Bukit Timah Railway Station
Photograph: National Parks

The ultimate guide to the Rail Corridor in Singapore

The central stretch of the Rail Corridor is the most accessible and walkable part – here are some of the best things to do and see there

Cam KhalidCheryl Sekkappan
Contributor: Cheryl Sekkappan
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Beyond the skyscraper-filled concrete jungle, there’s a plethora of flora and fauna thriving in Singapore. With many parks and nature reserves dotted around the Garden City, there’s never a dull moment when it comes to exploring the great outdoors.

After two years of works, the central stretch of the 24-kilometre-long Rail Corridor officially reopened in 2021. This was followed by the restoration of Bukit Timah Railway Station, the launch of Rifle Range Nature Park, and most recently, the opening of the northern section of the Rail CorridorTaken together, the Rail Corridor now features restored landmark bridges, new entry points, pedestrian underpasses, and well-paved tracks for avid hikers and cyclists. The area has also been rewilded with native plants, adding to the rustic charm of the whole track. 

To make the most of your journey through the Rail Corridor, we've mapped out the best bits to see and do along the way. 

RECOMMENDED: The best hiking trails in Singapore and the best outdoor spots in Singapore to admire nature from above

Rail Corridor central

  • Things to do
  • Bukit Panjang

Start Hillview MRT Station

Located next to the Rail Mall, the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge dates back to 1932, and remains the only Pratt truss bridge in Singapore. The Pratt truss design features a single tension diagonal in each panel and a compression vertical with parallel chords and an inclined end post. 

As part of the restoration, rotten timber sleepers were replaced, gaps were sealed, and new protective layers and railings were added to make it extra safe. Ballast stones around the track were also relaid. Instead of trains chugging by, expect to see pedestrians and cyclists crossing it. Plus, the bridge also makes for an industrial-style Instagram backdrop.

  • Things to do
  • Bukit Panjang

From Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge

Head towards the south of the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge before making your way to a foot bridge better known as Singapore Quarry Bridge which traverses above the main pathway. The bridge then takes you to a forest path which leads to Dairy Farm Nature Park. 

The 63-hectare park is set in a rustic environment with multiple trails for hiking and biking. The main trail is paved, so you don't have to rough it out Bear Grylls-style. Make your way to the Wallace Education Centre for hands-on activities and exhibits that tell the story of Dairy Farm’s changing landscapes. Keep a lookout for the striking red and yellow heliconias as well as the monkeys, pangolins, and butterflies along the way. 

For a chance to spot rare species of dragonflies and the critically endangered birds known as Little Grebe, head towards the scenic Singapore Quarry at the park’s south-western end.

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  • Things to do
  • Bukit Panjang

From Dairy Farm Nature Park

Another way to access Singapore Quarry is via the paved road from Singapore Quarry Bridge. A popular spot for birdwatchers and nature photographers, the quarry is now a huge lake where you can spot rare birds, fishes, turtles and even monitor lizards if you're sharp. There’s also a spacious viewing deck at the side of the lake where you can observe dragonflies flitting over the water, and admire the cliff walls from a distance.

  • Things to do
  • Bukit Panjang

From Singapore Quarry

This nature reserve is renowned for having one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. Besides housing hundreds of animal and insect species, it also contains more tree species than the whole of North America. Weekends are busy with walkers, nature lovers, and mountain bikers, so come on a weekday if you prefer a quiet trek. 

There are four walking trails. A steep paved path takes you directly to the peak, but more interesting are the unpaved trails; Route 3 (green) follows a winding forest path, past caves used by Japanese soldiers in World War II. After the hike, head to the adjacent Hindhede Nature Park to look at the quarry lake.

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  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • Bukit Panjang

From Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Located south of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the 66-hectare Rifle Range Nature Park serves as an alternative spot to connect with nature, as well as a buffer to reduce edge effects on the nature reserve. The park adds on 7km of trails and boardwalks to the sprawling Central Nature Park Network, and includes a couple of interesting features to accommodate both human visitors (us) and wildlife. 

