Bukit Batok and Bukit Panjang are two neighbouring towns in the west, and between them they hold a flooded quarry, a hill park with 108 steps and an 81-hectare nature park. We'd start at the lake in Little Guilin at 7am, while the light is soft and the cliffs are quiet, then take the train and the LRT across to the forest.
Everything on the route is free and outdoors, so carry water and a hat, and expect to finish by about 1pm. Chestnut Nature Park closes at 7pm and the other three parks never close, so any day of the week works. If you'd rather swim, our guide to public pools and courts lists the plain ActiveSG pools in both towns.
Where to start
Bukit Gombak MRT (NS3), Exit B
When to go
Morning, start by 7am
Stop by stop
We'd do these in order, and each linked stop has its price and directions.
7:00 AM
Little Guilin at sunrise
Leave Bukit Gombak MRT by Exit B and walk to Little Guilin, the flooded granite quarry in Bukit Batok Town Park, off Bukit Batok East Avenue 5. The park is free and open 24 hours, and it has no carpark. Stay behind the fences, because the water is for looking at. Give it 45 minutes.
8:00 AM
Steps and brunch at Bukit Gombak Park
Bukit Gombak Park is about 1.3km from the lake in a straight line, along Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 opposite Bukit Batok Driving Centre. Climb the 400-metre loop and its 108 steps for the view, then look in the butterfly garden. NParks names Whisk and Paddle for brunch here, and its hours vary.
10:15 AM
A forest strip at Zhenghua
Ride the North-South Line one stop from Bukit Gombak to Choa Chu Kang, then take the Bukit Panjang LRT to Bangkit. Zhenghua Nature Park is a shaded 2.5km strip of forest, open 24 hours, with more than 30 bird species. NParks lists a Bangkit Road entrance. Walk its trails for an hour.
11:45 AM
Chestnut Nature Park
Zhenghua's trails lead on toward Chestnut Nature Park, or you can ride the LRT to Pending or Bangkit and enter at the eastern end of Chestnut Avenue. It's free, covers 81 hectares and closes at 7pm, and the spiral observation tower is worth the climb. Lunch is at Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre & Market, on Bukit Panjang Ring Road.
Save for another day
- Bukit Batok Nature Park, next door to Little Guilin, which has the longer stepped walk
- T-Play at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok, a ticketed indoor playground for children up to 12
- A swim at Bukit Batok Swimming Complex, which is shut on Wednesdays
Before you go
Book ahead where you need to, and turn up for the rest.
Little Guilin (Bukit Batok)Bukit Batok · FreeGoBukit Gombak ParkBukit Batok · FreeGoZhenghua Nature ParkBukit Panjang · FreeGo
Chestnut Nature ParkBukit Panjang · FreeGoBukit Batok Swimming ComplexBukit Batok · From S$1.30Tickets Senja-Cashew Swimming ComplexBukit Panjang · From S$1.30Tickets Quarries to Chestnut questions
Can I do Bukit Batok to Bukit Panjang by MRT and LRT?
Yes, with one change. Bukit Gombak (NS3) and Choa Chu Kang (NS4) are both on the North-South Line, and Choa Chu Kang is also BP1 on the Bukit Panjang LRT. Bangkit (BP9) is one of the LRT stations NParks lists for Zhenghua and Chestnut, and Pending (BP8) also serves Chestnut.
Is the Bukit Batok to Bukit Panjang route open every day?
Yes, with one deadline. NParks lists Little Guilin, Bukit Gombak Park and Zhenghua Nature Park as open 24 hours, and Chestnut Nature Park as open 7am to 7pm. Trails close for maintenance from time to time, and NParks posts the notice on each park's page, so read it before you set out.
Can I swim on the Bukit Batok to Bukit Panjang route?
Yes, as a second outing. Bukit Batok Swimming Complex is open 8am to 9.30pm and shut on Wednesdays unless it falls on a public holiday. An adult swim is S$1.30 on weekdays and S$1.70 at weekends and public holidays. Senja-Cashew Swimming Complex in Bukit Panjang keeps the same hours and prices.
Is there anything for children on the Bukit Batok to Bukit Panjang route?
Yes. Bukit Gombak Park has a nature-inspired play area and a butterfly garden, both free. For a wet day, T-Play at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok is an indoor playground for ages 6 months to 12 years, with two-hour play sessions, and it's closed on Mondays except public and school holidays.
Stories from along the way
Longer reads on the places you'll pass through.
