I’m not talking about the Everest though instead the highest natural point in Singapore that stands 163 metres high. Yes, you can boast about reaching a summit just by walking a simple trail that even a babies can conquer. You read that right cause in Bukit Timah Reserve, you can even bring a stroller! How convenient!

Another weekend has passed and another trail has our family walked. This has truly becoming a habit and even the kids now label Saturdays as “walking day”. At least we’re training them young to have a healthy lifestyle. They don’t miss anything from the “city life” Singapore has to offer though as every after trail surely leads to a mall to stroll and grab a bite. That’s how we roll or let’s just say that’s how we balance our weekends.

If you read my previous blog about our trip to Rail Corridor you’ll know that we’ve almost got caught my the rain. That’s why this time around, we made sure to check the weather update. Sure enough with Singapore’s crazy weather, Mr. Sun went out in the morning’s followed by thunderstorm in the afternoon. Smart enough, we’re out of our front door by 7am!

How to get to there

If ever buses 67, 75, 170, 171, 184, 852, 961 pass by your area, you’re in luck. You might just not notice on your bus trips (cause you’re too busy using phone.hahaha) that you’ve passed by this area more times that you can remember. Alight at Jalan Anak Bukit Road, opposite Beauty World Centre (Bus stop ID: 42109), or alight at Upper Bukit Timah Road, opposite Bukit Timah Shopping Centre (Bus stop ID: 42091) and take a 10-minute walk to the visitor centre (bottom of the summit). You may also opt to use the MRT and alight at Beauty World MRT Station, take Exit A and walk to the visitor centre as well.

Opening Hours

Like most Nature Parks in Singapore, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve opens from 7am to 7pm daily (entering or remaining in the nature reserve after 7pm is not allowed). We arrived at 8am and there’s already a lot of people going in different directions already.

That’s the visitor centre behind us. It’s also good to note that there’s no toilet in sight when you start your hike so if ever you find yourself the need to use one, do it in the spacious toilet just opposite the visitor centre. It’s also a good place to freshen up once you’re back from climbing the summit.

There’s a lot of trails to choose from but we chose the easiest trail (Red coloured – Route 1) as we planned to visit the Hindhede Nature Park where there’s a playground for kids and even a zip line. This is also where you can view the spectacular Hindhede Quarry that’s perfect for your Instagram. You may see my other blog post about Hindhede Nature Park here.

The trail is that’s about 1.7km to the summit starts with a nice two slopes at 40 to 50 degree incline in the beginning. You won’t feel much that you’re going up which is good for beginners and kids/ kids at heart. You’ll sure be out of breath at some point while walking the last and the steepest slope at 60% incline!

What’s great with nature walk’s though is that you don’t need to rush doing it Well, unless it’s about to rain and you didn’t bring any raincoat or umbrella with you. Other than that, you’re very much welcomed to enjoy what’s around you…..NATURE!

The kids loved reading those trivia boards along the way. It also kept their mind busy and away from complaining that their tired already.haha.

Like any other place on earth, it’s only right for everyone to be responsible for our own trash. I’m happy we didn’t have any monkey encounters in this trail.

As if the slopes isn’t enough, here’s the final steps to complete your summit experience. We didn’t get to count though the steps going up as we’re just excited to reach the top and relax.

You may choose to skip the stairs and continue with the another slope going to the top if you’re bringing a stroller or just not up for another challenge after that last steep slope you’ve climbed.

As much hype reaching the summit may sound like, in reality there isn’t much to see when you reach the top. Yep! No over the clouds view or vast mountains to see instead you’ll see a radio mast, trees and people. Probably just the sense of proudness of oneself for accomplishing something for a weekend instead of being the usual couch potato at home binge watching Netflix.

If you’re looking for more to justify your effort of going there then add a bit of history to your trip. Just like the what happened during the Battle for Bukit Timah.

On the night of 10th February 1942, the Japanese troops from the 5th and 18th Divisions, supported by armor, attacked troops of the 11th and 15th Indian Brigades, the 22nd Australian brigade, The Special Reserve battalion, Tomforce, Merrett’s Force, the Argylls, Jind State Infantry and ‘X’ Battalion. The Allied forces had to re-grouped to defend the critical junctions at Choa Chu Kang, Jurong and Clementi Roads leading to Bukit Timah Road.
By dawn of 11th February 1942, the Japanese troops reported to their commander Lietenant(sic)-General Tomoyuki Yamashita that they had seized Bukit Timah. The road to the city was open.

After a few photos and enough rest, we decided to go for a move as the summit is starting to get a bit crowded. There’s actually a long queue already when we left just to take a photo with the iconic rock as proof you’ve been there.haha

Remember that last slope before the stairs I’ve mentioned earlier? That’s actually the starting slope when you descend the hill. You may notice too that fellow hikers walking backwards. This is to avoid muscle cramps. You may opt to do this too if you feel uneasy going down.

Since you’ll be going down the same trail, there’s not much new things you’ll see. If you have more energy and would continue with other trails, there’s a lot to choose from. Check it out here.

We continued with Hindhede Nature Park where there’s a children’s playground, even a zipline, and the Hindhede Quarry which is so picturesque, you’re Instagram would love it!

That’s it for our climb to Singapore’s Summit! Hope you like it!

Leave in the comments below if you have any suggestion on where else our feet can bring us!

If you’re looking for some inspiration for future adventures within Singapore, check out our previous trip to  MacRitchie Nature Reserve! This amazing how much greenery this “Little Red Dot” can have. Truly there’s much more to explore than just stroll in the malls every weekend.

Read more: Weekend Family Trip Tips

Can’t have enough of that trip? Have more fun watching how we document this trip!

Stay safe everyone,

Family Runs c/o MommyWithAGoal