Alexandra Arch and Forest Walk

On a recent public holiday, after breakfast and some playground time, I convinced my two elder kids to go on a tree-top walk. You know, the one at Alexandra Village. At least, that was what I thought it was called. I became confused when I tried to Google for more information before we got there. For the record, the correct name of this tree-top walk is the Southern Ridges Forest Walk.

We started our walk from Hort Park at Hyderabad Road. The first thing to see was that unique bridge spanning 80 metres across Alexandra Road. It’s called Alexandra Arch, and the bridge is curved laterally. At night, the bridge is supposedly lit up by LED lights which change colours at intervals.

Alexandra Arch continues on to the Elevated Walkway of the Forest Walk. It’s, well, an elevated walkway that rises above the tops of trees. That’s why I thought it might be called the tree-top walk, until my Googling around found that the real Tree-Top Walk is at MacRitchie. Pictured below is the start of the elevated walkway, looking back toward the Alexandra Arch.

A nice design feature of the “flooring” of the walkway is that they are made with metal gratings so that you can see through them. The gaps are small enough so that the wheels of wheelchairs and strollers will not get stuck in them. For those who have a fear of heights, the close spacing also lends a greater sense of solidness and stability.

Being able to see through the floor really gives you a new perspective from walk above the trees! It’s like flying through the forest. We don’t often get to see nature in such a way here in Singapore.

The walk brings you up close to the dense secondary forest through Telok Blangah Hill. Information gleaned from our National Parks say this elevated walkway is an excellent platform for spotting birds, dragonflies and butterflies.

Nope, I don’t think we saw any of those birds depicted there. It was a hot and humid morning. I guess they’re all taking refuge deep inside the trees.

I’m not sure how high up the elevated walkway is. I’d estimate maybe 30 metres? It cuts across a valley, so some parts are deeper than others.

The Elevated Walkway continues on to the Earth Trail. That’s where you get more “down to earth” with nature. We didn’t get that far. The kids were getting a little tired from the heat and other morning activities.

This excursion was unplanned so we were a little unprepared. I think if we had brought more water and other light refreshments, we could perhaps have had “recharging breaks” somewhere. They were tired, but they were still very cooperative and well-behaved. Overall, I think the kids quit e enjoyed this excursion.