PERSONALISED HIKING
Personalised hikes to suit individual preferences:
Gentle, challenging, hilly, flatter, remote, urban, short, long, private, group.
Hiking gives us an opportunity to experience the diverse natural countryside of Hong Kong Island, the Outlying Islands and the New Territories.
Hong Kong has infinite choices:
A leisurely stroll may pass through rural settlements on the Lamma Island Family Walk from Sok Ku Wan; or cross numerous mountain streams on the South Lantau Country Trail.
Challenging and energising hikes often go over the hills such as Ma On Shan, or Tai Mo Shan to the waterfalls on the ancient Ng Tung Chai path.
The varied habitats and abandoned villages on the trail from Wu Kau Tang and to Lai Chi Wo immerse us in the diversity of Hong Kong’s countryside.
THREE SHANS
AND A GARDEN
With spectacular 360 degree views of the surrounding hills, coast, sea & islands, this trail starts well above sea level at Sham Wat Road (250 m), rises over Keung Shan (459 m), Keung Shan (459 m) and Ling Wui Shan (480 m). In between the path drops, making it an up and down trail which is mainly open and refreshingly windy on some days. There are some interesting places on the route such as the Lung Tsai estate, commissioned in 1962 by Wu Kunsheng, director of Wyler Textiles. This consists of classical Jiangnan style gardens, a two-storey main building and a nine-cornered bridge over a lotus large pond, which can be seen from the path. The trail down to Tai O is short but extremely steep in parts.
OVERVIEW
Type: Day Hike
Difficulty: Level 4 out of 5
Elevation Gain and Descent: Stage 5 - 375m gain, 436m descent; Stage 6 - descent 200m
Terrain: Made and unmade, steps, slopes, slippery when wet; unsuitable for people with knee problems
Exposure: Open
Duration: Walk 4 hours, total time with travel 7 hours
Distance: 10km
Route: Bus from Mui Wo to Sham Wat Road, hiking Lantau Trail sections 5 & 6, finishing at Tai O
SOUTH LANTAU
This easy hike offers a wonderful feeling of calm and connection with the world as you soak up vistas of islands, sea, beaches and landscape. Underfoot the natural trail of soil and rocks hugs the side of a peak as it winds under the canopy of trees and in the open. The first few kilometres wind up easy/ moderate steps after which a gradual upward gradient undulates over 20 steams finishing with a short stepped descent. After 8km there is an option to continue with a more challenging, mainly stepped descent of 300m to sea level with the lovely views continuing. On a clear day and after rain, this fabulous trail is one of my favourite Hong Kong hikes.
OVERVIEW
Type: Short day hike
Difficulty: Level 2 out of 5
Elevation Gain: 150m
Elevation Descent: The optional extension 300m
Steps Descent: Some / the optional extension – many, unsuitable for knee problems
Exposure: Open and under trees
Duration: 2.5 / 4 hours
Distance: 7.5km / 11.7km
Route: From Nam Shan by public toilets on South Lantau Road, along South Lantau Country Trail
VILLAGES WALK:
WU KAU TANG & LAI CHI WO
This fabulous walk is one of my most favourite Hong Kong hikes. The 300 year-old Hakka walled village Lai Chi Wo retains some mud walled dwellings and one of the oldest surviving feng shui woodlands. The stunning stream side path, mangroves and views of Starling Inlet attract appreciative hikers who travel to this wonderful area. Over time the hamlets, in which one could explore traditional village homes discovering belongings left behind by previous inhabitants, have been covered by vegetation. However, the far northeast still remains charming, peaceful and beautiful.
OVERVIEW
Type: Day hike
Difficulty: Level 3 out of 5
Elevation Gain and Descent: 250m
Unsuitable for knee problems
Terrain: Made and unmade path, boulders, stones, slope, steps
Exposure: Open and under trees
Duration: 4 + hours, plus 3 hours travel
Distance: 11km
Route: Wu Kau Tang circular from Wu Kau Tang village via Sam A Chung, joining Tiu Tang Lung Path to Lai Chi Wo, continuing on the path to Wu Kau Tang Country Trail and down to Wu Kau Tang village
CLEAR WATER BAY PENINSULA
The Clear Water Bay peninsula provides wonderful views of the surrounding urban, rural and coastal areas. Commencing at Ng Fai Tin, the walk finishes at the fishing village of Po Toi O where you can choose to reward yourself with a seafood lunch. The hike, although short in distance challenges with its elevations & descents, including High Junk Peak at 344 metres, the second sharpest peak in Hong Kong. Between the slopes are flat stretches of path giving rest bite before the next rise.
OVERVIEW
Type: Short day hike
Difficulty: Level 4 out of 5
Terrain: Natural path with significant elevations & descents
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 7km
Finishing Point: Po Toi O
THE QUIETER SIDE OF LAMMA
An easy pre holiday hike that surprisingly includes nearly deserted hamlets, beaches and views of the open sea. We commence the hike at Sok Ku Wan with a circular route returning to the village and then continue onto popular Yung Shue Wan.
