Sure, Singapore may not have sweeping landscapes or mountains, but we have a fair share of nature to revel in. If you live in the eastern part of Singapore, you are likely to have spent weekends at East Coast Park or Pasir Ris Beach. Or maybe a planned excursion to Gardens by the Bay once in a while. Few would explore parks on the other side of the island, such as Chinese Garden or Bukit Batok Nature Park.
Minds are set to change though, with the new Coast-to-Coast Trail curated by the National Parks Board (NParks) that was launched in March. The 36km-long route takes you from the western part of Singapore to its north-eastern edge.
The first trans-island walking trail starts at the newly revamped Jurong Lake Gardens and ends at Coney Island Park. Along the way, it passes Bukit Batok Nature Park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore Botanic Gardens, MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Sengkang Riverside Park and Punggol Waterway Park.
3 Tips To Make Your Trip Easier:
• Download the NParks Coast-to-Coast (C2C) mobile app to find your way along the trail. Besides acting as a GPS, the app provides users with interactive and augmented reality experiences.
• Take along enough water and gear up in preparation for sun exposure and the heat.
• Some parts of the trail might be physically demanding because of the stairs and slopes. Certain stretches, such as those with overhead bridges, are not wheelchair-accessible.
Without further ado, here’s a round up of 10 fun things to do and the most scenic stops along the way: