How to get to Buangkok forest (hidden gem of nature)

Potoot

Mar 18, 2024 • 4 min read

Buangkok forest trail

In Singapore, there is not much wild non-manicured forest paths left for hiking. The buangkok forest trail is excellent as it is straightforward (follow the river) and the wide path is routinely cleared by construction vehicles using this route. Hiking, mountain biking and also birding are highly recommended on this trail. Birdlife is abundant here likely due to the many beetles, dragonflies and butterflies attracted to the wild flowers and fruiting trees.

Buangkok is at Hougang, not in Thailand. It has the last kampong in Singapore and is also Workers Party territory. During my short 2 hour (8km) hike from Buangkok to Punggol along the Serangoon River, an impressive variety of fauna was sighted.

How to find the Buangkok Forest trail

The trail extends from the longkang (canal) entry near Hougang Opp Defu Ave 2 Bus stop and to Lorong Halus Park. It hugs the east side of the Serangoon river and has a short detour at Pasir ris industrial drive. The photo below shows the trail and it starts from the green marker in the photo below.

Trail from hougang to punggol via Buangkok Forest

Even though the detour was only a short 10min+ walk, every turn of a corner revealed a new kind of bird. I sighted a few white-bellied sea eagles and also a hornbill. The chirrups of the bee-eaters also surrounded this detour. Many unperturbed yellow-vented bulbuls and green pigeons feasting on tree fruits.

There were many blue-throated bee-eaters throughout the trail ^ Likely due to the presence of so many butterflies and dragonflies along the trail.

To get on the trail, you can start from either of the spots circled in red above.

I recommend starting from Opp Defu Ave 2 Bus stop. (We did not and we walked from Serangoon River Lane ^ which is trickier because of construction)

^ this was the trail head we used (near serangoon river bridge).

Tips:

Please do not fish here. If you do see anyone illegally fishing, call PUB at 1800-2255-782 or take photos to make a report. Irresponsible fishing has caused much damage to the environment and wildlife.
Please do not feed wildlife or fish here either. Human food like bread and crackers are bad for animals' health, especially terrapins, and can cause them long term pain and illnesses. Also, it changes their natural foraging behaviour that has many harmful consequences. It is illegal to do so and many have been fined for this.
Avoid going the day after rain as it is possibly dangerous and check the weather forecast. The trails will be muddy. Even on a sunny day, there can be muddy spots, so will recommend hiking boots if you don't want water getting into your shoes. I cannot recommend this trail for young children or elderly as the mud could be slippery or hidden under tufts of long grass.
Along the trail there are some exit points, you do not have to walk the whole trail.
Some places might be fenced off or gated now due to new construction, be prepared to detour. The trail was clear when we went.
For cooler temperatures or better birding, go in the evening or very early mornings (6.30-8am) when birds are more active and easy to spot. Food-distracted birds are less flighty.
There will be mosquitoes, so either wear long sleeves and pants or just don't stop walking.

The Trail

Many brightly colored flying bugs were feasting on the flowering bushes and creeper plants that lined the route:
Dragonflies sighted: yellow-barred flutterer, scarlet skimmer, spine tufed-skimmer, common parasol, blue sprite.
Butterflies sighted: common mime, tawny coster and more. (i am bad at identifying butterflies)

Reptiles: we only saw some juvenile asian water monitors.

This place is a bulbul paradise. Some bird sounds I couldnt identify and some birds i couldn't spot as the rush to complete the trail before dusk falls prevented me from seeing which birds were spying on us.

pink neck green pigeon, common sandpiper and brown asian flycatcher. and many many sunbirds.

You would have to cross this bridge during the detour mentioned above.

When you reach Punggol, there is this staircase exit ^ just before a fence that may or may not be locked. It was not locked when we were there. Just a short walk through this gate is the last gate before reaching Lorong Halus Wetlands, which might be locked, so this staircase exit might be the end of your trail.