OVERVIEW
Type: Short hike
Difficulty: Level 1.5 out of 5
Terrain: Concrete path, steps and fairly significant slopes, may not be suitable for those with knee problems
Elevation gains and descents: 100m, 120m
Exposure: Mainly open
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 9km
Route: Sok Ku Wan, Shek Pai Wan, Sok Ku Wan, Hung Shing Ye Beach, Yung Shue Wan
BLACK'S LINK
AND
MOUNT CAMERON
This is a very easy and short walk with views to the north and south sides of Hong Kong Island. It is perfect for visitors and typifies the nearness of countryside to urban areas. The path wanders around Mount Nicholson and Mount Cameron, through natural vegetation and past some of HK’s most prestigious residences. This walk can be extended to the Aberdeen Country Park and The Peak.
OVERVIEW
Type: Short hike
Difficulty: Level 1 out of 5
Terrain: Natural & man made path, minimal slopes
Duration: 1.5 hours
Distance: 8km
Start & Finish Point: Black’s Link Road
SAI KUNG EAST COUNTRY PARK
Ham Tin Wan, Optional Extensions - Sai Wan, Luk Wu Country Trail
Ham Tin Wan, one of the four beaches of Sai Kung East Country Park that are understandably the most popular places for a day away from the city. For such a remote location they become a busy little hub for sun seekers, surfers, campers and hikers, and those who just want to escape. The views and effort of the journey are well rewarded by the expansive sand and the open sea. The views continue as the path hugs the coast to Sai Wan and on the plateau of Luk Wu.
OVERVIEW
Type: Day hike
Terrain: Concrete and unmade steps and slopes
Exposure: Open and under trees
There are 3 options for this hike, which can be requested.
1. PAK TAM AU TO HAM TIN BEACH and RETURN
Elevation Gain and Descent: 150m 3 times each
Duration: Walk 3.5 hours, total time North Point and return 6 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Level 3 out of 5
Distance: 13km
2. PAK TAM AU, HAM TIN BEACH and SAI WAN TO “THE PAGODA” or visa versa
Elevation Gain and Descent: 150m 3 times each
Duration: Walk 4 hours, total time North Point and return 6 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Level 3 out of 5
Distance: 13km
3. PAK TAM AU, HAM TIN BEACH, SAI WAN, “THE PAGODA” and LUK WU COUNTRY TRAIL or visa versa
Elevation Gain and Descent: 150m 5 times each
Duration: Walk 6 hours, total time North Point and return 8 to 9 hours
Difficulty: Level 4 out of 5, unsuitable for knee problems
Distance: 19km
BUTLER, CECIL & PARKER
Physically so close and yet feeling so far from the city, this is a very pleasant and easy walk. Sir Cecil’s Ride is named after Sir Cecil Clementi, Governor of Hong Kong from 1925 to 1930, as he would often walk this path around The Peak. Mount Parker, which can be seen towards the end of the hike, is the second-highest peak on Hong Kong Island and named after Admiral of the fleet, Sir William Parker. The route passes the historical 1920’s red brick Woodside, formerly a residence for senior staff of the Taikoo Sugar Refinery when Quarry Bay and Tai Koo were the manufacturing centres of Butterfield & Swire Co. Ltd.
OVERVIEW
Type: Short hike
Difficulty: Level 1 out of 5
Elevation Descent: 100m
Terrain: Made and unmade path, slope
Exposure: Open and under trees
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 7km
Route: From the upper end of Mount Butler Road, along Sir Cecil’s Ride and down Mount Parker Road
DRAGON’S BACK
& TAI TAM
With a choice of starting points this popular and relatively easy hike can be long, moderate or short. The highlight is walking the undulating Dragon’s Back where one has views of the South China Sea, Stanley Peninsula and of Shek O village. Shek O, meaning “rocky bay”, was established 200 years ago by the fishermen of the Chan, Yip, Li and Lau clans. Previously famous for its lobster, the majority of the population lived on the land now occupied by the Shek O Country Club, from where they were forcibly removed in 1841.
OVERVIEW
Type: Short hike
Difficulty: Level 2 out of 5
Elevation Gain & Descent: Approximately 250m for the first 2 options
Steps Descent: Some unsuitable for severe knee problems
Exposure: Open and under trees
Duration: 4.5 hours / 3.5 hours / 3 hours / 2 hours
Distance:
Parkview to Tai Tam Rd 4km /
Tai Tam Rd to Shek O Rd 7.5km /
Tam Tam Rd & Shek O Rd roundabout via lower & upper Dragon’s Back paths to Big Wave Bay 12.5km /
Shek O Rd via Dragon’s Back to Big Wave Bay 8.5km
THE ABERDEEN RESERVOIRS
A pleasant catch water runs parallel to Lady Clementi’s Ride, named after Marie Penelope Rose, wife of Sir Cecil Clementi, Governor of HK from 1925-30. The Upper and Lower Aberdeen Reservoirs, constructed in1931 and 1932 to solve the water shortage problem at the western side of Hong Kong Island, were the last to be built on the island. The route allows interesting views of Shouson Hill, Wong Chuk Hang and Aberdeen and becomes peaceful as it meanders around the reservoirs.
OVERVIEW
Type: Day hike
Difficulty: Level 1 / 1.5 out of 5
Elevation gain and descent: 50m / 100m
Terrain: Made and unmade path, maximum flight of steps 150
Exposure: Exposed and under trees
Duration: 1.5 / 2.5 hours
Distance: 7km / 10km
Route: Along a catch water to Bennet’s Hill and then on to the Upper and Lower Aberdeen Reservoirs