Exploring the Bukit Timah Peak
Bukit Timah Peak is the highest summit in Singapore. At just over 163 meters above sea level, it may seem insignificant to mountains in neighboring countries, but this summit played a significant role in Singapore’s WW2 history.
The peak is a popular hiking destination for locals looking to work on their fitness. There are several hiking trails which run up to the peak, from the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve entrance, or from the Dairy Farm area on the northern side.
The area around the peak is covered in thick rain forest and, on any given day, there’s plenty of wildlife to be seen. For wildlife enthusiasts, Monkeys, Squirrels, and Monitor Lizards are in abundance in the area.
Getting to the Bukit Timah Peak
For public transport, take the Downtown (blue) MRT line to BEAUTY WORLD, and make a walk to the Nature Reserve main entrance.
Click this link for directions
An extended hike:
If you’d like to do an extended hike and have a look at the historical RAIL CORRIDOR, take the Downtown MRT Line to HILLVIEW and come out through exit B. From there, a sloping trail takes you up to the Rail Corridor.
The Singapore Rail Corrridor
This is the old Singapore to Malaya Railway Line which was decommissioned in 2011 and has since become a historical hiking trail.
Most of the rail line has been removed and replaced with a solid pathway, for biking, running, and walking. The total length of the Rail Corridor is 24 km, from the Woodlands end to Tanjong Pagar.
There is several historical landmarks along its length, including the old Bukit Timah Station.
Note: The distance from Hillview MRT Station to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve entrance is approximately 2.7 km. Along this route you’ll see several historical landmarks including the BUKIT TIMAH TRUSS BRIDGE and the old SINGAPORE QUARRY BRIDGE.
Click here for directions from the Hillview MRT Terminal
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
The main entrance to the nature reserve is just off Hindhede Drive. The entrance area has a park rangers office, an information kiosk, and a wildlife information center.
There is currently no entry fee for the hikes up to Bukit Timah Peak. There are information maps near the park HQ showing the different routes and distances up to the peak.
Note: If you’re planning to descend on the opposite side of the peak, into the DAIRY FARM AREA, it’s recommended you make a short diversion to the nearby HINDHEDE QUARRY before starting the hike up to the peak.
Click here for the location of the nature reserve entrance
Hindhede Quarry
Hindhede Quarry is located approximately 300 meters, via a boarded walkway, to the west of the park office.
There is a lookout at the end of the trail which provides a nice view over the water-filled quarry. There’s also some information placards along the fence line which give a historical account of the operational use of the quarry.
According to the info placards, quarrying operations ceased in the late 1980s.
Since then, rainwater runoff has filled it with 32 meters of water.
Click here for directions from the park office to the Hindhede Quarry Lookout
Bukit Timah Summit
From the park office, there’s a couple of different options for getting to the peak.
The easiest is the sealed road which takes you all the way to the top. This is an easy hike and, at a steady pace, will have most people arriving at the summit in 20–30 minutes.
Approximately three quarters of the way up, there’s a steep flight of stairs which is a shorter, quicker alternative to reaching the summit.
Note: There’s approximately 200 steps on this steepish flight of stairs.
Click this link for directions from the park office to the summit
The South View Path
This alternate trail (aka the Cave Path) is a longer route around the slopes of the peak, which eventually brings you back to the sealed road just before the stairway to the summit.
This longer, largely dirt trail is less popular, but it has a couple of interesting historical sites en route.
Japanese Caves
Approximately halfway along the trail there are two man-made caves which were excavated by the Japanese Forces during WW2. These are not natural caves and can clearly be seen as excavations.
According to online information sources, these caves were used by the Japanese Forces for the storage of munitions during their military operations on Bukit Timah Peak. In the interests of safety, both caves have locked iron gates at the entrances.
Note: The South View Path isn’t indicated on Google Maps. Look for the trail branching off the sealed road on the right, approximately 50 meters uphill from the park HQ.
At the Summit of the Japanese Caves
Once you arrive at the summit, you’ll see the stone reference marker with the elevation and GPS co-ordinates on it. There’s also an information placard with some historical anecdotes about the peak.
For anyone needing a rest in the shade, there’s a covered hut where you can catch your breath and take a drinks break.
The Dairy Farm Nature Park
There’s only two options with this. Descend back to the Nature Reserve HQ or take the northern route which takes you through the more rugged Dairy Farm Area.
