December 5, 2020

MacRitchie Trail via Windsor Nature Park and Rifle Range Road

 

Windsor Nature Park
 

Windsor Nature Park
From Thomson Plaza we walked north along Upper Thomson Road to Venus Drive where we turned into the car-park. We walked to the end of the car-park for the trailhead at Venus Loop.
We walked along this until the first junction where we turned right into the Squirrel Trail. We kept  walking until the entrance to the boardwalk. We climbed the steps to the raised boardwalk. One could also follow the earth trail that runs parallel to the boardwalk as it would eventually meet at the final junction of the boardwalk. At the end of the platform boardwalk we turned left and followed signage for the Ranger Station. Here we continued on the road. 

 

Raised boardwalk
  

Trails to the Ranger Station
We skipped the first trail on the left as it would lead us to the MacRitchie Reservoir entrance.
The next three turning would all lead to the Ranger Station. The first is the longest and is part of the Terentang Trail. Eventually this trail would reach a bend with a number of large stones behind which would be the start of an obscure trail to the Shinto Shrine. Recently two teenagers lost their way while looking for it. They were rescued by the police and rangers by boat. They were located using a British app called what3words. Basically every 3m by 3m place on earth is given a combination of 3 words. The app would give 3 words to your current location which rescuers could use to find you. See https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app/
The next trail is meant for those returning from the TreeTop Walk to Venus Drive. The intention is to separate the crowds on weekends.
We however preferred the third trail which we call the employees entrance to the Ranger Station. This is the shortest way to the Ranger Station.
The Ranger Station contains offices for the staff, toilets and water cooler - a pleasant stop before people venture for the
TreeTop Walk. The TreeTop Walk is closed until 2Q next year for repairs and improvement.

 

Ranger Station
  

Pipeline Trail (Rifle Range Link)
After a short break at the Ranger Station we continued on the Terentang Trail and Sime Track to the pipeline trail that will lead us to Rifle Range Road. To reach the trail we turned right after Petaling Hut and after crossing the bridge over a small stream. The stream contains water from the spillway releasing water from Upper Peirce Reservoir
Along this trail we had to cross another stream. We used to get our shoes wet but recently stones were placed here allowing us to keep our shoes dry. Finally we reached the beginning of the pipeline trail. It runs along the security fence of ST Kinetics. This trail is interesting as it has several undulating slopes to tackle. Efforts are now ongoing to fill up some of the cracks along the trail eroded by rain water.

Rifle Range Road
Just before accessing Rifle Range Road we had a short water break than started the final hike along the road to Jalan Anak Bukit.
Along here we passed the satellite station before walking above the Bukit Timah Expressway.
Just before the Jalan Anak Bukit Flyover we walked past the Rifle Range Nature Park being under construction.
At the end of the road we managed to experience a short part of the improved rail corridor with its brownish hard surface. Finally we emerged onto Jalan Anak Bukit and crossed over to Beauty World where we ended our walk.

Our Route

Map data ©2020 Google, URA

 

 

June 4, 2020

Changi Coastal Walk

Changi Beach Park

As we could not continue with our weekly walk because of the pandemic, I will describe a walk that we did a few months ago. Since the realignment of the Changi Coastal Road we have not walked this stretch of road. This was because of construction work and the lack of tree cover from the afternoon sun.

Recently in mid November 2019, we decided to risk the rain and sun to walk the 22km distance from Changi Village to East Coast Lagoon. The route would include the Changi Beach Park, the Coastal Park Connector and East Coast Park.


Changi Beach Park
The group met at Changi Village Food Centre as usual with a quick lunch. We then crossed the Changi Creek Bridge to the beach to begin our walk. The Changi Beach Park was improved since our last trek here. There were no more signs of renovation. This stretch of the walk is pleasant as it is well-shaded and has toilet facilities. There is a memorial of the Shook Ching Massacre that occurred here during the Second World War where thousands  were killed and buried at the beach.


Memorial Plaque

Aviation Park Road
After leaving Changi Beach Park, we passed the Changi Ferry Terminal and walked along Nicoll Drive and Aviation Park Road. This is where the Singapore Airshow 2020 would be staged at the Changi Exhibition Centre. But attendance was lower than previous years because of the pandemic. It is now being used to house foreign workers as a community isolation facility for recovering patients and those with mild symptoms. 


Tanah Merah Coast Road
Then on to Tanah Merah Coast Road. We thought we could access the beach for the views but all along the coast there were signs forbidding access. There was only one spot that allowed some photo shoot as shown on Google Map. It was a long monotonous straight stretch of road that runs parallel to the Changi Airport runways. Besides the park connector, there is a lane on the road reserved for cyclists.

Tanah Coast Road with cycling lane
We were blessed on that day with cloudy skies and no rain but still we could feel the effects of the heat. Eventually we reached the first bus stop on this road near the Naval Base and some members left us because of the heat. Eventually the rest of us reached the Safra golf club and from here on the trails were familiar such as the Sea Sports Centre and the Bedok Pier. Kayaking lessons were being conducted as we walked past them.

Kayaking lessons at the Sea Sports Centre

We finally reached the Lagoon Village Food Centre after 5 hours and the front-runner was ahead by an hour. We started with 10 but only 5 arrived at the food centre. 4 stopped earlier to catch a bus because of the heat and one took a different route near the sailing club.


Bedok Pier in the background

Related Posts
Changi Point Coastal Walk to East Coast Park
East Coast Lagoon to Changi Point
 
Our Route

Map data ©2020 Google