The Ulu Pandan Park Connector (UPPC) is a scenic 14.8 km green corridor in Singapore, stretching from Buona Vista to Boon Lay way at Jurong east. It runs along both banks of the Sungei Ulu Pandan, offering a tranquil green escape and flat terrain great for running amidst small green spaces in Singapore’s urban jungle. This running route is very different from when we first ran there 18 years ago. Today, we are going to take an explore of this part of Singapore Park connector network with a 11.3km run. We start from Buona Vista to Jurong East over this scenic Ulu Pandan park connector.
Running route overview: From Buona Vista to Jurong East
Our run starts from Commonwealth West avenue road, the near Buona Vista MRT Station. In a nutshell, the Ulu Pandan Park Connector meanders from Ghim Moh, Holland Grove, Clementi, Sunset Way, Faber Heights, and ending towards the International Business Park and Boon Lay way. The path is predominantly flat, with well-maintained tarmac and pavement surfaces, making it ideal for running, walking, and cycling.
11.3km Ulu Pandan Park Connector running route we are taking today:
Also, this route is refined over a course of several runs myself. I found the route is wheelchair accessible too and mobility-limited park goers can access the connector from various points. This includes Clementi Avenue 4, Sunset Way, and Ghim Moh estate.
There are no stairs along the route, and you are advised to keep left on pedestrian side of the path to be safe from cyclists and PMDs often passing at speed.
Going westbound from Buona Vista
Moreover, starting from Ghim Moh estate, the dover end of the route is a fairly long straight. It is good for speed work when not crowded with park goers. From Buona Vista headed westbound, the left route offers a mix-used pedestrian and cycling path.
It is well-paved with tarmac running alongside the Dover forest. It offers a small refuge of fresh air despite being much smaller as a green lung with several new HDB estates built in it now. There is also a quirky stepped waterfall drain here which cascades after rain.
Across the canal on the right path runs alongside residential houses and condominiums and transitions between tarmac and a rough gravel path midway. The residential side of the path is narrower too, but has a sheltered walkway midway into the route.
Along the Dover forested stretch has 3 pedestrian bridges. There is one at Ghim Moh and two spanning the Holland grove area connecting to Dover MRT. The dover forest here along the canal is also flanked by rows of private houses. This makes part of the Holland grove estate as well as condominiums along the mount Sinai rise area.
There is a total of 3 bridges spanning the 2.6km long canal route here. Here you can occasionally catch a Grey Heron or White Crane fishing inside the canal. On low tides you can see fishes in the canal, and is also home to some really large freshwater catfishes too.
Several monitor lizards and jungle fowls also call the grassy embankments their home too. It is not soon after a short incline climb where you reach Clementi road. It is the only single road crossing splitting both halves of our running route midway and requires you to cross an 11-lane dual carriageway road to get to the other half of our end.
Take the North Bank at Sungei Ulu Pandan
Across Clementi road, you have another choice of running on the North or South Bank of the Ulu Pandan Park Connector which transitions into the Sungei Ulu Pandan part of the route.
Moreover, the South Bank offers more of an urban route, running past close to several public and private residential estates. However, I recommend taking the North Bank (right side of the canal) on the way in here. It allows you to run left along side the edge of the canal offering great sights of the while adhering to the keep-left highway code here.
Also, the North Bank offers tad a nature’s embrace and is one of the more scenic sights of the route. You start off running past a small viewing deck with a small water feature along Albert Winsemius Lane past NEA Western Regional Office before passing through a gated entrance into the park connector route proper.
The North bank also notably does not have the PCN lane separation as seen on the other side. But still, I recommend all runners to keep left here as a basic form of lane discipline. Other park goers, especially cyclists do appreciate pedestrians keeping to the left too.
Also, the Clementi NorthArc estate which sits on the canal’s south bank here was fully reopened on 30 June 2024 after slope stabilization works. There is a large walkway leading up to a basketball court and open spaces. There is a coffeeshop up here too.
Moving further west bound connects you down towards Faber Heights Park and the Faber Hills estate. The canal here has more of a marsh look and is home to a small forested area with lots of water hens.
Bridges along the route
On bridges and Landmarks, you pass along the way includes several bridges and landmarks. One notable one here is the Sunset Way Railway Truss Bridge.
It is a remnant of the historic KTM railway, offering a glimpse into Singapore’s past. It is not long where you pass by under the Clementi avenue 6 with dual carriage way bridge.
Also, past Clementi Ave 6, you pass by a couple of industrial and logistic buildings. This include warehouses operated by Storefriendly and ST Logistics before going under your first MRT viaduct near the NorthArc estate.
