Hilly terrain. Astounding quarry cliff. Historical site. Lots of steps.
I think the above phrases sum up what Bukit Batok Nature Park is all about.
I first stumbled upon Bukit Batok Nature Park when I did Coast to Coast Trail. It is the second checkpoint of the Coast to Coast Trail. C2C Trail doesn’t exactly goes inside the park, but if you have extra energy, it’s worth detouring into the park.
Have any questions about traveling in Singapore? Join All About Singapore Travel FB group, I'll be there to answer your questions!
Bukit Batok Nature Park is home to a beautiful quarry cliff that sits within a pristine pond, and a WWII memorial site.
During the Japanese Occupation in Singapore (1942-1945), this park was home to a 40-feet tall Syonan Chureito memorial and a 10-feet tall wooden cross memorial to commemorate Japanese and Allied soldiers that went to heaven during the Battle of Singapore (i.e. the battle between British and Japanese which resulted in British surrendering Singapore to the Japanese).
After the WWII, both memorials were destroyed, leaving just two pillars and 120 concrete steps.
In the years after WWII, Bukit Batok Nature Park became an active quarry operated by Poh Kim Granite Quarry. In 1988, the quarry was abandoned. The authority later converted it into the park that we know today.
The park is just a 15-min walk away from Former Ford Factory, an important site during the WWII where British surrendered to the Japanese. If you’re a history buff, I highly recommend that you visit the museum.
The length of Bukit Batok Nature Park trails from one end to the other is only about 1km, so it’s not exactly a big park for long distance runners who want to clock their miles. But the undulating terrain makes it a perfect place for hill training.
Opening Hours
Bukit Batok Nature Park is open 24 hours daily. Park lighting hours are from 7pm to 7am.
How to go to Bukit Batok Nature Park
Bukit Batok Nature Park has 6 entry points, as illustrated in the graphic below.
My personal favorite is Entrance No. 1 because I prefer to explore the park from one end to the other. My least favorite is Entrance No. 6 because it’s a steep uphill climb.
By Bus
If you’re taking public transport, the easiest way to get to Bukit Batok Nature Park is to take bus. Here’s a table showing the nearest bus stop and buses that goes to Bukit Batok Nature Park.
| Entrance | Road Name | Nearest Bus Stop | Buses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bukit Batok East Ave 2 | Opp Blk 266 (ID: 43229) or Blk 267 (ID: 43221) | 970, 985 |
| 2 | Bukit Batok East Ave 2 | Opp Blk 266 (ID: 43229) or Blk 267 (ID: 43221) | 970, 985 |
| 3 | Bukit Batok East Ave 6 | Autobacs (ID: 43209) or Opp Autobacs (ID: 43201) | 61, 66, 157, 174, 178, 852, 970, 985 |
| 4 | Bukit Batok East Ave 6 | Autobacs (ID: 43209) or Opp Autobacs (ID: 43201) | 61, 66, 157, 174, 178, 852, 970, 985 |
| 5 | Bukit Batok East Ave 6 | Autobacs (ID: 43209) or Opp Autobacs (ID: 43201) | 61, 66, 157, 174, 178, 852, 970, 985 |
| 6 | Lorong Sesuai | Opp Ppis Bt Batok (ID: 43639) or Ppis Bt Batok (ID: 43631) | 178, 852 |
By MRT
Bukit Batok Nature Park is not exactly close to MRT stations. The nearest MRT stations are more than 1.5km away.
From Bukit Batok MRT: Walk about 1.9km to entrance 1. Alternatively, take Bus 985 from Opp Blk 628, alight 4 stops later at Opp Blk 266 (ID: 43229), and walk to entrance 1.
From Beauty World MRT: Walk about 1.6km to entrance 5. Alternatively, go to Exit B, take Bus 852, alight 3 stops later at Ppis Bt Batok (ID: 43631), and walk to entrance 5.
By Car
Drive to Bukit Batok Nature Park Car Park which can be accessed via Bukit Batok East Ave 2. This carpark may get full easily on weekends.
There’s an alternative unofficial carpark near Syonan Chureito Memorial which can be accessed via Lorong Sesuai.
What to Bring
Generally, here are the things that you can consider bringing:
Water. There is a water fountain as well as vending machine near the toilet. If you’re concerned about hygiene, you can bring your own drinks.
