MacRitchie Reservoir

This is a great place to spend few hours. Even though it is a popular spot, you will never find it cramped. There are options to take easy, moderate and difficult treks. I would definetly go again.

It’s my third time walking here—did a 12km walk to MacRitchie and honestly, the park makes the calorie burn totally worth it. Super well-maintained and a great place to enjoy nature. Always a refreshing experience!

A must visit spot in Singapore if you love to explore trails and to trek in the jungle. Be wary of bringing along plastic bags as there are many monkeys.

Such a beautiful walk! Beware of the monkeys, I saw one stealing some unattended drinks and another threatening one of the hikers. Also note that the route to tree top walk is one way, and has some stairs. It loops back to the main circular trail around Mac Ritchie. Took us 4 hours with lots of photo stops and breaks. Go early morning to avoid the sun.

Visiting MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore was a refreshing escape into nature. As Singapore's oldest reservoir, it offers a serene environment amidst lush greenery, providing a perfect setting for outdoor enthusiasts. The well-maintained trails and boardwalks meander through the forest, allowing for leisurely walks or more vigorous hikes. One of the highlights is the TreeTop Walk, a 250-meter suspension bridge that offers panoramic views of the forest canopy, making the trek worthwhile. ​ The reservoir is also a haven for wildlife; during my visit, I encountered various bird species and playful macaques. It's advisable to keep a safe distance from the animals and avoid bringing food in plastic bags, as it can attract the monkeys. For those interested in water activities, kayaking is available, providing a different perspective of the reservoir's beauty. The calm waters make it suitable for beginners and offer a peaceful experience away from the bustling city.​ Amenities such as restrooms and water refill stations are conveniently located along the trails, ensuring a comfortable visit. It's recommended to wear comfortable footwear and bring sufficient water, especially if planning to complete the full trail loop. ​ Overall, MacRitchie Reservoir is a gem within Singapore, offering a blend of natural beauty, recreational activities, and tranquility. Whether you're a local or a tourist, it's a must-visit destination for those seeking to connect with nature.​

Nice Trails. One of my favourite places in SG. Always nice for photography and spotting all kinds of animals. Tree top walk is worth it. Pack an umbrella for sunprotection and enough water, some parts of the trails have no shade options. Would recommend coming early in the morning. My happy place :)

Plenty of monkeys, but you’re the guest. Don’t wave snacks unless you want the whole gang showing up (plus there’s a fine for feeding them). The real highlight is the Treetop Walk, a suspension bridge hanging above the forest canopy. Views are solid. The place is big, green, and buzzing with life. You’ll hear birds, rustling leaves, maybe even catch a monitor lizard lazing about. Not the quietest trail, but definitely one of the most alive.

Singapore nature reserve spot! By walking the trail is about 10km. Beware of evening as it closes after sunset. Stay safe and beware of monkeys.

Great outdoor experience. Walk is on an elevated path. Monkeys here and there. Strange fish and very green water. Just walk

This was my favorite natural sight I visited in Singapore (as compared to the botanical garden and railway trail)! I came for the big bridge across the jungle but I didn't research ahead of time and didn't realize you need to walk at least 10km to get to that bridge and back to the road again. Fortunately, a lot of the trail is on platforms above the mud so it wasn't as rigorous of a hike as it would be in most countries. I came from a formal event so I was dressed up but I was able to complete the 10km in my (admittedly super comfortable) dress shoes without getting a blister. I would do this trail again since I really enjoyed seeing the jungle, monkeys, and even a poisonous snake!

Very fun and easy 11km hike, although there was one big incline where you have to walk on the road. The treetop walk added a bit of mileage to that number. It took us around three hours at a very slow, leisurely pace. I think this is the only legit hiking trail in Singapore. If I had to try trail running, I'd do it here. Start early in the morning and make sure your food is hidden away in a bag. We saw monkeys eating food stolen from hikers' plastic bags. The treetop walk is definitely worth a visit even if you don't want to do the whole loop. I liked the shady forest area, although there wasn't much of a view. The Jelutong Tower was a cute little forest outlook. Later on in the hike, we were out in the open on a boardwalk next to the reservoir. It looked nice but was very sunny.

