Tag: Beautiful Hiking Trails in Hong Kong

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Pat Sin Leng 八仙嶺 – the Trail to Immortality

Pat Sin Leng 八仙嶺, means “Ridge of the Eight Immortals”, the eight peaks along the Pat Sin Leng mountain range are each named after a different Immortal. They are Shun Yeung Fung (純陽峰), Chung Li Fung (鍾離峰), Kuo Lou Fung (果老峰), Kuai Li Fung (拐李峰), Tsou Kau Fung (曹舅峰), Choi Wo Fung (采和峰), Sheung Tsz Fung (湘子峰) & Hsien Ku Fung (仙姑峰).

This trail offers a bird’s eye view of the Plover Cove Reservoir and Plover Cove Country Park, you can also see the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park from far. Shenzhen can be seen on your left hand side when you are on the ridge going up from Hok Tau Reservoir 鶴藪水塘.

This trail’s difficulty level is moderate and well paved all the way from the beginning. It is suitable for all levels of hikers, it is family friendly. If you are looking for a trail that is slightly challenging physically, a trail with great view, you should go try this out.  

My Trail: 

” Lau Shui Heung Reservoir 流水響水塘 > Shek Au Shan 石坳山 (291M) > Hok Tau Reservoir 鶴藪水塘 > Ping Fung Shan 屏風山 (500M) > Wong Leng 黃嶺 (639M) > Lai Pek Shan 犁壁山 (550M) > SHUN YEUNG FUNG 純陽峰 (590M) > CHUNG LI FUNG 鍾離峰 (529M) > KUO LOU FUNG 果老峰 (543M) > KUAI LI FUNG 拐李峰 (522M) > TSOU KAU FUNG 曹舅峰 (508M) > CHOI WO FUNG 采和峰 (489M) > SHEUNG TSZ FUNG 湘子峰 (513M) > HSIEN KU FUNG 仙姑峰 (511M) > Tai Mei Tuk 大美督 ”


Distance: 15 KM
Duration: 5.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 1188 M
Difficulty: 3/5
View: 4/5

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR East Rail Line to Fanling 粉嶺 station, then take exit C to go to the minibus station.

2. Take the green minibus #52B to Hok Tau 鶴藪, get off at the final stop.

3. After getting off the bus, follow the sign to Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, there’s a public toilet.

4. Your scenic hike to the Mountains of the Eight Immortals begins.

5. You will finish your hike at Tai Mei Tuk, the bus station is just across the road. You can take either the green minibus #20C or the KMB bus #75K to go back to the East Rail Line Tai Po Market station, for returning to the city. 

Hike Overview:

Spend some time at Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, the serene nature will sooth your body and soul. The still water of the reservoir projects a beautiful reflection of the sky and trees, like a mirror. 

From the Lau Shui Heung Reservoir public toilet, go straight on Lau Shui Heung Road and then turn left into Lau Shui Heung Country Trail where you will head to Hok Tau Reservoir, look for sign to lead you there. 

The first 3kms is easy with some stairs ascending up to about 200 meters before you descend to Hok Tau Reservoir, a place you’ll feel grateful of what you see. Feel the fresh air and positive energy from the surroundings.

The serenity of Hok Tau Reservoir!

Follow the bridge on the reservoir and you will see the sign showing you the way to Pat Sin Leng.

 

The following 5kms is slightly challenging because you will be walking on countless of stairs ascending up to over 600 meters. This is absolutely a good training! Take some breaks in between to catch your breath and don’t forget to check the view along the way, it is stunning. You’ll be exposed to direct sunlight the whole way, do apply your sunscreen. 

The Golden Miscanthus, or Golden Silver Grass can be seen during Fall and early Winter!

“ Nature’s beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude. ”

– Louie Schwartzberg

There are even trees with red leaves, how beautiful!
Keep following the direction to Pat Sin Leng and Tai Mei Tuk!

When you are up to Wong Leng 黃嶺 and Lai Pek Shan 犁壁山, the view gets better. From there you will see China on one side and Plover Cove Reservoir on the other side; and in the front, you will see Yan Chau Tong Marine Park. That’s the best part of doing ridge hiking!

Visiting the Eight Immortals!

Keep going forward and soon you will arrive at the first mountain of the Eight Immortals, Shun Yeung Fung 純陽峰. Once you get there, you are close to the remaining sevens. In less than 2kms with some ups and downs, you will finally get to the last one, Hsien Ku Fung (仙姑峰).

The view of Plover Cove Reservoir from Monkey Cliff (馬騮崖)!

