The best cycling trails in Singapore

Start at Bukit Timah Railway Station

The central stretch of the Rail Corridor is a relatively short but novelty-filled trail. Start at the recently restored Bukit Timah Railway Station (it’s a short walk from King Albert Park MRT), where there’s also a quaint cafe that’s worth checking out if you need a quick refreshment before you start cycling. Cycle past landmarks such as the Bukit Timah truss bridge, Hindhede bridge, and the Former Ford Factory, until the central portion of the trail ends at the Rail Mall. The trail is about 4km in length, which is perfect for a short and leisurely cycle and also gives you time to stop and see the sights along the way.

Start at Rower’s Bay Park

The first phase of the Round Island Route is finally open. Starting from Seletar and stretches all the way down to Labrador, the 75km route covers the eastern part of Singapore. Explore the new sights when you take the cycling bridges at Changi Bay Point and admire the tranquil scenery of the blue waters and cooling sea breeze. Catch a glimpse of the otters that live among the mangroves and coastal areas. There are also shelters along the way where you can stop for a break and freshen up.  

Start at the Sentosa Boardwalk beside Vivocity

While a trip to Sentosa would usually mean bumming at the beach or visit popular attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa is actually a great place to explore on a bike too! The great thing about cycling around this island is that you can actually make it easy or difficult as you like. Take a cruise past Siloso Beach and travel to the different beaches while feeling the wind in your hair. For some lung busting routes? Tackle the Sentosa hills that will present you with the perfect view of the island, making it all worth it.

Start at Mount Faber Park

Don’t let the mere 3km distance of this route fool you! At Mount Faber, you’ll definitely be in for one tough workout. Home to Singapore’s highest peak, the elevation and steepness of these slopes will make your climb up a challenging one. It also provides the perfect training spot for experienced riders as well. Once you’ve make it you make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with scenic views of the harbour and Singapore’s skyline. 

For some urban exploration, take a day trip to the Southern islands and cruise along the bridge that connects St John’s Island and Lazarus Island. Explore the breathtaking nature and wildlife as you bike around the island. The green trail offers a rustic green sanctuary with numerous slopes and bends, providing you with a moderate workout with you enjoy the seaside view of Singapore’s skyline from afar.

Start at Chestnut Nature Park

Split into North and South regions, Chestnut Nature Park covers 81-hectares, making it Singapore’s largest nature park. The park has separate mountain biking and hiking trails that are clearly marked out, too. The former has winding slopes and a pump track where bikers can practise their stunts, while the latter, especially along the 2.1-kilometre Southern Loop, takes you through varying terrains and steps.

Start from East Coast Park

The 3.5-kilometre Changi Airport Connector allows you to cycle, skate, run, jog, and walk to Jewel Changi Airport and the terminals from East Coast Park – or any of the Park Connector Network (PCN) – and vice versa. It’s also home to the city’s largest permanent outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs Changi Jurassic Mile, as well as pit stop facility Hub & Spoke where you can rent bicycles from GoCycling, cool off with a pay-per-use shower after a sweaty session, and grab a bite at Hub & Spoke Café.

Start at Changi Beach Park 

Unlike East Coast Park, Changi Beach Park is a little less polished – but it's still pretty scenic with its white sand and rows of coconut trees. From the park, cycle onto Coastal Park Connector along Changi Coast Road which runs alongside the Changi Airport runway for some views of planes landing and taking off.

Start at Seletar Club Rd

Hop on your bicycle and whizz through the new 60-kilometre Rower’s Bay. It’s part of the first phase of the Round Island Route, a continuous 150-kilometre park connector that circles the island. Connecting Yishun to Punggol, the boardwalk allows you to see the city in the dark (for those late-night cycling) with the breeze in your hair as you zoom by the edge of Seletar Reservoir. There’s also a lookout pavilion, swales and a wetland area for you to soak in all of mother nature during the day. If you’re making your way to Seletar Aerospace Park, there are shelters with charging points as well as vending machines selling bike equipment and a self-help repair station, just in case your wheels decide to act up.

Start at Jurong Lake Gardens

The Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Trail cuts across the island, spanning 36-kilometre, linking Coney Island in the northeast with Jurong Lake Gardens in the west. If you’re feeling ambitious, this challenging trek can be conquered in less than a day by bicycle starting from Jurong Lake Gardens. Though the whole route utilises park connectors, it’s not all greenery and foliage. There are times where you have to get off your bike and walk by busy roads and through estates. Still, the trail covers some of the best parks and nature reserves in Singapore like Bukit Batok Nature Park and Hindhede where you can witness the majestic granite quarry, the waterside views at MacRitchie Reservoir and Punggol Waterway Park and the rustic wildness of Coney Island. Pit stop-wise, if you’re going to be passing through Adam Road, a visit to the hawker centre is a must.

Start at Rats Corner on Orchard Road

The Mandai Reserve may be home to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Bird Paradise – with future plans to turn into an integrated nature and wildlife destination – but it also makes a great cycling trail for some leg work. Start at Rats Corner on Orchard Road. Then cycle north through Novena and Old Upper Thomson Road towards Mandai. Here at Mandai, it's known for one of the most well-loved track, especially for mountain bikers. Track 15 (also known as T15) is regarded as one of the easiest trails in Singapore with easy climbs and slopes. Great for beginners looking to pick up mountain biking. Complete the loop southwards towards the city, along Bukit Timah Road. Be sure to go past the Old Ford Factory, the site where the British surrendered Singapore to Japan in 1942, before returning back to Rats Corner.

