If you've been to many Singaporean parks, you'll know that most are very tame, well maintained experiences with tarmac paths and organised greenery. But what if you want something a little rougher and less curated?
This is where Mandai comes in. The name ‘Mandai’ immediately conjures the word ‘ulu’ in many Singaporeans minds: meaning a place that is remote or abandoned. A number of major attractions like the Singapore Zoo or Night Safari keep the place otherwise relevant, but there's not much else to do in the area.
Not much else except the Mandai T15; an ‘off the beaten road’ track that starts at a busy junction, and ends in a lovely nature reserve.
More popular among cyclists, the trail winds through dense rainforests, following along the BKE for a stretch before connecting to Chestnut Nature Park. Sections of it are also known as the Central Catchment Park Connector—fitting, since the entire network eventually leads back to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
Basic Breakdown
Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
On the Trail
The Mandai T15 as less of a nature walk and more of an adventure hike. While other parks offer tamer, more curated experiences, the T15 feels roughshod, as though it has been cut out of the rainforest only recently. Rough gravel paths will mix with jutted stone, with earthen floor appearing every so often.
Additionally, the area is located very near several Singapore Armed Forces training sites, so you'll encounter a decent amount of noise and numerous signage informing you to stick to the path! If you ever catch a strange, sickeningly sweet scent, it might not be a flower at all, but a used smoke grenade!
Something important to remember here is to always keep on the left. While it’s proper walking etiquette by default, it's doubly important here as off-road bikers will be constantly going up and down the track. Keep an eye out, especially if you're going uphill! That's where bikers coming in the opposite direction tend to feel the need for speed…
The experience itself is fairly straightforward, with a just a few interesting sights along the way. Most of it is the lush greenery of the dense rainforest, but its plenty of opportunity to unwind and think! There'll be rivers and ponds too, but don't linger too long in those areas unless you want to get bitten by mosquitoes.
There isn't too much uphill climbing and you shouldn't sweat too much, as long as you're already used to long distances. Despite the warm temperature, the air is very cool and the path is sheltered a majority of the way.
The sound of cars rushing on the highway marks when the path aligns with the BKE. This indicates the halfway point, with some interesting canopy left to cover!
You'll eventually come to a fork in the road. Take the path on the right, as the left leads down to a cordoned off section of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. Not even photography is allowed in this area.
Eventually the trail will move away from the BKE, allowing you to enjoy a more tranquil hike through the forest once more. The end point is nearby at Chestnut Nature Park, so follow the signs that lead there and you'll be fine!
There's a tri-junction demarcated by the sign above. Make sure to follow the Chestnut Track, and to avoid the bicycle path.
The last stop before the trail's easiest exit will be the Chestnut Observation Tower. It might seem troublesome after a long enough hike, but the view of the surrounding forest from the top is certainly worth the climb! While the highest floor is unshaded, there are multiple decks with benches for hikers to rest and enjoy the breeze that frequents the top.
After this, it‘s just a short walk out toward Zhenghua Nature Park via the underpass. The exit leads into a residential district, where you can find your way back home by bus.
Conclusion
In general, it all comes back to the singular idea that the hike is more of an adventure trail than a peaceful walk. With its wild foliage, rocky roads and earthy paths, it isn't as easy or curated as most other nature parks.
However, the path lacks a certain level of serenity. In MacRitchie, a hiker can truly immerse themselves in nature as most of the trail is separated from the hustle and bustle of the Singapore city. With the BKE running alongside, construction in the background, and constant reminders of military sites nearby, the Mandai T15 just doesn't provide the tranquil experience many hikers are seeking.
Overall, it’s a worthwhile hike if you're looking for a small, somewhat lengthy challenge! However, be prepared to avoid the many cyclists that frequent the trail.