From Hsien Ku Fung (仙姑峰), there are two ways to go down to your finish line, Tai Mei Tuk. If you are more adventurous, take the right turn and go down from there, you will see hikers writing down the name of Monkey Cliff in Chinese, 馬騮崖, on the sign. Please be very careful going down this way because it is rocky and it can be slippery. If you have done Suicide Cliff hike before, you will know what I am talking about. But, it is doable, just take your time to go down slowly and you will arrive at Tai Mei Tuk. If you choose to enjoy the trail with zero risk on your safety, then turn left from Hsien Ku Fung and descend on the paved path. This way you will do your final 4kms down to the Plover Cove Park Tai Mei Tuk Management Centre. Follow the Bride’s Pool Road out and in about 15 minutes walk, you’ll arrive at Tai Mei Tuk. 

The magnificent view of the Eight Immortals Mountains and their reflection on the lake!

There are plenty of restaurants at Tai Mei Tuk, go treat yourself with nice food and drinks.

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Devil’s Fist 鬼手岩 – the Challenging Trail Around Plover Cove Reservoir

The Devil’s Fist! Does it look like the fist of Thanos in Avengers? 

Devil’s Fist 鬼手岩 is Hong Kong’s oldest rock with 400 million years old. As you can already tell from the name, Devil’s Fist looks like a hand rising from the waves. Weathering and erosion occurred along the sandstone bedding forms the shape of the “fingers”.  And its bottom after being eroded by sea waves forms the shape of a narrow “wrist”, which will only be exposed above the water level at low tide.

It’s not easy to go there if you choose hiking as your option because of the long distance and it is a trail you might possibly get lost. Having said that, it’s definitely a hike you have to go experience despite the challenges. Not only you’ll test your physical strength, you’ll also be testing your endurance. It’s good to know where your fitness level at. I’m very glad that I did this trail, and I completed it twice. The feeling of achievement is great. 

Getting mentally prepared is one important factor before going for this challenging hike. I’d strongly advice that you start as early as possible as this trail is going to take at least 10-12 hours, you’ll hike from day to night, it takes even longer if you lose your way or take longer breaks. 

Read on this blog and you will have a better picture of this long challenging trail.

The red rocks at Fire Red Coast 火紅海岸!

My Trail: 

” Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰 > Kau Tam Tso 九担租 > Ha Miu Tin 下苗田 > Tai Tung 大峒 (295M) > MOUNT NEWLAND 觀音峒 (303M) > LUK WU TUNG 鹿湖峒 (295M) > Dit Sei Kau 跌死狗 (295M) > Fung Wong Tau 鳳凰頭 (238M) > Fung Wong Wat Teng 鳳凰笏頂 > Fung Wong Mei 鳳凰尾 > Pak Kok Shan 白角山 (205M) > Ngong Chong Shan 昂莊山 (132M) > Tai Leng 大嶺 (152M) > DEVIL’S FIST 鬼手岩 > Tai Leng 大嶺 (152M) > Ngong Chong Shan 昂莊山 (132M) > Pak Kok Shan 白角山 (205M) > Fung Wong Mei 鳳凰尾 > Fung Wong Wat Teng 鳳凰笏頂 > Fung Wong Tau 鳳凰頭 (238M) > Ngor Kai Teng 鵝髻頂 (219M) > Fu Tau Sha 虎頭沙 (110M) > Sam Mun Shan 三門山 > Pui Shue Wan Shan 砵樹環山 (82M) > Cheung Pai Tun 長牌墩 (125M) > Tai Mei Tuk 大美督   “

Distance: 33 KM
Duration: 11 hours
Elevation Gain: 1771 M
Difficulty: 5/5
(this trail is extremely physically demanding, it requires strong endurance!)
View: 4/5

You’ll only get to see the whole Devil’s Fist during low tide! 

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 long hike to Devil’s Fist will begin at Wu Kau Tang Village, where you get off the minibus. 

4. You’ll finish your hike at Tai Mei Tuk 大美督 barbecue area, where you will see the bus stop, you can take either the green minibus #20C or the KMB bus #75K back to the East Rail Line Tai Po Market 大埔墟 station, for returning to the city. 

Hike Overview:

Before doing this long trail, it’s recommended that you have some trainings on other hiking trails to better prepare your fitness level. Pre-hike stretching and warming up is a must to prevent cramps, trust me, two of my team mates got it towards the end of the hike.   