The running route passes under the Commonwealth Ave west road again a second time as it snakes towards the west. Following here is a nice shaded forested area with a green ling providing nice fresh air away from the busy polluted roads.
Flora and Fauna
Furthermore, this part of north bank of the Ulu Pandan Park Connector offers a lush, green environment teeming with biodiversity. You might spot bird species such as the Grey Heron, White-throated Kingfisher, and the elusive Straw-headed Bulbul. The canal here is a semi marshland, which what is also known as habitat cells.
They are innovative “islands” within the canal that channel water flow into smaller streams, encouraging plant and animal life. It also serves as a natural filter for rainwater being collected by the surrounding urban drains. The water here eventually channeling into the pandan reservoirs on this end. On the other end, the canal connects up to the Alexandra park connector going into the Singapore River and Marina Bay reservoir.
The route here is pocketed with natural info board and sheltered seating along the route. It meanders with some minor incline running through mature trees, which is nice to run with almost the entire route being flat. The area is also home to monitor lizards, otters, and various butterfly species like the Commander and Horsfield’s Baron.
Also the North Bank here is adorned with various flowering trees. This includes the Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia rosea), Pink Mempat (Cratoxylum formosum), and Yellow Saraca (Saraca thaipingensis). During the flowering season, these trees provide a vibrant display of colours. It is not long after running alongside a restricted fence line compound by the forest where you cross under the Business park drive flyover with a small sheltered and rest area by an LTA bus depot.
U-turn at Boon Lay way at Jurong East
Across the canal, the south bank here connects to an elevated bridge along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). Here you can find the Jurong circular bridge. It is modern curved pedestrian and cycle elevated bridge which spans over Ayer Rajah Expressway, connecting the south bank to Pandan Gardens and Pandan Reservoir.
Also, crossing the AYE and continuing south here for about another 500m will bring you towards Pandan Gardens and Pandan Reservoir. Heading the other way north will bring you towards Jurong.
Interestingly, there are no bridges here providing means for you to U-turn on your return journey here between the North and South Bank. Moreover, turning back here will clock a total of 10km back to where we started. But you be missing out running on the other bank. The next available bridge to cross to the other bank for your return route requires you to head 500m North towards Jurong East instead.
From the Business park drive flyover, you can carry on 500m northbound along the canal at this stage. This route is flanked by a light industry at the International Business Park on the left and an LTA public bus depot on the right.
It is not until where you pass under your second MRT viaduct at Boon Lay way near the Chevrons Recreation center club and Tradehub 21 industrial building, where the U-turn on a road bridge is. To-and-fro, this U-turn detour adds about 1km on top of the 10km. This means you would also had clocked 5.6km one-way and is the U-turn point of our 11km route.
Route accessibility, toilets and amenities
Wrapping up, for runners, this 11.3km Ulu Pandan Park Connector running route offers a medium-distance suitable for 5-15 km runs. It is also bike-friendly, allowing for shared use with cyclists. The flat terrain and scenic surroundings make it a favourite among local runners. The path is scenic, with small pockets of nature, greenery and passes under different 11 bridges. It does spice up the route ambience abit.
Also, this route is also one of the flatter running routes in Singapore too. It is notably similar to the offerings at Alexandra canal and Pasir Ris park too. However, it might not be your liking if you need to do hill work or inclines, where I would recommend doing the Diary Farm running route instead.
I observed that there is quite a lack of toilets and no shower points along the route. Toilets along the route includes the Kopitiam Corner coffee shop along Clementi Ave 6 at the Clementi NorthArc estate, and Clementi Community Centre midway along the route. Also, the Chevrons club or the Macdonalds restaurant at Tradehub 21 have public toilets too at the Boon Lay way U-turn point (near Jurong East). However these stops requires you to make a short 100m detour from the park connector route. On the Dover end, Dover MRT station, and the hawker centre and the coffee shops located in the Ghim Moh Road HDB estate offers free-to-use toilets and washing points too.
Also, the Ulu Pandan Park Connector is accessible via public transportation, with nearby MRT stations including Buona Vista and Dover. The route is well-lit from 7:00pm to 7:00am at night with evenly placed lampposts throughout. This ensures safety for evening users. Shelters and rest spots are also available along the track.
In conclusion- Ulu Pandan Park Connector running route
All in all that wraps up our run along the Ulu Pandan Park Connector. This running route is one of my few favourite routes for its accessibility and flat terrain, with a good mix of and harmonious blend of nature and urban convenience. You can explore Ulu Pandan Park Connector network via a walk, run or cycle it is not bad as one of the top 10km park connector running route in Singapore.
