MacRitchie Reservoir info request

[Beesknees]

I'm feeling desperately in need of some nature so thought I'd go to MacRitchie this weekend for a long walk. Can anyone suggest where the taxi should drop us off and then where we'd manage to get a taxi again when we're finished so that we don't have to go back the same way? Last time we went out to the wilderness (Poison Ivy cafe) we almost had to hitch a lift back.

[Beesknees]

Bump!

Does nobody go walking at MacRitchie reservoir?

[Scrummy Mummy]

Yes, but we drive there.

Last time you were stranded did you call a taxi? In the absence of better suggestions I'd get them to drop you at the car park and call a taxi to collect you from there - I think there's only one car park.

Alternatively, go to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and you can walk down to the main road easily if necessary! Thinking of taking Mini there on Sat morning so may see you if you go.

[Lili Von Shtupp]

Last time we went, we lived in Toa Payoh so did it all by bus. The main entrance is at Lornie Rd. Where you end up depends on which trails you take. Scrummy's got the right idea about calling a cab for pick up when you're out.

Bukit Timah is loads of fun, too.

[Jedi]

Bukit Timah is loads of fun, too.

And also great exercise.

[Beesknees]

OK thanks. Maybe because it's more central taxis will come and pick us up there so that's good. Scrummy - oop north we managed to get on a bus which eventually took us to the train station up there (the taxis just wouldn't come to pick us up.)

[Scrummy Mummy]

So LVS and I were in Upper Bukit Timah on Tuesday and I saw the signs for BT nature reserve and thought "Oooh, should go back there again." I don't think we've been since our first year in Singapore.

Scummy Daddy flew back from India overnight on Friday so I thought I'd take Mini for a walk up it on Saturday morning.

Gawd, I'd forgotten how steep that hill is, especially pushing 23kg of toddler and pram up it. I think I'd have had a heart attack doing that a few months ago.

Coming down was pretty scary, and I tied the pram to my wrist as I figured if I tripped over and let go he'd beat the land speed record by the time he got to the bottom.

Good exercise though, although I imagine my calves now resemble those of East German shot-putters!

[Lili Von Shtupp]

Oh, ditch the pram, Sister! Unless he's pushing you.

[Kooky]

Aliya used to be the queen of Macritchie, she should have good info about the area.

[Sardonicus]

I just read somewhere that the monkeys are getting more aggressive there.

[Fat Bob]

Their queen left the area.....

[Aliya]

Ha. Bloody monkeys!

McRitchie is on a very main road, Upper Thomson Road so I would get a taxi to drop you off and then just wave one down outside the carpark, lots of taxis around.

McR monkeys used to be great - I lived there for 4 years and never had a problem but recently when MrA and the Alets went there for a walk we were almost set upon by so would be a good idea to take a walking stick with you. Having said that we had the dogs with us and monkeys dont like dogs.

McR is a fab place to walk, you can walk around it on the trails or on the board walks. You can now kayak on it (dont fall in there are freakin huge Loahan (sp) fish in there. I just about lost a foot when I had to swim out to rescue Bibi MsD's black lab once. You can also do the tree top walk, google to find the entrance, I never did it but heard it was wonderful. YOu can also walk through McR to the Bukit Timah park, if you look at a map you will see trails. You go past streams, quarries, small hills etc quite varied. About a 4 hour hike from memory but really great. I think it is the best place to live close to or even just visit.

[Beesknees]

Aliya - thanks for all that info. We didn't go this weekend as it was too sunny and hot on Saturday and...we were too lazy on Sunday, so now plan to go, armed with all this info (and stick!) next weekend.

[BoD]

One of the nice things about Macritchie is that most of the trail (apart from the bit by the golf course ) is shaded, so it's not too bad even on sunny days. It's about 11k round the whole reservoir if you go on the trails and a bit further if you take the board walks. So about 2 hours walking. If you want a shorter walk, I'd suggest just walking left or right from the main car park taking the boardwalks and then coming back on the jungle trails. If you go left you can also detour to the tree top walk - which is nice

[baloo]

hmmm, might have to try it now that I live in the area.

[Aliya]

Baloo, prams/stollers in most places, can.

[baloo]

I was actually contemplating letting BBII run off to join a tribe of monkeys.

[Aliya]

Hmmm is this fair on the monkeys?