Most people are not aware how close the jungle is from the city 😀
- Difficulty (check this link if new here, this is not your standard HK hiking web): 3/10. Bush walking and finding the way initially is the most difficult part. All the rest is quite simple. Even the stream hike itself, which can be a nice and short initiation path (start from Braemar Hill then, next to St Joan of Arc Secondary Schol, green line below).
- It can be as short as required. Early exits everywhere. In our case, more than 14km in 3 hours and half
- The map
And the Garmin track.
Different transportation options (MTR, buses) to the Hong Kong Central Library next to Victoria Park. Tai Ham road up to the stairs that mark the start of the hike per se. Way up already into the old abandoned slum.
All this area is full of ruined houses and structures. In the map I have marked an entrance to the jungle even closer to the city (black line), up these stairs. Nice trees around, more old ruined buildings… But it is full of garbage, including broken glasses. So it can be dangerous. Instead, going up the safer route. Once you arrive at this little bridge you will leave the “civilization”.
No traces of human activity.
But for some ribbons and ropes that guide you up the correct path.
A bit of bush walking with the city below.
And arrive at Sir Cecil’s Ride: a super easy hike path, with quite some runners around.
Not far, once we arrived at the little shelter, we started hiking up the stream (full route explained here). This can be a completely dry stream hike even after heavy raining days. It has several mid-size waterfalls, including this one with a nice pool. In summer there is more water and is the place where I get my “shower”, full clothed, after being running in the area. Perfect for removing all the sweat stink and with distance enough running downhill to dry before arriving at the MTR.
Next to the Mount Butler HF Radio Receiving station we took the small brook down Westward.
Early March (after the dry season). No much water, therefore.
Up again Sir Cecil’s. Pass next to the station. Wilson Trail section 2 stairs down and
connect with the Hong Pak Country Trail. This is a nice, easy one.
Flattish, well marked, tons of shade. Another good running option, in this case, bit more trail running.
Little detour up to enjoy some more of the views.
Connect back with Hong Pak and find the way out to San Wai Ho.
The possible combinations of routes here are endless, including General (or Warlord) Rock, more streams, bamboo tunnels, etc.
February 23, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Hello,
I have a two day layover and I am staying at Hong Kong Hostel in Causeway bay.
I enjoy nature over shopping and cities.
Can you Reccomended a challenging, eg. 10-25kilometer day hike that would be easily reachable from my hostel by either on foot, or transportation.
I have a half day on arrival and then a full day in Hong Kong. I would like to spend the full day hiking!
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
I did read up on Big wave bay not sure exactly where that is and if surf boards are rentable but combing the two could be fun.
Anyway, thank you if you have any Insight and don’t mind sharing:)
Pretty fit💪🏻 But don’t like getting lost, it’s happened haha. A well marked trail and easy to het to would be great to help minimize the travel stress
David
February 23, 2019 at 5:47 pm
If challenging for you = distance + elevation, but not getting into out paths etc. so that you do not get lost easily I’d go for the Hong Kong trail (one of the 4 main paths here) starting from Park View. There are buses going almost up to the starting point. You will end up exactly in Big Wave Bay. There are some nice views on the way, but a little bit too civilized for my liking (several long concrete sections included). If you want a bit more of adventure you could include a short detour to see the TaiTam mound fall.
https://hkoutdooradventures.com/2017/04/12/sheungtam-taitam-mound-fall/
If want to do it a bit shorter go through Boa Vista.
Enjoy!
February 23, 2019 at 7:03 pm
Done! Fantastic!! Thank you so much for a well articulated you quick reply! Inland in just in a few days, so thank you:)
TaiTam also looks beautiful will try and get that in.
Best
David