In Touch With Nature -- The Southern Ridges (Part 1)

Introduction:

The Southern Ridges comprise a 9-kilometre chain of green, open spaces spanning the rolling hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Park.

It is an area steeped in history and is home to some of nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna. It is also one of the best spots in Singapore to catch panoramic views of the city, harbour and the Southern Islands.

Last saturday, I decided to get in touch with nature and to visit the Southern Ridges as it is near my home. Putting on my sports attire and bringing my camera along, I then took a walk from my home at Telok Blangah Drive to the Alexandra Arch Bridge, the midpoint of my two-part journey. I read from the papers that it is advisable to visit this new attraction on separate days instead of just cramping everything in a single day.

In this first part of my journey to the Southern Ridges, I will start to trek along the Forest Walk all the way to Harbourfront MRT Station. Along the journey itself, I will be passing by prominent spots like the Henderson Waves, which is Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge and Mount Faber Park, one of the oldest parks in Singapore.

Are you ready to join me on this adventure?

Map of the Southern Ridges

Alexandra Arch - the midpoint of my 2-part journey of the Southern Ridges

Forest Walk. The raised walkway with heights ranging from 3 to 18 metres brushes the canopy of trees and offers a bird’s eye view of the forest. The modules of the elevated walkway derived their design from the triangular-shaped leaves of the fast-growing “Mile-a-Minute” plant. The ground level earth trails offer a more rugged experience, bringing you closer to the wildlife found in the area.

Look what I have spotted, its a durain tree

Photos from the trek along Forest Walk

Telok Blangah Hill Park. On the extreme left of the picture is the path leading to Henderson Waves

Henderson Waves. Does the structure of the bridge looks like waves from the sea?

Panoramic view of the greenery

Telok Blangah housing estates

Perfect spot to rest those arching legs

Can you spot those skyscrapers?

Beautiful shot

The jewel box at Mount Faber Park

Sentosa. The construction site is for the upcoming integrated resort

Carribean, living by the sea

Mount Faber cable car station

The souvenoir shop

Sky dinning inside the cable car

Steps leading to the Marang trail

Winding steps. The Marang trail covers an elevation of 70 metres (or the equivalent of a 24-storey building).

The path leading to Harbourfront MRT station

Just walk along the white pavement

Harbourfront MRT station (Exit D)

Part 2 of the Southern Ridges trip will be coming soon..... Cheers!

Getting there:

Marang Trail:
By MRT: alight at Harbourfront station Exit D
By Bus: take bus service number 10, 30, 57, 61, 65, 80, 93, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 161, 300, 646 or 855 alight at bus stop in front of Seah Im Food Center at Telok Blangah Road
By Car: Carpark is available at Seah Im Food Center

Henderson Waves:
By Bus: take bus service number 131, 145, 176 or 648 alight at bus stop along Henderson Road, take the staircase up to Mount Faber Park.
By Car: Parking is available at Mount Faber Carpark D (17 lots) and Telok Blangah Hill Park Carpark 1 (17 lots) & Carpark 2 (total 39 lots)

Forest Walk:
By Bus: take bus service number 51, 61, 93, 97, 100, 166 or 963 and alight at bus stop along Alexandra Road (junction of Hyderabab Road)
By Car: Parking is available at HortPark-the gardening hub (155 lots) or Telok Blangah Hill Park Carpark 2 (39 lots) & Carpark 3 (8 lots)