Running trails in Singapore
Cover image credit (L-R) @_lkael_, @pebblepaw_
We’ve categorized some of Singapore’s top running trails that don’t just help you clock those calorie burns but also reward you with stunning views for doing so.
Now that Phase 2 has finally begun, it’s not time to rest on our laurels just yet. With limited capacities at the gym and most of us still working from home, a run at the neighbourhood park will help you fulfil your cardio needs for the week.
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Running trails in Northern Singapore
1. Punggol Waterway Park
Credit: Erwin Soo via Flickr
Credit: Ken Marshall via Flickr
Perfect for an evening run, the Punggol Promenade Riverside walk has beautiful golden sunsets to reward you after your sweat sesh. There are well-maintained tracks on both sides of the waterway that links to Lorong Halus Wetland Park and you can even continue on into Pasir Ris Park. If you’re more of an early bird, the Sunrise Bridge is where you’ll want to be.
They have routes with varying distances but the full route can be as long as 12KM for a round trip.
Start Point/Endpoint: Waterway Point
Distance: 12 KM
Running Route: Waterway Point -> Punggol Marina Country Club -> The Punggol Settlement -> Coney Island -> Lorong Halus Wetland -> Waterway Point.
2. Yishun Pond Park
Credit: Nparks on Twitter
Yishun Pond Park is a great place to clock your kilometres if you love nature. Spot a huge variety of plants and shrubs as well as bird species from the spiral tower! You’ll also be able to catch the sunset at Lower Seletar Reservoir.
Start point/Endpoint: Yishun Pond Park - Lower Seletar Reservoir Park
Distance: 3.5km
Running Route: Yishun Pond Park -> Yishun Park -> Yishun Ave 4 -> Yishun Ave 1 -> Lower Seletar Reservoir Park.
3. Lower Pierce Reservoir Park
Credit: @_lkael_
Lower Pierce Reservoir park is where you’ll spot monkeys, monitor lizards and many different bird variants! The meandering boardwalk is also perfect for catching the sunset on your evening run.
Start point/Endpoint: Lower Pierce Reservoir Park
Distance: 2KM
Running Route: Old Upper Thomson Road -> Lower Pierce Reservoir -> Old Upper Thomson Road
4. Woodlands Waterfront Park
Credit: Nparks.gov
Get ready for a mix of forest, mangroves, riverine and open grasslands as you run through Admiralty Park to end up at Woodlands Waterfront Park. You’ll then be greeted by unobstructed views of Johor Bahru and the Woodlands Jetty where you might find fishermen looking for their daily catch.
Start point/Endpoint: Woodlands MRT/ Woodlands Waterfront Park
Distance: 4km
Running Route: Woodlands MRT -> Riverside Road -> Admiralty Park -> Woodlands Jetty -> Woodlands Waterfront Park.
Running trails in Southern Singapore
5. Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges is not just a running trail, it serves as a great backdrop for your Instagram pictures. The elevated walkway that overlooks the lush canopy is the best spot for catching the sunset on your run. When it comes to scenic views, the iconic Henderson Waves is definitely top on our list.
Start point/End Point: Harbourfront MRT/ Kent Ridge MRT
Distance: 7.5km
Running Route: Harbourfront MRT Exit D -> Marang Trail -> Mount Faber Park -> Henderson Waves -> Telok Blangah Hill Park-> Forest Walk (1.3km elevated walkway) -> Alexandra Arch -> HortPark -> Canopy Walk -> Kent Ridge Park -> Science Park -> Kent Ridge MRT Station.
6. Labrador Park
Credit: Nparks.gov
The Labrador Nature Reserve is one of Singapore’s 4 protected nature reserves! Your run will take you through the mangroves and out to the decks at Berlayer Creek. The tranquil nature spots is truly an oasis from the bustle of the city.
Start point/Endpoint: Labrador Park MRT
Distance: 3km
Running Route: Labrador Park MRT -> Pavilion's roof deck -> Berlayer Creek Boardwalk -> Labrador Nature Reserve (Labrador Park) -> Dragon’s Teeth Gate -> Red Beacon -> Old Fort Entrance -> 6-inch Cannon -> Labrador Villa Road -> Labrador Park MRT Station.
7. Marina Bay
Credit: Zairon via Wikimedia Commons
Those working in the CBD area would know that come evening time, the pathways along Marina Bay would be littered with joggers. If you time your run just right, you’ll get to enjoy the Marina Bay skyline, the sunset and even the fountain show!
Start point/Endpoint: Marina Bay Sands (Bayfront MRT)
Distance: 3km
Running Route: Marina Bay Sands -> Red Dot Design Museum -> The Promontory -> One Fullerton -> Merlion -> Jubilee Bridge / Esplanade Bridge -> Esplanade -> Floating Platform -> Helix Bridge -> ArtScience Museum -> Marina Bay Sands.
