laksa, and other varieties of noodle soups. 

Green on Earth 

Green on Earth is the perfect restaurant if you’re looking for a light and healthy meal. This restaurant offers an array of delicious vegetable and fish-based dishes like this mouthwatering Hanging Grilled Fish that I got for only $25. 

I also love the ambiance of this restaurant since it is spacious, quiet, and clean. It offers a relaxing place for you to enjoy your meal after a long day on the trail. 

Hitoyoshi Yakiniku & Mart 

Hotoyoshi Yakiniku is the ideal restaurant for you to visit if you and your friends want to end your hike grilling meat and drinking your choice of alcohol. This Yakiniku place offers a buffet of high-class meats like the Miyazaki Gyuu beef. 

Once you enter this restaurant, the staff will lead you to a table with a grill and exhaust pipe. Your meat orders will be served raw so you can grill them yourself. 

You also have a wide choice of side dishes and dips for grilled meat. As for the drinks, you can order juice, water, or alcoholic drinks. 

The restaurant is connected to a mini-mart that offers a selection of light snacks that you can eat along with your main dish.  

Tips for Visiting 

To make the most out of your trip to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, here are a couple of tips that you need to keep in mind: 

1. Always bring lots of water.
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. As much as possible, opt for clothes that cover your whole body to avoid contact with plants or insects that can trigger a negative reaction. 
3. Bring a bug spray or a repellant and lather it on your body before going on a hike. There are plenty of mosquitos and bugs in the area. 
4. Keep someone informed of your location if you intend to hike alone. 
5. Avoid interacting with the animals. 
6. Keep all your valuables close. 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity and a vital part of Singapore’s natural heritage. It’s home to a wide variety of floras and faunas, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. 

The reserve also plays an important role in regulating the climate and providing a green lung for the city. It’s a must-see sight for anyone who loves the view of undisturbed forests.