Highlights include Quarry Wetland, which has been transformed from the former Sin Seng Quarry into a habitat for wetland animals. Look up and you'll also notice the Coluga Deck perched 31 metres above the former quarry. You can reach this lookout point – shaped like a Sunda colugo (flying lemur) in flight – via the Coluga Trail, a moderately challenging trail with steps to the top. 

  • Things to do
  • Walks and tours
  • Bukit Panjang

From Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

For a leisurely hike with the family, Hindhede Nature Park located next to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has easy trails and well-defined footpaths perfect for families, children and hiking beginners. Scenic and serene, it is also an excellent spot for wildlife watching as it is home to inhabitants like the banded woodpecker, clouded monitor lizard and plantain squirrel – so it pays to keep your eyes open when taking a walk. The main highlight, of course, is the picturesque Hindhede Quarry which is located at the end of the park.

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  • Things to do
  • Walks and tours
  • Bukit Panjang

From Hindhede Nature Park

Jump back to the Rail Corridor via the new underpass built at Hindhede Drive. Located under an old rail bridge, the 3.6-metre-wide underpass is set up parallel to Hindhede Drive so that pedestrians can access Bukit Timah Nature Reserve without having to walk along the road which has no pavement.

  • Things to do
  • Bukit Timah

From Hindhede Drive

The 45-metre-long steel bridge first opened in 1932, and together with Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, it was gazetted for conservation in 2015. The Bukit Timah Truss Bridge is the only Baltimore truss bridge in Singapore, and similar to the Pratt truss, it has additional bracing in the lower section of the truss.

Both truss bridges have been restored, refurbished, and reopened with new safety features installed. A good thing too as it’s also one of the most popular spots for taking photos and catching the stunning sunset or sunrise.

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  • Things to do
  • City Life

From Bukit Timah Truss Bridge

While we love the modernity of MRT trains and stations, there’s nothing quite like the charm of an old-school railway station. Despite being in Singapore, the Bukit Timah Railway Station was owned by Malaysia from 1903 to 2011 when it was returned to Singapore and gazetted as a conserved building. 

The Bukit Timah Railway Station has finally reopened to the public after two years of restoration works. Located around the midway point of the 24km Rail Corridor, the Railway Station is part of a new 4.3-hectare space for the community.

Visitors can now learn about the history of the former railway station in a heritage gallery located in the old railway station. There, you can also pick up a cup of coffee at the cafe housed in the former staff quarters and enjoy the new amenities, gardens and lawns. 

To make the area accessible and interactive to the public, URA has added ramps and wagons as a play feature and photo opportunity. The toilet block is also given an upgrade while showcasing how sanitation systems evolved throughout the decades. A new sheltered yard has also been built as a rest area and gathering point. The Bukit Timah Railway Station community node also has two new gardens – Kampung Garden, and Herb and Spice Garden – a community and an event lawn.

 

Other notable landmarks

  • Things to do
  • City Life

Opposite Kranji MRT station is Kranji Node, your latest and greatest entry point to the central and southern sections of the Rail Corridor. This new section, called Rail Corridor (North), adds 21km of uninterrupted trails and pathways from Kranji MRT station to Spooner Road, alongside 30 new access points. Kranji Node itself has a 250m rustic nature trail for you to explore. Beside the node is a new 2000sqm events field for community use – no bookings required unless you're organising an activity involving 30 people or more.

Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat

Targeted to be opened to the public by 2025, the Mandai and Mangrove Mudflat forms the northernmost point of the Rail Corridor. These mangroves are some of the last in Singapore that have an extensive wetland at low tide, and serve as an important rest and feeding stop for migratory birds coming from the far north and south. Once public access becomes available, it will have been enhanced with nature trails, bicycle racks and bird hides for visitors to admire the birds on the mudflats. 