Start at Marina Bay Sands

For stunning views of the iconic skyline, we'd recommend starting this 11-kilometre cycling journey at sunrise or sunset as it's one of the best places to see the city bathed in glorious golden hues. Begin at Marina Bay Sands before wheeling across the Helix Bridge, continuing towards the Esplanade and Merlion. Be careful not to speed your way through the Marina Bay Waterfront as it can get quite busy with crowds.

Start at South Buona Vista Road 

This scenic 9km bike trail takes you through the green, open spaces across Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park on The Southern Ridges Loop. From South Buona Vista Road, cycle till you arrive at the 80m-long Alexandra Arch, also known as a 'Gateway to Nature'. Wander through the dense secondary forest of Telok Blangah Hill until you arrive at the iconic Henderson Waves. Remember to dismount and push your bicycles for a break before making your way up to Mount Faber. 

Start at Punggol Jetty

One of the quickest ways to explore this rustic island is by cycling. While you can bring your own bike and start cycling from Punggol Jetty, you can easily rent one from the rental shop at The Punggol Settlement just outside the island. Get adventurous and check out the coastal trails where you can discover the hidden beaches and mangrove swamps of the island.

Start at Kranji MRT station

A humble abode to 170 species of birds, 54 types of butterflies and 33 different kinds of dragonflies, the Kranji Marshes make a great experience for nature lovers. Start peddling at Kranji MRT station before taking on the 51.1-kilometre loop that features an elevation gain of 568-metre. Journey through the Kranji Countryside where you can make a pitstop at any one of its farms. Go further down to the Kranji War Memorial and Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve for more flora and fauna.

Start at Waterway Point

Located in a quiet, tranquil area in the northeasterrn part of Singapore, this park offers four unique themes with something in store for visitors of all ages. The Nature Cove features a picturesque view of the Waterway, with a relaxing lawn area for families to spend lazy Sundays. At the Recreation Zone, little ones can let loose with activities like water play and sand play, while the rest of the family gets a workout at the fitness corner. The Heritage Zone offers gorgeous greenery along the stretch of the old Punggol Road, where families can take a walk down memory lane, and the Green Gallery consists of a peaceful trail along the park's natural terrain. If you want to get active with your family, go for the cycling or inline skating activities, or admire the views from the Rope Bridge and Kelong Bridge.

Start at Woodlands Waterfront Park

A coastal park offering a northern view of the sea, Woodlands Waterfront Park is linked to Admiralty Park via the Northern Explorer Loop (which is a whopping 25-kilometre-long, if you're up for an adventure). Besides jogging and cycling tracks, this 11-hectare park houses a playground and a 1.5-kilometre-long waterfront promenade. The park is fitted with family-friendly jogging and cycling tracks where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire coastal park. 

Start at East Coast Park

East Coast Park stretches along the east coast of Singapore from Changi Airport (great for plane watching the A380), past the numerous restaurants at East Coast Seafood Centre to Fort Road. There are dedicated cycle and walking paths, bicycle and rollerblade hire stalls, a skate park, and barbecue and camping areas. Read our comprehensive cycling guide to cycling in East Coast. 

Start at Bukit Batok Nature Park 

The serene Bukit Batok Nature Park was developed on an abandoned quarry in 1988. There are lookout points that afford stunning views of the quarry, along with footpaths to cycle on (there's also a moderately easy hiking trail through the foliage). For a bit of history, head to the WWII memorial, which commemorates the location of one of the fiercest battles that took place in Singapore. The Western Adventure Loop connects eight parks in the West – you can cycle through Dairy Farm Nature Park, Jurong Lake Park and more. 

Start at Pulau Ubin

A quick boat ride away, this offshore island is quiet and, apart from the odd minibus, free of traffic, allowing riders to explore at their own leisure. Get off the boat, take a left turn and negotiate your way through the bike hire shops and restaurants in the main village and head to the international-standard Ketam Mountain Bike Park, where 10-kilometre of mountain-bike trails offer an off-road adventure for riders of all levels, from an easy white circle run to an advanced double-black diamond. The reward is a fast, albeit bumpy, descent back to sea level. Else, you can just bike around the island – it's a great way to connect to nature too. Rental hire fees start at $2 per hour (negotiation is often required) for a basic bike, with higher prices for mountain bikes for those wanting to try their luck on the trails. For other things to do, check out our guide to Pulau Ubin.

Start at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

This 1.64-square-kilometre (0.6-square mile) nature reserve is renowned for having one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. Besides hundreds of animal and insect species, it also contains more tree species than the whole of North America. There are four walking trails if hiking is your thing but mountain bikers will love the Bukit Timah MTB Trail. Taking on the 6.5-kilometre loop requires some experience as the rugged route goes through extended climbs and arguably difficult descents – hence making it popular among the more seasoned riders, especially on weekend mornings.

Start at Kent Ridge Park

It’s a bit out of the way, but the decommissioned tank and two M114 artillery guns here are the best – and ironically safest – things for kids to play around and learn a bit of history. One of the last battles for Singapore occurred in this area. History buffs, you'll want to check out the Reflections Bukit Chandu museum, located at one end of the Canopy Walk for some interesting nuggets about World War II. Biking enthusiasts, make for the Kent Ridge MTB Trail where there's a short (2-kilometre) but technical single-track mountain biking trail that's relatively quiet on most days. 

Start at Punggol Park 

Put your foot on the pedal and embark on this 26km trail through the spacious waterways and parks of Punggol – from Punggol Park to the Sungei Pinang footbridge and the Coral Plant. Then head to Punggol Promenade before riding on to the Lorong Halus Wetland. After cycling through the flat terrain of the Northern Eastern Riverine Loop, continue your journey through the heartlands of Buangkok, Sengkang and Punggol to Punggol Beach and the Lorong Halus Wetland.