THE Southern Ridges: Eight beautiful nature trails link up three hilltop parks - Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park.
Fancy a stroll along beautifully decorated paths lined with flowering plants or jogging up an elevated bridge, 18 metres above the ground?
You can also work out your leg muscles on the flight of steps as you soak in the 360-degree view of Singapore from the Hilltop Walk.
Regardless of your age, gender and fitness level, there is something for everyone to try out.
Follow the planned route below according to your fitness level.
The Forest Walk can be very slippery after a rain shower. Walk, don't run.
Fitness level: For the super fit Starting point: Kent Ridge Park (free parking available) End point: Mount Faber Park Distance covered: 5.4 km (one-way) Time taken: Between 40 minutes to one hour
Start off with a 10-minute warm-up at any of the fitness stations in the park.
Jog through the 300-metre Canopy Walk which is elevated at a height of 16 metres at its centre.
Enjoy the tranquility of nature as you brush through the lush greenery and natural vegetation along the way.
You will also be greeted by squirrels, doves, lizards and sunbirds.
Note that the path can be very slippery after a downpour.
Slow down when you hit the curvy, downward slope of Hort Park and the uneven pavement of Flora Walk which links you to Alexandra Arch.
Breeze through the 80-metre open leaf-shaped bridge and continue through the thick canopy of trees of the Forest Walk.
Even though the Forest Walk's platform is flat, it can be quite a task for those who are not-so-fit.
As the platform is elevated between three and 18 metres above the ground, it feels like an uphill climb of the 1.3 km trail.
Just when you feel that your legs are becoming wobbly, you hit the Hilltop Walk.
The flight of steps leads you down to Henderson Waves - the latest addition to link the Southern Ridges.
Henderson Waves connects Telok Blangah Hill to Mount Faber Hill.
The 1-km Mount Faber Trail gives you ample time and space to warm down.
Fitness level: For the fairly fit Starting point: Alexandra Arch End point: Forest Walk Distance covered: 1.4 km (one-way) Time taken: Between 15 to 25 minutes An achievable fitness task together as a family.
Stroll or jog through the meandering and uphill path from Alexandra Arch to Forest Walk.
The two elevated trails offer good bird's eye views of the surroundings and provide great photo opportunities.
Make a U-turn back to Alexandra Arch to Gillman Village nearby.
You can find some good eateries and art galleries at this former British military camp.
Fitness level: An easy stroll Starting point: Alexandra Arch End point: Flora Walk Distance covered: 400 metres Time taken: Between five to 10 minutes
Alexandra Arch is lighted up with colour-changing LED lights from 7 pm to midnight daily.
A good place for families to take a leisurely stroll after their dinners.
This article was first published in The New Paper on September 05, 2008.
