Southern Ridges

Today I explored a new area of Singapore that I wasn't aware of before...The Southern Ridges.  It is a 9 km (just over 5.5 miles for those of us not keen on the metric system) walk that links a variety of different parks on the southern part of the island.

I started out at the top of Mount Faber.  I wouldn't necessarily call it a mountain...more of a big hill.  I was able to walk up from sea level via a set of steps.  They say it is the equivalent to climbing a 24-story building but it wasn't too bad.  At the top is Mount Faber Park.  There are lots of scenic outlooks and a cable car system and restaurants and even a Merlion...which I completely forgot to go and look at...next time.  Here are a couple of the views from the top...

Once you are done walking around the top of Mount Faber you can take Faber Walk which is another trail.  And I use the term trail loosely as it is paved the entire way...

Along the walk was the Danish Seaman's Church.

Since it was Sunday morning I could hear the organ playing in the church when I walked by.  It was a nice contrast to the cicadas and sound of the leaves blowing.

At the end of Faber Walk you come to Henderson Waves trail...

It is the tallest pedestrian bridge in Singers.  At the tallest point it is 120 feet above the road below.  It looks like a fun bridge to walk across because of the waves but in reality it is just a flat bridge...

However, those wood slats are not flush against each other.  There are areas where when you look down you can see through to the road below...not so fun...

On the other side of the bridge is a portion of the trail called Hilltop Walk.  I didn't take any pictures because it was just a hill and there wasn't really anything specific to look at. 

The next section of the trail is the Forest Walk and struck me as a little odd because the entire thing is a metal walkway...

It is neat to walk through at the same level as the tree canopy but I must admit it was a little odd to hear the metal clanking every time I took a step.

At the end of the Forest Walk is Alexandra Arch...

It is really just a bridge over Alexandra Road but it is neat that it isn't a plain bridge.

On the other side of the road you end up in Hort Park which is a horticultural park...very creative with the name, eh?  It is a pretty big area and they have some really interesting gardens that aren't all just flowers.

 

On the other side of Hort Park is Canopy Walk.  It is a wooden raised walkway that again takes you along the tree canopy.  It is a nice walk and is good to be up so high and take in some of breeze on such hot and sunny Singapore days.  On the other side of Canopy Walk is Kent Ridge Park which is actually right next to my office.  I have gone to work there for over two years now and had no idea that I could just up and leave one afternoon and have such a beautiful walk just outside my office door...hmm...there is an idea...