If you decide to take the northern route into the Dairy Farm Area, be aware that there’s a lot of steep stairways to negotiate before getting back to ground level.
The Dairy Farm Nature Park
This is a less visited area on the northern side of Bukit Timah Peak. The area was originally developed by the COLD STORAGE COMPANY for dairy farming, to provide a local supply of milk for Singapore. The area was used for dairy farming up until the 1980s.
After farming operations were terminated, the National Parks Board began developing the area as a nature reserve. It was opened to the public in 2009.
The descent from Bukit Timah Peak has several steep flights of stairs and it tends to be popular with people doing trail running activities. This area has thick surrounding rain forest and provides the opportunity for a bit of wildlife spotting.
There are a couple of trails (called Loops) which eventually lead to a sealed road called the WALLACE TRAIL.
Click this link for directions
The Wallace Trail
The Wallace Trail is a 2.2 nature path which sits in the Dairy Farm area on the eastern side of Bukit Timah Peak.
The trail is named after a British Naturalist/Explorer named ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE. Wallace spent several years in Singapore during the mid nineteenth century, detailing the flora and fauna around Bukit Timah Peak.
The trail can be directly accessed from the HILLVIEW MRT Terminal or the DAIRY FARM NATURE PARK HQ.
Note: If you descend from the Bukit Timah Peak, the trail joins the sealed road near the start of the Wallace Nature Trail. Turn right to start on the trail.
The Wallace Education Center
There’s an education center at the start of the trail which provides detailed information about the flora and fauna in the area. Much of the information on the displays is in reference to explorations of Alfred Russel Wallace.
There’s also a detailed explanation of the development of Wallace’s theoretical line through the Indonesian Archipelago which highlights the divide of fauna to either side. This theoretical divide, which runs between Bali and Lombok, is called the Wallace Line.
Simply put, large animals such as Tigers, Elephants, and Rhinoceros were found to the west of this line. They were not found to the east.
The Dairy Farm Quarry
The Dairy Farm Quarry was a disused granite quarry site, similar to others around the BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE area, which ceased quarrying operations in 1970. But, unlike other quarries that eventually turned into a wetland, Dairy Farm Quarry was filled in with earth and grassed over.
The picturesque, lush vegetation-covered granite cliff and its serene surroundings are a popular destination for both hikers and mountain bikers.
Quick access to the Quarry
The quarry is located a short walk from Hillview MRT Station. A sealed pathway runs past the DAIRY FARM OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CENTER, with signposting along the way to keep you going in the right direction. Look for signs pointing to the DAIRY FARM QUARRY.
There’s a jungle trail which is rocky in some stretches. It is a dead end for hikers, while mountain bikers can continue towards the Wallace Trail via a mountain bike trail.
Click this link for directions from the Hillview MRT Station
The Old Singapore Quarry
This site is approximately 1.5 km south from the Hillview MRT Station. Singapore Quarry is a tranquil nature spot tucked away at the edge of Dairy Farm Nature Park.
Once an active granite quarry, it was one of five in the area which was in operation up until the early 1980s. After closure, it was transformed into a peaceful wetland habitat under the care of National Parks.
Local Wildlife in the Quarry
It is now home to freshwater flora and fauna, as well as occasional bird life. The quarry itself features steep rock faces, calm waters, and a sheltered viewing deck. It’s a great place to sit and take in the scenery and cool off after the uphill walk from the MRT Station.
This is also a popular spot for bird photographers, who can be seen here in the early part of the morning.
Note: This site can also be accessed from the CENTRAL RAIL CORRIDOR by crossing the old SINGAPORE QUARRY BRIDGE.
Click this link for directions from the Hillview MRT Station
Fort Canning
Fort Canning is a historical site near the city center which was established approximately 100 years ago.
The primary attraction is the COMMAND POST BUNKER, which was used by the British Military during WW2. The bunker and its associated landmarks are at the northern end of Fort Canning Park, at the top of the hill.
Click the following link for the location
Fort Canning Park
If you want to do a more extensive tour of Fort Canning Park, which also includes the Battle Box Bunker, it’s probably a good idea to allow more time.
A good itinerary is to take the MRT to Fort Canning Terminal, then work your way up the hill to the top of the park. The grounds are quite extensive and provide a number of notable sightseeing attractions.
