Southern Ridges Trail - A walk to remember

I always recommend my friends to try this walking trail because we get to sweat it out in a manageable trail. I have probably walked this trail about 10 times and it is usually a very nice process with no mosquitoes, except the times when you start the walk after a heavy rain. While I think the Southern Ridges is actually of a longer distance, I always start from Pasir Panjang Mrt station. Cheers to Circle line! 

I went to Southern Ridges with my bf just this June but the photos are from a combination of different occasions.  My photos this time turned out quite dark due to the weather.
Let's start my step by step guide to Southern Ridges!

After you cross the bridge, and take the steps down, turn left and until the part where you have to cross another road. Here, turn right into the straight route.

You will come to the first bend, but do not turn right yet. Walk straight until you see the next turn.

The right turn should look like this. Walk in from here and at the end, turn left to a dead end. There would be a flight of stairs.

The start of the trail, Canopy Walk, is always the most difficult. It is a long flight of stairs! I got breathless once I reached the top! Walk the rounded path and you would see a pavilion. Featuring my $3.90 backpack there, from Decathlon :p.

Continue via the bridge entrance to an awesome view above the grounds. At the end of the bridge path, you have a choice of visiting the Reflections at Bukit Chandu. The last I went, it was free for all Singaporeans. Just show your IC as proof. Check out the operation hours if you are interested to avoid disappointment!

Turning to the right of the bridge exit (facing the museum), you can walk back into the trail down the steps. You will reach this map to guide you through the next part of the adventure.

You will go through a twirly wirly route before you reach a straight shady path covered by trees. Hortpark is nearing now. Just keep walking straight and there would be a square area to take a break, have a drink and use the toilet. It is well ventilated with a ceiling fan. Hortpark has many fun things to explore and take nice photos of. Kids can play at the playground. The friendly scarecrow has been there since forever!

As you move on, you would reach the Vineyard. Coincidentally, a couple was holding their solemnization that evening. Since it was raining at the time we reached, we explored the lifestyle room. I have seen this room multiple times but have never been inside. There are many nice plant artifacts there for photos. There were a group of people utilizing the room for cosplay photoshoot that day as well. It was a good cooling place to chill while we waited until the rain subsided.

Walk out from the Hortpark towards the left, and you will see the Alexandra Arch. It will actually be more beautiful at night when it is lighted up. I have not seen the night view so far because I always go around the same time period from 3pm to 6pm. 

You would reach the start of the Forest Walk in no time. I was super terrified the first time I was there, above the ground. The height and the see through holes of the metal bridge! My legs went soft. It got better with each time of visit and eventually, I got used to it. That day, our shoes were squeaking away as it rubs off the wet metal bridge after the rain.  

 

At the end of the route, you can actually take any direction because you would reach the same destination. We took the right direction, and then left, up a steep slope to a beautiful view (Hilltop Walk/ Terrace Garden). The slope here is steeper than it looks I assure you. Burn calories burn!

After a short break, continue down the stairs to the exit. Continue your way straight and you will arrive in front of Alkaff Mansion (oops I forgot to take a picture here). I have always wanted to have brunch here but it is kind of inconvenient without a car. There was once my bf and I were passing by and there was this banner advertising their brunch menu. A few metres down the road, I suddenly stopped walking and turned serious with thoughts. My bf was sightly worried and then I was like "I did not see whether the brunch is available during weekdays." Haha.

Walk along the straight line, and you will pass by a playground, and then see a zebra crossing. Turn left when you see a carpark in front and cross the zebra crossing and go up the slope. By this time, I am usually rather tired so this slope can be a mini challenge. There would be a turn, just keep going up. You will be at Henderson Wave now! The famous Henderson Wave. It is mostly packed with people so it might be hard to get a nice photo without including others. This one time, there was a monkey at the bridge eating some leftover fries.

You can peep through the tiny spaces of the wooden bridge and the height can be scary for some. At least, that was what happened to me the first time. Walk past the bridge and the sign of Henderson Wave is there.

After the sign, there are two ways that I tried. If you walk towards your right then up the steps (in front of zebra crossing) into the "forest" it will bring you to the top of Mount Faber where the view is really nice. If not, you can turn left and walk upwards all the way, until you see a sign "Mt Faber Loop" and a mini carpark. Take a left turn towards the pavilions. Walk straight, pass by a busstop (there seems to be no bus service though), and you will reach Jewel box. I guess it is called Faber Walk here.

 If you walked the other way, you will enter forest mode.

Continuing from Jewel box, just keep walking forward and you would come to what looks like the end. The last part of Southern Ridges will be the Marang Trail. Honestly, it is hard to walk down because the stone steps are rather steep. It is very short trail and you will find the exit in no time.

See the hole there! There you are, you have completed the Southern Ridges and that is about 6km of fun! The below is the view from outside looking at the exit. It is now time for an awesome meal at Vivocity!