Singapore has a small geographical footprint and a global claim to fame for its level of industry, services and urban blueprinting.

Within this city state, however, exists an eco-infrastructure of greenery, nature reserves and places to take a deep green breath, away from it all.

A green heart

Singapore residents now have the opportunity to stroll amongst lush, low lying, tropical vegetation and rainforest flora and fauna amongst many of the trails and paths in and around MacRitchie, Lower Peirce, Upper Peirce and Upper Seletar Reservoirs.

Over the years, the interconnectivity of these nature walks is becoming more intricate - veining through the heart of central and northern Singapore and beyond.

One morning, I arrived well before 7am, with light from the dim ambient glow of the HDBs and the carpark and amenities centre, the gateway to the nature walks lining MacRitchie Reservoir (one of the more accessible nature reserves).

Taking part in an early morning activity allows visitors to experience the soft sigh that was the night retreating to allow the sun to glimmer, glow and eventually blaze from midday onwards.

I wasn't the only one with that idea. A large early morning yoga group started stretching and limbering in the gray light. Mostly elderly and Singaporean, I admired them for their choice of exercise environment, as the dim outline of a pagoda snakes scenically into the reservoir background.

Happy trails galore

There are many trails and directions that frame MacRitchie, including hilly paths and eventually, tree top walks.

I began walking on the left side of the reservoir, over the scenic Chemperai trail which skirts the waters edge, to the Jering trail and back again.

It was a leisurely stroll of a couple hours, 4 km or so in total (DIY trail guides for many of the walks in Singapore can be helpfully found at the national parks website here).

As I was walking towards the boardwalk, a wedding photo shoot was in progress. And all of a sudden, the tropical rainforest appeared - a great lush backdrop, that draped itself over the boardwalk, like a leafy green giant jostling for room.

Lively wildlife

As I sat down to take a breather, I looked into the water at my feet and saw a school of medium-sized fish congregating.

I’ve been to MacRitchie and walked the trails many times - and wildlife is commonplace.

Coming from New Zealand, apart from the bountiful sheep and farm life, animals are rarely seen except in the more forested areas.

Not here in Singapore, and it’s never a dull experience for me to see such varied and exotic wildlife. On previous nature jaunts, I’ve seen green snakes, terrapins and kingfishers, amidst crimson coloured dragonflies and shimmering butterflies.

Most times, at MacRitchie, the trees will rustle and sometimes bristle with monkeys - grey shapes which recede into the trees, or sit in the crook of the tree branches, watching passers-by. Monkeys should not be fed, and food should be kept from their sight, lest it encourage aggressive behaviour. I thought of my packed sandwiches in my bag and move on.

Water for all

It was getting much lighter now, with the sky brightening, and the sun streaming out from behind a cloud formation.

The undersides of leaves that lined the boardwalk, coupled with the ambient light, made the scene almost glow like a golden brick road. A hanging tree dipped over the side of the water, like a hand of the forest that is reaching out to graze the reservoir surface.

From the hanging tree, I heard sounds of instruction and laughter. I looked out across the water, and saw buoys floating at regular intervals, with canoeists gathered in the far centre, practicing their sport in one and two person crafts.

Every few minutes, two would set off down the course, racing each other, gliding with even strokes dipping through the reservoir in a metronome-like effect.

As I made my way back to the beginning, every walk through MacRitchie, whether during the morning or the night, is a beautiful panacea to the pulse quickening city state way of life.

If you are driving, entrance to the MacRitchie Reservoir Park car park is along Lornie Road.

Buses 52, 74, 93, 130, 132, 156, 157, 162, 165, 166, 167, 852, 855 and 980; Alight along Lornie Road at the bus-stop in front of MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
More information about MacRitchie can be found here.

Related links

- The green corridor

- Earth Hour 2011 Special

- Green drinks: An exchange of ecological ideas