Hiking the Green Corridor

Hiking the Green Corridor after our fun trip to Bukit Brown cemetery (blog review), this is part 2 of our day hike.

Recently, the Green Corridor (or some call Rail corridor) has been hot in the news.
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/railcorridor (all news about Green Corridor)
CNA report (Green Corridor features)

 

Steven and Isaiah joined me on the second part of our trail on the green corridor. Thank you Kelvin for the lift.

From Bouna Vista MRT, head to the underpass at Exit B (Green line) and you will see a track (GPS 1.309262, 103.791150).

Some segments of Green Corridor are not ready yet. Photo below shows the stretch towards Tanglin Halt, Tanjong Pagar direction.

But we did notice the pavement condition seems ready for exploration.

Green Corridor should be ideal for walking, jogging and cycling. Go and explore 🙂

I had wanted to cycle the Green Corridor  trail from Kranji Close to Tanjong Pagar, almost 24km track.

Our trail from Bouna Vista to Hillview is about 8k, and it will help me understand whether the trail condition is suitable for my foldie (or maybe too much mud).

However, the first obstacle for cycling will be the huge amount of human traffic! Many folks are excited about the newly reopened rail corridor.

Along the Green Corridor trail, the trumpet trees are flowering and littering the grounds with sakura-like carpet. Get the latest updates from Nparks fanpage.

Hiking the Green Corridor
Hiking the Green Corridor

I would like to share nostalgic photos from KTM trains of yesteryears. Our ride from Tanjong Pagar to Johor Bahru was cheap and fast!

The Green Corridor holds many nostalgic memories for me. I can still remember the good old KTM train cutting across the green forestation on our way to JB. The kids were still so young then.

Taking the train at Tanjong Pagar

*Old train blog posts here and here

Along Upper Bukit Timah

Checkpoint after Bukit Panjang (GPS 1.378927, 103.760366), near to Lot 10 (after Mindef stretch). This was where the station-master exchanged token with train driver.

Photos taken from train cabin, can you identify the landmarks below?

Singapore Old train photos
Singapore Old train photos
Iconic Green Corridor

Back to present day, this is one of the checkpoints along Green Corridor. From the elevated point, one can look down the “green valley” (GPS 1.326578, 103.781538).

Steven looking out for insects and birds.

The other side of the “river” will be old Holland road.

(Photo below) From other hikers, I learnt that the ferns have matured and creep up the trees. From far, it seems like the tree is dressing up!

Plants along Green Corridor

Do look out for interesting flora and fauna along the trail. We spotted many insects, lizards and even some giant plants below.

The plants and flowers enhanced the walking experience. Slow down your pace and enjoy the sights and sounds.

Steven playacting with the huge leaf, we did not exert any strength.

Below checkpoint is more popular on Instagram, Old Bukit Timah Railway Station (GPS 1.334265, 103.781295).

And the nearest MRT is only 500m away, King Albert Park.

The tracks and building has been conserved as heritage. And I suspect some F&B will be popping up soon.

Image credit Isaiah

Truss bridge (iconic black iron bridge) is popular for selfies, but be prepared to queue :p

The gravel pavement adds to the experience. You will encounter two such bridges along the path, the second one is at Rail Mall.

Truss bridge Green Corridor

Road works ongoing along Bukit Timah road. Coast to Coast hikers will walk under the Truss bridge.

You may refer to Nparks’ map for 8 different entry points to the new stretch of Green Corridor. Entry 4,5 will bring you to Hindhede Quarry and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Image credit Nparks

You will also spot many distance markers, informing you distance to Woodlands or Tanjong Pagar (opposite direction).

Green Corridor trail will be partial pavement and dirt track. Take note dirt tracks might become muddy during rainy days.

No more “commissioned” graffiti at this wall.

On hindsight, it was a good deal to release KTM railway line back to Singapore control in 2010. Read article from the TheGreenCorridor.org

Singaporeans now have so much more greenery to explore!

Spot the Singapore Quarry bridge (GPS 1.354975, 103.769589) above, we could exit left via the steps and walk towards Dairy Farm Nature Park.

The second truss bridge at the Rail Mall (GPS 1.357837, 103.767642).

View of Rail Mall from the top.

Is Green Corridor and Rail Corridor referring to the same thing? Does not matter, I love the trail!

Beautiful bridge Green Corridor

The last 300m towards Hillview MRT was muddy.

Love our trail walking.

Singapore is fortunate to have all these small pockets of nature to explore. I hope more families will appreciate our greens and rich animal diversity.

I would like to see more secondary forest (Clementi, Dover) protected around us. We still need BTO and industrial land but I hope future planning will protect more greens.