You’ll first head to Kau Tam Tso 九担租. The first 3 km of the trail is flat, make use of it to walk faster to earn some time. Devil’s Fist is 14 kms away from the starting point, Wu Kau Tang 烏蛟騰, it takes about 4 hours. From Devil’s Fist to the finishing point, Tai Mei Tuk 大美督, the distance is about 19 kms, hiking time is around 6-7 hours. It is important that you keep track of your time and knowing how much distance left to complete the trail so you’ll have an idea by what time you’ll reach the finishing point. Remember to bring headlamp with you, it is very likely you’ll be hiking in the dark towards the end of the trail. Especially during Fall and Winter time when the day time is short, the sun sets at 5 something. 

From Kau Tam Tso, you’ll walk towards Ha Miu Tin 下苗田, then you’ll have to turn right into Tai Tung 大峒 where you’ll start ascending. After Tai Tung, you’ll hike through 3 mountains, Mount Newland 觀音峒, Luk Wu Tung 鹿湖峒 & Dit Sei Kau 跌死狗. 

To do this trail, one of the challenges is definitely hiking through countless of mountains where you’ll ascend and descend many times, wear a knee support if you have one so you do not injure your knee easily. Another thing you have to know about this trail is there will be no exit points throughout the hike. Once you start the hike going to Devil’s Fist, you have to complete the whole 33 kms trail. You do have the choice to either finish your hike at Tai Mei Tuk with the total distance of 33 kms; OR, you can hike all the way back to Wu Kau Tang, where you start the trail, with the total distance of 28 kms, slightly less in distance.

I personally like to see different view when I hike, and walking on the Plover Cove Reservoir Dam is definitely the best way to finish your hike where you could enjoy the sea breeze, watching people cycling and skating along the dam. You’ll walk on flat concrete road with the sea on your left, and the reservoir on your right. It is very relaxing! Also, there are more bus frequency at Tai Mei Tuk going to Tai Po Market station comparing to Wu Kau Tang, especially when you arrive late, you might have to wait for a long time, or you’ll probably miss the last bus.

Plover Cove Reservoir 船灣淡水湖
Yan Chau Tong Marine Park 印洲塘海岸公園

From Luk Wu Tung, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the Plover Cove Reservoir 船灣淡水湖 on one side; and on the other side, there lies the captivating Double Haven or Yan Chau Tong Marine Park 印洲塘海岸公園. Spend a few moments there, take a break, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Feel the great energy from the nature and breathe in some fresh air.  

Dit Sei Kau 跌死狗

You’ll then arrive at Dit Sei Kau 跌死狗, where you’ll see big rock formations. It’s a great spot for pictures. Next, you’ll be heading to Fung Wong Tau 鳳凰頭, leaving you 6 more mountains to go, with 6 kms in distance before you get to Devil’s Fist 鬼手岩.

Keep checking for ribbons to ensure you stay on the right track!

“ I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees. ”

– Henry David Thoreau

The path with thick bushes and branches sticking out, watch out!

From Fung Wong Tau, all the way to Tai Leng 大嶺, the last mountain before you descend to Devil’s Fist, the path will become narrower and less obvious. To avoid getting lost in the jungle, it is very important that you keep tracing your trail on your hiking app, and pay close attention to the ribbons tied on the branches. Besides, often you’ll have to push away the bushes and branches that are sticking out on the path, watch high and low to prevent stepping into the holes and knocking your head onto the branches. Some scratches on your arms and legs are however inevitable.

Wong Chuk Kok Tsui 黃竹角咀 Sign at Tai Leng

When you see the Wong Chuk Kok Tsui 黃竹角咀 sign, you are almost reaching the descending part to the coast, before getting to Devil’s Fist. According to the sign, the rock terrace was built in 1668.

Descent from Tai Leng to the coast before you’ll reach Devil’s Fist!       

There are ropes for you to hold on to help your descent, but still, watch out for slippery rocks.

Once you get to the coast, walk around it over the rocks and find that fist of the devil. The rocks on the coast are very beautiful, they are mainly in red and golden colors. The whole place is extremely picturesque!

Check the tide forecast before going to Devil’s Fist!

One important thing you should know before going to Devil’s Fist, that is to check the tide forecast , the place can only be reached by foot during low tide, and to be able to see the whole fist for better pictures, the tide level must be at around 0.8M or lower. Otherwise, the bottom of the Devil’s Fist will be immersed in the water. 

Coasteering!

Now, you can experience “Coasteering” after seeing Devil’s Fist, go slightly further hiking along the rocky coast for seeing more rock formations and then return to Devil’s Fist. This is the part that you have to find your own path and footing, some parts you have to climb over big rocks, and at parts when climbing is not possible or too high, you’ll have to walk in the water. Be prepared to get wet if you are attempting coastal trekking. If you are just a beginner and do not have many hiking experiences, I don’t suggest you to do it because it can be dangerous.

