Henderson Waves bridge on tall concrete pillars rising above dense forest, framed by overhanging branches

Viewpoint · Telok Blangah, Central Region

Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves

Hilltop trail linking Mount Faber to Kent Ridge, crossing Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge

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Ambient sound · similar settingWoodland birdsong in the New Territories hills

Photo: Felix (@felifox) / Unsplash

Discover Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves

The Southern Ridges stitch together a string of green hills in the south of the island, Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill and Kent Ridge, using bridges and boardwalks so you can walk most of the way above the traffic. Along the route you glimpse the harbour, the Southern Islands and the city skyline between the trees.

The star of the walk is Henderson Waves, a timber-decked bridge whose curving ribs rise and fall like a wave, forming shaded alcoves with benches. At 36 metres above Henderson Road it is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, and it is lit up after dark. From there an elevated Forest Walk weaves through the canopy to Alexandra Arch, a leaf-shaped bridge leading to HortPark's themed gardens and on to Kent Ridge Park. It is free, well signposted and easy to tailor to your energy.

Don’t miss

01Henderson Waves, a 274-metre timber bridge with seven curved ribs, 36 metres above the road
02Forest Walk, a 1.3-kilometre elevated walkway through secondary forest
03Alexandra Arch, a leaf-shaped bridge lit with colour-changing lights in the evening
04Mount Faber's Faber Walk, with views over the southern coast and islands
05HortPark's themed gardens and the Canopy Walk in Kent Ridge Park

History & culture

The story of Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves

The idea of linking the southern hills came from the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Identity Plan in 2002, which proposed connecting the ridges into one continuous green route; public consultation found strong support. An international design competition for the two key bridges followed in 2003 and 2004, and construction began in 2006.

Henderson Waves, designed by RSP Architects Planners and Engineers with IJP Corporation, and Alexandra Arch, designed by LOOK Architects, were opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in May 2008. Henderson Waves was shortlisted in the transport category of the first World Architecture Festival Awards that year. At the western end, the Canopy Walk in Kent Ridge Park links to the Reflections at Bukit Chandu museum.

Local life & traditions

The Southern Ridges are a favourite weekend walk for Singaporeans, from families with strollers on the step-free sections to fitness walkers doing the full route. Henderson Waves' sheltered alcoves are a popular spot for evening breezes and photographs, and many locals combine the walk with dinner at the nearby hawker centres or a cable car ride from Mount Faber to Sentosa.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

A popular plan is to start at HarbourFront, climb the Marang Trail to Mount Faber, cross Henderson Waves and follow the Forest Walk to Alexandra Arch and HortPark, finishing at Kent Ridge. NParks rates the full route at around 10 kilometres and three to five hours, but you can easily do just the central section around Henderson Waves in an hour or two.

Late afternoon is a lovely time to set off so that you reach Henderson Waves as the bridges light up at dusk. From September to April, birdwatchers gather here to look for migrating raptors passing overhead.

When to go

The trail can be walked all year. Early mornings and late afternoons are the most comfortable times, and evenings bring the lit-up bridges. Avoid walking during thunderstorms, which are common on afternoons in the wetter months, especially around November to January. September to April is raptor migration season.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Henderson Waves: 274m long, 8m wide and 36m above Henderson Road, the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore; opened May 2008 Source: eresources.nlb.gov.sg ↗
Getting there: Start at HarbourFront MRT (NE1/CC29), Exit D, for the Marang Trail up Mount Faber; the Kent Ridge end is a walk from Pasir Panjang MRT, and Labrador Park MRT serves the coastal route Source: nparks.gov.sg ↗
Lighting: Henderson Waves is lit with LEDs from 7pm to 7am Source: nparks.gov.sg ↗
Route length: Routes of about 10km, taking 3 to 5 hours, rated moderate to challenging by NParks Source: nparks.gov.sg ↗
Accessibility: Henderson Waves and the Forest Walk's elevated walkway are step-free; the Marang Trail climbs about 70m and is unlit after dark Source: nparks.gov.sg ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Do not carry food in open bags or plastic carriers; monkeys on the ridges may grab them, and feeding them is not allowed.
Bring a torch if you plan to walk after dark, as some earth trails are unlit.
Wear comfortable shoes and carry water; there are long stretches between shops.
Walk the route in reverse if you prefer to finish at HarbourFront for dinner or the cable car to Sentosa.
Smoking and camping are not permitted along the route.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves: food, markets & places to stay

HarbourFront MRT and VivoCity mall at the eastern end have plenty of food options, and the cable car from Mount Faber links to Sentosa. The Kent Ridge end is close to Pasir Panjang and the Reflections at Bukit Chandu museum.

Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves & what’s nearby

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Tiered red and white Tang-style facade of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple under a clear blue sky

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Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves in pictures

Red-roofed pavilion on a boardwalk over MacRitchie Reservoir, with forest and blue sky behind

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Central Catchment Nature Reserve, central Singapore

MacRitchie Reservoir and TreeTop Walk

Singapore's first reservoir, completed in the 1860s, is now the gateway to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, with lakeside boardwalks, forest trails and the 250-metre TreeTop Walk 25 metres above the forest floor.

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch — National Library Board Singapore (Infopedia)
HortPark and Southern Ridges DIY walk — National Parks Board
Henderson Waves — Wikipedia

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