Singapore doesn’t always come to mind when you think “forest walk.” Skyscrapers, sure. Hawker stalls, definitely. But hidden among the steel and glass, the city hides a green artery called the Southern Ridges, and right in the middle of it is the Forest Walk. A suspended walkway that lets you wander above the treetops while the city hums quietly just beyond view.
The Forest Walk itself is about 1.3 kilometres long, a sleek elevated steel path that winds through secondary forest between Telok Blangah Hill Park and Alexandra Arch. It’s high enough—sometimes 18 metres above ground—to give you that feeling of walking through the canopy, but wide and steady enough that even the most height-sensitive travellers usually settle in after a few steps. There’s no wobble here. Just the steady crunch of your shoes on metal and the surprising hush of the forest.
It’s strange, actually. One moment you’re surrounded by thick foliage—ferns, climbers, the occasional flash of a sunbird—and the next you catch a break in the trees and see the city skyline glittering in the distance. The contrast is almost jarring. You’re reminded that this is still Singapore, even if for a few minutes it feels like you’ve stumbled into another world.
The walk itself isn’t difficult. No hiking poles needed, no scrambling, no sweat-drenched climbs (though the humidity will make you glisten regardless—this is Singapore, after all). Families wander it, photographers linger with tripods, and joggers even breeze past. The pace is up to you. If you take it slow, there are plenty of spots to pause, lean over the railings, and listen to the forest chatter—cicadas buzzing, leaves rustling, sometimes even the screech of parakeets.
Best time to go? Early morning or late afternoon. The midday sun is merciless here; the steel walkway heats up fast and the light is too harsh for those picture-perfect shots. Mornings give you cooler air and softer light filtering through the canopy. Late afternoons, especially near sunset, drape the walk in golden tones and, if you’re lucky, a dramatic skyline silhouette. Rain is always a possibility—it’s Singapore—but the walkway is safe and usable even when wet. Just maybe bring a small umbrella, because tropical showers tend to be… enthusiastic.
The Southern Ridges aren’t just about the Forest Walk either. If you’ve got the energy, you can link it with Henderson Waves—a stunning wave-shaped pedestrian bridge—and Mount Faber Park, which connects all the way to the cable car. It can easily turn into a half-day exploration without ever stepping into a car or MRT.
And since it’s Singapore, accommodation isn’t a problem. From high-end hotels with rooftop pools to boutique stays and budget hostels, there’s something for every style and budget just a short ride away. You can spend the day wandering among trees, then be back downtown in time for chili crab or cocktails by the Marina. That balance of wild and urban is exactly what makes this walk so unusual.
The Southern Ridges Forest Walk isn’t the longest, nor the most remote canopy trail in the world. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s a reminder of how cities and forests can overlap, how even in one of the busiest urban centres on earth, you can step up into the trees and hear them breathing. And really, that’s worth slowing down for.
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