8. Gardens by the Bay East
Another great waterfront route at the Marina Bay area is the one that takes you from Gardens by the Bay to National Stadium and back! As you pass through the beautiful floral displays at Gardens by the Bay all the way to the Singapore Flyer, you will be thoroughly rewarded for your run
Start point/End Point: ArtScience Museum (Bayfront MRT)
Distance: 9km
Running Route: ArtScience Museum -> Gardens by the Bay -> Flower Dome & Cloud Forest -> Marina Barrage -> Bay East -> Tanjong Rhu Promenade -> Tanjong Rhu Suspension Bridge -> National Stadium -> Merdeka Bridge -> Marina Promenade Park -> F1 Pit Building -> Singapore Flyer -> Helix Bridge -> ArtScience Museum.
Running trails in Eastern Singapore
9. Bedok Reservoir Park
Credit: @pebblepaw_
Bedok Reservoir Park is a popular spot for runners, water sports enthusiasts and even obstacle courses. One loop around the reservoir is only 4.5km and is very manageable even if you’re just looking to take a long walk.
Be greeted by the calm waters of the reservoir and the singing birds as you make your way around.
Start point/Endpoint: Bedok Reservoir
Distance: 4.5km
Running Route: Loop around the reservoir
10. East Coast Park
Credit: jh_tan84 on Flickr
East Coast Park is extremely popular on the weekends for families looking to cycle or even have a picnic. We suggest doing your runs on weekdays if you wish to avoid the crowds. If you’re a long-distance runner you’ll definitely want to take the full 15KM route. For those looking for just a leisurely jog, make sure you keep to the footpaths to avoid cyclists.
The best way to end off your run is to refuel at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village afterwards.
Start point/Endpoint: Kembangan MRT/ East Coast Lagoon Food Village
Distance: 15km
Running Route: Kembangan MRT -> Siglap Park Connector -> East Coast Park Carpark C4 -> Parkland Green -> U-turn to National Sailing Centre -> U-turn to East Coast Lagoon Food Village.
11. Changi Boardwalk
Credit: alantankenghoe on Flickr
Located at the west side of Changi Beach Park, the Changi Point Coastal Walk will take you through scenic coastlines as you trudge across the boardwalk. The well-lit boardwalk blends in with the flora and fauna and that means you can also expect to spot exotic birds like hornbills along the way!
Start point/Endpoint: Changi Beach Park Carpark 7/Changi Boardwalk
Distance: 5.5km
Running Route: Changi Beach Park Carpark 7 -> Changi Beach Park Carpark 6 -> Changi Beach Park -> Changi Point Ferry Terminal -> Changi Sailing Club -> Changi Boardwalk.
Running trails in Northern Singapore
12. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Credit: Zairon via Wikimedia Commons
Home to 40% of Singapore’s native flora and fauna, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is perfect for an escape from the city. This is also Singapore’s highest hill so you can expect a bit of elevation as you do your run!
Start point/Endpoint: Beauty World MRT/ Hillview MRT
Distance: 6.5km
Running Route: Beauty World MRT -> Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre -> Bukit Timah Hill (Summit) -> Dairy Farm Hut -> Dairy Farm Nature Park -> Singapore Quarry -> Hillview MRT.
13. Jurong Lake
The Jurong Lake Gardens is a great place to catch the paddle pop sunsets in the west. As you jog past Chinese Gardens, you’ll be greeted by the imperial style of architecture and as you continue along to the Japanese Gardens, you’ll see the seven-story pagoda and the Garuyuchi Pond.
Start point/Endpoint: Chinese Garden MRT/ Lakeside MRT
Distance: 4.5kmRunning Route: Chinese Garden MRT -> Chinese Garden -> Japanese Garden -> Lakeside MRT.
Running trails in Central Singapore
14. MacRitchie Reservoir
The MacRitchie Reservoir isn’t just great for watersports, the trails are every runner’s dream come true. Whether you’re looking for short runs or runs with elevation you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to routes. The TreeTop Walk is also a must-visit if you’re headed there.
If you’re looking for a quick run, the Chemperai Trail, Jering Trail, Petai Trail or Prunus Trail is perfect for a short run.
Start point/Endpoint: Mushroom Café
Distance: 12km
Running Route: Mushroom Café -> Singapore Canoe Federation -> MacRitchie Nature Trail -> Ranger Station -> TreeTop Walk -> Simei Track -> Golf Link -> Lornie Trail -> Mushroom Café.
15. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Credit: Littlemouse on Pixabay
Singapore’s very own and only UNESCO Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has over 1000 orchid species that will greet you from every corner as you make your way through the trails.
After your morning run, you can even grab a picnic mat and have lunch amongst the flowers!
Start point/Endpoint: Botanic Gardens MRT/ Tanglin Gate
Distance: 4km
Running Route: Botanic Gardens MRT -> Eco Lake -> Healing Garden -> Evolution Garden -> Symphony Lake -> National Orchid Garden -> Ginger Garden -> Upper Ring Road -> Swan Lake -> Tanglin Gate.
16. Fort Canning
Credit: @_lkael_
Not just an Instagram hotspot, Fort Canning Park is also a hot favourite to clock those miles. The paths here have plenty of stairs for you to maximize your leg day workout. Explore the history of Singapore from the colonial area to the Golden Age all as you loop around the park.
Start point/Endpoint: Fort Canning MRT
Distance: 2km
Running Route: Fort Canning MRT -> Fort Gate -> The Battlebox -> Fort Canning Centre -> Fort Canning Flagstaff -> Fort Canning MRT.
