MacRitchie Reservoir was formerly known as the Impounding Reservoir before being renamed in 1922 to honor James MacRitchie, a municipal engineer.
The reservoir serves as the primary catchment area for the central part of Singapore, storing rainwater in a tropical climate.
The TreeTop Walk is a 250-meter free-standing suspension bridge that connects the two highest points in the reserve, Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang.
The reserve is part of a larger contiguous forest network including Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, linked by the Eco-Link bridge for wildlife migration.
Common wildlife sightings include the Sunda Colugo, a nocturnal gliding mammal often found clinging to tree trunks.
The water within the reservoir supports a variety of fish, which in turn sustain predators like the grey-headed fish eagle.
The forest floor is significantly cooler than the surrounding urban areas due to the thick canopy cover providing natural shade.
The MacRitchie Nature Trail is a primary rainforest reserve surrounding the MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore's oldest reservoir completed in 1868. The trail network spans approximately 11 kilometers of interconnected boardwalks and rugged jungle paths. It is the core of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, home to diverse tropical flora and fauna including long-tailed macaques and monitor lizards. The area features a suspended TreeTop Walk that offers a bird's-eye view of the canopy from a height of 25 meters. Visitors encounter freshwater swamp forests and secondary forest habitats along the water's edge. The site serves as a vital water catchment area and a recreational hub for trail runners and hikers. Native species such as the Colugo and various orchid varieties reside within this protected ecosystem.
The mid-point of the TreeTop Walk suspension bridge offers a panoramic canopy view.
Carry at least one liter of water, as there are limited refilling stations once you enter the deep forest trails.
Apply insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin before starting your trek to protect against mosquitoes.
Store all food inside your backpack, as the local long-tailed macaques are known to snatch loose items from visitors.
Do not venture off the designated boardwalks or dirt paths, as the forest is dense and navigation can be difficult for inexperienced hikers.
Do not feed, touch, or provoke the wildlife; maintain silence to increase the chances of spotting elusive fauna; carry out all trash.
