6 green running routes in Singapore and KL

Jogging in a fresh and green environment beats pounding the pavement beside a busy street. It might even make the difference between giving up halfway and breaking your personal best. And if you think the concrete jungles of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur don't offer verdant spaces for would-be marathoners, here are a few lush, tree-lined routes that'll change your mind.

1. Singapore - Punggol Waterway Park

Perfect for: Beginners and families
Distance: 8.4km

One of the island's newest parks, the Punggol Waterway Park boasts 12.25 serene hectares of trees, bridges, fitness corners, running tracks and a man-made river. The jogging path is alongside the waterway, so you'll be able to enjoy the breeze and a scenic backdrop while you sweat it out.

Nearest public transport: A 10-15 minute walk from Damai LRT station. Or buses 3, 34, 43, 62, 82, 83, 84, 85 or 136 to Punggol Bus Interchange, then a 10-15 minute walk. Bus 84 goes direct.

2. Singapore - The Southern Ridges

Perfect for: Wannabe Indiana Joneses
Distance: 9km

The Southern Ridges connects three bio-diverse parks – Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park – via a chain of bridges, hills and forested trails. Due to the undulating terrain, the Southern Ridges is best suited for intermediate to advanced joggers.

Nearest public transport: HarbourFront MRT station, or buses 10, 30, 57, 61, 65, 80, 93, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 161, 300, 408*, 646 or 855. Alight at the bus stop in front of Seah Im Food Center on Telok Blangah Road.

3. Singapore - East Coast Park

Perfect for: Aspiring Olympians
Distance: 22.7km

The big one. If you're up for a challenge, try running the length of Singapore's largest park. As most of the track hugs the coast, there'll be the cool sea breeze and ocean view that'll make your endurance test more bearable. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants in the vicinity for that crucial post-run makan.

Nearest public transport: Bus 401 (SBS Transit). (It's usually easier to get a taxi into East Coast Park, as no MRT is really within walking distance.)

4. Kuala Lumpur - Perdana Botanical Garden

Perfect for: Families and nature lovers
Distance: 2.3km

Nestled in the heart of the Malaysian capital, the Perdana Botanical Garden was designed to mimic a tropical rainforest. It's home to a diverse range of flora and fauna native to the region. The jogging track will take you around a lake, flower gardens and even a deer park – so you'll never run out of things to see.

Nearest public transport: Buses 30, 22, 38, 21 and 48 stop at the main entrance.

5. Kuala Lumpur - Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

Perfect for: Groups of joggers
Distance: 2.5km

A tranquil lake dominates more than half of this park's 95-hectare area, where you'll enjoy a gorgeous view for most of your workout. The jogging path itself is a straightforward and easy-to-manage ring, around which you'll find plenty of runners doing their rounds every evening.

Nearest public transport: RapidKL Bus B101, Bus B102 or bus B103. Titiwangsa Monorail Station is a 10-minute walk.

6. Kuala Lumpur - Forest Research Institute of Malaysia

Perfect for: Actual Indiana Joneses
Distance: 5km and 10km

This 486-hectare park is the campus of Malaysia's statutory board devoted to sustainable forest management. Although located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the grounds are popular among those who crave a more earthy setting than the manicured city gardens. Expect rough terrain, canopy walkways, caves, waterfalls – and lots of monkeys.

Nearest public transport: Kepong Sentaral KTM Station. From the Kepong Sentral KTM Station you will need to get a taxi to the park.