Let’s take a nature trail walk at the old Thomson road nature park. It is a small cosy nature site situated at one of Singapore’s old kampungs which blends a nature walk with a hint of history. Being a secondary forest, it is a nice place for connection with nature. Let’s explore!
Site of the original Singapore Grand Prix
Moreover, on a bit of history, old upper Thompson road used to be a dual lane two way road serving several kampungs and villages. These small roads used to reside in the now forested area. The main old Thomson Road has a history of a GP racing track.
Additionally, the racing road consists of a series of meanders and a notorious hairpin known as the devils bend. It hosted various races categories from race karts, vintage car races and motorcycle GP.
Today, the driving road had been altered into a northbound one way road. Also the today, you can have a go driving these roads, albeit limited to a 50km/hr speed and. Notably, the road here also has camera which uses video analytics to detect wild animals in roads which illuminated road warning signs to motorists.
You can find the entrance of the old upper Thompson road is located near the Casuarina Curry shop. Hence it is not uncommon for park patrons to take a bite here before or after their nature walk.
Used to house a community kampung
Also, the entire nature park is bordered by Upper Thompson on the north, and the meandering Old upper Thomson road on the south.
Furthermore, the nee soon nature park within is home to a few forest trails. The trails within are linked via closely linked network of paths Also, these are clearly demarcated via several information signboard. You can find these signs at strategic Junction paths within.
These old roads trial are called Jalan Belang and leading to the Hainan Village. These used to be kampung in roads which served the various residences which used to reside here. What is left of this village now are some abandoned concrete structures and main gates you can find overwhelmed with forest vegetation.
Additionally, these buildings used to be part of a last kampung village which reside here before they were relocated to urban high rise. Interestingly, there is an estate which was once owned by the Hans family. Their Hans quick casual dining restaurant might ring a bell or two.
An easy learning and running trail
Moreover, the trails are largely well shaded and are very straightforward and easy to navigate. In fact, all the trails are nicely paved with gravel, asphalt, trail roads and raised wooden broad walks.
Also, this makes the trail an easy one which is good for short-medium distances. If you prefer a flatter running terrain, sticking to the the Old Thomson road paths covers a distance about 2.5km from the Casuarina Curry ending at Upper Thomson road. As a trail running road, the inner forest perimeter trail is about 1.3km between the Macaque Trail and Langur Trail and Rambutan trail.
The entrance along Upper Thomson road leads has a visitor lookout point and leads to the park’s Rambutan trail, a trail with several fruit bearing trees.
For a trek, you could leave you hiking sticks at home. Relatively easy walk, gradient inclines are relatively minor and gentle with no steep inclines. They are great for families and even elderly folks too.
Also, throughout the nature park, you can find several informatics boards elaborating on various points of interest in the forest. You might be wondering about the presence of some derelict buildings residing in the first.
Moreover, a visitor center is home to a general amenities area such as maintained toilets, a shaded rest area, viewing point and information boards as well as parking lots.
Wildlife at Thompson road
Furthermore, covering the vegetation and fauna of the forest within. The park roads within are known to be crawling with monkeys and wild boars. Also, in fact it is not uncommon to find large families of macaques sitting along the roadside along the midpoint. Of the forested road.
Thompson road pretty much shares the same secondary forest linked to Venus drive and MacRitchie Reservoir nature reserves. Hence you would get a fair share of native animals living within. After all, it is their natural habitat.
Additionally, monkeys are pretty much everywhere, especially along the roads. Hence it is wise to keep all foods and plastic bags away from monkeys sight. You can also find wild boars, monitor lizards and jungle fowls (chickens) in the forested areas within.
Wrapping up, the Old upper Thompson Park connector is also a great spot for cycling, with both pedestrian and cycling paths.
Most of these trails are interlinking, which brings you back form where you had started. You could start from old upper Thompson road and completing the loop at upper Thompson road visitor center or loop back to old upper Thompson road.
All in all, if you plan to cover all the trails within, you are good for the forest trail for about 3 hours top. It is not a big park by MacRitchie Reservoir standards, but still one of the more quieter nature parks you can visit.
