From City to Serenity: My MacRitchie Reservoir Trek

It felt like I had a productive Sunday because my plan to visit MacRitchie Reservoir finally came to fruition this morning. I had been planning this for a few weeks, so I’m really pleased I managed to make it happen.

The pleasant weather was also a great motivator. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity, so as soon as I woke up, I took a bath and then rode the MRT to the Upper Thomson area. From there, I took a bus that brought me to the MacRitchie Reservoir bus stop.

I got off on the opposite side of the reservoir, so to reach it, I had to cross the footbridge.

From the entrance, I was led to the Amenities Center, where visitors can rest and gear up in their trekking attire. What I like about this center is that it has shower cubicles available for public use. I think this is the only reservoir I’ve visited with such a facility, and I’m already impressed by it.

From there, I headed toward the Lornie Trail, which is on the left side. The trail covers a distance of approximately 11 km, so I decided to explore the left section.

Next to the amenities center, there is an open platform where people gather to hang out, meet friends, and engage in activities such as Tai Chi or various dance and exercise routines.

After crossing the man-made pool, the gentle slope leading up the hill began. This type of trek is suitable for those who are just starting out with these kinds of physical activities. The walk up the hill is pleasant, making it an enjoyable experience, as I didn’t feel out of breath while climbing.

After a 5-minute walk along the trail, I reached the first landmark in the area: the jetty gazebo. I believe this is one of the larger gazebo among those scattered around the reservoir. I’m not sure why the entrance to this gazebo has been chained and restricted to the public.

I’m amazed by the clear waters of this reservoir. Being the first reservoir in Singapore, its age is evident from the abundant growth of underwater plants, which appear to have been thriving for a long time.

I continued walking along the trail until I reached the Zig Zag Bridge, one of the popular spots for walking activities in the area. It was so much fun walking along the bridge that I even circled around the boardwalk to experience it a second time, haha.

This large gazebo is iconic! I love the structure's design, as it appears to be floating on the reservoir. The roof's pitch resembles that of a pagoda, which was likely the inspiration behind the designer's vision for this gazebo.

An interesting feature of this area of the reservoir is that it has become a safe habitat for freshwater turtles. They have adapted well to human presence and were quite friendly when I approached their pond.

From the boardwalk, I walked down to the bridge where many of the turtles gathered, appearing to welcome the people passing by.

As soon as I lowered my camera near the water, the turtles approached me as if they were allowing me to take photos of them. Of course, I realized they probably thought I was offering them food.

This is only half of the Lornie Trail, so I decided to keep moving and continue my walk up the hill.

The surroundings are filled with very old trees, some of which I believe are over 100 years old. It’s amazing to see that this part of nature has been preserved and is being well-maintained for future generations.

After a few more minutes of walking up the hill, I decided to head back to the amenities center. As much as I wanted to explore more of the area, it was already noon.

I recorded my walk and compiled it into a video. Feel free to check it out!

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my journey at MacRitchie Reservoir. The combination of nature, tranquility, and wildlife made for a truly refreshing experience. I encourage everyone to explore this beautiful area and appreciate the wonders it has to offer!