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  • Things to do
  • Kent Ridge

Clementi Forest is a hidden gem that's about 85 hectares of wilderness at the heart of residential areas in the West. Accessible from the Rail Corridor or opposite Ngee Ann Poly, this hiking trail is as wild as it gets in Singapore. Put on a pair of good hiking shoes to get you through muddy ground and undulating terrain. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for abandoned railway tracks, wildlife, lush streams and even a manmade cascading waterfall. Do bring a friend for safety's sake, and remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. 

 

  • Things to do
  • Bukit Batok
Former Ford Factory
Former Ford Factory

Designated as a national monument in 2006, the first auto assembly plant in South-East Asia was also the place where British Forces surrendered Singapore to the Japanese army in 1942. It’s now a museum which, through pictorial exhibits and film documentaries, details just how residents in Singapore and Malaya lived during the Japanese Occupation.

 

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  • Art
  • Buona Vista

The black-and-white colonial houses in the Wessex Estate near Portsdown Road sit amid lush greenery. Head to the picturesque neighbourhood for a quiet stroll and then wander into Colbar – short for ‘colonial bar’ – that was once a canteen for the British Army. With its vintage photographs and décor, the diner is a relic from the past that invites guests to step back through time. The blocks of walk-up apartments and semi-detached houses were built in the ’40s and previously used by non-commissioned British officers and soldiers. Today, the houses are mostly residential, with a small enclave of artists who use them as studio space.

Places to fuel up

  • Chinese
  • Bukit Panjang
  • price 1 of 4

The Rail Mall houses a cluster of shops and restaurants that make it a good place to start or end your exploration of the Rail Corridor. Perk yourself up in the morning with a coffee from the new Starbucks or some steaming hot buns from Nam Kee Pau; grab lunch at New Teck Kee Chicken Rice; or end the day with a homely Italian meal Acqua e Farina, murtabak from Springleaf, or even craft beer from Sixteen Ounces. 

  • Shopping
  • Bukit Timah
Beauty World Centre
Beauty World Centre

The admittedly cobwebbed mall is a hodge-podge of reflexology spas, interior design firms, provision shops and, yup, a 24-hour McDonald’s. Take the row of escalators up and you’ll find one of the few hawker centres in Singapore that’s perched on a rooftop. The food is like a cuddle, with options including handmade mee hoon kway (from $3.50) and satay bee hoon (from $4). Hipster hawkers have also found their way up here, serving tonkotsu ramen ($6.90) at Buta Kin and affordable burgers at Hambaobao, cooked on the spot and served piping hot.

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  • Indian
  • Bukit Timah

 The stretch of eateries across from Beauty World Centre is no stranger to starving tummies. Breakfast can be easily settled at Joo Seng Teochew Porrige and Rice, and lunch or dinner at G7 Sinma Claypot and Mong Kok Dim Sum (try the fantastic beef hor fun). Al-Azhar has also got your back 24/7 with calorie-laden prata and butter chicken. And if you're in a big group, don't miss the chance to check out one of the Korean eateries on the street, the most famous being o.BBa Jjajang & BBQ.

  • Hawker
  • Bukit Timah

After scaling Singapore's highest peak at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, head to nearby Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre for a well-deserved meal of delicious hawker fare. Over 80 hawker stalls occupy the floor above a sprawling wet market, serving up the usual suspects like chicken rice, carrot cake and hokkien mee. For a guaranteed good meal, join the perpetually snaking queues at Leng Kee Fish Soup (#02-192), Jie Ji Boneless Braised Duck (#02-151) and Sin Chew Satay Bee Hoon (#02-162). 

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  • Indian
  • Bukit Panjang

This nondescript Indian eating house on Upper Bukit Timah Road serves one of the best Fish Head Curry ($26) in Singapore. Quality spices sourced from India shine through in the thick, glossy gravy. It does not overpower, but instead complements the flakey white meat of the fish head. They also serve an extensive menu of mains, tandooris, vegetarian delights and drinks. 

Explore the neighbourhoods nearby

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