#southernridges

Singapore, an established city with efforts limited to modernization and urban developments, might not be our first thought that it also has green areas and spacious natural scenery. Nonetheless, up to the lively city life, there is a shiny gem free and away from all the busy city environment — The Southern Ridges. Extending over a few travel taking in the parks and stops the majestic nature trail interconnected trail ends up offering a serene retreat from the city’s hurly-burly, providing visitors with a kind experience of being right and viewing the city’s skyline.

Introduction to the Southern Ridges

Southern Ridge is a unique trail that consists of several interconnected nature parks and nature reserves that add up to 10 kilometers in the southern part of Singapore. The cycling trails form a network traversing Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve, giving cyclists a unique range of riding experiences from inside the lush rainforests to walkways along the ridge with great scenery all around.

Mount Faber Park

The Southern Ridges, and Mount Faber Park, among many, have a beautiful hill featuring breathtaking and serene nature. The park is on a hilltop with a view of the Singapore skyline and harbor. Visitors will be provided with two options to get to the mountaintop: either by using the walking trails or by taking the cable car. The scenic ride will leave them thrilled with the views around. On top, it is possible to stroll in a lush park, have a meal in one of the parks’ restaurants, or also simply be seated and bet experience the nature’s fantastic views.

Telok Blangah Hill Park

While Telok Blangah Park is one of the most popular parks in Singapore, it is only a short walking distance from Mt. Faber Park, making it a free green haven, and comfortable for all. In this park, several refined walkways, bridges, jutting blocks, and flowers are installed together, providing visitors space to walk among majestic trees and steps. The Henderson Waves provides an awe-inspiring pedestrian bridge that becomes a connecting link between the Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park, presenting an amazing panorama view of the surroundings.

HortPark

HortPark as a “greening center” is situated in the Southern Ridges in a special role and also acts as a venue for gardening exhibits and related lifestyle events. Here, the guests can walk across the gardens, which are themed to create a landscape with so many species of plants, take part in workshops and events concerning gardening and sustainability, or just have a light stroll through this park full of greens. The park also accommodates playgrounds, cafes, and grassed areas fit for picnics making it a favorite relaxation hub for families and nature lovers.

Kent Ridge Park

As our historical treasure and a glimpse into Singapore’s past, Kent Ridge Park is a flourishing ecosystem encircled by a mosaic of natural beauty. The park is home to the preservation of several historical milestones such as parts of World War witnessed fixed areas and famous Reflections at the Bukit Chandu, which is a reminder of the Battle of Pasir Panjang. Not only does the area surrounding Kent Ridge Park have a historical mortgage but native plants, walking paths, and breathtaking landscapes can also be found here.

Labrador Nature Reserve

Our trip of the Southern Ridges trek reaches the end at Labrador Nature Reserve, which is the lap of the lap for all the nature enthusiasts and naturalists situated on the seaside. Inspectors can wander among mangrove shrubs, rocky tidal pools, and lush coastal forests, where they can expect to find quite a wide spectrum of life, ranging from birds to butterflies and monitor lizards. In addition, the park has historical sites like Labrador Battery, a fort that was built during the 19th century. To preserve our heritage, this site was carefully restored.

Tips for Exploring the Southern Ridges

Wear Comfortable Footwear: Southern Ridges trail which is about walking on a range of types such as paved pathways, elevated boardwalks, and natural trails. To enjoy a delightful experience, carry comfortable walking shoes or sneakers your pair.

Bring Ample Water and Sun Protection: Singapore’s tropical weather is quite prophetic, respectively hot and humid, most specifically at noon-time. Do not forget to carry with you enough water to keep yourself hydrated during the rays of the sun. Other sun protection measures like sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses will be useful during the intense sunshine.

Plan Your Route: Whether you are into trails or parks, having a plan of your route, including your interests and degree of fitness is the best way to explore these areas. First, you should start at Mount Faber Park and take a trip to Labrador Nature Reserve, or the other way round.

Take Your Time: Southern Ridges offers different sceneries and photo spots, you need to take your time and absorb the various nature sceneries along the way. Don’t forget to stop and adore the amazing skylines and the picturesque harbor skyscrapers of Singapore in passing.

Respect Nature: Like all the natural areas it’s important to follow a similar protocol in Southern Ridges when dealing with flora and fauna. Be guided by marked trails, not relying on picking flowers or disturbing other animals. This park belongs to all of us, including our grandchildren.

Conclusion

Today started off with a visit to the National Gallery Singapore: the world's largest public display of modern Southeast Asian art.

In some ways, I find modern art galleries to be more historically informative than history museums. Instead of learning about political events from the perspective of the ruling class, you learn about them through a lens of subversion and protest.

For example, this Indonesian piece is about worker exploitation by landowners. Wealth inequality was a common theme across the exhibits. Other themes included freedom of expression, anticolonial resistance, and the horrors of war.

After absorbing a lot of sobering imagery at the NGS, we decided to get tipsy at the Raffles Hotel. (The irony that this hotel is itself a colonial space was not lost on us).

The Raffles Hotel- which has been visited by the likes of Kipling, Hitchcock, and Hemingway- is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling. Nowadays, you can sit where Hemingway once sat and enjoy a signature cocktail. Probably just one, because they cost $38.

Finally, we walked off the effects of the day's activities with a 10km hike through Southern Ridges. This trail takes you on a journey through several of Singapore's best parks, with pedestrian bridges so that you never have to cross any roads.

It was, without a doubt, the bougiest hike I've been on. This "trail" is mostly walkways through the treetops of the jungle, with breathtaking views of the city wherever the trees part.