The summit rock
Marked 163.63 m.
LN9267 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · LN9267 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve lies on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest natural peak at about 165 m, some 15 km northwest of the city centre. It is one of the largest patches of primary rainforest left in the country, popular with walkers and nature lovers. The name means «tin hill» in Malay. The hill was a granite quarry for many years, with quarrying abandoned from the mid 20th century. The reserve covers about 2 square kilometres and became an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2011. With the neighbouring Central Catchment Nature Reserve, it holds over 840 species of flowering plants and over 500 species of animals. A wide paved road climbs among tall trees to the summit, where a carved rock gives the height as 163.63 m, with a rest shelter and a communications mast. A visitor centre stands at the entrance, and harder side trails run through the forest. You may meet monkeys along the way, so keep food closed in your bag. It is 5.7 km in a straight line from MacRitchie Reservoir, reached by metro and a short walk. Start early to avoid the heat, since the paved road is very steep, and bring water and comfortable shoes. Sections of trail can close for repairs, as signs at the site show, so check first. Avoid rainy spells, which make the earth paths slippery.
Marked 163.63 m.
Among tall trees.
Harder, through the forest.
Hindhede Drive, about 15 km from the centre
The paved road is fairly short but very steep, so start early and bring water.
They may come looking for food, so keep yours closed in your bag and do not feed them.