Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore‘s oldest. One of the island nation’s most popular parks.
Highlight for me was seeing 2 of the world’s smallest hoofed animals, the lesser mouse deer.
Not expecting these little guys ā about 45 cm (18 inches) and 2 kg (4.4 lb) ā my first thought seeing them in the foliage is that they were GIANT RATS. š
You can hike a multitude of trails at MacRitchie ā or go kayak / canoeing.
I tried the MacRitchie Reservoir and TreeTop Walk Loop.
- 12.2km
- 3ā3.5hr
- 281m elevation gain
- Zig Zag bridge
- Performing Arts Pavilion
Unfortunately, I arrived at the TreeTop Walk about 15 minutes after it closed ā and, no, you cannot sneak across when locked up. š
I had to backtrack a bit. Then continue to the next landmark, Jelutong Tower.
I’m finding the flat jungle walks in Singapore mostly offer views of … jungle.
The tower finally gave me a chance to get up high and see the surrounding vista.
A big surprise is to see so few insects and spiders in October. Nice.
After a couple of months in S.E. Asia, I’m well used to macaques. You see them many times on this hike. But most on the Singapore Island Country Club.
Somewhat marshy in places, this park has a lot of high quality boardwalk.
I was on boardwalk as darkness fell. Lovely over the water.
I shortened the loop somewhat because it got very dark on narrow boardwalks.
Because I was still in the city, I caught a nearby bus and was quickly back to my hostel.
MacRitchie is a terrific urban hike.
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