How many of us know that the ruins of a Shinto Shrine can be found deep in the forest of our Central Catchment Area? Starting at MacRitchie Reservoir, you can actually get to the location after a slow and steady 2 hours of trekking.

In the initial first hour, you are essentially traversing a really clear jogging path before making a turn into the Terentang Trail that leads to the Treetop Walk. Just slightly halfway through the trail, you will see some large boulders and fallen trees obscuring the southward trail that leads you to the Shinto Shrine ruins. As this trail is seldom used, there are plenty of undergrowth like thorny creepers.

You will reach a guardhouse or a water storage facility just when you hit the edge of the reservoir. Once you can see this structure, you know that the Shinto Shrine ruins are near. Although the site is in obvious neglect, you will probably notice that it is still being used. You can find cups on the purification trough, neatly arranged.

After having your fill of photography, there are essentially 2 ways to get back to civilisation. You could either take the same 2-hour route back or ford some deep waters to get to the Singapore Island Country Club. From there, the walk to the nearest bus stop along Lornie Road is but 15 minutes away. And what more, Adam Road Food Centre is a mere 10 minutes away!

I had the pleasure of leading 3 newfound friends, namely Belinda, Erin & Kwok Keong on this trek while Khai Hing and Chee Hwa joined me on my previous Gunung Belumut trek in end-October. They are all really game folks who are not squeamish at all about getting wet and muddy. I certainly look forward to seeing them for my future treks to more exotic locations!

Allen Tan
Team Spreo