Hiking Trails

Cheung Chau

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

Cheung Chau is famous for several reasons: dried fish, Olympic gold-medallist Lee Lai-san and its authentic fishing village atmosphere, thanks to its no-car policy. The island is named after notorious 19th-century pirate Cheung Po-tsai, said to have buried treasure in a cave on the island which you can visit (not for the claustrophobic). The trail is signposted from the ferry terminal, and follows the coastline, taking about two hours to circumnavigate the island. Highlights include the Reclining Rock at the tip of the island, Hung Shing Temple dating to 1813, the pirate cave and Tin Hau Temple. After a long day of trekking, treat yourself to some fresh seafood in one of the many seafront restaurants.

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Getting there: Ferries from pier 5 in Central to Cheung Chau take 55 minutes. Begin the walk on Praya Street going south

Discovery Bay To Mui Wo Trail

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

From the ferry terminal keep turning left until you reach the first right to Marine Drive. About 20m on the right is a concrete path that will take you along the beach, follow this until you reach a path on the left that will take you past rural homes along the coastline. When you reach a concrete road, turn right and climb the hill between Discovery Bay and Mui Wo, which overlooks the rural Lantau hills, Disneyland and the Trappist Monastery. Complete the hike by walking downhill until you reach a path to the right that leads to Silvermine Bay Beach, followed by Tung Wan Tau Road and finally Mui Wo pier.

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Getting there: Take a ferry from Central to Discovery Bay, Lantau from Pier 3

Dragon'S Back

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

The ever-popular Dragon's Back is a spectacular walk along the ridgeline between Big Wave Bay and Tai Tam Harbor. It's a little tricky to locate the starting point: after the roundabout where you turn left for Shek O, pass a parking area and a small layby, then ask the taxi driver to stop when you see two bus stops, one on either side of the road; you'll find an information board showing the start of the trail. Follow the signs for the Hong Kong Trail (H085), which loops around Mount Collinson, then drops down to Bay Wave Bay. From there it's an easy walk to Shek O, where you'll find a bunch of decent restaurants.

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Getting there: Take a taxi from Shau Kei Wan MTR station to Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail on Shek O Road

Hong Kong Trail

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

Recommended for experienced hikers, this signposted trail takes in The Peak, Pokfulam, Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang, Jardine's Lookout, Tai Tam and Big Wave Bay. From the Peak Tower, walk along Lugard Road until you reach Pokfulam Reservoir Road, which will lead you along Peel Rise, behind Chi Fu Fa Yuen. Turn east onto a wooded path that ends at Aberdeen Reservoir Road near Wan Chai Gap. Continue on Lady Clement's Ride, then follow a footpath up to Black's Link and Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. Take the uphill path towards Jardine's Lookout until you meet Mt. Parker Road. From there, walk south down to Tai Tam Reservoir Road and turn east when you meet the path to Tai Tam Road. Turn east along the water catchment to To Tei Wan. At Shek O Road, walk north and climb up to Dragon's Back then follow the contour path to Tai Tam Gap and finally, take a footpath leading east and drop down to Big Wave Bay for a well-earned swim.

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Getting there: Take the Peak Tram, bus 15 or minibus 1 from Central to The Peak Bus Terminal

Kap Lung Ancient Trail

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

One of the finest forest walks in Hong Kong, this ancient trail is cobbled rather than concreted, and traces a circular route through beautiful woodland on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan. It's a 7km walk and steep in places. From the main bus stop in Shek Kong, follow the water catchment road toward Ho Pui Reservoir, turning left at the Country Parks office on to the Kap Lung Forest Trail (watch out for mountain bikers and monkeys). Follow the trail up to the head of a narrow valley. At a crossroads at the top, turn left and follow the marked Ancient Trail that loops back to Shek O.

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Getting there: From Tsuen Wan MTR, take bus 51 from Exit A or a green cab from Exit B to the main bus stop in Shek Kong.

Keung Shan Road To Tai O

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

This is a long and fairly vigorous trek through the lovely and mostly untouched Lantau hills. Highlights include the 6m long flying dragon rock at Ling Wui Shan, the highest point of the hike, and the Lung Tsai Ng Yuen Buddhist villa near the end of the trail. You won't get lost: there's a signpost every 500m. The trail ends at Tai O, a 300-year-old stilted fishing village where you'll find plenty of seafood restaurants and buses back to Tung Chung and Mui Wo ferry pier.