Remember, there are 19 kms away to Tai Mei Tuk 大美督 from Devil’s Fist. So, if it is getting late, you better be hurry and start hiking back. 

Follow exactly the same path you came from Fung Wong Tau 鳳凰頭, it’s just now you hike all the way back there from Devil’s Fist, to Tai Leng 大嶺, to Ngong Chong Shan 昂莊山, to Pak Kok Shan 白角山, and so on. 

Once you’ve arrived at Fung Wong Tau, you’ll start to take your left path whenever it comes to a junction. You’ll then get to Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail, that’s where you are heading to Tai Mei Tuk, around the reservoir. 

From that point, you’ll have 5 mountains to hike before you get to the dam, they are Ngor Kai Teng 鵝髻頂, Fu Tau Sha 虎頭沙, Sam Mun Shan 三門山, Pui Shue Wan Shan 砵樹環山 and Cheung Pai Tun 長牌墩, being the last one. The sun will probably set while you are in Plover Cove Reservoir Trail, get your headlamp ready, soon you will be hiking in the dark. Do not worry, because once you get to this trail, it is basically very straight forward and the path gets so much better to hike, with the openness.

The captivating Yan Chau Tong Marine Park!

After the ultra long hike, you must be starving and thirst for some cold drinks, at Tai Mei Tuk, there are plenty of restaurants and stores along the main road. You’ll get to sit down and eat right after you complete the hike, that’s exactly what I did. Reward yourself with good food and drinks after your great achievement. You totally deserve it!

Summary of TIPS before attempting Devil’s Fist trail:
1. Be physically and mentally ready for the 33 kms hike.

2. Check the tide forecast, know the low tide time and calculate your starting time.

3. Bring at least 2-3 liters of water and your lunch/ snacks.

4. Bring a headlamp (you’ll be hiking in the dark towards the end of the trail).

5. Bring gloves and wear long hiking tights to prevent scratches on your arms and legs.

6. Study the trail before the hike.

7. Keep tracing your location on your hiking app so you don’t get lost. 

8. Do not forget to do stretching and warm up before you start.

9. Last but not least, enjoy the beautiful nature!

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Tai Mo Shan 大帽山 to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls 梧桐寨瀑布 – the TOP of Hong Kong

Tai Mo Shan Weather Radar Station & Civil Aviation Department Radar Station

Tai Mo Shan 大帽山 is the highest mountain in Hong Kong with the elevation of 957 meters, it features a humid subtropical climate. You often see Tai Mo Shan covered in clouds, and it is claimed to be the most misty area in Hong Kong, this is due to the height of the mountain.

Tai Mo Shan Weather Radar Station and Civil Aviation Department Radar Station were built on top of the mountain, and they have become the recognizable buildings when people talk about Tai Mo Shan.

Drone shot of the Stone Forest (Wo Yang Shan)!

The mountain is very hiker-friendly, accessible by a few nice trails going to the top. I planned my trail starting from Tsuen Wan MTR to Tai Mo Shan passing through Wo Yang Shan 禾秧山, some named it “Stone Forest” because of the beautiful groups of rock formations up there. Going down I took the trail through the captivating Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls 梧桐寨瀑布 which I think is the Amazon of Hong Kong. You are going to experience two very different environments ascending and descending, and I find this is the best part of this trail.

The Amazon of Hong Kong – Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls!

Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls nestled within the dense jungle of Tai Mo Shan, it consists of 4 main waterfalls, they are “Scatter Fall”, “Main Fall”, “Middle Fall” & “Bottom Fall”. Each of them has their unique beauty, made me wondering, “Am I in Hong Kong?” Apart from the 4 main falls, there are also “Virgin Fall” and “Rainbow Fall”. I suggest you download the app “Hiking Trail HK” to find out the exact location of each fall, and this app is also the app I have been using to plan my hiking trail every time.

For this trail, I am covering 4 scenic locations, Shek Tin Mun, Wo Yang Shan, Tai Mo Shan & Ng Tung Chai Waterfall. They are perfect spots for photography and videography. Each of them are very instagrammable, so get packed and hit the trail.

Stone Forest & Tai Mo Shan

My Trail: 

” Tsuen Wan MTR > Shing Mun Catchwater 城門引水道 > Shek Tin Mun 石天門 > WO YANG SHAN 禾秧山 (771M) > TAI MO SHAN 大帽山 (957M) > Sze Fong Shan Au 四方山坳 > NG TUNG CHAI WATERFALL 梧桐寨瀑布 > Man Tak Yuen 萬德苑 > Ng Tung Chai Village > Lam Kam Road “

Distance: 15 KM
Duration: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 1145 M
Difficulty: 4/5
View: 5/5

View of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi from the trail going up to Wo Yang Shan!

