Two new trails at Clementi Nature Corridor to open gradually from 2023

The two trails contribute to Singapore's vision of becoming a “City in Nature”.

Noreen Shazreen

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Published: 2 August 2021, 12:39 PM

Hikers and nature lovers will soon have new hiking trails to explore, as the National Parks Board (NParks) announced on Saturday (Jul 31) that two new trails at the Clementi Nature Corridor will be progressively completed from 2023.

The corridor will provide wildlife ecological connections between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the 10km Southern Ridges, which is made up of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.

Old Jurong Line Nature Trail

One of the upcoming trails is the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail, named after the historic railway track developed by Malaysian rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). The trail is targeted to be completed progressively from 2024.

During the early 1960s, the line was conceptualised to speed up the development of projects in Jurong. Transportation along the line was discontinued in 1992 and the Jurong Railway Station was demolished a year later.

The line runs through Clementi Forest, which is home to several rare and endangered species, including two types of orchids. PHOTO CREDIT: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

With the 4km-long trail, which will have access points from Clementi Road and the Rail Corridor, visitors can appreciate the natural and historical aspects of the Old Jurong Line such as tunnels, railway tracks and bridges.

The trail will also be part of the 62km Coast-to-Coast Southern trail, which will extend from Changi Beach to Tuas.

Clementi Nature Trail

A second route is named Clementi Nature Trail, which connects the Rail Corridor to a new nature park in Ulu Pandan’s Dover Forest. The trail, which measures 2km long, is targeted to be completed by 2023.

Visitors can walk along the Rail Corridor to the Ulu Pandan nature park via the new Clementi Nature Trail and the existing Ulu Pandan Park Connector.

The park connector, which links back to the Rail Corridor, allows visitors to explore the area in its entirety. PHOTO CREDIT: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

In addition, the two new nature trails will connect to Jurong Lake Gardens via a 3km park connector.

The new routes and existing park connectors will also form a green network with 18km of trails.

“With this new recreational green network, the public will be able to experience nature while minimising impact to biodiversity,” NParks said.

These two trails are also important to Singapore’s quest to become a “City in Nature,” as the country plans to build 360km of recreational trails by 2030.