Okay, so when my husband suggested a hike in the Singapore jungle and mentioned that we might encounter some monkeys, I was all game. The day of the hike when we got there, the sign read that it would be a 3-4 hour hike for the Treetop Trail (one of the shorter ones). Yes, I threw a little tantrum. You didn't tell me that it was going to take 3-4 hours? Yes, I told you, he said, you didn't listen cause you were too busy Yelping. All I heard was that I might see some cute monkeys and I would be able to wear my nice yoga outfit from Fabletics. Nothing about a hike taking over 3 hours long. We started the trail on lots of muddy terrain with uneven rocks. Be careful and watch your footing as you take each step. The chances of twisting your ankle is likely. What came next were endless steps that seem to reach the clouds, stairs and inclines. What worked against us was the super hot humidity. For the most part, many of the areas we trekked through were shaded. You know you're in bad shape when you see older folks zip right past you (locals). My favorite part of the entire trail was when we reached up onto the Treetop Walk on the metal suspension bridge. I was never afraid of heights and I felt like I could finally breath as we emerged out of the jungle. The bridge will bounce a little as you take each step, just look ahead and keep walking. There is a nice breeze and the view is spectacular. I've done hikes in the past but never one this tough. The hike took me out of commission for the rest of the evening. I could barely get out of bed the next morning. It really gave my legs and body quite the workout. And what do you know, we finished it in under 2 hours and 1/2. Must dos: - choose a trail that you know that you can complete - wear breathable clothing and comfortable sneakers - best to hike in the early morning - try to hike with a partner - bring ice water - PRAY that you make it out alive In the end, we didn't see one little monkey but we heard them in the distance. If you watch some of the YouTube videos, it seems like the place was teeming with monkeys.

I had a great run on Saturday morning during my stay here. One of my friends introduced me to a local triathlete, and he invited me to join them on Saturday morning run. When I finished running after about two hours, I felt really great and thanked them for allowing me to run with them. I didn't know when I accepted the invitation but I learned later two of them are qualified for the world championship! When we all met at 7am, the sun was just started rising. Weather was perfect, it wasn't too crowded then. This is Singapore, so you run left and pass on right. I kept going right first, took me a few more mistakes before I learned to yield to left and pass on right. The inner course is a bit over 11km, if you go around the golf course, it about 15km, if you go up and down on one way stairs (lead to the treetop bridge on exit side), that adds about 2 or 3km. Towards the end, the park became busy with many athletes in training as well as casual walkers/runners. Later I was told this was the only forest in Singapore. I really enjoyed running through the woods. Honest confession, I had difficulty breathing with high humidity and hot temperature, I had to monitor my heart rate throughout. Be mindful of monkeys, guard your food and belongings as they will try to attack you. I was actually bit scared going pass them. Nevertheless, I would definitely coming back here at my next visit to Singapore!

MacRitchie Reservoir is a very nice place to visit in singapore. Imagine all that walking you do on orchard, but through the natural trails surrounding the water instead. It's really quite beautiful in a very different way. That and it's FREE! Haha. My friend and I decided to do one of the longer hikes. The information trail map said it was a moderate to difficult hike taking 4-5 hours. We wanted to see the tree top bridge too (which closes at 5pm). It honestly wasn't very difficult, but it was very long, taking us about 3.5 hours. We saw many plants and animals and I was very surprised so many animals live in this nature park! Many students ran past us along the hike, but no one was at the tree top bridge when we got there. The are some nice views from the bridge, but you don't need to hike 2 hours to get nice views at the water's edge. All the trails and walkways are well maintained and make for an overall great experience for whatever level or activity you wish to do here.