Umbrella/raincoat. There are not many shelters at Bukit Batok Nature Park, if you’re planning to spend a long time there, do bring umbrella or raincoat.
Sunblock. Bukit Batok Nature Park is mostly sheltered by tree canopy, except the paved road between Entrance 1 and Lookout Point, and the stairs at War Memorial. For extra protection, do wear sunblock to protect your skin if you’re planning to spend a lot of time at the park.
What to Wear
The footpath/trails at Bukit Batok Nature Park are well-paved with bricks. There is no earth trail in my recollection. So, a normal covered shoes will suffice for a dry day.
However, if you visit after a heavy rain, you might want to wear footwear with strong grip, in case the trails turn slippery.
Facilities
1. Carpark
- Bukit Batok Nature Park Car Park (location on Google Map) near Entrance 2.
- Unmarked carpark at Lorong Sesuai near Syonan Chureito Memorial (location on Google Map).
2. Toilet. There is only 1 toilet and it’s located near Meeting Point 2 (location on Google Map).
3. Water fountain. There is a water fountain just outside the toilet.
4. Vending machine. There is a vending machine selling canned drinks just outside the toilet.
5. Playground. There’s a playground (location on Google Map) opposite the toilet.
Bukit Batok Nature Park Map
Things to do at Bukit Batok Nature Park
The one thing you MUST DO at Bukit Batok Nature Park is visiting the Lookout Point and soak in the astounding view of the Quarry Cliff.
The view is so breathtaking, I could see myself staring at it for a long time.
Unfortunately, mudslides have been taking place on the quarry cliff wall since 2021, and it’s still happening when I visited in 2022. If this continues, the shape of the quarry cliff might change in the future!
Right below the cliff is a pristine pond filled with fish and turtles.
Spot the animals! During our visit, other than the above marine animals, we also had the chance to spot a rooster.
There’s a sign that warns against feeding the monkey, so I guess there are monkeys in this park. We didn’t meet any during our visit, though.
Enjoy the cool fresh air while exploring the meandering trails that run through the secondary forest. It’s definitely a rare treat for your lungs!
Hike to the WWII Memorial Site to pay tribute to the soldiers killed during the WWII. In the past, there were 2 memorials here: Syonan Chureito Memorial and Allied Memorial. Both were build by Allied Prisoners-of-War under the command from the Japanese.
After the WWII, both memorials were destroyed and removed. Today, what remain are two pillars and the 120 steps.
A memorial plaque at the foot of the stairs tells the stories of the memorial site in multiple languages. The text on the plague is quite hard to read. Hopefully it’ll get restored soon.
Lastly, end your hike by climbing the 120-concrete-step staircase up to the transmission tower and enjoy a somewhat-scenic view. If the sky is clear, you can even see Marina Bay Sands.
Suggested Routes
Here is my suggested route:
- Start your hike from Entrance 1 along Bukit Batok East Ave 2
- Walk up the paved road towards Lookout Point
- Admire the Quarry Cliff and the pristine Pond
- Explore the trails through the forest
- Head to WWII Memorial Site
- Climb up the stairs to the transmission tower
- Climb down and exit from Lorong Sesuai
Nearby Parks
Little Guilin (Bukit Batok Town Park). The scenic Little Guilin is located 1.5km (18-min walk) to the west of Bukit Batok Nature Park. Read my guide for visiting Little Guilin.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Home to the Bukit Timah Hill (highest point in Singapore at 163m), Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is located 1.2km (15-min walk) from Lorong Sesuai.
Nearby Food
Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre. With over 80 hawker stalls to choose from, you won’t go hungry at Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre. Recommended stalls are: Terry Katong Laksa, He Zhong Carrot Cake, Xie Kee Hokkien Mee, and Leng Kee Fish Soup.
West Mall. If you’re looking for shopping malls, the nearest mall would be West Mall, which is located right next to Bukit Batok MRT Station. The mall has plenty of dining options including Subway, Pastamania, Encik Tan, Pepper Lunch and Ya Kun Kaya Toast.
FAQ
How high is Bukit Batok Nature Park?
Bukit Batok Nature Park (or Bukit Batok Hill) is 115m high according to several sources, making it the third tallest hill in Singapore after Bukit Timah Hill and Little Guilin. However, I’m not able to find official information to confirm this.
Can you fish at Bukit Batok Nature Park?
No, fishing is prohibited at Bukit Batok Nature Park.
References:
If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee! Your support will help me to keep going!