Is the new Punggol CDC trail worth your time? Get a practical, hands-on review of the 4.5km route, scenery, and digital rewards before you go.
When I think of Punggol, the word ‘ulu’ (remote) still comes to mind. So I was surprised that the new Punggol CDC walking trail didn’t just get me exercising, it took me to places I’d never been, ending at the literal end-of-the-line: Punggol Coast MRT.
🆕️ What is This New CDC Trail About?
The government recently launched the Walking Trails@CDC initiative. It seems like a clear effort to get people exploring their own backyards, especially since similar guided walks from private companies can be paid activities.
The main draw is the incentive. The first 5,000 people to finish each trail can earn vouchers. As my wife wisely put it, it’s not an efficient way to earn money, but it’s certainly a great incentive to get out the door.
👣 My Experience on the Punggol CDC Trail
Before you go, here are the basic logistics for the walk.
- Distance: 4.5km.
- Start Point: Waterway Point shopping mall.
- End Point: Punggol Digital District.
- Estimated Time: Approx. 1.5 hours.
The Route & Scenery
The 4.5km, S-shaped route follows the waterway and is incredibly photogenic, and showcases the Punggol Waterfront. I walked it at night and took quite a lot of nice photos. The trail guides you to genuinely new spots. It was my first time properly seeing the Punggol Digital District, a place I’d only ever read about in the news. There was this part where you are walking on ground level then before you know it you’re looking down at the road below from a bridge.
You’ll also pass key hubs like Safra Punggol and Oasis Terraces. While it would have been nice to step inside, my focus was on completing the walk itself.
The “Phygital” Experience: Chasing Ollies
The digital part of the trail is run through a website. You find checkpoints, take a photo, and answer a simple question to collect digital mascots called “Ollies.”
I’ll be honest: I found myself a bit preoccupied with collecting the Ollies (and would be sad when they ‘escaped’), which meant I wasn’t always walking mindfully. It’s something to be aware of. The game is designed to encourage walking as a mode of transport between points, rather than just driving or taking public transport.
Practical Points to Know Before You Go
- Facilities: Be warned, toilets and water points are not plentiful. However, there is a Happy Hawkers food court (with franchises such as King of Fried Rice and Basil King) along the way with a toilet. Plan your stops accordingly.
- Timing: I walked at night, and the cooling weather was perfect. I saw a few others doing the same trail as well!
- Intensity: This was an easy walk, not a challenging hike. I would rate it moderate difficulty just due to the distance alone. If you want a more intense workout, you could easily run the entire route.
🐦 Concluding Thoughts
Will you be there for the exercise, the scenery, or the digital rewards? For me, the real reward was the unexpected discovery. The experience was perfectly captured by the end of the walk: standing in a quiet, almost empty MRT station at Punggol Coast, a place I had never visited, feeling like I’d uncovered a new corner of Singapore.
And yes, Punggol is still ulu, more so than before but also with more to explore. I’ll be looking to complete the other trails so do look out for my comments on them as well.
This trail is a great example of how you can find adventure in your own city, which is one of the reasons why I started this blog but haven’t had time to delve into.
