Taking a walk in nature is an inexpensive and accessible form of exercise that has been shown to provide several health benefits such as:

• Improved Mood
  Nature walks are linked to enhanced mental wellness and positivity, and can significantly decrease levels of depression, anxiety and stress

• Improved Focus
  Interacting with nature gives the brain a break from overstimulation, which reduces mental fatigue. As a result, attention levels and memory performance are increased, which boosts productivity levels

• Strengthened Immunity
  Taking frequent nature walks increases anti-cancer proteins in the body, with a lasting effect of at least 7 days

Singapore may be small, but there are plenty of parks and nature reserves to explore! We’ve prepared a list of Top 15 Parks To Explore And Bond With Your Loved Ones below:

1) Singapore Botanic Gardens

• Visit Singapore Botanic Gardens
• Singapore’s first UNESCO Heritage Site
• Visit the National Orchid Garden (the world’s largest orchid display)
• Take a walk along Swan Lake

2) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

• Visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park
• 202 hectares of mangroves, mudflats, ponds and forests

3) Mount Faber Park

• Visit Mount Faber Park
• One of the oldest parks in Singapore
• 40 hectares of forested area
• Panoramic viewpoint of Sentosa and other southern islands

4) Telok Blangah Hill Park

• Visit Telok Blangah Hill Park
• Consists of Forest Walk, Henderson Waves (274 metre-long pedestrian bridge) and Terrace Garden
• Choose from 2 Trails at the Forest Walk: Elevated Walkway or Earth Trail
• Enjoy a breath-taking 360-degree view of Singapore at the Terrace Garden

5) HortPark

• Visit HortPark
• One-stop gardening resource centre
• Enjoy gardening activities organised for the public every month
• Be at the upcoming Gardeners’ Day Out (5th & 6th Dec 2015), which features a Gardeners’ Market, Food Bazaar, and a free garden tour of Hort Park

6) Kent Ridge Park

• Visit Kent Ridge Park
• Historical park where one of the last battles for Singapore was fought during WWII
• Consists of natural vegetation and a high biodiversity of wildlife
• Features the Canopy Walk (280 metres long elevated boardwalk)

7) Labrador Nature Reserve

• Visit Labrador Nature Reserve
• Home to the only coastal cliff in Singapore
• Enjoy a picturesque view of the sea
• Features the mildly challenging Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk

8) Gardens By The Bay

• Visit Gardens By The Bay
• Features 18 Supertrees (light shows at 7.45pm & 8.45pm daily)
• Free admission for Bay South Outdoor Gardens, Dragonfly Lake and Heritage Gardens
• Admission fees required for OCBC Skyway ($5) and Flower Dome/Cloud Forest ($28)
• Plan your trip to Gardens By The Bay here

9) Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

• Visit Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
• ASEAN Heritage Park, Singapore’s tallest hill
• Home to 40% of our nation’s flora and fauna

10) Dairy Farm Nature Park

• Visit Dairy Farm Nature Park
• A variety of trails in this 63 hectare park
• Features the Wallace Trail and Singapore Quarry

11) Macritchie Tree Top Walk

• Visit Macritchie Tree Top Walk
• 250 metre long freestanding suspension bridge that connects the 2 highest points in Macritchie
• Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the forest

12) Coney Island

• Visit Coney Island
• 50-hectare ecologically sustainable park that focuses on energy/water conservation
• Walk or get on your electric bicycle to explore the forest and mangrove habitats and 5 beach areas
• Keep a look-out for the cow on Coney Island!

13) Bukit Batok Town Park

• Visit Bukit Batok Town Park
• Also known as “Little Guilin” or “Xiao Guilin” as it looks similar to that of Guilin in China
• Features towering rock cliffs and a tranquil lake

14) The Southern Ridges 

• Visit The Southern Ridges 
• 10km of green, open spaces that connects Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.

15) Heritage Trails

• Discover Singapore’s different heritage trails and the untold stories behind the streets and landmarks of Singapore
• Select your heritage trail here

Not sure what to do this weekend? Enjoy the benefits of nature and take a walk in the park with your loved ones! Don't forget to gear up with a proper pair of running shoes, umbrella/poncho in case of wet weather, natural insect repellent such as citronella oil and lotsa water.