The long way round - or at least that's what I did. Caught the bus from downtown Singapore right to the place. Not much in the way of tourist info so followed my nose. Set off in an anime clockwise direction, initially around the reservoir itself then onto a path through wooded/jungle type foliage and growth. 20 mins in game across first set of monkeys which was cool. Pushed on for a good while until I came to a road then swung a left and carried on, must have taken about 1.5hrs to get to the Tree Walk (primary reason for coming), we'll worth it, spectacular views and height from the walk itself. Be warned, lots and lots of steps to get down afterwards. Followed the trail towards the golf course, got a tad tougher and unkept. Came across numerous lizards & assorted wildlife which was nice. Last leg I did on a boardwalk which I'd recommend, took a good few hours to complete, 23,000 steps! Well worth it to visit this hidden gem.

Compared to the Southern Ridge trail, hiking Macritchie Reservoir is roughing it but still a totally manageable hike that gets you in touch with nature. Your goal is to get to the tree top walk. It's 5km there and then another 5km back. It's mostly "jungle" all the way with a couple of paved trails close to the tree top walk. With that said, I believe they've added gravel along some of the steeper inclines so you get more traction up those. You will see monkeys along the way but make use of your zoom lenses and stay clear of them. One toilet stop on the first half before the tree top walk so plan accordingly. And then you get to the tree top walk and what a view and experience. The crosswind will make you feel unsteady but it is a stable bridge although it can feel claustrophobic since it's narrower and only one-way traffic. But once you're in the middle of the bridge, it truly is awesome. Don't forget to take a panoramic shot. Speaking of panoramic shots, the Jelutong Tower is also worth a climb up for the views too. Folks seem to skip it as its on the second half of the hike following the tree top walk but it's nice up there. A nice getaway from the urban jungle outside, a hike in Macritchie Reservoir is a chance to get in touch with nature while doing some cardio. I mean it's a worthy alternative to walking yet another mall on the weekend. Try it!

as the F1 cars continue to roar in the background, the tranquility of this oldest in it's class, 麦里芝蓄水池 aka macritchie reservoir, also previously known as impounding reservoir or thomson reservoir, is broken. nevertheless, many a couple will continue to brave being amidst the nocturnal creatures of the night, in this true nature reserve, for a romantic tryst albeit under currently moderate hazy, psi 55, skies. however, do keep your noise levels down as a show of respect to our war hero, posthumously awarded major general, lim bo seng as he continues to rest in peace on the hilltop. when wandering deep, you might just unwittingly stumble upon the WWII shinto shrine, syonan jinja which is obscurely located and a historic site. canoeing, as an activity, has also become a staple here come day break, when these fibreglass structures slices through our drinking water at speed. monitor lizards, macaque monkeys will, more often than not, pose for photos if you shutter happy peeps are quick enough. walk or jog, boardwalk or treetop, whichever tickles your fancy. the distinctive zig-zag bridge and performing arts pavilion, though popular spots for wedding photography, have definitely seen better days. now vava bistro appears on another hilltop to bring an exciting new chapter for F&B in this park. p.s. did you know there is a lombard street right here in macritchie? p.s. beware mosquitoes and bees, some elites are once bitten twice shy already!

It was a WOMAN VS WILD journey for me in MacRitchie. I even sent live updates to my friends via whatsapp. It went something like this: "The walk is barely halfway and my companion is nowhere to be seen. The sun is up, the time is estimated to be 10:12am. There are monkeys in front but they show no signs of hostility. The spirit is getting weak." We took the 10km route. Being a frequent 10km runner, I thought it would be easy. SOOO WRONG. The rocks and up-and-down terrain at MacRitchie are really... for lack of a better word, challenging. I was later told that it is one of the best body conditioning training because it demands balance and core muscles to run on uneven ground. Yes, it was an EFFECTIVE workout when I finally finished the distance - in double my usual time because half the time I was walking. OKAY I'M WEAK, which means I'm definitely going back. There are a couple of toilet and water-cooler stops along the way, those were the reasons why I'm alive today. The HSBC tree-top walk is an experience if you haven't tried walking on a long shaky bridge that's high-up in the forest.

