HSBC TreeTop Walk

(View of the suspension bridge)

Today was an unusual day for me, as I had planned to go for a hiking at the HSBC TreeTop Walk with a few of my friends in a Monday morning on the day after Christmas Day, 26 Dec 2005, which appeared to be a Public Holiday also.

The HSBC TreeTop Walk (HSBC TTW) hiking route is located at the Northern part of MacRitchie Reservoir, and it is officially launched on 5th November 2004. This free-standing suspension bridge connects the 2 highest points (Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang) in MacRitchie and offers a bird’s eye view of the community of plants & animals that live in the forest canopy. The total span of the bridge is 250m, with the height varies from the forest ground (highest point is 25m)

We took a bus there and alighted along Upper Thomson Road at around 10.15am. We had planned to get to the TreeTop Walk by starting our hiking route from Venus Drive, off Upper Thomson Road. (ADVICED) This route to the entrance of TreeTop Walk appeared to be shorter (approx. 2.5km), compared to the route from the reservoir park (approx. 4.5km)

After walking for a while, we had reached the Ranger Station which was just a few more distance from the TreeTop Walk entrance. We were surprised to noticed there were quite many people who also came to the place in a early morning. We took a short toilet break there and also captured a few shots of the 2 monkeys that appeared to be loitering there. After the short break, we continued with our journey to the TreeTop Walk by covering a distance of uphill slope and a few flights of downhill stairs.

FINALLY, after a few while, we arrived at the TreeTop Walk entrance. We took a few shots there before proceeding to cross the suspension bridge (1 way traffic). Along the walkway of the bridge, we had a great experience of catching a glimpse of the green forest canopy from their eye level, which seem like standing on top of a Tree. From this point, we were able to get a closer observation of the nature in the canopy and also a wider view of the scenery across the forest canopy. We told many shots there and at a point of time, we even felt a breeze blowing towards us and the feeling was really great.

After exiting from the bridge from the other end, Bukit Kalang, we continued on to the Petaling Trail and walking back to where we started. Overall, it was quite a good experience for me as I had not gone for hiking since my poly days.