Southern Ridges: choose a section instead of chasing all 10km
The Southern Ridges need not be a full cross-park trek. NParks’ complete route is about 10km and graded moderate to challenging; a shorter section lets you match the outing to your group instead.
Choose one of the plans below. They are alternatives, not three segments to squeeze into a single afternoon. Current diversions matter more than a saved older route screenshot.
Option 1: Mount Faber and Henderson Waves
Start at HarbourFront MRT and approach Marang Trail near the Seah Im Food Centre carpark. NParks describes a 700m footpath and staircase ascent, taking about 15 minutes. That is the climb, not the duration of the whole outing. Take it slowly if your group is not used to stairs.
Faber Point
Mount Faber Park
Make the lookout, mini Merlion and nearby history murals your first destination. If the climb is enough for the group, return without adding another park. Mount Faber is not wheelchair accessible.
Official details →Henderson Waves
Between Mount Faber and Telok Blangah Hill
For the bridge extension, follow the current Mount Faber Loop diversion. The 274m timber-decked bridge has sheltered alcoves. Cross it, pause and decide whether to return; reaching the bridge does not oblige you to continue towards HortPark.
Official details →Option 2: Telok Blangah Hill as a standalone visit
Start at Telok Blangah Green off Henderson Road, rather than climbing from HarbourFront. Choose the Terrace Garden viewpoint and Henderson Waves as your main stops. The semicircular terraces are a hilltop feature, so this is still not an entirely flat walk.
Forest Walk is an optional extension, not an automatic evening finish. Current notices say some sections will be unlit from 7pm to 7am during maintenance until 30 November 2026. The Earth Trail must not be entered after 7pm. Keep this plan in daylight and follow signs around the separate path closure below the Therapeutic Garden.
Terrace Garden
Telok Blangah Hill Park
A compact viewpoint destination for a group that wants a hill-park visit without the full Southern Ridges traverse. Save the park map before arrival so everyone uses the same entrance.
Official details →Option 3: HortPark, with an optional Kent Ridge visit
For a garden-focused outing, begin at 33 Hyderabad Road and stay within HortPark’s themed gardens. The park is wheelchair accessible and has paid parking. This is the simplest of these choices if the group prefers gardens to a stair-heavy hill climb.
HortPark’s themed gardens
33 Hyderabad Road
Choose a few garden displays rather than walking towards another park by default. Opening hours are 6am–11pm, but visitor services keep shorter hours. The park’s brochure provides approach and bus information.
Official details →Kent Ridge Canopy Walk
Kent Ridge Park
Treat this as a separately planned extension using the official Southern Ridges map. The 280m boardwalk links to Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Only the Canopy Walk and Tembusu Grove are wheelchair accessible; other Kent Ridge sections have steep slopes or stairs.
Official details →The maps to check before leaving
The Mount Faber diversion map provides alternatives with and without stairs between Henderson Waves and Faber Peak. “Without stairs” describes that diversion only, not a wheelchair-accessible journey through the whole park. Carpark D is also closed for slope works, with completion expected in December 2026.
Use the official Southern Ridges route guide for the overall geography, then check each park’s live notices. Do not follow unofficial forest shortcuts around a barrier. Carry water, leave time to retrace your route and avoid forested sections during storms.