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15 Best Kid-friendly Hiking Trails in Singapore

hiking trails singapore rifle range nature park new
PlayPost Category - PlayPlay - Post Category - AdventuresAdventures - Post Category - OutdoorOutdoor

There are so many kid-friendly hiking trails in Singapore! Take the kids on a nature adventure and hike these varying terrains (some hiking trails are even stroller-friendly!)

Yes, there are plenty of hiking trails in Singapore and a number of them are actually kid-friendly! From stroller-friendly boardwalks to rustic hikes and even secret spots (for adventurous kiddos only!), keep reading for our top picks of the best hiking trails in Singapore for families.
Tip: As parks may sometimes conduct upgrading works, always check the latest updates at NParks before planning your hiking trip!

15 Best Kid-friendly Hiking Trails in Singapore

1. Hiking around Rifle Range Nature Park

hiking trails singapore rifle range nature park new

Newly opened in November 2022, Rifle Range Nature Park is super kid-friendly with its boardwalks and a Forest Exploration Trail for nature play! The 66-hectare park offers over 7km of walking trails and boardwalks through secondary forests and new features such as the Quarry Wetland, the 31m-tall Colugo Deck for a bird’s eye view of the park, and the aforementioned Forest Exploration Trail which has stepping stumps, rock boulders and a stream for kids to play in. Rifle Range Nature Park connects to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve so you can continue your hike if you’re keen on a longer stroll. It’s easy to get to Rifle Range Nature Park by MRT through the Beauty World MRT station (Downtown Line) – head to Exit A and go up to Beauty World Centre Level 4 where you’ll find an overhead bridge that links directly to Rambai Boardwalk within the park. If you’re driving, enter via Rifle Range Road, past Mayfair Park.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Very easy and parts are stroller-friendly.


2. Hike or stroll around Botanic Gardens

gallop extension Singapore Botanic Gardens
Image: Beate Baldry

There are over 160 reasons why we love the Singapore Botanic Gardens to match the 160 years it has been around! The UNESCO World Heritage site stretches over a huge area so you can get lost (in a wonderful way) while trekking this park. We love the Learning Forest which features a network of boardwalks and elevated walkways allowing you to explore habitats ranging from a freshwater forest wetland to a lowland rainforest. Your older kids can learn about freshwater forest wetland ecosystems at the Keppel Discovery Wetlands and littlies can marvel at a collection of some of the tallest tree species in Southeast Asia! After you’re done with your hike around the park there’s also the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, with its playground and treehouse slide.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Very easy and stroller-friendly.

Read more: Singapore Botanic Gardens with Kids Guide


3. Hike Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

bukit timah nature reserve hindhede reservoir

Bukit Timah is filled with meandering walking and hiking trails rated Easy, Moderate, and Difficult. There are no distances listed anywhere online or on any of the maps at the park, but according to the ranger we spoke with at the visitor centre, the best kid-friendly hiking trail would be the easy Red trail to the summit in just 1.3km. Read our Guide to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve here!
Hiking trail difficulty level: Walking trails for all different levels, Easy, Moderate, and Difficult. The Red trail is entirely paved, making it stroller-friendly, as is the short, paved boardwalk trail to Hindhede Quarry – accessible from the visitor centre.


4. Walk the Round-Island-Route (via the new Changi Bay Park Connector)

changi bay park connector

While it’s admittedly better for cycling than hiking or trekking, it’s still worth checking out parts of the Round-Island-Route on foot for the stunning views! The first phase of the Round Island Route was launched at the beginning of 2022. Stretching across 75km, it currently covers the eastern half of Singapore – Rower’s Bay, Sengkang Riverside Park, Pasir Ris Park, East Coast Park, Berlayer Creek and Changi Beach Park (including Changi Bay) and is the island’s longest recreational connection that encircles Singapore in the east. You can start your journey at any of the aforementioned parks with parking available at all the parks. Changi Bay Park Connector is the one to check out right now at 3.6km long, with picturesque views of the bay along the walking trail and connecting to Changi Beach Park.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy and stroller-friendly, but a bit long.


5. Hike around Chestnut Nature Park

best hiking singapore kids chestnut nature park

Chestnut Nature Park is located on the eastern end of Chestnut Avenue and it’s the largest nature park in Singapore! There are two areas to Chestnut Nature Park – Chestnut Nature Park (South) and Chestnut Nature Park (North). Chestnut Nature Park (South) is the easier hiking trail of the two at 2.1km. Keep your eyes peeled for unique bird species such as the Straw-headed Bulbul, the Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Banded Woodpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker and Little Spiderhunter!
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy, but not suitable for strollers as some paths are not paved and have rugged terrain.


6. Kid-friendly hikes around Dairy Farm Nature Park

best hikes singapore kids dairy farm nature park look out point

Dairy Farm Nature Park has some great hiking trails that are kid-friendly yet still set in a rustic environment. The 75-hectare park offers a host of recreational activities and amenities, including a former quarry. Stop at the lookout point for a great photo op, then trek to the nearby Rail Mall with its cafes and restaurants – our top pick has to be Springleaf Prata Place!
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy. The Wallace Trail is very stroller-friendly with its paved paths and boardwalks.


7. Trek around Fort Canning Park

best hiking singapore kid friendly fort canning park trails

Mamas love this centrally-located park for the wide-open spaces and the hills (feel the burn as you push the pram uphill). Kiddies love the Battle Box – the former headquarters of the British military and an underground, tunnel-filled exploration wonderland. While everyone loves to picnic on the grass! The 2019 opening of Jubilee Park Playground (handily right next door to the Fort Canning MRT Station) has only boosted Fort Canning’s appeal. Read our complete guide to Fort Canning park here.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy but quite uphill. Stroller-friendly from the Percival Road entrance.


