9 IG-Worthy Running Routes In Singapore Worth Breaking A Sweat For

Neon Drew
Fri, 03 Jan 2020 00:00:00 Z

The views on these routes will make the actual exercise feel way less painful.

PHOTO: UNSPLASH/BRUNO NASCIMENTO

I’ll confess: the only running I’ve been doing these days is away from my problems… and to where the buffet line starts. If you’re like me and have been a serial couch potato for a tad bit too long, it’s time to pull up your socks and get physical.

Need some motivation? Here are 9 IG-worthy running routes worth breaking a sweat – and the internet – for.

1. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

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A parade of wildlife – from marshland mudskippers to migratory birds from as far as Siberia – thrives in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Just don’t get too excited when you see the resident monitor lizard chilling idly on the middle of the pathways.

Too close for comfort? Warm up for your run at the observation decks where you can view nature’s critters frolicking in their natural dwellings.

*Vigourous running is discouraged as it might scare the wildlife that inhibits the wetland. But truth be told, the beauty of the wetland is best taken in slower strides.

Southern Ridges

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The Southern Ridges is one of the more challenging running routes on this list, spanning over 10km, across Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill and Kent Ridge Park with a handful of uphill trails. But at least you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views.

Here are some IG-worthy moments across the 10km that are guaranteed to zhng your feed.

2. Forest Walk

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Metal bridges snake in and out of dense greenery to form a fine labyrinth that is the Forest Walk. In the deeper end of the 1.3km trail, slow your pace to revel in the seclusion.

The Forest Walk provides a truly immersive experience with nature, but in the thick of the greenery, the bridges open up to remind you you’re right by the lip of the city.

3. Henderson Waves

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Not all bridges are created equal, and Henderson Waves is a juggernaut in a realm of its own.

The undulating curves that go on for 274 meters are what gives this bridge its name. It should come as little surprise that this fine piece of architecture has nabbed honours left and right, but the unobstructed panoramic view of the southern cityscape is the real winner here.

By dusk, the dynamic energy of Henderson Waves takes on a calm, even romantic, aura. As the crowd peters out, the bridge is illuminated with a gentle glow from 7pm - 7am daily, ideal for night joggers.

Northern Explorer Loop

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The Northern Explorer Loop is made up of nine parks, waterfronts and outdoor recreational hotspots connected via a chain of park connectors that circles Yishun, Sembawang, Woodlands and Mandai.

For seasoned runners, the well-connected channels are great for charting different running trajectories, but each individual location functions just as well for leisure joggers looking for routes with picturesque views.

4. Lower Seletar Reservoir Park

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Just 400m from Yishun Stadium, the Lower Seletar Reservoir Park offers a peaceful running experience for novice runners. The track measures 1.3km, but the crown jewel of the park is undoubtedly the Heritage Bridge, which extends itself into the reservoir - a great start/end point.

5. Yishun Pond Park

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Located right across Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, grab a bird’s eye view of Yishun’s tranquil facade while you warm up at the Observatory at Yishun Pond Park.

Circling the pond once covers about a kilometer in distance, so we highly recommend making use of the connectors branching from the Observatory to make your run worthwhile - upsize your run by adding Yishun Park into your route via the Khatib Bongsu Connector, then down south onto Lower Seletar, or head north towards Sembawang Park via the Yishun Park Connector.

6. Upper Seletar Reservoir Park

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Unlike its Lower Seletar counterpart, which caters to outdoor recreation and family activities, the main draw of Upper Seletar Reservoir Park is its undisturbed serenity. Teeming with 15 hectares of vegetation, the park feels otherworldly, which makes it the perfect backdrop go off the grid and sweat it out.

Finish your run with a #postrunselfie at the top of the iconic rocket tower; OR, stop by the even more iconic #instagramtree for a made-for-IG moment.

7. Punggol Waterway Park

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There’s something innately homely about the heartlands and the peaceful charm of Punggol Waterway Park echoes that cosiness. With 12.25 hectares (that’s over 12 football fields!) of flora and fauna, the riverine park providers a bevy of photo ops, especially along its many bridges.

A perennial grammers’ favourite is the bridge connecting the waterway to Lorong Halus Wetland. To get there, alight at Riviera LRT Station and walk to the Punggol Promenade Riverside Park. Follow the park connector path and you’ll find yourself at the foot of Halus bridge.

8. Coney Island

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Also accessible via the Halus bridge is Coney Island, one of the few untouched natural vistas that the public can get acquainted with. With dense forestry, it’s easy to plant yourself in between the towering casuarina trees to help frame your perfect shot.

9. Civic District/Central Business District

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You don’t have to be a Shentonista to embrace the dynamism of the fast-paced city when you run along what’s said to be the beating heart of our city - the CBD/Civic District.

The skylines are built to impress and the flat terrains are great for runners looking to clock longer distances without battling gravity-defying, will-to-live-shattering elevation. Just don’t forget to IG story as you go!