The Alexandra PCN is a collection of Park Connector Networks in Singapore. Technically there is no such PCN as “Alexandra PCN” but I am using the term to group all the Alexandra-related PCNs together.
Table of Contents
What is “Alexandra PCN” ?
Specifically, it is in my mind a collection of 5 Alexandra Road related Park Connectors. That almost formed a circle. The Circle Line of PCNs, I call it 🙂
They are
- Alexandra Garden Trail (https://pcn.nparks.gov.sg/alexandra-garden-trail/)
- Alexandra Queensway PCN (https://pcn.nparks.gov.sg/alexandra-queensway-pc/)
- Alexandra Canal Linear PCN (https://pcn.nparks.gov.sg/alexandra-canal-linear-park/)
- Alexandra PCN (https://pcn.nparks.gov.sg/alexandra-pc/)
- Henderson PCN (https://pcn.nparks.gov.sg/henderson-pc/)
Based on the distance in the PCN web site, they are a total of 8.1 km.
A map shows the whole route that I am doing…..
The starting point of our hike is going to Labrador Park MRT again (just like our last hike from Labrador Park MRT to West Coast Park).
Alexandra Garden Trail
As before, we will park at the same location as our last hike of Labrador Park MRT to West Coast Park. 991A Alexandra Road.
That is shown in this map.
In fact, at the corner of the Alexandra Road and Telok Blangah Road, there is a huge sign to show you that this is the start of the Alexandra Garden Trail.
And a discoloured explanation.
Here’s a map of the Alexandra Garden Trail.
From here, you walk north-ward and will see a couple of nice buildings on your left such as Alexandra Retail Centre, Alexandra Technopark, UE Bizhub West and Alexandra Point etc.
The path is pretty well maintained, even though it is right next to Alexandra Road. Surprisingly, at couple of points, it kind of diverted into the right side and giving you some peace from the road on the left.
An example:
And then..
Of course, this PCN will reach the famous Alexandra Arch which will lead to Hort Park and also back to Mount Faber Park. Read about how to walk from Hort Park to Kent Ridge Park. And also read about how to walk from Harbour Front to Hort Park.
This is where you can go up to go to Hort Park on the left or back to Mount Faber on the right.
We are doing NEITHER. We are going straight.
And apparently, once you reach Depot Road, you have finished the Alexandra Garden Trail.
Alexandra-Queensway PCN
Cross the Depot Road, and you are at Alexandra-Queensway Park Connector. The Alexandra-Queensway Park Connector is 2.3km long and will connect you from Hort Park to the EXCELLENT Alexandra Canal Linear Park.
Here’s the map for Alexandra-Queensway PCN.
Never doubt that we are on a PCN 🙂
You will walk over a bridge (and enjoy the traffic jam).
Interestingly, right next to the bridge (and before AIA building) is an entrance to the Rail Corridor… Which reminds me to complete the Rail Corridor. I have only done one part as at Nov 2024.
Turn left to Tanjong Pagar. Turn Right to Woodlands. We are doing neither.
Walking on, you will see Queensway Shopping Centre on the left and the famous food haven of Alexandra Village on the right.
You will need to take the traffic crossing to go over to Queensway Shopping Centre.
And then walk down this road…. with Queensway Shopping Centre on your left.
And then pass by the famous Alexandra Fire Station.
A sign will tell you that you are on the right track 🙂
Here’s the tricky part. After you passed by the Fire Station (and then a BTO construction site as at Nov 2024… soon to be million dollar HDB flats in the future), you will need to cross the road. You should see a SPC station ahead. Cross the road to SPC Station.
Turn left when you are at the SPC Station. Do not turn right (that would lead you to Mei Ling Road).
A short walk and you should see this pathway along a drain. In this picture, that would be the path way at the top part of the picture.
Yes this one.. on the right side of the photo below.
On google map, it is a thin green line. You can see the words “Alexandra-Queensway Park Connector” on the thin green line.
And you will be walking a nice walk along the drain/canal.
Ignore the car park on the right. Just keep walking.
A sign tells you that you are on the right track, bro.
Once you reach the end of this path, you will cross the road. Then you will see this “little park”. Follow that guy in red 🙂
Then cross the little road
And you will reach the FAMOUS HDB landed properties 🙂
When you reach the end of the path way (with the famous HDB landed properties on your left), you will turn left and walk under this covered walkaway. When you come to a road crossing, you will use it to cross the busy Commonwealth Avenue road, under the MRT tracks.
And the new Margaret Drive Hawker Centre will be on your left when you crossed the road.
Turn right and you will see this pathway to end your walk of Alexandra-Queensway PCN and start of Alexandra Canal Linear PCN.
Alexandra Canal Linear PCN
Alexandra Canal Linear PCN is a brilliant walk. I am so impressed by it as I grew up in the area (Commonwealth Avenue rental flats) and I can see how Queenstown has changed so much. Amazing little walk. I call it the “million dollar HDB walk” too.
