Situated within this 164-hectare (400 acres) of nature reserve is Bukit Timah Hill, the highest point in Singapore standing at a "towering" height of 164m. I took the shortest path to the summit because of time constraint.
The shortest trekking route to the summit follows what the park has labeled as the "Red Walking Trail" which is just over 1 km and follows a paved road heading northwest from the the Nature Reserve's Visitor Centre. From the Visitor's Centre to the entrance of the Nature Reserve, I encountered a rather steep climb, (about 60 degrees incline) which actually provided me with some good exercise as I plodded my way up the hill.
Saw many interesting insects along with the Plantain Squirrels (Callosciurus notatus) on my way up. I also spotted two beautiful butterflies - the Blue Glassy Tiger and the Common Palmfly.
Watching these butterflies feeding from flower to flower in their natural environment is always fascinating and rewarding.
The whole Nature Reserve has four clearly marked trails. The shortest one takes about 20 minutes while the longest route will take about 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace. Throughout all the routes, there are many simple jungle-themed shelters which provide rest as well as shelter from the rain for the visitors.
Bukit Timah Hill was once an active quarrying site in the mid-1900s. One abandoned quarry has been developed as a park. Hindhede Nature Park is now a popular spot with visitors who come to enjoy the quarry’s scenic beauty.
