Kap Lung Ancient Trail 甲龍古道

Only 1-hour, but it's a nice little stroll near Tsuen Wan.

Hiking All Around

How time flies, it's hard to imagine I'll be in Tokyo in a week's time. Anyway, until then, I'll enjoy myself doing... hiking! Well, with no bank cards and stretching exchanged currency over four weeks rather than two, it's really the only thing I can do... not that I'm complaining *big grin*

Let's see, so far I've only really been hiking on the Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail, and Tung Chung to Shek Pik Reservoir, as well as a day in Grass Island.

You know, I've hiked underneath the Ngong Ping cable cars more times than I've been on them... which is, by the way, 0 times. A few years back, the sighting of a cable car falling from the sky has extinguished any potential desire for me to ride in one.

 This little tyke didn't shy away from us shooting at it like paparazzi.

You don't want to have a fight with this cock.

I Return

Finally back in London! Though I have to admit that having an extra week in HK was definitely nice ;)

Anyway, lets try and catch up with the photos.

30.03.2010 - Peng Chau 坪洲

[Peng Yu Path 坪愉徑 follows the north coast of Peng Chau Island]

[Golden Flower Shrine 金花廟]

[Signpost in town]

This has to be my most favourite pavilion in HK so far ;)

Hiking in Tuen Mun

My last hike with the group before I fly. It felt so good to be hiking with everyone again, my Dad felt very welcomed. My training in the previous two weeks showed positive results! Gotta keep it up!

Tsing Yi Peak

After eating so much food the previous day, I thought I'd do some extra training. Tsing Yi Peak 青衣山 is a hill with three peaks in the south of Tsing Yi Island.

Its a paved trail, which is composed of roughly, say 1/4 is smooth concrete and 3/4 are steps. After the Tang family burial ground, forests, rocks and bushes are the main surroundings. When up hill, there are some excellent views of the south end of the island, particularly so from the South Peak where there is a scenic view which encompasses Kowloon Peninsula, Stonecutters Island, Hong Kong Island, Green Island, Kau Yi Chau, Peng Chau, Lantau Island, Tang Lung Chau and Ma Wan. Although getting to the South Peak involves going up (about 300m) a straight flight of extremely steep steps. There's a rope rail on the side, but one mis-step and... well, it'd all happen very quick.

Duration: 2-3 hours at a moderate pace; roughly a total of 4 hours if the Liu To Shan circular route is also on the itinerary.
Notes:
1) When walking along the North Peak, there is a narrow side path which leads to one very lonely grave, it's just up the steep side of the Middle Peak, perhaps you can pay your respects in passing.
2) At the bottom south side of the Middle Peak, there is a 'shortcut', that will get you down off the hill in no time. Grab a hold of the rope rail when you do down, and I advise avoiding this way when it's raining.

Mount Austin

As we ascended Victoria Peak (from Sheung Wan to The Peak), we made a little divertion to Pinewood Battery.
A cicada, which may have been nearing the end of it's 2-5 year life span.

Lamma Island

The residents of Lamma Island grow an abundance of flowers that I have never seen before. I went down there for another visit to refresh the memory, and to get some hiking done while I still have the chance. Will eventually go back to conquer Mount Stenhouse.

Hiking Hills

Hike: From Shek Kong Army Base (near Tsuen Wan) to Ho Pui Reservoir (near Yuen Long).

Distance/Duration: 18km in 5 hours.

Comments: I found this trail pretty tough, I'm not very good at bush-walking, and tree-walking for that matter. The typhoon last Friday blew down quite a few trees, which we had to climb over/ crawl under. With bush-walking through some spikey bushes and navigating around trees on loose damp soil, my derriere became a 2-in-1 air and pin cushion. Luckily, no harm done.

Post pic: Kam Tin and Pat Heung over shadowed by Kai Kung Leng in the distance.

Junk

Hiked 8km on the Junk Peak Country Trail. The typhoon caused a lot of damage, trees were snapped in half, and strewn across the path.

Post pics (Hover mouse over image):
(1) View from the the top of Junk Peak 334m
(2) Leaving Junk Peak behind.

Hot Circuit

Yesterday was an amazingly clear day here in Hong Kong, and of course I couldn't resist putting on my hiking boots after work, and heading for the hills.


Hike: A circuit hike from Tung Chung to Tung Chung via Ngong Ping, Lantau Island.

Comments: The Hong Kong Observatory had their Very Hot Weather Warning in force, meaning that temperatures were soaring (easily above 30 degrees), and risk of sunstroke was high.

Unsurprisingly, not many people were hiking, but with the right precautions i.e. hat or umbrella, sunscreen lotion and plenty of water, the hot weather shouldn't be much of a problem.

After the hike, the final stop was at a Haagen Dazs ice-cream cafe! Half price with a mate!

Post pic: Walking into Tung Chung at sunset.

Today

Hike: Tsuen Wan to Tai Tong, Yuen Long via the Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail.
Distance: 12km
Duration: Less than 4 hours at a fast pace.
Comments: The views of Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi, Ma Wan and beyond are breath-taking.

Hiking at Night

A night hike from Sai Kung to Ngau Chi Wan in Kowloon, via Ma On Shan, Pyramid Hill and Buffalo Hill in Ma On Country Park, using the MacLehose Trail.