Back in my secondary school days, we used to come to Macritchie for our cross country run. I'd always remember the monkeys along the trail who were scarily aggressive and would come after you for food (probably the result of too many people feeding them :( I'd also remember the part of the trail with the steep incline, and the final part of the run with the downward slope, as well as the Milo truck at the end. Macritchie today hasnt changed much from 10 years ago. Still as nice and green, but yet warm and humid due to our wonderful Singapore weather. Great place for a run, and typically crowded on weekends, full of familes, kids and people out for a jog!

Macritchie Reservoir offers one an escape from the hustle and bustle of city living, allowing one to enjoy the tranquility of nature. I go to Macritchie Reservoir almost every Saturday for my long-distance runs. The reservoir has recently grown in popularity among runners and many different school's cross-country teams use it as their training grounds. There are many different routes and trails in and around Macritchie, some leading all the way up to the bukit timah area. I often stick to 2 simple routes for my run, the 8km one up to SICC and the 5km one that includes the lornie road stretch. The 8km route is pretty challenging with its fair share of hills to plow up but offers a good workout. I often start my run at 730am to avoid the crowds. It starts to get crowded around 8.30am so if you are looking for an uninterrupted run, going early is a must! Aside from good running trails, Macritchie is also a great place for long hikes or for just sitting by the reservoir to enjoy some quiet time. The HSBC tree-top walk is also pretty worth visiting for nature lovers.

It is love and hates for me whenever my boyfriend suggest to go to Macritchie Reservoir. That's because of the beautiful natural sight and the magnificent sight above the treetop. But what awaits me is the 5km walk to reach the treetop and another 5km walk out. That said, I will still accept the challenge and boyfriend will set a higher and higher target each time before we start. You can choose a same route like us, where we walk the forest trail first and later walk along the reservoir outside the forest so you get some of both sight. Spot the ranger house and get some toilet break and filled your water bottles before carrying on to the treetop. Other activities that is available in Macritchie Reservoir is Kayaking. But you will need to have attained a certificate in Kayaking before you are allowed to explore to a bigger area. You can also choose to picnic there or have dinner at the restaurant located inside.

The day started so cute and ended I near tragedy and I don't mean the bee gee type. at the end of our walk we decided to sit down under a tree on some lawn to cool down. My bum bag had broken so when we left the hotel I grabbed two grand Hyatt gift bags and put one inside the other and put a few things in it. My epi pen, hand sanitiser, a packet of smokes with my lighter, my wallet and a bottle of 4711 (don't judge, it reminds me of my childhood) all of a sudden a troop of monkeys started surrounding us as I was taking a video (not posting that footage cos I don't want everyone to hear me scream like a big baby girl) One of the monkeys (the one with the biggest set of nuts on him) took my bag. Keep in mind the entire time the troop was going for us and teeth were a showing. first he took my wallet out and placed it under his foot while he continued checking out his new shopping. He handed the sanitiser to one of his mates who drank it all. The 4711 to another, who was sharing it with some others all taking swigs from the bottle. one of them got the epi pen, took it out of it case and started chewing on it. another played with my smokes. then what I was fearing the most (besides their charging and teeth) the big boss unclipped my Hugo boss, took out all my cards and then found my wad of cash. I screamed out to an army cadet who came to the rescue. he was great. after the event he explained they are really strong because they break into the cadets protein powder supply cabinet all the time and take the powder to eat. obvs joking about why they are so strong but I think he was trying to calm me down as during this experience we were being chased constantly by the troop. apart from that it's a great place to walk, hike, turtle spot and just sit and look at the beauty of the place. just stick to the path don't do the Aussie thing and sit on the lawn under a tree.

