BELLY UP Reviews Singapore's Dog-Friendly Nature Trails: UNESCO Heritage Site Botanic Gardens, Rustic Nature Walks at Rail Corridor, and Seaside Trails At Coney Island.
Dog ownership in Singapore has increased significantly throughout the covid-19 pandemic, and continues to go up through 2022. Although the majority of Singapore’s national parks and park connectors are open to dogs and their owners, there are also many nature trails that are not permitted to dogs due to their rich biodiversity.
The BELLY UP team visited multiple nature trails and hiked kilometres of Singaporean greenery to review their favourite dog-friendly trails for our readers.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Opening Hours - 5AM to 12AM Daily
Dog-Friendly Trail - General Outdoor Gardens
Parking
NParks HQ Carparks A, B, C - 141 Parking Lots.
Tyserall Gate Carpark - 36 Parking Lots.
Gallop Gate Carpark - 29 Parking Lots.
A world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, Singapore Botanic Gardens is a popular spot for many dogs and dog owners for a casual morning stroll or an invigorating adventure in the evening. Situated on 82-hectares of land along Bukit Timah, the gardens are filled with open community spaces that are conducive for pet owners who are looking for a central location with large open areas to walk their dogs. Spot the Singapore Red Junglefowl during your walk with your pups, or rest and relax at the Swan Lake whilst viewing the beautiful Mute Swans glide across the clear waters.
This historical site also has some Instagram-worthy spots at the Gallop Extension, housing two colonial era houses built in 1898 and 1906. Though dogs are not allowed within the buildings, you are more than welcome to walk around the grass fields and take photos around the buildings.
Rail Corridor/Green Corridor
Opening Hours - 24/7
Dog-Friendly Trail - All Areas
Parking - Parking is limited throughout the trail.
Commonly known as the “Green Corridor”, the 24 kilometre stretch of community space is a former railway line that stretches north to south Singapore. There are further plans to develop the area to connect the Woodlands North Coast and Greater South Waterfront until 2022, thereafter increasing the connectivity of the nature trail to families and neighbourhoods living around the area.
The Central Rail Corridor is a very feasible 4 kilometre trail stretched between Old Bukit Timah Railway Station and Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge for a leisurely stroll with your pups. This area is lined with lush greenery along the walkway, naturally cooled by the tall trees and cosy bushes to shelter their visitors in our tropical weather.
Our favourite spots along the Rail Corridor are Bukit Timah Railway Station, Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, and Clementi Forest. These iconic locations are customary photo spots to check-in and take photos as you take in the sights and sounds during your hiking trail.
Coney Island Park
Opening Hours - 7AM to 7PM Daily
Dog-Friendly Trail - All Areas
Parking
Punggol Settlement - Approximately 100 Parking Lots.
Punggol Park - Approximately 15 Parking Lots.
Situated off the coast of Punggol settlement, Coney Island is an offshore island filled with rich biodiversity. The island houses Serangoon Reservoir, where you may occasionally catch the Smooth Coated Otters fishing for their daily meals. The main park connector spans about 2.5 kilometres across the island from the east to west entrance. Roam the wide muddy paths with your furry friends accompanied by towering trees which provide ample shelter from the warm singaporean weather. Remember to apply some paw balms to protect those lovely paws from the rough ground and rocks.
Coney Island is still being developed to provide a better experience for visitors. A newly built boardwalk, and amenities such as bathrooms are currently being constructed. For a seaside nature walk with no frills and ample sightseeing by the water, this trail tops the list!
Other Parks & Park Connectors
Here is a list of additional dog-friendly parks and park connectors in Singapore that allow or restrict dogs from entering.
Dogs Permitted
Bedok Town Park
Bishan - Ang Mo Kio Park
Bukit Gombak Park
Clementi Woods Park
East Coast Park
Interim Park at Lengkong Enam
Jalan Pari Burong Playground
Jurong Lake Gardens
Katong Park
Koon Seng Park
Mariam Way Playground
Mayfair Park
Pasir Ris Park
Punggol Park
Punggol Waterway Park
Sengkang Riverside Park
Sembawang Park
Telok Kurau Park
Tiong Bahru Park
West Coast Park
Yishun Park
Dogs Not Permitted - To protect the biodiversity of our natural environment.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Central Catchment Nature Reserve
Chestnut Nature Park
Hindhede Nature Park
Kranji Marshes
Labrador Nature Reserve
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Ethnobotany Garden
Foliage Garden
Healing Garden
Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
Keppel Discovery Wetlands – elevated boardwalk
Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge
National Orchid Garden
Rain Forest
SPH Walk of Giants
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Kranji Coastal Nature Park (former Sungei Buloh Wetlands Extension)
Thomson Nature Park
Upper Seletar Reservoir Park
Upper Peirce Reservoir Park
Windsor Nature Park
all trails leading into the nature reserves, including:
Bukit Timah mountain biking trail
Chestnut-Gangsa biking trail
Dairy Farm Nature Park’s nature trails (Wallace trails)
Lower Peirce trail
MacRitchie trails
Pipeline at Bukit Timah
Upper Peirce Reservoir Park access road
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Nellie