Asia’s first certified Nature Immersion Trail is now open at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Located close to the Tanglin Gate at the Tanglin side of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the trail set around the Saraca Stream is Asia’s first Nature Immersion Trail.
Nature Immersion Trail at the Saraca Stream
The Nature Immersion Trail at the Saraca Stream is designed for visitors to foster deeper engagement with nature at their own pace and convenience.
It is just 150 metres long and winds its way up a gentle slope while crisscrossing the bubbling Saraca Stream.
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This trail is designed to provide visitors with a structured, self-guided experience that will allow them to foster deeper, more mindful engagement with nature and the surrounding environment at their own pace and convenience, and through this, improve their physical and mental well-being.
Engage with Natural Light, Sounds and Colours
The route winds its way through greenery and is specially curated to encourage visitors to engage with natural light, sounds, colours, and other stimuli to foster a gradual immersion into nature through a gentle, multi-sensory journey.
There are multiple stops along the Nature Immersion Trail.
These encourage visitors to pause and reconnect with nature through the various senses.
For example, one of the stops highlights the buttress roots of a nearby tree and visitors are encouraged to place their hands on the buttress roots to experience the tactile sensation of connecting with nature.
Another spot is one where visitors can stop beside the Saraca Stream and just take a couple of minutes to appreciate the surrounding nature, tuning in to the sounds of nature.
Certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy
The Nature Immersion Trail at Singapore Botanic Gardens is the first trail in Asia to be certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
There are currently 28 ANFT-certified trails worldwide, including the one at Saraca Stream. To achieve ANFT certification, the trail was assessed using criteria such as user safety – including its suitability for those with disabilities – the presence of biodiversity, the availability of natural features and the overall management of the trail.
Benefits of Being in Nature
There is growing evidence that regular exposure to nature is associated with reduced stress, improved mood, enhanced cognitive functioning and enhanced quality of life.
Nature-based design interventions, such as the Nature Immersion Trail, foster meaningful engagement with nature to support population-level mental wellness.
This aims to cultivate mindful, multi-sensory interactions with natural environments and deepen the sense of connection to nature and help transform occasional visits into sustained habits that support healthier behaviours and lasting improvements in mood and well-being.
Where: Tanglin Core, Singapore Botanic Gardens
How much: Free