8. Hike with sea views around Labrador Park

best parks for kids in singapore labrador nature reserve

You can park at Labrador Park car park, and hike with small kids or a stroller all along the coastal paths to end up at Keppel Bay (and reward yourself with a coffee at Privé!). We love the sea views. Kids can bring a scooter if they aren’t good at walking distances, and there are a couple of playgrounds on the way. Read our Guide to Labrador Nature Reserve here!
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy and stroller-friendly.


9. Longer hikes around MacRitchie Reservoir Park

macritchie reservoir park for kids nature trails hiking

There are plenty of fun things to do with kids at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, including hiking and trekking! The park offers a fantastic network of nature trails that are well-maintained but refreshingly rustic – think tree roots and rocks, and no pavement for strollers (although the front part of the park is paved so there’s plenty to see with a bub in tow). MacRitchie has six different nature trails that range from 3km to 11km in length. The 4.8km loop that runs near Lornie Road is perfect with kids, as the terrain is relatively flat and mostly features a wide gravel walkway, along with plenty of shade (and opportunities for wildlife spotting!). The route can be shortened at any point if you just turn around, rather than follow the loop to the boardwalk; otherwise your best bet with kids is to walk along the reservoir boardwalk from the jetty (to the left if you’re facing the park) to the boat rental centre. Don’t miss the TreeTop Walk, which has recently reopened and can be more easily accessed via Windsor Nature Park.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Moderately easy, and stroller-friendly only along Chemperai Trail.

Keep reading for our Guide to Visiting MacRitchie Reservoir Park with Kids!


10. Island hikes around Pulau Ubin & Chek Jawa

best hiking singapore kid friendly family pulau ubin puaka hill klook

Take a public boat over to rustic, sleepy island Pulau Ubin and you will feel like you are on holiday away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore. You can actually bring your own bikes over on the boat (surcharges may apply), rent cycles at bike shops on Pulau Ubin or hike up Puaka Hill! The island is well sign-posted, marking out hiking trails for beginner and advanced hikers (and cyclists!). Bring a picnic and make a day of it or you can grab a casual Asian lunch with a cold beer at one of the seafood spots in Pulau Village.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Moderately easy, but the hike up Puaka Hill is not stroller-friendly.

Keep reading for our Guide to Pulau Ubin with Kids!


11. Punggol Waterway Park

The Punggol Park Connector is a lovely easy stretch of cycle path that’s admittedly better for cycling than hiking or trekking, but families with younger kids will appreciate it no matter your preferred activity. The hiking route around the Punggol promenade is pretty doable at 4.2km with great views of nature and the manmade waterway. You can then take the kids over to play at the water playground and sand play or grab a bite to eat at the many restaurants around Punggol Promenade!
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy and very stroller-friendly.

Keep reading for our Guide to Punggol with Kids!


12. Hikes around Green Corridor/Rail Corridor

nparks rail corridor weekend planner

The Rail Corridor (sometimes called Green Corridor) is a lovely 24km stretch of former rail tracks going from Tanjong Pagar Station in the CBD all the way to Woodlands Checkpoint and even includes Clementi Forest. It’s surrounded by bushes and tall trees, and lots of lovely flowers. The terrain is at times rugged, muddy and rocky (though flat). While there are condos, schools and even office buildings close by, it’s remarkably quiet and tranquil. If you’re coming by MRT, alight at King Albert Park MRT Station, Exit A (Downtown line), turn left and do a 5-minute walk along Bukit Timah Road before you see the entrance point to lead you into the Rail Corridor. If you’re driving, you can park at King Albert Park Mall or Rail Mall.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy, but not entirely stroller-friendly as the terrains are quite varied as mentioned above.

Read more: Top 5 Things I Love about The Green Corridor (and why you should visit ASAP)


13. Southern Ridges (includes Mount Faber Park, HortPark & Labrador Nature Reserve)

best hiking singapore kids southern ridges

Go on a hike in the great outdoors and enjoy the serenity on offer at the Southern Ridges. Comprising 10km of green, open spaces that connect Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve, these ridges are an alternative for adventurous families. Top highlights include Henderson Waves (the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore), the Forest Walk and Canopy Walk – bridges cutting through the Adinandra Belukar, a distinct type of secondary forest.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy (but some routes are quite long) and entirely stroller-friendly.


14. Tampines Eco Green

best hiking singapore kids tampines eco green

Tampines dwellers, we’re jealous you have the fab Tampines Eco Green in your hood! This eco-friendly park offers a sanctuary for flora and fauna with various natural habitats such as open grasslands, freshwater wetlands and a secondary rainforest. The hiking trails within the park make you feel so far removed from urban city life! With lots of clear signs it’s easy to navigate around this park with little ones.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Easy and stroller-friendly (but many paths are grassy not paved).


15. Keppel Hill Reservoir

best hiking singapore kids keppel hill reservoir

Psst… this one’s a secret spot that’s recently been rediscovered! Keppel Hill Reservoir is a hidden trail in Singapore located near Mount Faber, and remains unmarked on official maps. We heard that the hike to this spot can be a bit challenging, so try this only with the older kids! Start climbing up Keppel Hill Road (or even drive in) and it will lead you to an unofficial manmade path in the direction of the reservoir.
Hiking trail difficulty level: Difficult, so it’s better for adventurous older kids. Not suitable for strollers as it’s very off the beaten track!

Lead image of Rife Range Nature Park by NParks; Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Macritchie Reservoir Park images by Michell Tam; Keppel Hill Reservoir image by Cashew NC Briskwalking Club; Pulau Ubin image by Klook; all other images courtesy of NParks

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