The best outdoor spots in Singapore to admire nature from above

Rifle Range Nature Park is a new 66 hectare parked situated south of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It adds on 7km of trails and boardwalks to the sprawling Central Nature Park Network, and includes a couple of interesting features to accommodate both human visitors (us) and wildlife. 

Highlights include Quarry Wetland, which has been transformed from the former Sin Seng Quarry into a habitat for wetland animals. This is a tranquil spot defined by granite cliffs and calm green waters – and is great for a spot of birdwatching. Head to the Waterhen Hide, where you can buckle down for a chance to catch wetland species such as the Yellow Bittern and up to five species of kingfishers.

Look up and you'll notice the Coluga Deck perched 31 metres above the former quarry. You can reach this lookout point – shaped like a Sunda colugo (flying lemur) in flight – via the Coluga Trail, a moderately challenging trail with steps to the top. 

At 57-hectares and with a range of natural and green habitats, Kranji Marshes is Singapore's largest freshwater farmland. The nature reserve is home to 170 species of birds, 54 types of butterflies, and 33 different kinds of dragonflies. The 10.65-metre-tall Raptor Tower offers a panoramic view of the surrounding marshes. Educational boards are placed around the open-air observatory deck of the tower, helping the eagle-eyed identify birds and pick out landmarks such as the Moorhen Pond and the BBC Shortwave relay station in the distance.

Take your outdoor adventure to new heights at the scenic spot atop Mount Faber. At Faber Peak, delight in the breathtaking view which stretches to the southern islands – you might even catch a glimpse of Batam. While you're at it, snap a cheeky selfie with the three-metre-tall Merlion, and ring Poland's Bells of Happiness. It's believed that the ringers will be blessed with joy and an everlasting blissful future. To make the most of your trip to Mount Faber Park, sign up for the Gai Gai Tour which reveals the hidden gems of the park and concludes with a cable car ride. If you need to refuel, take a break at any one of the restaurants including Dusk Restaurant & Bar where you can dine with a stunning view.

Observe every nook and cranny of Fort Siloso from above at Fort Siloso Skywalk. The 181-metres treetop trail towers 11 storeys aboveground, surrounded by the island's oldest trees and looking out to views of the sea. The bridge is characterised by triangulated trusses and columns, designed to move to accommodate the movement of people walking on it. For the daredevils, check out the section of the Viewing Platform that is glass-bottom, giving the illusion of you standing 36-metres in the air with nothing below your feet.

A Singapore icon, the majestic Gardens by the Bay is a sight to behold. Surrounded by exotic foliage, it's home to various outdoor and indoor gardens. The main stars, however, are the colossal Supertrees, which stand at up to 50-metres tall. Be one with the Supertrees as you stroll along the 22-metre-high aerial OCBC Skyway which connects two of the iconic giants. Located at the canopy of the tallest Supertree is the new Supertree Observatory. The open-air rooftop deck remains closed for now, but keep your eye on it as it offers panoramic vistas of the Gardens and the Marina Bay skyline.

Wander through the dense secondary forest of Telok Blangah Hill before you arrive at the iconic Henderson Waves. Situated 36-metres above Henderson Road, this pedestrian bridge – incidentally the highest in Singapore – is the perfect spot to escape the city. The hidden recesses and shell-like ridges also make it a popular spot for groups to hang out or for canoodling couples to sneak in a few kisses.

Located between Sentosa’s Siloso Beach and Tanjong Beach, this stretch of calm water and fine grain sand is considered the most family-friendly of the three. From the shore, there’s a small island that’s easy to swim out to. Otherwise, landlubbers (and Instagrammers) can cross over to the southernmost point of continental Asia (also the closest point to the equator) using the suspension rope bridge. Do exert the effort to climb up the tower for a bird’s eye view of Sentosa, if nothing else, do it for the ’gram.

Even your little ones can be one with nature at the Southern Ridges. The lush green space features 10-kilometre of pram-friendly trails with park connectors to Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve. Besides Henderson Waves, the 1.3-kilometre-long Forest Walk offers panoramic views of nature's beauty.

This venue is currently closed for maintenance works.

MacRitchie Reservoir is one of Singapore’s oldest and most popular nature park for joggers, families, and weekend strollers. But the main highlight is the TreeTop Walk, a suspension bridge positioned 25-metre above the forest floor, which connects the two highest points in the reserve and offers splendid panoramic views. It also takes you through the different stages of a mature secondary forest. Traffic on the bridge is one-way, so there’s literally no turning back.