Hung Shek Mun 紅石門, also known as the “Red Rocky Shore”, is a hidden & unique stretch of reddish coastline on the east end of Plover Cove Country Park at Yan Chau Tong Marine Park 印洲塘海岸公园. This place is noted for the high presence of rich iron, with the deep red colored sedimentary rock bed lining the shores, making it the most unusual and peculiar scenery and photograph opportunities.
The green hills and islands in the background form a striking contrast to the reddish coastline. The dam on the right of the embankment was built for fish farming. The hole in the middle of the embankment allows the water to flow into the dam when the tide is high.
This is one of the rare and challenging coastlines in Hong Kong for hikers to visit, but the trail is definitely doable if you have the time, it takes about 7-8 hours to complete it. Read on my blog and I will share more details about this out-and-back trail from Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰 Village, give yourself a challenge!
Hung Shek Mun 紅石門 is really a place worth visiting, it is absolutely beautiful!
My Trail:
“ Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰 > Kau Tam Tso 九担租 > Sheung Miu Tin 上苗田 > Ha Miu Tin 下苗田 > Tai Tung 大峒 (295M) > Mount Newland 觀音峒 (303M) > HUNG SHEK MUN 紅石門 > Ha Miu Tin 下苗田 > Sheung Miu Tin 上苗田 > Kau Tam Tso 九担租 > Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰 “
Distance: 18 KM
Duration: 7.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 790 M
Difficulty: 3.5/5
View: 4/5
How to get there & return:
1. Take MTR East Rail Line to Tai Po Market 大埔墟 station, then take exit A3 to go to the minibus terminal.
2. Take the green minibus #20R to Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰, the final stop. The journey is about 30 minutes from Tai Po Market.
3. Your hike to Hung Shek Mun 紅石門 will begin at Wu Kau Tang Village, where you get off the minibus.
4. It is an out-and-back trail, you will be finishing your hike at Wu Kau Tang Village, go to the bus stop and wait for the same green minibus #20R to go back to East Rail Line Tai Po Market 大埔墟, for returning to the city.
Hike Overview:
Hikers are advised to wear tracksuits as there are many thick bushes and trees on the trail. Do bring plenty of water and food.
After getting off the bus at Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰 Village, you will see the sign, follow the direction to Kau Tam Tso 九担租, a small village where you will probably spot many trees with beautiful red leaves during the month of December, it is very beautiful.
Before you start, there’s a public toilet to use, that will be the one and only public toilet in this entire trail. It’s rather a long day of hike, finish your business first before you start the hike.
The first kilometer on the concrete path you will get to Kau Tam Tso 九担租, keep following the path to Sheung Miu Tin 上苗田 and Ha Miu Tin 下苗田. You will be at Ha Miu Tin 下苗田 in 2 kilometers where you will find the split with the sign showing you the direction up to Tai Tung 大峒.
Tai Tung 大峒, at 295 meters is going to be the first mountain, with the distance of slightly under 2 kilometers. From Tai Tung 大峒, walk further for another half a kilometer and you will arrive at Mount Newland 觀音峒.
Mount Newland 觀音峒 at 303 meters, is a great spot for seeing the entire Plover Cove Reservoir. Take a moment to admire the scenery and enjoy the tranquility.
After Mount Newland 觀音峒, walk for less than half a kilometer and pay attention to your left, you will see an unofficial path (grey path in the Hiking Trail HK App) with a lot of colorful ribbons tied on the branches, take the path and descend. The path is actually opposite of a DANGER sign.
Over a kilometer of descent, you will get to Hung Shek Mun Reservoir. It is a peaceful environment, the still water of the reservoir creates a beautiful reflection of the mountain and the sky.
Keep going until you reach a split where you’ll see a sign showing you the direction down to Hung Shek Mun 紅石門 to your right. The direction going straight is the path you are going to take on your way back, it will lead you back to Miu Sam Ancient Trail 苗三古道/ Double Haven Country Trail 印洲塘郊遊徑.
From this point, you will finally arrive at Hung Shek Mun 紅石門 in less than a kilometer. Before getting there, you will walk pass a few abandoned houses and a lake.
When you see the red rocky shore, you know you are there. Enjoy the place!
The embankment and the dam is the popular photo spot for hikers.
Look carefully at the middle of the dam on the little island, if you have a drone, fly above the island and find the right angle. It is actually looking like a flying butterfly from above. You can walk to the “Butterfly Island” and take some awesome drone shots!
“ To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles. ”
– Marie Davis
For returning, take the same path back to the split where there’s a Chinese sign. Now, you can either take exactly the same path to go back via Mount Newland 觀音峒 & Tai Tung 大峒 if you choose left at the split; if you choose right, you will be walking for more than 3 kilometers to Miu Sam Ancient Trail 苗三古道/ Double Haven Country Trail 印洲塘郊遊徑.
Once you are out on the Miu Sam Ancient Trail 苗三古道/ Double Haven Country Trail 印洲塘郊遊徑, you have your final 4 kilometers back to Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰 Village.
It’s going to be a long day of hike but the reward is great being at such a unique place.
