A Quiet, Green Corner: Your Guide to Hindhede Nature Park
When it comes to public parks, nature reserves, and gardens, there’s no shortage in Singapore. There are many popular ones, like the Botanic Gardens, but there are others that are quite underrated; a perfect example would be Hindhede Nature Park.
The main reason Hindhede Nature Park is an underrated destination is that it’s located in the shadows of a much more popular park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It’s also relatively small, making it easy to get overlooked.
That said, Hindhede Nature Park still boasts lush scenery and exotic wildlife, so it’s a great place to be if you want to take a break from the bustling city. For a memorable experience in this park, feel free to use this article as your guide.
Things to Know
Address: Hindhede Dr, Singapore
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—7 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—7 am to 7:30 pm
History and Background
In the 1900s, the Hindhede Nature Park area was active due to the granite mining operations at the quarry.
However, in 1990, operations stopped, and the government decided to transform the area into a public park geared towards casual visitors and families with children.
The park was named Hindhede Nature Park after Jens Hindhede, a Danish man who served as a businessman and tea farmer in Singapore and Malaysia in the 1920s and 1930s.
Hindhede Nature Park opened to the public in 2001, and despite not being as popular as its neighbor, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, it’s still a pretty well-visited park.
How to Get There
Bus: Simply ride any of the following bus services: 67, 75, 170, 184, 852, 961, or 961C. Alight at either Jalan Anak Bukit Road (Bus Stop ID: 42109) or Upper Bukit Timah Road (Bus Stop ID: 42091), and take a short walk to the park.
MRT: If riding the MRT is your preferred mode of public transportation, you just have to take the train to the Beauty World MRT station, take Exit A, and then walk to the park.
Car: If you prefer to drive on your own, there’s a car park within the premises. If that’s already full, your next best options are the ones located in the neighboring parks, such as Rifle Range Nature Park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and Dairy Farm Nature Park.
Best Time to Visit
Technically, you can visit Hindhede Nature Park whenever you want. That said, I believe that the best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon because that’s when the weather is usually cooler.
Try to visit during the weekdays as well. This is because there won’t be as big of a crowd then, so you can enjoy a more peaceful time exploring the park.
Tips When Visiting Hindhede Nature Park
- Wear comfortable clothing. You’ll be spending most of your time walking around the park, so you should wear comfortable clothes. If you’re keen on hiking, I recommend you wear the proper hiking attire.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, or an umbrella. Since you’ll be exposed to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays, you need to protect your skin.
- Put on insect repellent. There are many insects and bugs in this park, so to avoid any bites, bring insect repellent and put a generous amount on your skin.
- Bring a water bottle. It’s important to keep yourself hydrated while you explore the park, so bring a sizeable water bottle for you to sip on.
- Bring some coins. If you’re not going to bring a water bottle, bring some coins because there is a vending machine in the Visitor Center. This vending machine has many drink options.
- Toilets are only found in the Visitor Center. Before you start your hike around the park, stop by the Visitor Center first and do your business there.
What to Do
Go hiking
Understandably, hiking is the best thing to do in Hindhede Nature Park. The great thing about this park is that since it was created with families in mind, the main hiking trail here is beginner-friendly.
In other words, your little ones can join you on your hike! They’ll be exposed to the joys of hiking at an early age, and you can also use this moment as a way to bond with your children.
Here are some of the trails that you can enjoy in Hindhede Nature Park.
Hindhede Park Loop
The Hindhede Park Loop is the main hiking trail found here, and as expected, it takes you around the park. You start at the Visitor Center, then hike along the quarry before ending right back at the Visitor Center.
This route is noted for its paved walkways, wooden platforms, and dirt trails. But don’t worry because overall, this trail has gentle inclines and wide paths, so it’s easy for everyone to navigate.
The Hindhede Park Loop isn’t a very long trail. It usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete, but feel free to make it longer if you want to admire and immerse yourself in nature.
Trails Connecting to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Since Hindhede Nature Park is located right next to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, you can diverge from the main trail and connect to a trail in the nature reserve.
I recommend going for a hike towards the summit of Bukit Timah Hill, the highest natural peak in Singapore. This is perfect if you want a challenging route; the incline and rugged terrain should provide a satisfying workout session.
Additionally, the summit also serves as some sort of observation deck. So, after enduring a long hike, you can treat yourself to a glorious sight of nature at the top.
Rail Corridor
Hindhede Nature Park also serves as a waypoint for the Rail Corridor, which was once a railway line but is now a continuous green passage that stretches for 21 kilometers.
In addition to its length, the Rail Corridor features all sorts of terrain—from smooth planes to rugged surfaces—so it’s perfect for experienced hikers.
Hindhede Nature Park is part of the corridor’s southern side, so you might want to extend your hike and include the other waypoints in your trail.
Some of the corridor waypoints you can visit include the Singapore Quarry, Clementi Forest, and the truss bridges at Upper Bukit Timah and Bukit Timah. If you’re up for it, try to reach the end of the corridor, which is the former Bukit Timah Railway Station.
Enjoy the scenic scenery from the Hindhede Quarry
The Hindhede Quarry is arguably the main highlight of the park, so you better not miss it during your visit!
The quarry boasts cliffs overrun with lush greenery and still, blue-green waters that sparkle under the sun. Whether you’re hiking along the paved walkway or resting on the lookout deck, you’ll be blown away by the gorgeous sight all around you.
You can also take this as a moment to capture photos on your camera phone. Feel free to capture sweeping, panoramic shots or selfies and group photos with your loved ones!
Try to spot as many wild animals as you can
Since this is a nature park, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are many wild animals in Hindhede Nature Park. So, if you’re an animal lover, try spotting as many animals as you can!
If you’re a bird enthusiast specifically, you’ll be glad to know that many avians frequent this park. The banded woodpecker and straw-headed bulbul are the most popular spottings.
Aside from birds, you can also find macaques, flying lemurs, plantain squirrels, and clouded monitor lizards!
Host a fun picnic with your loved ones
I’ve gone on picnics here with my family on several occasions, and it’s fun every time. Not only did we get quality time with each other, but we also cherished the serenity of the park.
Just make sure to put your picnic snacks inside a backpack. There are many wild animals about, and if they see you carrying food, they might snatch it from you!
Also, don’t forget to clean as you go. Hindhede Nature Park is home to many wildlife, so we should be responsible and avoid littering.
Run around the playground
Hindhede Nature Park has a playground, so if your child isn’t interested in hiking, they might want to play around there instead!
This playground has so many features. There are climbing nets for the hyper children, sand pits for children who love creating sandcastles and other structures, and even a mini-zip line for thrillseekers.
Another one of my favorite features is the group of climbing poles that look like trees in a clearing near the main playground. Many children take these poles as a challenge that they need to conquer, and it’s so fun seeing them try.
For children who aren’t as physically active, there’s a hexagon of tire swings where they can just sit and mindlessly swing back and forth. You can push the swing hard to make them feel like they’re flying; their squeals of laughter are such a delight to hear!