My Guide to Fort Serapong, Seeing Abandoned Ruins and Hunting for Ghosts!
I love to hike in my spare time, and though I have a list of my favorite hiking trails, sometimes, I’m in the mood to search for something new. One such trail that I only tried recently is the hike to Fort Serapong.
Located in Sentosa, it’s a historical landmark infamous for its eerie vibe. The last time I came here, I had goosebumps on my arms!
If you’re thinking about hiking there—maybe even hunting for ghosts!—I can be your virtual guide.
Things to Know
Address: 54 Lakeshore View
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
History and Background
— From: _veux_plus_de_vacances
The history of Fort Serapong can be traced back to the 1880s when the British decided that Mount Serapong could serve well as a military fort. It was constructed around the same time as Fort Siloso, which is also in Sentosa, and was fully operational by 1887.
The fort became active at the start of World War II, and it was operated by the Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery. It got bombed by the Japanese, but before the British surrendered, they destroyed the fort’s battery and guns.
After the war, Fort Serapong was handled by the Keppel Fire Command, which also handled Fort Siloso. By 1956, the fort stopped being operational, and it was soon declared a historical landmark by the National Heritage Board.
How to Get to Fort Serapong
By cable car and bus:
- To get to Fort Serapong from the mainland, first, ride the Singapore cable car to the Sentosa station.
- Then walk over to Beach Station, which is only a few minutes away. Ride Bus No. 3. and disembark at Eton House, which is located at 33 Allanbrooke Road.
- Just keep walking until you see the radar dishes, and eventually, you’ll reach Serapong Hill Road. From there, all you have to do is trek up.
Tips Before Hiking
- Hike when there’s still light out. I know the fort is open 24/7, but I don’t recommend visiting it at night. This landmark is in a remote location, so when evening comes, it’s really dark. You might have a hard time trekking down.
- Hike with a companion. I also recommend bringing a hiking companion with you. This is just in case you get yourself into an accident; if that happens, at least, there’s someone who can help you.
- When walking along Serapong Road, keep to the side. Sometimes, there are vehicles here, going up to the small protected Public Utilities Board (PUB) facility at the top of the hill. The road is pretty narrow, so to avoid getting accidentally hit by a car, keep to the side.
What to Expect
Abandoned Relics from the Colonial Era
— From: dilemmic
Since this is a historical landmark that’s no longer operational, the first thing you can expect to find here is the abandoned relics, mostly observation posts and battery potting rooms.
At first glance, I was impressed that the fort was still standing, considering how old it was and the amount of damage it got during the war. The area where the artillery pieces once sat is still here as well, and I actually found this spot to be a good place to rest.
Underground Passages and Forgotten Structures
— From: marcusongys
If you want to make your hike even more adventurous, you might want to delve deeper into the underground passages and forgotten structures.
When my friend and I came inside one of the structures, we found remnants of rusted staircases, caved-in roofs, hidden ladders, and even bunkers. My favorite part of the fort is the Serapong Casemates, which are rooms with openings that shoot through.
Wandering inside these structures and passages made me feel like I was there during the battle. How exhilarating!
Spooky Vibes from the Woody Forest
— From: izadnhana
The fort is nestled in the woods, and every structure is laden with ruin and moss. Of course, you’ll get spooky vibes here. It’s like you’re in a post-apocalyptic landscape!
When I came here with my friend, I definitely felt like I was in a supernatural movie. Inside the fort, there were patches of darkness throughout, and I always thought that there might be a ghost hiding there.
It didn’t help that the whole place was quiet; the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional trilling from birds. All this just added up to the eerie atmosphere, and it genuinely activated my imagination into overdrive.
Thankfully, my friend didn’t believe in anything supernatural, so she was able to keep me grounded throughout the hike.
Sentosa Heritage Trail
— From: beyondexpeditionssg
Fort Serapong is part of the Sentosa Heritage Trail, which covers various historical landmarks throughout the island. If you have the time, I recommend joining this trail so that you can appreciate the rich history of Sentosa.
Here’s the trail booklet if you’re interested in trying this out.