Hiking - Gillman Barracks Forest

Hi Blog,

This month, I've been hurriedly working to document some forests that are at risk of being lost forever. Last week, I visited Maju Forest (you can check out my post about it), and next on my list is Gillman Barracks Forest. You can also read more about the news regarding these forests here.

I took a half-day leave to visit the nearby forest, and the weather today is looking great.

Why can't I go on the weekend? Why do I have to take a half-day leave? The forest has gained a lot of attention, and I’d like to visit in peace. Additionally, I am trying to clear my leave. Dongsaeng K also wants to explore the forest, so I will go with him.

I'm feeling great leaving work on a hot afternoon. I wanted to go for a swim, but I didn't bring my swimming trunks. I should have brought them!

(Credit sgforest) There have been many news stories about it. When I saw this, I thought deforestation had begun!

Phew... It seemed like that image was just an illustration, not actual deforestation (only for this date, as I won't know what will happen in the next few months).

Time to dress up 

Today's weather was so bright, it would help to light up the forest later.

Honestly, I didn't know we had such a place with art galleries and cafes around; I wonder what the nightlife vibe is like here. And I highly doubt I will have any good reason to come here other than the forest.

Let's go!

There are cafes and vintage cars here—no wonder I don’t know this place. Not for a poor fly like me.

A bit of history here: the red-roofed buildings are the Gillman Barracks, built in 1936 as a British military camp. They served as a WWII battle site and later as a post-war British army base. The site was handed over to the Singapore government in 1971 to train national servicemen. It has now been converted into a suburban lifestyle cluster with restaurants, bars, and retail. Due to the expiring leases in 2030, it will be turned into a residential housing area.

Okay, history lesson ended, let's get back to the exploration.

Ooo, there are bricks stacked up here. Upon closer inspection, I expected to find some company logo on them, but there is nothing. Personally, it gives me a lot of ideas to turn them into a garden stand for my pots.

(Credit DK) Our first exploration will start from these stairs. Fortunately, I was able to obtain a map from a group of hikers, which will provide a general idea of the areas they have already covered.

I believe, in the past, this platform was a field or training ground before the foliage took over.

Looks like a lot of visitors helped clear the way for us.

Hmm, I wondered why there is a need to build a mini wall on the stairs.

It seemed like an easy route, because the path was distinct.

Like this.

With the help of the markers, I have no fear of getting lost.

(Credit DK) I was trying to re-create the scene I had in the Rock Garden, but I was unable to. (Finding Rock Garden post) 

(Credit DK) I guess good things just happen at the right time, and this one’s got its own story for now.

I started to obsess over the beauty of ferns, and this one is a Fan Palm Tree Leaf. Isn't this beautiful?

Yippee! Found the wall!

This is one of the obstacle courses at Gillman Barracks, and it was still there in a forested area before it disappeared.

Give a few more years, and this wall will be covered by foliage, but I doubt that day will come.

I see many visitors tend to climb up this wall.

And I noticed the wall is slanted, which is a bit strange.

The slanted wall is structurally supported by a slanted tree, which maintains the overall balance.

I guess as long as not many people are trying to climb this wall, it should not be a problem.

If it were slanted this way, it might cause an issue.

(Credit DK) Okay, I decided to stand beside the obstacle wall to show you its scale. Just look at how big it is. Now I understand why there are bumps on the wall—they are meant to serve as foot supports to get over it.

(Credit DK) For me, it tilted and became my bed.

(Credit DK) It looks like a sunbed or an alien operation table.

ChatGPT really expressed my idea of sun tanning perfectly.

As for the alien operation table, the whole scene looks epic with an unusual structure, especially the bumps on the wall; then I tried to make it more organic, which fits the vibe.

I appreciate the way the light filters through the forest, evoking a sense of my own smallness within it.

Time to explore other places

Hmm, where is the next spot?

These stairs lead somewhere, but I didn't try them because I don't know what to expect here.

Based on the previous hiker's map track, they went in from another set of stairs.

Seemed messy

But I still see a possible path.

Ah! I found the forgotten military insignia plaques of Gillman Barracks! You can read more detailed historical information from this wonderful site, remembersingapore, about this plague here.

Sadly, some parts were missing... Who went and moved the plague?

Do you see the crown carving?

Can you tell me the words here?

There are some missing parts of the plague.

Unreadable... I read "MENT" here.

(Credit VV) I am able to get permission for the complete plague from VV, taken in 2021.

(Credit the one who snapped this photo on fb) Did you see how the hill looked and how intact the plaque was at that time?

Honestly, the network of foliage here is amazing!

We saw a distinct path, so DK and I decided to explore it.

(Credit KSJ) Wow! What a small world! I bumped into an early IG follower, KSJ, a jogging lover. It has been many years since I last saw him at MacRitchie.

He told us that it is a clear, direct path within the forest and safe to explore.

Oh my oh my! I can't believe what I saw! A web of vines, and they are massive! I couldn't get DK to take a photo of me here... I hope I can show you guys again next time.

In Gillman Forest, there are many giant trees, just like in Dover and Maju Forest. I hope they will preserve them.

What a peaceful hike here. I can't imagine what it will look like during weekends, especially with the news.

Just look how tall and beautiful the tree grows.

Oh dear, due to my spoiled camera display, I didn't realise that my camera was accidentally zoomed in, so it cannot showcase how amazing this tree is.

However, I felt a little unusual, so I decided to take another photo of the tree, and now, looking back, I feel it was such a beautiful coincidence.

Not long after, an exit.

I felt so happy with this trip, and I hope to visit again next time.

I wonder if this will be the last area I visit. I think I will revisit it to find one more obstacle wall that I missed.

I started to miss the forest already... I think I will probably revisit soon.

Honestly, I didn't know about Gillman Forest until the news. I'm glad I can still catch up before it is gone, and I also feel sad that I didn't come earlier. I guess it is a waste of emotion, so I try to stay appreciative of the present. For anyone who wants to visit Gillman Forest, try to do so before it is gone.

Jeff