Serangoon River

 

Serangoon River

Serangoon River

Most of the time we walked the banks of the Serangoon River, they were along the west bank on the park connector. The few times we walked the east we could not do the whole stretch due to construction of various roads. For this walk we wanted to check whether the whole bank from Tampines Road to Lorong Halus was passable.

The walking group met at Gourmet Delights at Oasis Terraces to begin our walk along the Punggol Waterway to the Lorong Halus Wetland. After crossing the pedestrian bridge we turned right to begin the walk along the east bank. Before we could take more than a few steps a worker came out telling us we could not proceed further because of construction work. We had no choice but to turn back across the bridge to walk the west bank.

Bridge across Pasir Ris Industrial Drive 1

So we moved along the Serangoon Park Connector until the newly completed bridge extension from Punggol Central. We noticed a flight of stairs at the other end of the bridge so we decided to cross this bridge to access the east bank again. After crossing the bridge we went under the bridge to continue our trek along the river bank with the river on our right and the former dumping ground on our left behind a fence. The day was hot and there were minimal shade.

At the Tampines Expressway was a construction site. They were constructing more access roads to the Tampines Expressway. We managed to walk through the construction site but the supervisor advised us not to come by the same way again as he showed us the way to the exit to continue our walk toward Tampines Road. We were happy we did not have to turn back.

Looking back at Tampines Expressway

At Buangkok East Drive a couple came down the slope beside the bridge to enjoy some private time. After this the rest of the walk was uneventful except for the heat.
The river split into two branches and we had to follow the river to the left. We came to a newly completed 8-lane highway that seemed to lead to nowhere and there was no traffic. Had we studied the map we could follow this road direct to Tampines Road. Instead we crossed the highway, followed the canal and climbed over a fence to get to Tampines Road. Here we turned right to our destination at Kovan Mall where we ended our walk.

Road that led to nowhere

So what did we learn during this walk? The trail from Lorong Halus Wetland should be passable as construction at the other end where we crossed over is nearing the end. We noticed that all work were completed and the workers were just tidying up. The bridge is already in use and according to onemap.sg is called Pasir Ris Industrial Drive 1. This is accessible from Pasir Ris Farmway 3 and Lorong Halus.

Except for construction at Tampines Expressway, the whole stretch of the trail along the east bank of Serangoon River should be passable. The whole trail has been hardened with reused construction materials so we do not have to experience muddy puddles anymore. The only issue is the trail is exposed to the hot sun.

Our Route

Map data ©2019 Google, Urban Redevelopment Authority

Sungei Serangoon Park Connector

Otters enjoying a meal at Serangoon River

Punggol-Sengkang

This is a lucky area bound by the Punggol River on the west, the Serangoon River on the east and the Johor Straits to the north. This results in about 25km of waterways along which walking and cycling tracks were built. Coney Island was just opened in October 2015 adding 2.4km on the main trail.

In addition to three MRT stations at Punggol, Sengkang and Buangkok on the North-East Line, the area has two LRT lines one serving Punggol and the other Sengkang.

Serangoon River

Serangoon Park Connector

We started with a meetup at the Hougang St 21 Food Centre for an early lunch. This place has two popular fish ball noodles stalls both equally crowded with a queue even at 11am. The chicken rice, bak chor mee, laksa, wanton mee, hainanese curry rice, rojak are also popular. It is situated beside the Heartland Mall at the Kovan MRT Station.

After lunch we walked along Tampines Road until we reached the Serangoon River next to Hougang Ave 7. It forms part of the reservoir created by the East and West Dams at both ends of Coney Island.

F&B outlets at Tebing Lane

We walked along the river bank on the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector. Initially the banks were protected with concrete but further along the trail just before Buangkok Drive, the banks were covered with vegetation giving a more rustic look. Across the river was the former Lorong Halus Dumping Ground for our refuse. It used to propagate a stink as we drive past the area along Tampines Road. The land was left to regenerate for decades and now will be developed for high-tech industries. The banks across the river was forested. We had walked the trail on the opposite bank years ago. Last time we walked the trail it was muddy and we were concerned that the water was contaminated with leachate from the landfill. We need to choose a day when the trail is dry before going that way again.

At Buangkok Drive which runs parallel to Sungei Pinang, the park connector turns to the left and 400m away is Punggol Park.

Sungei Serangoon Park Connector

Instead of continuing along the Serangoon Park Connector, we crossed under the Buangkok East Drive on to another park connector called Sungei Serangoon Park Connector. This is a pleasant track with Sengkang flats on the left and the Serangoon River on the right. The park connector continued below the Tampines Expressway into Punggol. Here the park connector is named Punggol Promenade all the way to Punggol Point. 

Just before the Pedestrian Bridge at Lorong Halus at Tebing Lane we passed F&B outlets consisting of restaurants and fast-food. Uncle Leong Seafood is located here. Just before the pedestrian bridge to the Lorong Halus Wetland Reserve we spotted a family of otters frolicking in the reservoir. One of them was munching on a sizeable fish. We rested at the Lorong Halus Wetland Reserve where there are toilet facilities and a water cooler for us to replenish our water supply.

Punggol Waterway

Punggol Waterway

After the Pedestrian Bridge, we reached the Punggol Waterway. Here we turned west and walked along the waterway. Both sides are being developed with thousands of flats being built so the skyline has changed drastically since the waterway was opened just a few years back. Several specially designed pedestrian bridges cross the waterway providing excitement and photo opportunities. We passed the Sunset Bridge at the entrance to the waterway. Just before Punggol Road is the Wave Bridge. After walking below the Punggol Road, we came to the Kelong Bridge near where we exit the waterway and walked along Punggol Road. We ended our walk at Punggol MRT Station.

Related Posts
Punggol Park Connector - from Buangkok to Punggol
Punggol Point
Punggol Waterway Punggol Promenade 

Route Map

Map data ©2018 Google