Hiking - Maju Forest Exploration

Hi Blog,

On my previous hike, I didn't realise I had gone to the wrong forest until I finished and compared photos with others online, discovering I had gone to Dover Forest instead of Maju Forest (last week's hike post).

It looked like today was a cloudy one.

The reason for visiting Maju Forest today is that the government plans to develop the forest for housing, which has concerned many Singaporeans. (news from CNA) Many of them will rally about it, and it will definitely expose the forest to many visitors before it disappears. I, for one, have visited it before (if you missed my first exploration, you may check here: 2021 - Maju Forest & The Jurong Railway Hike) and now it's better to visit today.

I remembered my first hike in Maju Forest. It was quite muddy and challenging, not an easy trek for a beginner.

I need to prepare for the worst, like muddy ground; however, I chose this month because it is drier.

What I need to focus on the most is the crowd at Maju Forest due to the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

Oops! It started to rain, but I believe it's just a passing shower. 

Interesting that my Liverpool jersey matches the colour of my trisuit. It might become my typical hiking attire in the future.

Layered clouds appeared in the sky, which could be interpreted as an auspicious sign.

Time to apply my trusty cream, before I get near that forest. No sponsor.

Oh yeah, I heard some of you asked how I would get to Maju Forest. I alighted at Clementi by train and walked north to the location (map).

It may not be the actual location of Maju Forest...

But to walk in Maju Forest, it all started with the Old Jurong Railway Track.

This railway track cuts through Maju Forest, and to navigate through it, we will walk along the railway track.

Hmm, where is the morning sun?

You don't have access to this railway track due to safety concerns and the effort to preserve this structure at minimal cost. Even though I know how to get up there, the red ants are a bit aggressive, as standing near them can cause them to crawl onto your body.

I shall start from this track for my journey today.

Maju Forest is quite large, but I am not brave enough to explore other untouched areas, as I don't know what to expect there... So I will stick to the railway track for today.

Let's have a few shots by the track, and then get ready to go.

However, this railway track is blocked.

So how to get to Maju Forest?

There are rusty tracks and overgrown foliage here.

It is not safe to just cross over, and we also have to preserve this historical structure.

No problem at all; you can still get in from another side, since many hikers were coming in and out through here.

It had been almost five years since I last visited. The reason was that the environment felt somewhat overwhelming and muddy for me.

I greatly appreciate the natural state of this forest, which also serves as a habitat for numerous animal species.

There are many fallen trees around here, but most of them have somehow been removed.

Just check out how wild the foliage is on the railway track.

For the beginning part of the hike, I will hike along the railway track. I noticed that there were many hikers walking along or towards me, which helped me stay on course.

This hike is so peaceful. It's the perfect way to take a break from the urban environment for a while.

There is another path to explore, and I shall give it a try.

Fortunately, the path is distinctly clear here.

This is especially true when this 'red warning sign' was obvious in the forest; every hiker just stayed away from me.

I guess I should not stray too far from the railway track and should return closer to the main path.

Are you able to spot the railway track in this image? It is there, and there were many hikers trying to walk on the railway track, exploring Maju Forest.

I got down and walked along the track; however, many fallen trees are covering the tracks.

Not just fallen trees; plants are growing on the tracks. I wonder, in countries that still have railway tracks, how they keep the tracks clear of plants? I think they just make sure the track is still functioning and let the train act like a bulldozer.

If they don't have a plan for Maju Forest, what will happen here?

These plants tend to spread, so... it might get worse as time goes on.

Looking up the valley, I feel there might be something going up the hill. You see, this railway track is somehow built between a valley and Maju Forest, which is a large forested area, and the railway track is the most commonly explored route to navigate through. And I can't be certain, so I will leave it.

Two large fallen trees formed a natural railway track for hikers-train.

Check out the large trees that grow here. Since the old Jurong Railway Line ceased operations in 1992 and was fully closed in the mid-1990s, it can take years for the plants to grow so large.

Do you see something in front?

Can you see it now?

Yes! The iconic tunnel in Maju Forest.

It started to get muddy, but today's condition seems alright; if not, it could get worse.

I wanted to take my time to snap photos here.

However, you may not have noticed that behind my camera, hikers were waiting for me to vacate the area, as they also wanted to take some photos here.

One amazing thing here is that some small fish are living in this pool of water. I wonder where they come from?

I can't tell whether it is a mosquitofish or a puggy.

Middle section of my hike in Maju Forest.

Iconic tunnel; I believe they will preserve this for sure.

At the end of the tunnel, I could end my hike here, but I will continue.

This is the route I worry about the most.

Why so? Because it is well known for being muddy.

Ooo, a short fig tree growing on the track here; it might grow larger and cause problems.

The second part of the Maju hike, walking along the hilly side of the railway track, is the main way to avoid mud.

I'm choosing these drier days to explore because even on the hilly side, the ground can get muddy. So when it's drier, it will be safer to walk.

Just check out the condition of the railway track - a dense foliage and a mud pool.

And it was toppled by fallen trees too...

I witnessed many hikers walking in the opposite direction, who tended to walk on the railway track. However, I saw that they were having fun carefully navigating it.

It really depends on the individual to decide which path they want to experience.

I saw a pair of soles on display at Maju Forest ground, looking like some kind of trophy.

Ah, yes, this is the muddiest spot. When you are here, you can't reach the safe side of the valley because it is too high for anyone to climb.

Just look at how hungry the mud is here - there are some soles stuck in the mud.

As you enter deeper, there is pooling.

DEEP POOLING!

I will clearly choose the path alongside the flooded railway track.

In the end, you can't completely avoid a bit of mud, but I managed to get through this without any issues.

My experience here was pleasant and not as challenging as I imagined, unlike my previous hike.

Ultimately, the path became smooth again, just like it was at the beginning.

The condition of the railway track at the end of my hike seemed peaceful.

I understand why many people starting from the Rail Corridor choose the railway track path, often without knowing the safest route. If you're beginning your walk from the Rail Corridor to Maju Forest, it's best to stick to the side of the tracks.

Ended my Maju Forest exploration.

Many people love the Maju Forest, especially this particular area of the forest.

There are many ways to explore Maju Forest, and I hope someone can show me more of it.

The new development has begun, but I'm not sure what they are building.

I hope to always remember the trees here.

They resemble Bukit Brown, but these are larger and closer in proximity.

"This tree is definitely iconic for Maju Forest."

I love this tree, and I encourage you to come and see it for yourself!

I have to say, my shoes are still clean and free of mud! What an achievement!

I’m glad that I can still visit Maju Forest before it is gone after my last visit in 2021. I would like to explore other paths here again. It's time to go home and rest.

Jeff