a small jewel in the city state. I love nature, so going to Macritchie Reservoir is a treat for me. It's not as big as it seems, so that it's possible to jog around it without too much effort, that is quite a nice place to jog indeed. It could be better: there's not much food there.. only one outlet and it's really not so nice. I suppose the crowd is not there for more business. I recommend to visit in the late afternoons or early mornings

I dig this place! For an urban place like Singapore, I love that there are these pockets of nature just nestled in the city. My friends and I came here for the tree top hike mainly, but my god this place is lovely. We parked in the lot on Venus Road and walked to the ranger station and subsequently went on the tree top walk. I really liked the place. The trails are well-paved dirt, and in some places it's actually cement so it's really easy and safe to walk. You definitely feel like you're immersed in nature--there were wild monkeys running around outside jumping on cars, it was insane. The reservoir itself is absolutely beautiful and the ranger station was way cleaner than anything I've seen in the states. I'll save my review of the tree top walk for the actual tree top page. I wish I actually lived in Singapore! I'd love to check out some of the other trails. Very family friendly place and lots of people on the Saturday morning that we went. tldr; great escape from the urban city life--immerse yourself in nature for a few hours with these very doable trails!

Beautiful beautiful resevoir and great place for a hike - for kids, families, couples, everyone! It is also relatively easy to walk to from the bus station nearby (about a 5-10 minute walk...consider it a good warm-up for the hike!). Unfortunately, it was a bit drizzly on the day my friend and I went so it made the hike a bit more difficult. I suggest going when it is cloudy because 1) the sun will not be hot over your head and 2) there will be no rain. There are 2 different trails - we took the one that leads to the suspending bridge. It is definitely long and tiring but well-worth the exercise. The scenery is full of greenery in a jungle-esque environment. Definitely recommend going to Macritichie - it is one of the most beautiful nature places I've ever been to!

Took a mini hiking trail... Only stayed here for half a day... takes you about the whole entire day to discover the whole area...it's a really nice peacefully area... Macritchie reservoirs is popular sites for family outings and picnics as they provide a mini getaway of city living....Surrounded by broad swamps... jungles and greenery...these reservoirs run through the central northern parts of Singapore...providing a serene backdrop to the cityscape....the trails were easy to follow... There were monkeys everywhere.... Super cutes... Monkeys were free to jump around this area...there multiple signs notifying you not to feed it or touch them...once you step inside this area I suggest your look at the map or at least take a picture... further down there limited of maps...the only reason I'm giving this place four stars because there was a lot of bugs... Remember to bring bugs spray!

One of my favorite places to go running, Macritchie has an awesome 11km trail that takes you around the edge of the reservoir, deep into the forest, up a tower, by the golf course and back again (with the option to go up the HSBC treetop walk or this rainforest trail). There are lockers for rent and there is a boardwalk option, if you'd rather run portions of the trail on flat wooden planks, instead of on a rocky trail. I've gone at various times from 8am to 10pm and it's always an enjoyable time. Very safe and pleasant (if a little confusing to always find the right paths...). Cool to see monkeys and lizards along the trail too.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park is so incredibly huge. Schools often hold their cross-country runs here and with good reason. I used to participate in such runs and it was always a pleasant experience for me. MacRitchie is a great destination for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and basically anyone who just wants to escape the city life. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for some fresh air and picturesque views. Equipped with drinking fountains at regular intervals, this reservoir park is ideal for both trekking and jogging. Joggers can make use of the jogging paths while trekkers are able to appreciate nature along boardwalks and trails. Signposts are abundant within the park to ensure that nobody gets lost. I've always loved jogging amidst nature, instead of going multiple rounds along the stadium track. Every once in a while, it's really healthy and enlightening to be one with nature. If you love taking photographs, MacRitchie also offers plenty of pretty flora and vegetation, and you can even spot a few monkeys as well as squirrels here. Remember no feeding!