Hiking the Green Corridor soon? Get the latest Green Corridor updates :
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/railcorridor and
http://www.thegreencorridor.org

*You may read our previous posts on Green Corridor and KTM rides here (train from Tanjong Pagar), here or here (train from Woodlands).

-Do explore Queenstown and Tanglin Halt’s rich heritage here.  Tanglin Halt will be torn down soon.

–Our family’s hiking adventures are documented here  https://sengkangbabies.com/tag/hiking (when can we scale Gunungs again)

-Our Coast to Coast hikers can detour along route and explore the Green Corridor too. Read my C2C review.

More photos can be found on SengkangBabies Facebook album

Bukit Brown cemetery and Green Corridor photos

If you love nature, do pop by the following posts:
– Hiking Green Corridor
– Clementi Forest (photos)
Kranji Forest (photos)
– Bukit Brown and Avatar trees

ps.. Updated Apr 2023.  The new Green Corridor start point is at Kranji MRT. Refer nParks link.

Hiking Bukit Brown cemetery in 90 minutes

Hiking Bukit Brown cemetery was conceived after a Zhi Char gathering.

We were sharing how we got fitter or thinner (or both) during our gathering. Everyone knows about Cheekiemonkie‘s S.A.D adventures.

That was how a DaddyMatters hike was born. Inaugural walk was commissioned as Steven’s Walk!

Image credit Steven

Our meeting point was at Kheam Hock Park.
You can actually drive in through University Road and park at the side, or walk about 900m from Botanic Gardens MRT.

Do clear your bowel at MRT or maybe Adam Food Centre (toilet) before starting your hike.

Mini Bamboo “forest” outside Botanic Gardens MRT exit A

I first explored Bukit Brown back in 2012 (Blog post). Glad the lush greenery is still available. Due to Covid19 and lack of travels, many folks are keenly hiking all corners of Singapore!

In SG’s small context, wherever we go, we are not far from roads and cars. PIE next to our trail.

Hiking Bukit Brown only took us 90 minutes. There are small slopes and streams, and walk is relatively easy for families.

(photo above) Kelvin mentioned that during heavy bouts of rain, the stream will overflow. It must be spectacular and muddy.

As we exit from the trail into the open space. Magical Avatar trees greeted us! There were so many bird sounds around us!

Lookup . Lovely blue sky and loves the white patchy cotton cloud! The birds and insects were chirping all around.

Hiking Bukit Brown
Hiking Bukit Brown

Pure Nature and serenity 🙂
Smell the fresh air.

More than the scenic and fresh exposure, it is the fun company which was the highlight for me. Everyone would like to do an encore hike again! Thanks to Kelvin for the guide!

Image credit David

Listen to the surrounding birds chirping away around us! (YouTube link)

Take a 360 view of Bukit Brown through David’s Gopro 🙂

Photographers and YouTubers in action. Every flora and fauna captured our fascination.

And of course, some drama Dad antics and poses.

NEA disclaimer. Hikers please take care of yourselves.

I noticed there is no warning for Supernatural sightings, but we shall not  recommend Hiking Bukit Brown cemetery at night.

The animal and birds need to rest too. Do not go and disturb 🙂
    

Pavements are relatively well maintained, try not to stray off the trail. We would not want you to fall into any pit or step on any unmarked graves.

Although we are near to Qing Ming period, but this area was relatively quiet.

Some workers were seen tending to the graves.

Discussing our next hiking options.
Nick brought along daughter to join the DaddyMatter Uncles.

Image credit David

A small shrine.

Bukit Brown Cemetery is hidden in the middle of greenery.

Unless you venture off the highway, you might not realise the rich heritage behind Bukit Brown cemetery’s past inhabitants.

Google Map Bukit Brown Cemetery

Steven’s Walk Mission success!

Image credit Steven

Exit and we head back for some refreshments. Our hearts are full and camera is happy.

If you have walked Coast to Coast trail before, you will pass by Kheam Hock Park (and tunnel).

Coast to Coast trail near Bukit Brown Cemetery

Lunch at Adam Food Center before we parted ways.
Will share part 2 of our Green Corridor walk in the next post.

We walk from Bouna Vista to HillView MRT via the newly reopened Green Corridor section. Total of 8km.

Do pop by the following links for more Bukit Brown and hiking details:

– Photos on SengkangBabies Facebook album

Bukit Brown cemetery photos

– Our family’s hiking adventures, when can we explore Malaysia gunung https://sengkangbabies.com/tag/hiking

Bukit Brown Cemetery Sikh guard
Bukit Brown Cemetery Sikh guard

-2012 Bukit Brown trip
-Do pop by Cheekiemonkies hiking adventures for your next family hike!

If you love nature, do pop by the following posts:
– Hiking Green Corridor
– Clementi Forest and Kranji Forest (photos)
– Bukit Brown and Avatar trees