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR Tsuen Wan Line to Tsuen Wan 荃灣 station, then take exit A.

2. From exit A, turn right and follow the sign to Discovery Park, you will be walking on the indoor skyway. After about 400 meters, you’ll see a glass door on your right, go inside and that’ll lead you to a bridge crossing the railway. Follow the sign to Route Twisk and you’ll see this, take the stairs.

3. Cross Route Twisk and keep following the stairs up and you’ll arrive at Shing Mun Catchwater. Take your right direction and keep walking on the catchwater for less than 2kms. Pay close attention on your left, you’ll reach here.

4. Turn left and hike up the mountain until you reach a junction, where you’ll find this sign, follow the path and continue going up.


5. You’ll finally arrive at Shek Tin Mun, it should be on your right hand side, you won’t miss it as it is a massive rock formation.

6. After checking out Shek Tin Mun, follow the path where you see other rock formations, that’s Wo Yang Shan.

7. Tai Mo Shan can be easily seen from there, you’ll see the radar stations, the path going to the top is very clear.

8. From Tai Mo Shan, follow the concrete road behind the radar stations and you’ll start descending until you reach a pavilion, that’s Sze Fong Shan Au. You’ll find the sign to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls.


9. From there, the path to the waterfalls is very straight forward and you’ll find signs along the way.

10. You’ll first arrive at the “Scatter Fall”, then “Main Fall”, “Middle Fall” and lastly “Bottom Fall”. After “Bottom Fall”, keep descending and you’ll come to Man Tak Yuen.


11. You’ll eventually arrive at Lam Kam Road walking out from Ng Tung Chai Village, you’ll find the bus stop on your left. You can take the bus KMB #64K to Kam Sheung Road 錦上路 West Rail Station to go back to the city. Or you can cross the road and take the same bus KMB #64K to Tai Po Market 大埔墟 East Rail Station to go back to the city, depending which direction is more convenient to you.

How SPECTACULAR!!!

Hike Overview:

Overall, the trail from Tsuen Wan all the way to Tai Mo Shan is very pleasant and scenic. First kilometer is mainly stairs until you get to Shing Mun Catchwater, you will be walking on flat road for the next 2 kilometers. After that you’ll enter the mountain trail until you get to the incredible “Stone Forest”, Wo Yang Shan. That’s one of my favorite spots in Hong Kong, I’ve always love rock formations. The beauty of Stone Forest leaves you breathless, the whole place is so picturesque.

Shek Tin Mun 石天門, or the Sky Gate
Beautiful rock formations are seen everywhere on Wo Yang Shan!

Shek Tin Mun is a massive rock formation located on the very right side of Wo Yang Shan when you get up from the trail, I missed it the first time I went there. Check your Hiking Trail HK app to make sure you go see it.

Aerial view of Stone Forest (Wo Yang Shan)!
Don’t miss this iconic spot for your picture!

Trust me, once you are there, you’ll fall in love with the place as much as I do. When you are done admiring Wo Yang Shan, look up at the radar stations on Tai Mo Shan and follow the path up there. It should take another 2 kilometers or so.

Aerial view of Tai Mo Shan and the radar stations!

No matter you are beginners or advanced hikers, Tai Mo Shan is always a great choice. Apart from ticking off the bucket list by summiting Hong Kong’s highest peak, another reason is there are many nice trails connecting it, giving hikers flexibility in planning their own trail. The view of the skylines when you hike is absolutely beautiful. Do remember to plan your hike on a clear sunny day for great visibility.

This is why I love hiking so much, the openness!

“ The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature. ”

– Joseph Campbell

Drone shot of the Main Fall of Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls!

Descending through Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls you will be walking into the Amazon of Hong Kong. The path is mostly shaded and cool. Be very careful as you go down, watch out for the slippery rocks. There are some parts the descent is steep, so take your time and don’t fall or hurt your knees. Accidents have been reported before for hikers trying to take selfie and lost the footing and fell from the waterfall, knowing our limits is the key to staying safe.

Below are the 4 main Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls:
1. Scatter Fall 散髮瀑, the cascades look like the hair of a woman from the back.

2. Main Fall 主瀑, the tallest waterfall with over 30 meters high.

3. Middle Fall 中瀑

4. Bottom Fall 井底瀑, this fall looks like you are in the bottom of the well.

You’ll be very surprised that you’ll find all these amazing places in Hong Kong. They are very close to us and we have easy access to most of them. I hope you go try out this trail and let me know what you think.