The ultimate guide to the Rail Corridor in Singapore

Start: Hillview MRT Station

Located next to the Rail Mall, the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge dates back to 1932, and remains the only Pratt truss bridge in Singapore. The Pratt truss design features a single tension diagonal in each panel and a compression vertical with parallel chords and an inclined end post. 

As part of the restoration in 2021, rotten timber sleepers were replaced, gaps were sealed, and new protective layers and railings were added to make it extra safe. Ballast stones around the track were also relaid. Instead of trains chugging by, expect to see pedestrians and cyclists crossing it. Plus, the bridge also makes for an industrial-style Instagram backdrop.

From: Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge

Head towards the south of the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge before making your way to a footbridge better known as Singapore Quarry Bridge, which traverses above the main pathway. The bridge then takes you to a forest path to Dairy Farm Nature Park. 

The 63-hectare park is set in a rustic environment with multiple trails for hiking and biking. The main trail is paved, so you don't have to rough it out Bear Grylls-style. Make your way to the Wallace Education Centre for hands-on activities and exhibits that tell the story of Dairy Farm’s changing landscapes. Keep a lookout for the striking red and yellow heliconias as well as the monkeys, pangolins, and butterflies along the way. 

For a chance to spot rare species of dragonflies and the critically endangered birds known as Little Grebe, head towards the scenic Singapore Quarry at the park’s south-western end.

From: Dairy Farm Nature Park

Another way to access Singapore Quarry is via the paved road from Singapore Quarry Bridge. A popular spot for birdwatchers and nature photographers, the quarry is now a huge lake where you can spot rare birds, fishes, turtles and even monitor lizards if you're sharp. There’s also a spacious viewing deck at the side of the lake where you can observe dragonflies flitting over the water, and admire the cliff walls from a distance.

From: Singapore Quarry

The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is renowned for having one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. Besides housing hundreds of animal and insect species, it also contains more tree species than the whole of North America. Weekends are busy with walkers, nature lovers, and mountain bikers, so come on a weekday if you prefer a quiet trek. 

There are four walking trails here. A steep paved path takes you directly to the peak, but more interesting are the unpaved trails; Route 3 (green) follows a winding forest path, past caves used by Japanese soldiers in World War II. After the hike, head to the adjacent Hindhede Nature Park to look at the quarry lake.

From: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Located south of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the 66-hectare Rifle Range Nature Park serves as an alternative spot to connect with nature, as well as a buffer to reduce edge effects on the nature reserve. The park adds 7km of trails and boardwalks to the sprawling Central Nature Park Network, and includes a couple of interesting features to accommodate both human visitors and wildlife. 

Highlights include Quarry Wetland, which has been transformed from the former Sin Seng Quarry into a habitat for wetland animals. Look up and you'll also notice the Coluga Deck perched 31 metres above the former quarry. You can reach this lookout point – shaped like a Sunda colugo (flying lemur) in flight – via the Coluga Trail, a moderately challenging trail with steps to the top. 

From Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

For a leisurely hike with the family, Hindhede Nature Park located next to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has easy trails and well-defined footpaths perfect for families and beginners to hiking. Scenic and serene, it is also an excellent spot for wildlife watching as it is home to inhabitants like the banded woodpecker, clouded monitor lizard and plantain squirrel. The main highlight, of course, is the picturesque Hindhede Quarry located at the end of the park.

From: Hindhede Nature Park

Jump back to the Rail Corridor via the new underpass built at Hindhede Drive. Located under an old rail bridge, the 3.6-metre-wide underpass is set up parallel to Hindhede Drive so that pedestrians can access Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, without having to walk along the road which has no pavement.

From: Hindhede Drive

The 45-metre-long steel bridge first opened in 1932, and together with the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, it was gazetted for conservation in 2015. The Bukit Timah Truss Bridge is the only Baltimore truss bridge in Singapore, and similar to the Pratt truss, it has additional bracing in the lower section of the truss.

Both truss bridges have been restored, refurbished, and reopened with new safety features installed. A good thing too, as it’s also one of the most popular spots for taking photos and catching the stunning sunset or sunrise.

From: Bukit Timah Truss Bridge

While we love the modernity of MRT trains and stations, there’s nothing quite like the charm of an old-school railway station. Despite being in Singapore, the Bukit Timah Railway Station was owned by Malaysia from 1903 to 2011 when it was returned to Singapore and gazetted as a conserved building. 

The Bukit Timah Railway Station finally reopened to the public in 2022, after two years of restoration work. Located around the midway point of the 24km Rail Corridor, the station is part of a 4.3-hectare space for the community.

Visitors can learn about the history of the former railway station in a heritage gallery located in the old railway station. You can also pick up a cup of coffee at the cafe housed in the former staff quarters and enjoy the new amenities, gardens and lawns. 

To make the area accessible and interactive to the public, URA has added ramps and wagons as a play feature and photo opportunity. A new sheltered yard has also been built as a rest area and gathering point, and the upgraded public toilets maintain a rustic look from the past. The Bukit Timah Railway Station community node also has two new gardens – Kampung Garden, and Herb and Spice Garden – a community and an event lawn.