MacRitchie Treetop Walk

Walking the MacRitchie Treetop Walk felt like entering a world far removed from the city, even though the skyline sits only a short distance away. The forest enclosed us almost immediately, thick with heat, sound and movement. We carried our toddler in a backpack, as this route is certainly not buggy-friendly, and he was completely absorbed from the first stretch of boardwalk. The monkeys were the highlight for him, chattering in the branches above, and the terrapins sunning themselves at the water’s edge drew squeals of delight every time he spotted one.

Nature Set the Terms

At one point, we even passed a tree snake with a lizard tail hanging from its mouth, a reminder that this was a landscape where nature very much sets the terms.

What impressed me most, as a landscape architect, was how successful the intervention is. The boardwalk guides you through the terrain with a light and respectful touch, allowing access without compromising the integrity of the ecosystem. It feels structured, but never heavy-handed. The treetop bridge is the moment of true drama, lifting you high into the canopy where the forest becomes something entirely different, a layered world of filtered light and shifting shadows. For all its rawness, the route feels as organised as a jungle can be, shaped just enough to allow people through while letting the landscape remain the dominant force.

But it was hot. Intensely, relentlessly hot. By the time we reached the final stretch, we were dreaming of a coffee with almost comic desperation. This is not a walk to take lightly. Sturdy shoes are essential, and we could not help noticing more than a few people attempting it in footwear that was absolutely not up to the task. Best not to take the risk, especially when humidity and uneven ground are involved.

As we finally stepped back onto the road, our toddler still buzzing with stories of monkeys and terrapins, I felt tired in the best possible way. The MacRitchie Treetop Walk is not an exhibition, nor a designed spectacle. It is a landscape held gently, shaped just enough to invite people into an ecosystem that remains wonderfully alive. And that is exactly what makes the experience so memorable.