While exercising might not be on your list as a social outing, a delicious meal at the end is always a great incentive to get up, get going and get fit. All the more reason to burn those calories, so that you can load up once again and be free of guilt when the order your meal.
In this article, Expat Choice explores some hiking and biking trails which culminate in great food stop endings. Don’t worry if you get hungry or thirsty along the way. You will definitely find these food destinations, so put on your walking shoes, or pump up the tyres on your good old bike. But before doing so, go through this list of our top picks - there's a good selection here for all our readers wherever you are located in Singapore. Image Credit: Sandbank Facebook Page
Coast-to-Coast Trail to Punggol
With a distance spanning 36 kilometres, the Coast-to-Coast Trail to Punggol is a long stretch which starts in Jurong and extends up to Punggol. It is suitable for biking and hiking, but if you’re planning to brave the trail on foot, it will take you 8 to 10 hours, so be sure to get some good rest before you start on this one. This long trail begins at Jurong Lake Garden with a winding boardwalk by the waterside. Along with this, there is the picturesque view of the quarry pool at Bukit Batok Nature Reserve, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Botanic Gardens. This trail starts in Jurong and ends in the Punggol Settlement, which is home to a number of restaurants offering a diverse range of delicacies. Some recommendations include the white bee hon from White Restaurant, western fare from Fusion and fresh crabs from House of Seafood. Get a pint of Japanese beer to go with the food for the perfect finish. Image Credit: House of Seafood
a. Jurong Lake Gardens - Yuan Ching Rd, Singapore
w. www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/coast-to-coast
South Rail Corridor to Alexandra Village
You can get done with this trail in a couple of hours at best. It’s a fairly easy 9 kilometre stretch which starts from King Albert Park Station and goes south towards Tanjong Pagar. The trail is going to be easy to finish, what with the built up flooring. Moreover, if you find yourself alone on the hike, there will be beautiful street art painted under the bridges, the captivating facades of Science Park and colonial houses along Portsdown Road. While the final piece of the puzzle isn’t ready yet, the trail terminates at Alexandra Village which is a short distance from the food centre. Watch out for their avocado shakes, claypot rice available at street stalls, bak kut teh, xiao long bao, gourmet burgers and soy sauce chicken. Image Credit: Shanghai La Mian Xiao Long Bao, misstamchiak.com
Central Rail Corridor to Upper Bukit Timah Road
If hiking is your favourite hobby or if you have years of experience, then this one might just be a child’s play for you. Spanning a distance of 6 kilometres, the trail starts from Central Rail Corridor and goes on to Upper Bukit Timah, and it will take you an hour at best to complete it. Make sure to carry supplies though, as there are no water stops along the way. A predominantly dirt road parallel to Bukit Timah surrounded by lush greenery on both sides is what this trail is all about. The track terminates at Cashew MRT Station and opens into the Ga Hock Eating House, a place renowned for its seafood. Some crowd favourites include the fish head curry, salt baked crab, har cheong kai and qing long vegetable. If you’re not in the mood for seafood, there is the Banana Leaf Indian Restaurant close by too. Rice served on banana leaves, piping hot biryani bursting with flavours coupled with curry and vegetables, and the mouth watering garlic naan are specialties here. Image Credit: The Banana Leaf Facebook Page
East Coast Park to Katong
This stretch gives you a view of neatly lined cargo ships and Indonesia in the distance as it runs parallel to the southeastern shoreline of the city. If you’re planning to head over on the weekend, expect hordes of families strolling away to the beaches. Get started on this 10 kilometre track from Stadium MRT Station and head west towards Tanjong Rhu Promenade, go around Passion Wave at Marina Bay, and you’ll find yourself on East Coast Park proper. Get out of the stretch on Siglap Park Connector to find a bazillion dining options. There’s the Beach Road Prawn Noodle House for delicious prawn noodles, Sin Heng with the herbal style bak for our health buffs, zi char from Sin Hoi Sai and the ever so famous 328 Katong Laksa. If you need your daily dose of caffeine, Forty Hands, Homeground and C Cafe will take care of you. Pair that up with buttery croissants from Petit Pain. Other options include Picotin and Casa Nostra for quality European cuisine and Birds of Paradise for rich, creamy gelato for the perfect finishing touch. Image Credit: Petit Pain Facebook Page
a. E Coast Park Service Rd, Singapore
w. www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/east-coast-park
MacRitchie Reservoir Loop to Upper Thomson
The MacRitchie Reservoir happens to be Singapore’s oldest reservoir, and is an integral part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. While there are a few entrances to this trail, the one at Windsor Nature Park is a recommended one. The yellow trail from there will lead you through the Treetop Walk to the Jelutong Tower which promises a breathtaking view of the surroundings. Following that, the track takes you around the Singapore Island Country Club golf course and culminates into the greenery of the Lorne Trail. Check out the Upper Thomson MRT Station for a variety of food options to satisfy your hunger from the 11 kilometre long stretch. The Thomson Plaza is a great place for laksa and popiah lovers, while Japanese restaurants like Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen and Tsukada Nojo are well known for their exquisite Japanese cuisine. A little further away, you’ll find delicious pratas at the Roti Prata House, hearty portions of bak chor mee, and the all time favourite chicken rice from Nam Kee. Image Credit: The Roti Prata House Facebook Page
Coastal Park Connector to Changi Village
The Coastal Park Connector circles the Singapore airport and the Eastern Coast. The Tanah Merah MRT Station is a great place to start this hike. Head over down the Bedok Park Connector and go east towards Changi Airport. Are you into dinosaurs? Yes? Well, you’re in luck! Keep going along this stretch and you’ll find yourself at Changi Jurassic Mile which is home to around 20 life sized dinosaur samples. People looking for local fare will find a lot of options at Changi Village. The Changi Village Food Centre is known for nasi lemak, satay, hor fun, goreng pisang and much more. Get your coffee fix at Chock Full of Beans and enjoy more than just a spoonful of ice cream at A Spoonful of Sugar. Finally, end the day with craft beer brewed by Little Island Brewing Company. Image Credit: Chock Full Of Beans Facebook Page
w. www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/park-connector-network/coastal-pc