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Getting there: From Tung Chung MTR, take a blue taxi to the junction of Keung Shan and Sham Wat roads and join the Lantau Trail

Lamma Trail

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

Laid-back Lamma Island is home to the alternative-culture community, hence the hippie stalls on Main Street. Chill on the beach, then follow the signposts to Sok Kwu Wan, the seafood village in the north. It's a relatively easy, hour-long hike along a concrete track over the spine of the island. At its highest point is a pagoda where you can catch your breath. Need another dip? Turn right at the bottom of the hill for Shek Pai Wan beach. Otherwise, carry on to Sok Kwu Wan, where you can catch a ferry to Central or Aberdeen. Alternatively, keep going to Mo Tat Wan - a stop on the Aberdeen ferry route.

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Getting there: Take a ferry from Pier 4 in Central to Yung Shue Wan. Walk along the Main Street to Hung Shing Yeh Beach

Maclehose Trail

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

Named after former governor and keen hiker Sir Murray MacLehose, and scene of the annual Trailwalker marathon, this 100km trail snakes across the New Territories from Sai Kung to Tuen Mun. Fortunately, it's broken into 10 stages of varying difficulty so you don't have to do the full 35-hour hike unless you really want to. It's well signposted, making it hard to get lost. Stage 1 is an easy three-hour, 10.6km walk from Pak Tam Chung south to beautiful Long Ke Beach. Stage 2 is a strenuous 13.5km around High Island Reservoir to Pak Tam Au, past Sai Wan and Tai Long Wan (or Big Wave Bay). Stage 3 turns west to Cheung Sheung, Kai Kung Shan and Kei Ling Ha - a very difficult 10.2km. Stage 4 is another very difficult 12.7km trail southwest up Ma On Shan, Ngong Ping and Mau Ping, to Tate's Cairn (Gilwell) campsite at Tai Lo Shan. From there, Stage 5 is slightly easier, heading west to Lion Rock and Tai Po Road (10.6km). Stage 6 is an easy 4.6km walk north past Kowloon Reservoir, Smuggler's Ridge and Lower Shing Mun Reservoir to Shing Mun (Jubilee) Reservoir: look out for wild monkeys. Stage 7 is a fairly difficult 6.2km climb past Needle and Grassy hills to Lead Mine Pass. Stage 8 is another fairly difficult 9.7km section heading west over Tai Mo Shan to Route Twisk. Stage 9 is an easy 6.3km walk to Tin Fu Tsai through dense woodland. The final leg, Stage 10, is another easy but long (15.6km) section west to Tuen Mun past Tai Lam Chung Reservoir.

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Getting there: Take Bus 94 from Sai Kung, or bus 96R from Choi Hung MTR (Exit C2), to Pak Tam Chung

Peak Circuit

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

There's more to the Peak Trail than the Lugard/Harlech roads circuit. If you have the stamina - and two-plus hours - do the full 8km route around the Peak, past those postcard views. Follow Lugard Road to the playground (with handy route map), and head off through Pok Fu Lam Country Park to the reservoir, then hike back up steep Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road. Treat yourself to a blow-out meal at one of the many restaurants with a view - you've earned the calories.

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Getting there: Take the Peak Tram, Bus No.15 or minibus No.1 from Central.

Sunset Peak

Submitted by root on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 12:09

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Hiking Trails

This 6.5km section of the Lantau Trail takes you up Sunset Peak - one of the two biggest mountains on Lantau. It's a vigorous walk (hey, you'll be climbing a mountain), but go on a clear day and the views are stupendous. Like all Hong Kong trails, it's well-marked from the starting point at Nam Shan. When you reach Pak Kung Au, turn left and walk along Tung Chung Road to Cheung Sha Beach - one of the longest and loveliest in the territory. End your outing with a cold beer and South African braai (barbecue) on the terrace at Stoep on Cheung Sha Beach.

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Getting there: Take a ferry from pier 7 in Central to Mui Wo, about 55 minutes, then a taxi to Nam Shan. Follow Stage 2 of the Lantau Trail towards Pak King Au via Sunset Peak.