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Bad news for nature lovers: the MacRitchie TreeTop Walk is closed for maintenance until 2021. However, the MacRitchie Reservoir is still open to visit in the meantime.
You may be wondering, what is the point of visiting MacRitchie Reservoir when its star attraction is closed? Well here are 5 things to see at MacRitchie besides the TreeTop Walk.
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1. Take a hike on the Chemperai and Prunus trails
If you’re still interested in traversing the longer trails while the TreeTop Walk is closed, the Sime Track detour will take you almost the same route, albeit at ground level.
However, you can also try exploring two shorter autonomous trails, namely the Prunus Trail and the Chemperai Trail.
Chemperai Trail is the shorter of the two, stretching for just 1.5km and can be completed in about 30 minutes, while the Prunus Trail runs for 2km and takes about an hour to explore.
Both trails consist of loops along different parts of the MacRitchie Reservoir Boardwalks, offering a picturesque view of the boardwalk.
You may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of local wildlife like woodpeckers, monitor lizards, and even long-tailed macaques!
Note: Don’t get too close to wild animals you see, especially monkeys. We do not assume any responsibility for the loss of possessions seized by these inveterate thieves: oneWe mean adorable but mischievous creatures.
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2. Go kayaking
If you like water sports, rent a kayak at Paddle Lodge and explore the reservoir from its waters. That’s one way to get up close and personal with water-based creatures like turtles and otters, right?
Please note that due to current social distancing measures, only single and double sit-on-top kayaks can be rented.
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3. Try your luck at freshwater fishing
If you want to hang out near the boardwalk but don’t like kayaking, why not try catching a fish or two? Yes, the MacRitchie Reservoir is one of the few places in Singapore where fishing is legally allowed.
You will find the designated fishing spot near Paddle Lodge, but you will have to BYOR (Bring Your Own Rod) as there are no fishing gear rental shops here.
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4. Go up the Jelutong tower
While TreeTop Walk is closed, you can still enjoy a panoramic view of the MacRitchie Reservoir. Camouflaged by the surrounding greenery, the 7-story Jelutong Tower is a true hidden gem.
Climb up to find yourself above the canopy layer and enjoy the breathtaking view (just don’t look too far down!). You may also want to bring a pair of binoculars for bird watching while you’re there.
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5. Walk on water (more or less)
Okay, you’re not actually walking on the surface of the water, but this is as close as possible. This 40 meter long submerged boardwalk was intentionally built low enough for visitors to walk through the clean, cool water of the reservoir.
Despite the name, the water is usually quite shallow, reaching a depth of 5 cm maximum. Just be careful not to slip and fall!
This article was first published in Wonderwall.sg.
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