Not so little. It is 1.4km but feels so much longer than that.
Alexandra Canal Linear Park is a park connector linking Commonwealth Ave to Tanglin Road. It runs along Strathmore and Dawson Estate before ending at Tanglin Road, where it leads to Alexandra Park Connector.
Your first indication is this..
It is a nice busy walk (residents from the HDB flats and Condos are using this to get from one part of Queenstown to another. I suspect it will be even more busy on weekends).
Many expensive condos and HDB flats. I don’t even believe they are HDB flats. SO NICE.
A few photos…I feel like a real estate agent when I walk along this PCN 🙂
A highlight of the walk is this sign showing that “Alexandra Canal Linear PCN” was officially launched by Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 11th Nov 2027. Exactly 17 years ago on this day that I walked this route (I walked this hike on 11th Nov 2024. It is a coincidence but a nice one). And indeed this PCN walk tells you how much the amazing progress of Queenstown (and Singapore) has been due to this man. I am no fan of the govt at all but credit must be given to the MAN.
Anyway, this walk is very nice. Try it.
Once you reach the end of Alexandra Canal Linear PCN, you have reached Tanglin Road. Cross the road as per here.
And you will reach Alexandra Canal or Alexandra PCN itself.
Alexandra PCN
Alexandra PCN is Alexandra Canal. The whole walk is along a canal. Walking along here reminds me of Kallang Park Connector as they both are part of our ABC waterfront as explained here. A continuation of Alexandra Canal Linear Park, the Alexandra Park Connector stretches from Tanglin Road to Zion Road.
Here’s the map of Alexandra PCN, which is 1.7km long.
And a very educational walk..
This urban Park Connector passes by many various condominiums… including the very beautiful Principal Garden.
There will be several small roads and finally one major road (Henderson Road) along this walk.
Crossing over, you will see Fraser Suites
And the flats at Indus Road.. where I stayed for a few years too.
Before finally finishing at the famous Zion Road Hawker Centre
At this point, you can see an underground pass (which will probably take you to River Valley etc but I am not sure. Maybe I will do a hike in the future).
At this point, you will have completed all 4 of the Alexandra PCNs. And I do suggest you stopped here and maybe have a bite at the Zion Road Hawker Centre before take a grab back to Labrador Park MRT.
However, you will notice that I mentioned Henderson PCN as one of the PCNs of “the Alexandra PCN”. Indeed, the 1.7 km Henderson Park Connector links Alexandra Park Connector to end at SAFRA Clubhouse (Mt Faber).
So why did I suggest you stopped here. Cause in reality, it is not much of a walk. It is simply a walk along the Henderson Road. Nothing special. It is basically a PCN along the road. Not worth your time.
However, I will do that for this blog post 🙂
So, in order to do the Henderson PCN to complete the Circle Line, I will need to walk back from Zion Road to Henderson Road.
Henderson PCN
Here’s a map of how I walk to Henderson PCN.
Ya.. the map shows you.
As you walk back, watch out for MOE Kindergarten at Alexandra. Slow down.
You will want to turn left to walk down this road.
This will lead you to a BIG traffic junction (Told you, this PCN is road side PCN).
Cross the road. If you see Gan Eng Seng Secondary School on your LEFT, you are on the right track.
Walk straight and straight.
And you will reach Tiong Bahru Park.
Cross the road again. As at Nov 2024, there is yet another BTO building on your left.
And a very expensive million dollar HDB on your right.
Walking more you will see Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre.
Crossing another huge traffic junction again (Told You..), you will see Coffee Bean on your left. Don’t even think. Carry On.
You will cross a bridge over the AYE (sounds familiar ?) and indeed there is an entrance to Rail Corridor again !
And finally you reached the end of Henderson PCN. The SAFRA at Mount Faber.
And that concludes my hike of the Alexandra PCN or the Circle Line of PCN as it is almost a Circle.
I then took a grab back to the starting point 🙂
Total Distance and Time for Alexandra PCN
This is my run keeper timing and distance for this hike. However, there was an issue initially with the app (I might have closed it accidentally and so it is not too accurate).
It showed 7.75 km but it should be more. And I believe it will be much more than 8km (as I walked back from Zion Road to Henderson PCN).
It showed that it took me 1 hour 48 minutes but checking the time of my photos, it will be 8:30am for my first photo and 10:47am for my SAFRA photo. That would make it 2 hours and 10 mins walk.
The map. Note the first part is a little weird. SORRY.
Conclusion : To Do or Not To Do
Absolutely Do This PCN Walk.
Just start from Labrador Park MRT and finish at Zion Road. Do not do the Henderson PCN walk.
Or if you want a shorter walk, start from Margaret Drive Hawker Centre and finish at Zion Road.
It was a brilliant PCN walk for me. I believe you will enjoy it like me.
A similar nice walk is the walk in 2023/204 from Toa Payoh to Kallang ! Or Bishan Park to Sports Hub.
