A Walk Through The Southern Ridges

December 8, 2008, I woke early to a all-day wet weather. The nowcast and forecast were equally gloomy. We had planned to take a walk through the Southern Ridges, Fred, me and my mother-in-law. As it was pouring right up till after lunch, we didn't get outdoors until close to 3pm. After a satisfying albeit very late 'lunch' at Alexandra Food Centre, we drove to Hortpark in high spirits, intending to start the walk from there & end at Habourfront Station. While looking for the public carpark nearby Hortpark, we got lost & drove through a green and serene part of Singapore that we never knew existed.

An unexpected but pleasant ride on small, winding roads flanked by trees

Since we couldn't find the public carpark dotted on the map cut out from The Straits Times, and we didn't want to park at the one right smack beside Hortpark, we decided to drive to Seah Imm Food Centre's carpark instead. So our walking trail started from there to Mount Faber Park.

Walking up the steps of Marang Trail

Well-constructed trail with shaded footpaths

Walking trails & forest trekking are very much a part of Fred's family heritage... my father-in-law is an avid mountain trekker, who treks Bukit Timah Hill from his home at Bukit Panjang weekly. Since our engagement trip climbing Mount Kinabalu, we have trekked most times on our holiday trips.

Reaching Faber Point

The view of the sea & cable cars from Mount Faber lookout

Taking a picture with my mother-in-law

A mother-and-son shot

The Jewel Box at the summit of Mount Faber


HDB flats seen from Mount Faber



After I dilly-dallied taking pictures at Mount Faber Park, off we went towards Henderson Waves ...

There were families and couples on the same route. Everyone had their brollies because it was drizzling... the skies just refused to let up that day.

Henderson Waves was indeed an interesting pedestrian bridge, reportedly the highest in Singapore






Next came the Forest Walk, the elevated steel walkway that zig-zagged through the forest of Telok Blangah Hill Park. This was fun too! Looking down as we walked, it actually gave an illusion that we were some kung-fu masters striding past the treetops. Ha!

By the time we reached Alexandra Arch, it was night fall. Well, we got to see the colours of the bridge!

Since night had fallen, we decided there was no time to head to Hortpark. So we turned back & started the return leg of the walk... back to Henderson Waves. It was a different experience with the night scenes.



A feeling of accomplishment set in by the time we made it to the Jewel Box, Mount Faber. The unlit Marang Trail wasn't too daunting & we reached the foot of the Mount in no time. Dinner well-earned! On the whole, the walk was very pleasant & possibly so in the cool weather.