Best Family Friendly Running Trails And Routes In Singapore

MARINA BAY LOOP

Run along the promenade with your work peers! This 5 KM route starts and finishes at the Clarke Quay MRT Station. A very popular route among business peeps keen to burn some calories after a long day at work, this trail lets you enjoy panoramic waterfront views as you jog along many of Singapore’s landmarks – Marina Bay Sands, Helix Bridge, and the Merlion to name a few! If you are in town just for a short visit, kill two birds with one stone and head here! You’ll be working out and sightseeing all at once, plus, it’s an easy workout for the little ones. Perfect!

Marina Bay Loop, www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Get-Involved/Shape-A-Distinctive-City/Explore-Our-City/Marina-Bay

EAST COAST PARK

The East Coast Park is home to many of Singapore’s main running events. The 21 KM total length of the trail plus the cycling lane separated from the runners’ lane make it a long-distance joggers favorite. Gorgeous beach views all along the run are also a plus! As a classic family weekend outing, it’s also perfect for the wee athletes of the bunch that long for the workout to end so they can munch at the nearby hawker center! Buses 16, 31, 36, 55, 76, 135, 155, 196, 197, 853 will drop you off on Marine Parade Road which is just a quick walk from the park.

East Coast Park, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/east-coast-park

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

Combine botanical exploration and historical heritage with a chillax jog and voiláh, you've made it to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. We love this patch of greenery because it’s a bit of a maze of trails! It also showcases over 2000 orchid species and a space designed with the little nature-lovers at heart, the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden! Although there’s a fee to enter the National Orchid Garden, all the rest of the park, 180 acres of it, can be accessed at no extra cost. Visit the gardens’ many streams, ponds, and treehouse. This is Singapore’s only UNESCO Heritage Site so it’s perfect for runners looking for a good workout and wanting to visit the main landmarks! The running routes extend to up to 4KM but you can easily get lost if you are new to the area, so better keep a map handy! To get there, catch the MRT and get off at the Botanic Gardens station.

Singapore Botanic Gardens, www.nparks.gov.sg/SBG

MACRITCHIE RESERVOIR

Located 10 KM north of Marina Bay Sands, MacRitchie Reservoir’s trails is a wild experience for both beginner and advanced runners! Boasting outstanding biodiversity spread out across the whole area, there are many routes to test your running skills. From the Chemperai Trail to the MacRitchie Loop, this is a great option for enthusiastic runners looking for diverse and lush nature. If you make it to the TreeTop Walk, you’ll get to enjoy the delights of a suspension bridge connecting the two highest points in the reservoir. The MacRitchie Loop spans for nearly 11 KM surrounding the reservoir and should be your go-to stop if you are aching for a challenge! For a full-day action-packed outing, take your pick at any one of the other trails and perhaps go kayaking afterward! As the area is quite isolated, make sure to bring at least some nibbles, heaps of water, and mozzie repellent. Alight at Caldecott MRT Station, which is just a 10-minute walk from where the main trail starts. Be prepared for some wild encounters with monkeys and lizards - fun!

MacRitchie Reservoir, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/macritchie-reservoir-park

PUNGGOL PARK & CONEY ISLAND

Adrenaline-charged sprinters, check out this loop! Starting at Punggol Waterway Park, make your way to Lorong Halus Wetland, cross over to Coney Island and after running its 2 KM length, head back to Punggol through the West Entrance and finish your sprint right where you started! This enjoyable trail will make you forget you are in a concrete jungle for a wee while! This popular route has a fair share of nature, waterfront views, and chilled vibes. As Punggol Park is directly connected to Coney Island, it’s easy to put together a run to suit your sprints. Early risers can welcome a new day at the Sunrise Gateway and water lovers in a rush can loop round Punggol’s Waterway Park. To get here, take the MRT and get off at Punggol Station.

Coney Island, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/coney-island-park

Punggol Park, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/punggol-park

FORT CANNING PARK

Don’t be deceived by the short distance of this route! Once you are going uphill you’ll remember the saying, “Climbing would be a great, truly wonderful thing if it weren't for all that climbing.” Hands to heart, it’s only a 48-meter hill you've got to trudge, but Fort Canning Park’s hilly, winding trails located right in the heart of Singapore’s CBD are just perfect for a challenging workout before or after hitting the office. Enjoy nature and historical sites while you stride along one of Singapore’s most cherished spots, crossing paths with tourists, locals, and expats! Challenge the kids and see who can get to the top of the hill first! To get here, get off Fort Canning or City Hall MRT Station.

Fort Canning Park, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/fort-canning-park

THE SOUTHERN RIDGES

Test your quads and lungs in this 9KM running route in Southern Singapore! Cruise along the three parks connected by the main trail.  Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, and Kent Ridge Park are the areas you’ll cover during this challenging workout. The reward? Its steep slopes will make you feel more than you've ever accomplished once the hard work is done! Plus, you’ll get to enjoy heaps of nature and some fabulous views. Start just outside of Harborfront MRT Station and finish at Kent Ridge. The route can vary from 6 to to 9 KM long, depending on which trails you choose! Our fave thing about the Southern Ridges is that you don’t have to worry about cars. Woohoo!

The Southern Ridges, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/the-southern-ridges

KEPPEL BAY

Fancy a harborfront run seasoned by luxurious yacht views? Then head to Keppel Bay for your next planned day out with the whole family. Singapore’s waterfront precinct boasts not only views of the good life, but also feature samples of top-notch architectural landmarks such as Reflections at Keppel Bay and the Keppel Bay Bridge. This is an easy and very scenic route. Perfect! To get here, alight at Harbourfront or Labrador Park MRT Station.

Keppel Bay, www.marinakeppelbay.com

JURONG LAKE GARDENS

Though some sections of the 90-hectares Jurong Lake Gardens are still under renovations, we didn’t want to leave this massive nature wonderland behind in our lowdown of the best runs in Singapore! Previously called Jurong Lake Park, this nature park located in the heartlands is perfect for all-things-family! Designed with the focus set on nature, play and community, its many walkways, nature trails, and various sections make it a top choice for sports-enthusiasts from all walks of life. The running trail circumnavigating the lake will take you on a scenic sprint of about 10 KM. If the kiddos are anything like you, then take them along with you as this spot is simply stunning. Do note that the Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden are set to open in 2021! Though it’s a bit far from Central Singapore, 17 KM away, it’s very easy to get to the gardens by public transport.

Jurong Lake Gardens, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/jurong-lake-gardens

CENTRAL URBAN LOOP

Go-getters looking to upgrade their endurance skills, this running route is for you! The Central Urban Loop is the fifth loop among the Park Connector Network, spanning 36 KM of trails designed for the active city-bunnies. Though the circuit comprises some of the areas we described before, namely East Coast Park and Punggol Park, you can avoid looping around the smaller parks if you're tired of the same views. Start at any point and discover nature and heritage buildings at your own pace. Check out the official guide and plan an epic running route!

Central Urban Loop, www.nparks.gov.sg/~/media/nparks-real-content/gardens-parks-and-nature/park-connector-network/brochures/central-urban-loop.ashx