Southern Ridges Walking Trail: Henderson Waves to Mount Faber

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The Southern Ridges walking trail links Mount Faber to Kent Ridge Park along 10 kilometers of connected parkland, elevated boardwalks and one genuinely striking bridge, and it’s the closest Singapore comes to a proper day hike without leaving the city.

Route Overview: HarbourFront to Kent Ridge

Most walkers start at HarbourFront MRT station and finish at Kent Ridge MRT station, though the trail works just as well in reverse. The full sequence runs Mount Faber Park, Henderson Waves, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Forest Walk, Terrace Garden, HortPark, Alexandra Arch, Canopy Walk and finally Kent Ridge Park. Covering the entire 10-kilometer route takes 3 to 5 hours at a relaxed pace, and the terrain is rated easy to moderate: mostly flat boardwalks with a handful of stairs and slopes on the Marang Trail section up to Mount Faber Park.

Henderson Waves: The Bridge That Defines the Trail

Henderson Waves is Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge, rising 36 meters above Henderson Road and stretching 274 meters between Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park. Completed in 2008 at a cost of GBP 25.5 million, the bridge was designed by IJP Architects and RSP Architects, with architect George L. Legendre leading the design. Its seven undulating steel ribs curve into alcoves with built-in seating, and yellow balau wood decking runs the full length of the walkway. LED lighting switches on from 7pm to 2am daily, which is when the bridge photographs best — plan a late-afternoon walk that has you crossing Henderson Waves around sunset if photos are the priority.

Forest Walk and Telok Blangah Hill Park

Forest Walk is a 1.3-kilometer elevated boardwalk through secondary forest in Telok Blangah Hill Park, rising between 3 and 18 meters above the forest floor depending on the section. It’s the shadiest, most jungle-like stretch of the entire route, and the canopy-level views make it a natural spot to slow down. Telok Blangah Hill Park itself preserves patches of forest and wildlife habitat that predate most of the surrounding development, connected to Mount Faber Park by Henderson Waves at one end and to Forest Walk at the other.

Mount Faber Park: The High Point

Mount Faber Park covers 34 hectares and sits at the trail’s high point, with lookout points across the harbour, Sentosa and the southern islands. It’s also the departure point for the Singapore Cable Car’s Mount Faber Line, so walkers who want to skip the return trip on foot can simply ride down instead — our Mount Faber Cable Car guide covers tickets and timing for exactly that option.

HortPark, Alexandra Arch and Canopy Walk

HortPark is a 23-hectare gardening hub, billed as Southeast Asia’s first one-stop showcase for gardening-related recreation, education and retail — it’s a good rest stop with shade and benches roughly two-thirds of the way through the trail. From there, Alexandra Arch is a smaller architectural bridge lit by LEDs, and Canopy Walk is a further 280-meter elevated boardwalk that leads into Kent Ridge Park. Both HortPark and Canopy Walk are wheelchair accessible, unlike the steeper Marang Trail section near Mount Faber.

Kent Ridge Park: Where the Trail Ends in History

Kent Ridge Park closes the trail on a serious note. This ridge, then known as Opium Hill or Bukit Chandu, was where the Malay Regiment’s C Company made its last stand against the Japanese invasion on 14 February 1942, during the Battle of Pasir Panjang. Second Lieutenant Adnan Saidi led the defense despite being mortally wounded, and was killed by Japanese forces after the position fell. Reflections at Bukit Chandu, a WWII interpretive centre in a restored pre-war bungalow at the foot of the hill, opened on 15 February 2002 to tell that story in full, and it’s worth the short detour off the main trail for anyone interested in Singapore’s wartime history.

Practical Tips for Walking the Southern Ridges

Start early in the morning or in the late afternoon — both to avoid the worst of the midday heat and Singapore’s sudden tropical downpours. Bring at least 1.5 liters of water, sunblock, a hat and proper closed shoes rather than sandals, since the boardwalk sections and Marang Trail stairs are uncomfortable in flip-flops. There’s no need to walk the full 10 kilometers in one go: HortPark, Mount Faber Park and Kent Ridge Park all have MRT or bus access nearby, so the trail splits naturally into two shorter half-day walks if the full route feels like too much.

FAQ: Southern Ridges Walking Trail

How long does the Southern Ridges walking trail take?
The full 10-kilometer route takes 3 to 5 hours at a relaxed walking pace, including stops at Henderson Waves and HortPark.

Which direction should I walk — HarbourFront to Kent Ridge, or the reverse?
Either direction works equally well since the trail is a continuous connected route; starting at HarbourFront front-loads the steeper Marang Trail climb while your energy is fresh, which most walkers prefer.

Is the Southern Ridges trail suitable for kids or strollers?
HortPark, Alexandra Arch and Canopy Walk are flat and wheelchair/stroller accessible, but the Marang Trail section near Mount Faber involves stairs and slopes that aren’t stroller-friendly.

Bottom Line: Southern Ridges Walking Trail

Henderson Waves is the reason most people come, but Forest Walk’s canopy views and Kent Ridge Park’s wartime history are what make the full Southern Ridges walking trail worth the 3 to 5 hours it takes. The National Library Board’s account of the Battle of Pasir Panjang is worth reading before or after visiting Kent Ridge Park, and our HarbourFront and VivoCity guide covers what to do once you’re back down at trail level.

For more nearby, see our guide to Sentosa Island Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Things to Do & Travel Tips.