A Hong Kong Hiking Trail Not To Be Missed

Are you tired of seeing the "mountains and seas of people" in your city on the weekends? 

Wouldn’t you rather lay your eyes upon a real mountain and a real sea? 

Read on if you are:

1. An expat in China itching for a two-day trip.

2. A lover of outdoor sports.

3. Someone with 3 minutes to spare on learning about one of the world’s best hiking trails

We are planning a two-day trip for you to an incredible hiking trail in Hong Kong – the Maclehose Trail. Recently, it was named one of the best hiking trails in the world by the National Geographic Society. So take a deep breath and buckle up. Here we go!

 The High Island Reservoir

Captured by a drone

The view of the East Dam 

 Po Pin chau

The highest point of the trail: "Sharp Peak"

Long Ke Wan

The distance between two posts is roughly 500 meters.

Well known among outdoor sports lovers, especially those from Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the Maclehose Trail officially opened on October 26, 1979 and covers 100 kilometers in length. The whole route is divided into ten stages, starting from Pak Tam Chung（北潭涌）in Sai Kung, bypassing the High Island Reservoir（万宜水库), running from East to West across the New Territories（新界) and ending at Tuen Mun（屯门). Among all the ten stages, the second stage is home to the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery. So the second stage of Maclehose Trail will be the destination for the main activity on this two-day trip. 

Maclehose Trail Route Map

Expats in China can go to Hong Kong with their passport. Customs allows their entry after stamping the passport and giving a note to the expats, to remind them of the duration of stay - up to three months.

You should also prepare an Octopus card (You can buy it on the service counter of the subway station.) It is very convenient to pay for transportation and food using the Octopus card (available to use at certain stores).

 Octopus card 

The itinerary is as follows:

1.Get to Luohu Port at Shenzhen and go through customs. Then take the HongKong subway and get to Sha Tin station (about 30.2 HKD).

2.Walk out of the subway and arrive at the Sha Tin bus stop, then take the 299X double-decker bus to Sai Kung Pier (about 10.1 HKD).

3.Have lunch at the Sai Kung Pier. The pier enjoys a good reputation for its large selection of seafood cuisine.

A fisherman sells seafood on the Sai Kung Pier.

4.Take a taxi from the Sai Kung Pier to the origin point of the second stage of Maclehose Trail, namely, the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir.

5.Begin to hike from the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir. The endless mountains and roiling seas will be your best companion.

6. We will walk to Sai Wan, our main camping site before sunset where the facilities like toilets and freshwater are provided. The camp site offers a perfect view to watch the sunrise the next morning, neatly avoiding the mountain barriers.

Sunrise at Sai Wan 

Many yellow cattle walk around the beach.

7. The next morning, we will begin to hike from Sai Wan to  Sharp Peak, a unique site that leaves tourists in awe with its steepest and slipperiest summit. Once you reach the peak, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of Maclehose Trail - seas and mountains, clouds and trees from all directions.

 Sharp Peak

8.Climb down from Sharp Peak and walk to the end of the second stage - Pak Tam Au. You can take the 94 or 96R bus back to Sai Kung Pier and then return home the way you like.

Here below are some tips of one-day trip for those very busy bees:

1.     Take a taxi  from the Sai Kung Pier to the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir (please refer to the first step to the fifth step of the two-day trip above.)

2.     You don't have to hurry on with your journey and it's indeed a good idea to fully immerse yourself into the beauty of the High Island Reservoir.

3.     Then walk to Long Ke Wan whose beach is a paradise for recreation such as playing beach volleyball, swimming, barbecuing and sunbathing.

4.     Before nightfall, please go back along the same route that you have just come along. Take a taxi at the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir back to Sai Kung Pier.（Attention: You have to be careful with time because it will be extremely difficult to take a taxi after 18:30.)

There are things in nature that engender an awful quiet in the heart of man.

Reminder:

1.The camping site Sai Wan will supply water. But it is a long journey to get there so you need to carry enough water yourself.

2. You are not allowed to drop your rubbish on the trail so please take a bag for collecting.

Have you been to any beautiful hiking routes in China? Have you been to Maclehose Trail before? Or are you an outdoor sports lover?

Share your story with us!

Let us know! Comment below (click "写留言" at the bottom of the page)!

And don't forget to share this article with friends by pressing "..." in the top right corner.

Editor's Pick:

Follow us to receive daily updates with info on China and our newest positions!