Why Hiking to the Highest Point in Singapore is a Big Disappointment

Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Adam Watts

It was a trek for the ages, destined to be remembered by historians for generations to come. I speak, of course, of the epic journey of hiking to the highest point in Singapore. Let me tell you, friends, it was a thoroughly taxing 30 minutes.

The highest point in Singapore is Bukit Timah Hill, which stands at a measly 164 metres above sea level. And technically it’s not the highest point in Singapore at all. It’s only the highest natural point.

Technically the highest point in Singapore is the 284 metre Guoco Tower, and there are a lot of buildings that tower over Bukit Timah Hill. Heck, the building I live in is 192 metres high, and I live on a pretty high floor (little subtle brag there, sorry), so I probably spend most of time above the height of Bukit Timah Mountain.

Just to make it feel self-conscious, I might start calling it Bukit Timah Mountain. It’s barely a mound.

But despite all this insulting name-calling, Bukit Timah Hill still almost beat me when I tried to hike to the top.

Now, before you tell me to get a grip I should point out that, for example, climbing Mount Everest is done in quite nippy conditions. And it’s commonly known that it’s easier to bundle up against the cold than suffer extreme heat.

Yes, I am trying to say that half an hour on a carefully-maintained footpath is harder than climbing the tallest mountain in the world, just because it’s bloomin’ hot in Singapore.

In fact, everyone knows that Patrick Henry quote, “Give me liberty or give me death!” but what’s less-remembered is his visit to Singapore and his trek to the highest point where he promptly collapsed and yelled, “Curse this blasted heat. Best you give me A/C or give me death!”

I rest my case.

Okay, let’s move on. This is a post about hiking to the highest point in Singapore, which is in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, so let’s talk about that.

How to get to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

• Take the Downtown line and get off at Beauty World station and take exit A.
• Take any of these buses: 67, 75, 170, 171, 184, 852, 961.
• Take a Grab or Gojek.
• If you’re lucky enough to be able to afford a car in Singapore, there’s plenty of parking space.
• Walk, cycle, skateboard, hop, or just teleport if you’re reading this from the future.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Opening Hours

Also make sure you’re visiting at a time of day that the nature reserve is open. If you’d like to take your chances with wildlife in the middle of the night, you’re out of luck. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is open 7am to 7pm.

Hiking to the Highest Point in Singapore

Alright, I’ll admit it. Climbing to Singapore’s highest point isn’t that challenging. And “climbing” is rather a misnomer. “Walking” or even just “strolling” more than suffice.

But when you first enter Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and start following the signs for “summit”, you’re faced with a steep slope. I didn’t measure its gradient to tell you its difficulty in mathematical terms, but there are warnings coming down “DO NOT RUN DOWN. IF YOU RUN, YOU WILL DIE” or words to that effect.

It’s not nothing.

Going up the slope was good for the heart and made me think that, hey, I could definitely climb Everest if I tried. Then three minutes later I was drenched in sweat, my backpack was sticking to my back like the world’s strongest velcro, and I was wondering why on earth we decided to move to Singapore and not Siberia.

After the initial slope, it levels out and it’s an enjoyable walk. I went on a  Saturday afternoon and while there were other people there, it didn’t feel crowded. Just the right amount of people to not be annoying but enough to feel safe that I’d get help if I was attacked by an angry snake.

Once I reached the top, I was disappointed.

Not by the giant boulder that marks the summit which, as far as giant boulders that mark things go, it was right up there.

I was disappointed because “highest point in Singapore” invites some promise of sweeping vistas and majestic panoramas. But what I got was…trees.

Now, I’m a big fan of Mother Nature. I turn off lights when I’m not in a room, I use reusable bags wherever possible, and I spend more time than I care to admit washing out empty yoghurt pots for recycling.

But guys, can’t we cut down a few trees on Bukit Timah Mountain (sorry, Hill) to get some better views? Cut down 50 and plant 1000 more somewhere else, it’s win-win. That way you can at least provide a good view over Singapore where it matters.

As it is, if you’re looking for a good view of Singapore, you might as well just bounce on a trampoline than climb Bukit Timah Hill. Or you could go to the world’s highest microbrewery and get some craft beer with your scenic views. Or just come over to my apartment.

Wildlife in Hindhede Quarry

Thankfully Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has other things going for it than just hiking to the highest point in Singapore, so this day could still be saved yet. There are several other trails to explore.

One such trail I had set my sights on was to Hindhede Quarry, which is no longer used as a granite quarry and is now a great habitat for animals. The quarry is only a short walk from the nature reserve’s visitor center and on flat ground (phew!).

But first I had to get back down from this epic height I’d ascended to. Taking heed of the “DO NOT RUN OR YOU WILL DIE” signs, I carefully headed down.

What used to be a granite quarry is now just a lovely scenic spot to see wildlife. I saw tortoises and beautiful birds like this one:

It’s a deserved spot to relax after the disappointment of the view from the summit.

And it made me realize that little lakes and birds in trees and tortoises doing their little tortoise swims are better than sweeping panoramas and mountain views anyway.

So forget Everest. I hiked to the highest point in Singapore; it was a trek and it was a letdown. Everest would be easy. I could climb it any day if I wanted. But I don’t. So I won’t.

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If you’re a tourist, for the love of god skip a hike to the highest point in Singapore. Instead, check out any of the other million things this beautiful city-state has to offer. Check out these Viator tour options.