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Park Detail

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Central Catchment Nature Reserve

As Singapore's largest nature reserve, it has more than 2,000 hectares of forest and over 20km of trails, including the TreeTop Walk, around MacRitchie Reservoir.
Note:
  • The Reserve is protected as part of the Central Nature Park Network. Find out more about nature reserves and parks.
  • The MacRitchie Reservoir is in the south-eastern end of the Reserve. Find out more about the reservoir and its surrounding area from PUB's website.
View park map (pdf)
Notices:

  1. A section of the Venus Link Trail is closed for PUB’s pipe laying works from 27 November 2023 to 4th quarter of 2025. 

    Please use the Drongo Trail as the alternative route during this period

Location

601 Island Club Road (Located close to Singapore Island Country Club, via Venus Drive)

Park information

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Park size
Over 2,000 hectares
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Opening hours
7am to 7pm (hours differ for the TreeTop Walk)
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Getting here

Popular entrances into the nature reserve are located at:

  • Windsor Nature Park
    • Nearest bus stops: Flame Tree Pk (53079), Opp Flame Tree Pk (53071)
  • MacRitchie Reservoir Park
    • Nearest bus stops: Opp MacRitchie Resvr (51079), MacRitchie Resvr (51071)
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Parking information

The nearest parking is available at Windsor Nature Park and MacRitchie Reservoir Park.

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Pets not allowed
Nearby stations
  • Caldecott MRT station
  • Marymount MRT station
  • Upper Thomson MRT station
Nearby park connectors
Nearby parks
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Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
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Accessibility detail

Wheelchair accessible only within the MacRitchie Reservoir Park.

  • Do not bring your pets (they are not allowed in the nature reserve in order to protect the wildlife).
  • Do apply for a permit at least 1 month in advance if you are organising group activities involving more than 30 persons.
  • Do apply for a permit at least 2 weeks in advance for commercial filming and photography, subject to NParks' approval.
  • Do find out more from PUB if you need to book event spaces near the MacRitchie Reservoir (the Reservoir Deck, Reservoir Vista or Lawn@Paddle Lodge).
  • Do stay on designated trails to avoid stepping on endangered plants.
  • Do not bring in any unauthorised vehicles (including bicycles, skateboards, skates, and motorised personal mobility devices) into the nature reserve.
  • Do not fish in the nature reserve.
  • During and immediately after bad weather, do seek cover at the nearest shelter available and avoid entering forested areas.
  • The Shinto Shrine (Syonan Jinja) is located within a restricted part of Central Catchment Nature Reserve that is closed to the public. There are no designated trails to the Shrine. Visitors should stay on the designated trails to avoid becoming lost. Entering or leaving any part of a nature reserve that is closed is an offence under the Parks and Trees Regulations, which carries a penalty of a fine of up to $2,000.
  • Find out more about the dos and don'ts and hiking etiquette you should follow when visiting the park.

What to see

Special features

Eco-Link@BKE
Eco-Link@BKE

Wildlife can cross safely between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve through Southeast Asia's first ecological bridge.

Find out more >
Jelutong Tower
Jelutong Tower

Visit this 7-storey-high observation tower for an unblocked, bird's eye view of the forest in MacRitchie.

TreeTop Walk
TreeTop Walk

This 25m-high suspension bridge connects the 2 highest points in MacRitchie. It offers panoramic views of nature and is the first of its kind in Singapore.

Find out more >
Lornie Nature Corridor
Lornie Nature Corridor

With over 100 species of trees and shrubs planted along the road to mimic the rainforest, this nature corridor strengthens the Reserve's ecological resilience.

Find out more >
Nee Soon Swamp Forest
Nee Soon Swamp Forest

Closed to the public to protect the biodiversity from disturbance, this primary freshwater swamp forest supports a high proportion of threatened species.

Plant and animals

Lesser Mousedeer
Lesser Mousedeer

Weighing around 2kg, this animal is Singapore's smallest-known hoofed animal. It does not have antlers, but can use its elongated canine teeth to fight.

Find out more >
Birds
Birds

Keep your eyes peeled for the Olive-winged Bulbul, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Collared Kingfisher and more.

Reptiles
Reptiles

Tread carefully along the MacRitchie trails and you might find a Common Sun Skink or Clouded Monitor Lizard, both of which call the Reserve home.

Dipterocarp forests
Dipterocarp forests

Less than 0.5% of these original primary lowland forest remain in Singapore. Look out for the Keruing and Meranti trees that are popular hardwood timber.

Find out more >
Raffles Banded Langur
Raffles Banded Langur

A critically endangered species in Singapore. Adults are black, identifiable from their white eye rings and crescent-shaped marks at the side of their face.

Find out more >

What to do

Activities:

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Keep your eyes peeled when you visit TreeTop Walk or Jelutong Tower to spot the Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Red-eyed Bulbul and more.

View etiquette and tips
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Get involved

Keen to be a part of our efforts to protect our green spaces and conserve nature? Sign up as a volunteer!

NEAR mobile app

Download the NEAR mobile app to find a route via our park connectors or trails.

NEAR Mobile Google PlayNEAR Mobile App Store

National Parks Board

© 2024 Government of Singapore.
Last updated on 09 November 2023.