As a Bukit Panjang Resident and a regular Chestnut Nature Park hiker, I am attempting to provide you with a detailed explanation on how to reach Chestnut Nature Park using my familiarity with the area.
Chestnut Park
Before we start, you have to know that there are three trails (Northern Loop, Southern Trail and Nature Trail) and a Chestnut Point where parking, toilets and bike rentals are at. Chestnut park have two possible entrances, one from the Northern Loop via Bangkit Hut, and another from Chestnut Point.
It depends on where you want to start and end, or if you want to eat before (Option 1) or after the hike (Option 2).
- Map to be updated -
Note: Both options can be reached if you're coming from Bukit Panjang MRT or Pending LRT
Option #1: You want to start from Bangkit Hut at Northern Loop, and ends at Chestnut Point
This is the easiest option, and you can have breakfast first at Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre before starting the trail with this option.
From Bukit Panjang MRT, either take "LRT to Pending station" or "bus 963 at BP MRT Exit B to Blk 270 (6 stops away)".
From Pending station, you can either walk or take buses 171, 983, 960 to blk 276 (one bus-stop away, see map below). There is a small entrance towards Zhenghua Park. You continue to walk straight under BKE and you will enter Chestnut Park via Bangkit Hut.
If you are adventurous enough to try and take buses from wherever you are directly to blk 270 (Bukit Panjang is VERY accessible by buses), there are numerous buses available at blk 270 / opposite blk 270: 171, 187, 190, 960, 963, 966, 972.
Refer for Option #2A & B below for maps on how to get from Chestnut Point to civilisation. You will go to Opposite blk 201 to take 966, 973, 700, 700A to Pending LRT or 973 to Bukit Panjang MRT Station.
# 2A & B: If you want to start at Chestnut Point / hike Bukit Panjang Park, and ends at Bangkit Hut at Northern Loop...
I don't recommend you to start at Chestnut Point unless necessary due to the long and confusing uphill hike.
#2A is a straight-forward long uphill hike
Take 973 from Bukit Panjang MRT or 966, 973, 700, 700A from Pending LRT entrance and stop at Blk 202.
Walk towards Eco Sanctuary Condo and commence the uphill hike at the small road in between Eco Sanctuary Condo and Tree House Condo.
If you end at the Northern Loop, you may exit at Bangkit Hut and have a meal at Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, before taking LRT at Pending station or 963 at Pending station exit to Bukit Panjang MRT (Refer to Option #1 for map).
Option B (via Bukit Panjang Park) gives you a shorter uphill hike, but it can be confusing
I strongly recommended you to have a short hike at Bukit Panjang Park as it's beautiful. But this option to Chestnut Park can be confusing.
Again, take 973 from Bukit Panjang MRT or 966, 973, 700, 700A from Pending LRT entrance and stop at Blk 202. Walk towards Bukit Panjang Park.
At Bukit Panjang Park, climb up the stairs, walk towards a playground/exercise corner -> a concrete stage -> a grass open space beside vegetation -> you will see a pavement in front of you and turn right. On your left, take note of a small exit, where you will then walk to a main road, towards zhenghua flyover and then climb uphill to chestnut point
Again, if you end at the Northern Loop, you may exit at Bangkit Hut and have a meal at Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, before taking LRT at Pending station or 963 at Pending station exit to Bukit Panjang MRT (Refer to Option #1 for map).
Lastly, you can always start and end at the same place (i.e. you can eat before and after the hike :p ) , so alter the options to suit yourself.
Enjoy!
