Soko Islands offer history, very fun coasteering, and impressive rocks. So much that we did not have time to see everything that we had planned.
- Beauty/fun: 8/10. Remote, high cliffs, peculiar rock formations, several beaches, fun.
- Difficulty (check this link if new here, this is not your standard HK hiking web): 8/10. Even if it is partly protected from swell, this is not an easy route. Several high cliffs to scramble up and down. No early exits. Unless hiring a boat add the kayaking requirement.
- The map (how to download to your phone offline maps)
See full screen and the Garmin track.
Tyler and friends were circumnavigating all Lantau island in stages. They had their kayaks “parked” around Shek Pik. Perfect spot to try to reach Sokos. Early meet at Tung Chung. Taxi to section 9 of Lantau Trail. Set up all the gear and kayaking time!
A bit less than 1 hour with almost perfect sea conditions. We had not been able to find any relevant information of Siu A Chau, the Northern big island. According to the Satellite images, the Eastern shore + Cheung Muk Chau islet looked like the most interesting. But in the approach, we realized that the Western coastline looked really good. So leave the kayaks on the beach and start hiking in that direction.
The scrambling
starts soon.
And after going in this “cave”
the first impressive structure.
A huge hanging boulder.
And a few meters apart this volcanic rock.
Colin enjoying all the climbing opportunities around. Highly not recommended unless really good at it.
Just after a tricky descent and
the first wall that we could not climb safely.
Down to the water and up. Here the only rope we saw en route
just before arriving at these stairs.
After turning South the route
becomes less technical.
Crossing several sandy areas.
A slab we decided to wade under.
Flattish
for a while.
Colin with a short swim conquering a tiny islet
before arriving
at the main South beach.
Our original plan was to visit the South Island too (Tai A Chau). So we decided to cross the little jungle in between the two beaches. There is a faint path, but pruners were helpful.
Start kayaking. Significantly more wind. Choppy choppy. Plan change again. To be safer, considering that we would need to paddle back whatever we did Southwards, we decided to stay in the same island. Find another beach (tombolo) to leave the kayaks
and continue the hike.
This side is very flat until the Low-level radioactive waste storage facility.
Nothing interesting to see. So leave it behind immediately.
And continue on the rocks.
A few fishermen around.
Some nice
scrambling
again.
With as much extra fun as you could wish.
Here most of us just jumped to the water on the left side. Colin was able to “boulder” it all. Watch video below.
Arriving at
South beach for the second time.
Cross the jungle, again, and start
coasteering
the last
part of
the coastline
we had missing.
Very nice with different color rocks and quite some beautiful tafoni. Definitely, the full Northside offers the best coasteering.
Kayak back to the starting point with the sunset. Ending a fun day. Not bad a way to be full “back into business” after my broken foot a few months before 😉
Tyler’s video with the final python encounter included.
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