A chain of parks and hills linking Kent Ridge Park with Mount Faber and the Labrador Nature Reserve, the Southern Ridges allow you to enjoy bushwalks without actually leaving the city. The whole journey is more than 10 kilometers; the best route is from Kent Ridge Park to Mount Faber. In addition to being relatively easy, this 4-kilometer stretch offers treetop walkways, soaring skyline views, and the chance to cross the mighty Henderson Wave, a hilly footbridge suspended 120 feet above the ground.
Get off the tube at Pasir Panjang station, from where Kent Ridge Park is a steep but manageable 0.5 mile walk to Pepys Rd. At the top of the hill is a small but fascinating reflection of the Bukit Chandu War Museum. Not far away is Kent Ridge Park, with its short woodland walks. The idyllic verdant shade of Kent Ridges is fast giving way to HortPark's themed gardens and prototype conservatory. The park with playground, water fountain and kindergarten café is especially family-friendly.
From HortPark cross the leafy Alexander Arch Bridge to an impressive forest walk, from which you can look directly at the jungle canopy on Teluk Blangah Hill. The walkway eventually leads to Telok Blangah Hill Park with its beautiful floral displays, and then to the sculptural Henderson Waves Bridge. The spiky spire rises above the treetops and is part of the luxury Daniel Libeskind-designed Reflections at Keppel Bay complex.
The final 550m climb is a short but fairly steep climb to the top of Mt Faber, which offers great views of the city (skip the usual restaurants). The cable car connecting Mt. Faber to HarbourFront mall and MRT to Sentosa Island is very expensive (Adult/Child S$33/22 round trip) - consider taking a taxi (doing the math to HarbourFront about 7 S$ ).