This Hiking Trail in S’pore Brings You To Forgotten Bunker, Japanese Tomb & Hidden Reservoir

Last Updated on 2023-03-19 , 8:50 am

Here in Singapore, we have various official hiking trails – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Chek Jawa Wetlands and more.

Fitspo Tan: I know, I’ve explored all of them.

No worries, for here is an unofficial hiking trail for you to explore.

Follow this hiking trail, to find a hidden reservoir, forgotten bunker and Japanese tomb.

If you are a history geek that loves to hike, you HAVE to go on this adventure.

So, how do you get there?

Seah Im Bunker

You will start your journey at Seah Im Bunker. To get to the Seah Im Bunker, you have to enter from Seah Im Carpark.

Search for this tall heritage tree, the Kapok Tree. The Kapok Tree could be recognised from its cream-coloured flowers during the flowering and fruiting stage.

You can also identify the tree from the small silver installation by NParks, giving you more information about the tree.

The bunker is 20m behind the tree.

The Seam Im bunker could be easily spotted from its brick entrance. Its entrance is 1m tall and it is on the slope of Mount Faber.

Once you’ve entered the tunnel, it will be about 2.5m tall on the inside, so unless you’re Yao Ming, you shouldn’t have any problem walking in it.

The bunker is pitch-black so do bring along some torch-lights.

Along its brick walls, ventilation holes could be spotted.

It is unsure as to what its function is but some said it was an air-raid shelter, and to hold prisoners of war or as a storage place during war-time.

As expected, there was nothing much in the bunker besides bits of broken furnishings.

Seah Im Bunker to Keppel Hill Reservoir

After you have exited the bunker, head uphill towards Keppel Hill Reservoir.

There will be yellow guide ropes to lead the way. Follow the well-trotted dirt path and you will reach a huge puddle.

Take the right path beside the puddle.

When you encounter the Y-junctions, take the left path.

You will reach a concrete bridge.

Cross it to reach the reservoir.

Going to Keppel Hill Reservoir from Keppel Hill Road

Keep the path along Keppel Hill Road and the connecting man-made path, you will spot a white gate barrier and a blue dumpster.

That is your entry to the reservoir.

Keppel Hill Reservoir

Keppel reservoir used to be an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool.

Today you will see concrete steps, an old diving board and a bathing area.  A working filtration system was connected to the pool as well.

Currently, you can only see one-third of the Olympic-sized swimming pool. Yes, it’s still there.

But please do not swim there for there were lost souls that drowned.

Keppel Hill Reservoir History

In 1905, Keppel Hill Reservoir provided a water source to the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company. In 1948, it turned into Keppel Hill Reservoir.

Subsequently, it becomes a private swimming pool.

Two soldiers and a 17-year-old boy drowned on separate occasions – in 1936 and 1948.

The bricks used to build the abandoned reservoir were a mixed of handmade bricks, bricks that dated back to the colonial period and bricks from Jurong Brickworks (established in 1934).

Keppel Hill Reservoir to Japanese Tomb 

Go up the concrete steps from the reservoir until you see a green fallen fence.

Follow the white tape until you see a brick staircase.

Head up the stairs and you will be greeted by a 2-metre tomb. The tomb could be seen facing Sentosa.

History of Japanese Tomb

The tomb belongs to Komoto Ekasa, a Japanese civilian naval engineer.

He studied shipbuilding and graduated from Tokyo Imperial University.

Komoto Ekasa used to work for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries when he was sent to Singapore in March 1942.

He died four months after arriving in Singapore at the age of 47.

Cause of death: Overworking.

It is unsure why his tomb is not situated at the Japanese cemetery along with the others.

Japanese Tomb to Mount Faber Peak 

After you are done analysing the grave, it is time to head home.

Go into the vegetation and walk uphill towards the cable cars.

You will reach a clear space that offers a spectacular view of Keppel harbour.

Follow the path uphill towards Mount Faber Park. With that, you are back in civilisation.

Before you go hiking

Since this is an unofficial route, there are certain precautions you have to take before setting out on your adventure.

1. Tell others where you are heading
2. Jio some friends along
3. Bring lots of insect repellent
4. Bring torch lights
5. Apply sunscreen

Do remember to check the weather forecast beforehand too for trekking in the rain is a muddy experience.