Overall, we took about 5 and a half hours to complete 18km, hiking from 7:30pm-1am. Hiking at night gives a completely different feeling compared to hiking in the day. The air was cool and breezy, and the night views were amazing. It was a great experience. However, night hikes require more concentration, obviously because of the lack of light, and where I placed my feet required a little more care than usual. Apologies to the snail who didn't look both ways before crossing, will burn you an incense stick or two.

Anyway, I didn't find the trail too difficult, my main problem was that I was fighting against my body clock to the point of feeling nauseous on the way home. When I got home, I had a shower, and crashed at 3am... and guess what? Me old body clock woke me up at exactly 4 hours later, as if it thought I had to go to work.

Post pic: View of Kowloon and beyond from a pavilion at Jat's incline near Kowloon Peak (Fei Ngo Shan).

Waterfalls

Hike: Ng Tung Chai 梧桐寨, Tai Po and Tai Mo Shan 大帽山

Distance: 10 km

Ascent: approximately 8oom

Comments: It was boiling hot - temperatures reached over 35 degrees in the Tai Po area - and yesterday, I was having second thoughts about going. Anyway, I'm glad I did go, the four waterfalls at Ng Tung Chai were stunning, and provided natural air conditioning! There was a nice refreshing breeze up in the hills, and although it was pretty much unshaded on Tai Mo Shan, it provided some relief. Apparently, someone died of stroke while walking on Tai Mo Shan on the previous day, probably someone who was ill-equipped or was overdoing it.

Finished the hike, returned to the concrete jungle, and what a difference! The air was heavy, and the heat was sweltering! Gosh, it'd be so nice if there were waterfalls on my doorstep!

Post pic: Shiny blue bug at the first waterfall.

Dragon's Back

Route: From Chai Wan 柴灣 to Dragon's Back 龍脊 in Shek O 石澳, Hong Kong Island

Facts: Once voted to be Asia's favourite hike by Time magazine. Dragon's Back is so named because the spine of the headland on the east coast of HK Island looks like, well a dragon's back.

Comments: Today was the last day of my Summer holiday before I go back to work tomorrow *boo hoo* Anyway, this route offers great views of hills and the coastline. It was blazing hot today, but most of the hike was under shade, and involved some bush-walking! The bushes had grown so tall and wild, you could hardly see the path! I nearly cracked my head a few times, because I was too busy watching my feet to notice some low-hanging tree branches. There were some wild dogs along the route, but the guys chased them away. At one point, the air was filled with butterflies... it really was a lovely sight.

Post pic: No explanation required.

Slanted Trees

Trail: Tsing Yi Nature Trail (or Kwai Tsing Reunification Health Trail ) 青衣自然徑 - approximately 6.2 km circuit walk

Notes: Walked this trail three times in the last 2 days. On a clear day, the views are superb.

One Orange Mushroom

Trail: The yellow track of Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve 大埔滘自然護理區 (10 km)

I was late, so I had to catch up in a taxi. Got to the start of the trail, and I broke my glasses in two... yeah, I was so excited, I couldn't contain myself, fortunately, I'm not that short-sighted. Watching my feet was the main priority, and this required more concentration than normal. The whole hike was all a blur to me, but it was a good workout. The sky was a'grumbling, and shedded a few tears, but it calmed down later on.

Strolling on HK Island

Post pic: On Mt. Cameron, overlooking Ocean Park in Aberdeen, HK Island.

Bride's Pool

My first time hiking in the pouring rain, and it was so exciting!! Feet got drenched with all the overflowing streams that we had to cross. Most of the villages that we passed through were abandoned. Slipped onto my arse once, but that's no biggie... Gosh... knackered, too tired to type.

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Met up at Tai Po Market MTR station, caught the no. 275R bus to Bride's Pool.

Trail: Bride's Pool > Sam A Chung > Lai Chi Wo > Luk Keng

Distance: 14 km

Duration: 7-8 hours

Post pic: No pics, cos this silly girl had forgotten her camera.

Attack of the Cheese Bun in Sai Kung

This morning I had porridge and a cheese bun for breakfast, unaware of the fact that this innocent-looking cheese bun was waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Today I went hiking in Sai Kung, which is on the opposite side of Hong Kong for me. It was the hottest day of the year so far (30-odd degrees), and the sky was a lovely blue. I was planning to do the full 24.7km hike, but halfway through stage 1, I suddenly saw stars, and I wasn't feeling too good... Yup, it was food-poisoning. Now, having diarrhoea is a bad thing, but it goes without saying that having diarrhoea in the middle of nowhere is even worse.
An hour and a half later, I was feeling better, and I managed to get to a bus stop. The people in the group were very supportive, I had medicated oil rubbed into me, and a Canadian bloke helped carry my rucksack. Spankingly great people.

Hike: Stage 1 - Tai Tan Country Trail; Hau Tong Kai to Hoi Ha Village; 6.7 km.
Stage 2 - Tsak Yue Wu to Pak Sha O; 18 km.

Post pic: At the start of the Tai Tan Country Trail. You can almost see fairies flying around.

PS - No, it wasn't the porridge what done it, cos I've been eating the stuff everyday for the past week.

A Taster

Below is a little video of the hike mentioned in my last post. It shows me wading across the stream with my brand new hiking stick! Unfortunately, it doesn't show us hiking up the slippery rocks, because the camera man was too busy watching his feet! I'm the one wearing a pale pink shirt and brown trousers, with a blue towel around my neck. Really, the video just doesn't do the trail enough justice.

Thanks to SK Shum for the video.