The best way to access the Venus Entrance is by car or cab. However, should you intend to take public transport, look for buses such as bus no. 132, 166, 167, 640, 855 and 980 and alight at Flame Tree Park bus stop or Opp. Flame Tree Park bus stop and walk your way towards Venus Drive. Make a left turn into the car park and you will see the Treetop Walk Entrance.
As with other nature walks or hikes, it is best to visit the MacRitchie Treetop Walk early in the day or late in the afternoon. The entire loop via the Venus Entrance will take approximately two hours. Also, do take note of the closing time of the treetop walk which is at 5pm.
Your journey to the treetop walk begins with a forest trail. Take a deep breath and feel the refreshing atmosphere in the forest as you make your way to the top.
The forest trail could get quite muddy if it rained. However, there are stepping stones for you to avoid the mud.
There are little "Treetop Walk" signboards that will guide you towards your destination. The MacRitchie Nature Trail is huge so it will be a long way back if you had taken the wrong path.
Along the way, you should pass by a trail which is just side by side to a road. Recognize this path because when you are heading back to the exit later, you should also walk along this same path from the opposite direction.
Once you reach the end of this path, follow the signboard and make a left turn up a mild slope. You should also notice the change in trail surface shortly.
After about 15 minutes, you will reach a "Y" junction where there are two branches of route for you to choose. Both routes wil lead you to the Treetop Walk. However, I recommend that you take the forest route on the left because there is natural canopy to shield you from the sun.
From here, it will not take long for you to reach the Ranger Station. The Ranger Station is the perfect rest area just before the Treetop Walk as well as the subsequent half of the journey back to the Venus Entrance carpark. Make sure to refill your water bottle and get a quick washroom break here because this is the only place where you could get yourself freshen up.
The Treetop Walk is just around the corner, at about 300m from the Ranger Station. And I almost forgot to mention about wild roaming monkeys! MacRitchie Nature Trail is infamous for roaming monkeys. They are generally cute, friendly and non-threatening. Some are so professional that they just sit still by the side and let you take pictures of them. I guess they have already accustomed to being under the spotlight.
The entrance to the Treetop Walk begins with a series of wooden stairs. Notice the "No Turning Back" sign right before the entrance. It is not that the Treetop Walk is extremely dangerous. Rather, it is because the path is so narrow that it is only safe if the traffic flow is in one direction.
Behind this gate, you will be greeted by the infamous 250m suspension bridge with magnificent views over the tree top. Be sure to check in here by 5pm before the entrance closes.
After the Treetop Walk, your second half of the journey begins with a second series of wooden stairs. As the Treetop trail is a loop, you should follow the sign which leads you to the "Exit" or "Treetop Walk". It will loop you back to the first series of wooden stairs (before the Treetop Walk entrance) and then back to the Venus Entrance carpark. When you encounter this crossroad, take the left turn unless you wish to visit the Jelutong Tower which is about 400m away.
Follow the Terentang Trail on your way out. You should pass by the PUB's Bukit Kalang Service Reservoir. If you see something like the pictures below, you are on the right track!
The second half of the journey takes around one hour, similar to the first half. As mentioned earlier, you should revisit the path which is side by side to the road on your return journey.
In short, you are guaranteed an unforgettable nature walk experience along the MacRitchie Treetop Walk. Fresh air, wild life, picturesque views, you name it. There are routes that will lead you to other parts around the MacRitchie Reservoir such as the MacRitchie Nature Trail which I will surely pay a visit in the near future.