Click this link for the location of the Fort Canning MRT Station
Note: Take exit B at the Fort Canning MRT Station, then use Google Maps to take you up the pathways to the top of Fort Canning Park.
Attractions en route include:
The Pancur Larangan
The name translates to “Forbidden Spring,” and it holds significant historical value. The site was once known as a sacred bathing place for Malay royalty during the 14th century, particularly for the rulers of the ancient kingdom of Singapura.
The site includes remnants of a spring, which was believed to have been part of a larger bathing complex reserved for the exclusive use of the royal family. Pancur Larangan contributes to the park’s mystique and allure, representing a piece of Singapore’s intriguing past.
Click this link for directions
Fort Canning Park
The Fort Gate
This is at the very top of the park and can be accessed from a pathway directly behind the Fort Canning Center.
The gate dates to 1905 and, at the time, was the main entrance into the fort. The large steel doors are normally ajar to allow a clear walk through the structure.
However, if you pull back the left side door, a small passageway to the roof of the structure is revealed. From the top, you get a better view of the park surrounds.
Click this link for directions
The Battle Box Escape Shaft
This is a strange-looking vertical building with a locked door which is located 20 meters from the Fort Gate. The grassed area around it gives no indication as to what lies beneath. There’s an extensive bunker system twenty meters underground.
The Sally Port
This is the quick escape route from the grassed area down to the road and entrance to the Battle Box Bunker. It is located along the eastern edge of this upper parkland area. A narrow stairway leads to a tunnel which exits a few meters down the road from the bunker’s main doorway.
The Battle Box Bunker Tour
If you don’t feel like walking up the hill from the FORT CANNING MRT STATION, you can get a taxi all the way to the ADMIN OFFICE for the bunker tour.
Click this link for the location
Entry fee: As of June 2025, there’s no entry fee for the tour, but donations are greatly appreciated for the upkeep and maintenance of the bunker.
Note: Due to the popularity of this historical site, advance bookings are advised to ensure a time slot.
Click this link for further inquiries
Battle Box Tour
From the admin office, it’s a short walk down to the entrance into the bunker. A guide will pass you through the solid steel doors and give a short brief about the rooms inside and the direction to exit.
As you enter the bunker, you’ll hear the sound of a recorded air raid siren. This is to give the tour a more realistic experience.
Once inside, you’re free to roam around at your own pleasure in the rooms which are open to the public.
Life-like Mannequins
To create a feel for the past, mannequins are in place in the various rooms for a sense of realism.
The main rooms of interest are the signals room, the planning room, and the command room. According to one of the guides, the command room was the location where the British command made the ill-fated decision to surrender to the Japanese. Apparently, that decision was based on poor intelligence.
Fort Canning Green
Exiting the bunker: Once you’ve finished the tour, the exit point is indicated by signage along the bunker corridors.
The exit point is near the LEGENDS FORT CANNING PARK HOTEL. If you want to order a taxi or a Grab, go down to the lobby of the hotel and order it from there.
Click this link for the location of the Fort Canning hotel
Fort Canning Green: This is a large grassed area in front of the FORT CANNING CENTER – a heritage building.
To get there from the Battle Box Admin Building, follow the pathway past the entrance to the bunker and continue to the rear of the heritage building. On the far right of this building, there’s a NINE POUND CANNON worth checking out.
From this location, a stairway leads down to the grassed area in front of the heritage building. This grassed area is known as FORT CANNING GREEN. There are some interesting historical sites around the edges of it.
Click this link for the location of the nine pound cannon
Fort Canning Tunnel
The Gothic Gate
This is an interesting structure located at the front of the green area. Its original purpose was a gateway into the CEMETERY that was established on the hill in the early days of Singapore’s settlement by the British.
The gateway was designed by Captain Charles Faber and built in 1846. The gateway is a notable example of Gothic Revival architecture and one of the few surviving structures of the old fort and cemetery. It’s a popular spot for locals to take wedding photos.
Click this link for the location of the Gothic Gate
The Fort Canning Tunnel
This is a popular photo stop on a tour of Fort Canning Park. The tunnel is a walkway that runs under Fort Canning Road.
Note: This is the access route to Fort Canning Park if you’re coming from, or returning to, the DHOBY GHAUT MRT TERMINAL. There’s a stairway on the Fort Canning side of the tunnel which exits to the park above.
The stairway has several large old trees growing above it, which creates an interesting effect for selfies and photography.