Kind of an unexpected thing to find in the middle of a city, but it was so cool to see so many people here exercising and running. I didn't realize Singapore was such an active city. I was really bummed to miss the tree top walk, as my friend and I arrived just as the bridge was closing. Everyone here was friendly and this park was excellent for an late afternoon stroll, albeit a little difficult to get to with our limited knowledge of the MRT.

When I was in lower secondary, my netball coach brought me and the rest of the team to trek here during a camp . He said it was a punishment, but I don't recall what for. Macritchie Reservoir is so serene and peaceful, it's hard to believe you're still in Singapore. This is definitely somewhere to go to if you wanna get away from it all. Boy, did we work our muscles. It was humid but thank goodness for the shade from the trees and foliage. Hungry mosquitoes aside, it was an interesting hike along with Mother Nature. We encountered lizards, butterflies, dragonflies and a couple of the other girls got chased by the wild monkeys! Looking back, my team mates and I probably deserved this "punishment". Everyone collapsed of exhaustion when we got back to school. Weaklings! But hey, we had lots of fun bonding with each other.

Yearly trips to this reservoir when I was a kid was all but certain: for some reasons all the schools I went to help their annual cross-country runs at Macritchie. But it's a fantastic choice: this reservoir is really a must-visit for nature lovers. Besides the obvious running, you can also engage in sports such as hiking and kayaking, and it's common to see people doing all sorts of activities including taichi. The running can get a little dangerous if you miss a step, as you get to run through trails and paths through the jungle (not much of a jungle, though, this is still Singapore), and if it rains, avoid running through these parts altogether for you may slip on the mud. I also love to either stroll besides the reservoir on the boardwalk, or walk through the canopy on the tree-top walk.

This is a really great walk. You can decide which trail you want to do in advance based on your fitness. We did the 11km walk to the tree top walk and back. It is mostly shaded but some sections are very open and sunny so wear sunnie, hat and suncream. Also put on aeroguard. Bring a bottle of water. There are 2 spots along the way where you can refill water as well as toilets. There is a bus stop nearby however a taxi from the city will be about $10 depending on traffic. It took us 3.5 hours to complete at an easy pace. It is mostly level walking and no steep inclines. You do encouter animals such as monkeys, insects, lizards and snakes but keep your eyes peeled. Don't bring food but eat beforehand. If you do bring snacks, hide them. Monkeys can steal and get aggressive. Also don't carry things in a plastic bag as monkeys will rip them from you thinking there is food in there. Wear comfortable shoes. Shorts and t-shirt are fine.

My memories of Macritchie Reservoir like many were from our days in secondary school where annual cross-country meets were held. Being in cross-country myself, I saw Macritchie on a more frequent basis. There are 2 main routes which run through the forested area and lead to a roadside path which ultimately leads you back to the starting point. The choice is yours to run, walk or hike. Definitely one of the few places in Singapore for trail runners. Wooden pathways have been recently installed around the edges of the reservoir and trail to give the public a better nature reserve experience!

After a busy week I decided to check out this place and I have to say that it was a nice but very long unexpectedly exhausting walk. I could be my fault simply - so therefore i still consider it a great adventure. In the middle of the jungle I made it to the tree top walk ( with my mom who is 65!). The walk itself is good- it get a bit tricky up to the tree top walk because its uphill. Some crazy fit jiggers actually run there. I wish I could : the tree top walk is not as impressive as I thought but has a beautifull view followed by some kind of learning trail which was interesting. From there it's a long way to the exit so I decided to climb up to the road and ended up next to the SG golf club. Good landmark for taxis! Nice and exhausting adventure. If you wanna save some breath start from Venus drive. And: bring enough water and some snacks with you!

I took my wife to MacRitchie this weekend. It was the first time either of us had experienced real tropical jungle and I have to say it was great doing this in a safe well-marked environment. Still struggled with the heat but the highlight was the jungle canopy walk - superb. And very surprising for high density Singapore.