spacer 06 05 04 03 02 01 spacer   WONG NAI CHUNG GAP TO ABERDEEN DATE: 13.01.2006 Starting from Wong Nai Chung Gap I climbed Black's Link but then left the Hong Kong Trail to follow a mysterious, shaded mud contour path. That is one of the great things about hiking in Hong Kong - there are almost always hidden, unsignposted alternatives to the major hiking trails on offer. After this I walked to Aberdeen reservoir, soaking up the afternoon sun. spacer   KING OF THE HILLS SAI KUNG RECCE DATE: 22.11.2005 This Sunday sees the beginning of the King of the Hills trailrunning series. Four races over some of the most beautiful and rugged countryside in Hong Kong. As preparation I walked the route for this weeks' Sai Kung race. Starting at Pak Tam Chung, passing through Hoi Ha and To Kwa Peng. Climbing Tai Cham Koi. An amazing, challenging, diverse route. spacer   JARDINE'S LOOKOUT TO KORNHILL DATE: 10.11.2005 Myself and Ully started from Wong Nai Chung Gap and followed the Tai Tam Country Trail for a while before taking some unsignposted, more exciting paths to intersect with the Hong Kong and Wilson Trails. We now walked over Jardine's Lookout and Siu Ma Shan and descended on the Wilson Trail, passing a cute temple on the way down. The hike ended at Kornhill. spacer   SAM A TSUEN & LAI CHI WO EXPLORATION DATE: 06.11.2005 A quiet start from Wu Kau Tang around the coast of Sam A Wan to Sam A Tsuen where we stopped for food and bumped into Super Spence. We then walked to Lai Chi Wo and from here things became interesting. We spent a couple of hours exploring the overgrown, lush shrubbery behind Lai Chi Wo, finding many unique paths. Progress was slow, but fun! spacer   LUK KENG ROUND TRIP DATE: 11.04.2005 I hiked with the Monday Ladies Hiking Group. We started from Luk Keng and climbed Tiu Tang Lung on tough, unsignposted paths made slippery and difficult by rain. We battled on bravely and by the time we began the super steep descent to Kuk Po were bathed in glorious sunshine. We then climbed the rugged Shek Nga Tau and passed through Kuk Po. spacer   TAI SHING STREAM & BAMBOO DATE: 29.03.2005 I started this hike from San Uk Ka and followed the Wilson Trail uphill to Lead Mine Pass. After this I initially started following MacLehose Trail stage 8 but soon branched off to take one of the many unsignposted mud paths in this area. I stopped at my favourite bamboo grove to take some photos and then crossed the large Tai Shing Stream before finishing at Shing Mun. spacer   PLOVER COVE IN THE RESERVOIR DATE: 08.03.2005 A very exciting hike. Starting at Wu Kau Tang we climbed a river bed steeply up to the ridge surrounding Plover Cove Reservoir. After following this trail for a short while we descended into the reservoir basin. It was interesting to see some of the remains of the Hakka villages that used to be there. We followed the basin all the way to Tai Mei Tuk. spacer   LUK WU COUNTRY TRAIL TO SAI WAN DATE: 07.03.2005 Johanna and Lilly were not sure of their hiking ability but dealt with everything, even laughing when I got them totally lost on an overgrown path! We followed the Luk Wu Country Trail before following some overgrown, unmarked paths down to Sai Wan which required a little scrambling effort. We were all happy when we got to Ham Tin beach, and relaxed. spacer   PAK LONG COASTAL WALK & MOON DATE: 01.03.2005 An interesting hike. Starting near Pak Long we followed the coast, navigating lots of tricky rocky sections. We eventually passed black point power station and at this point headed into the hills near castle peak. These are strangely eroded and sandy, deprived of vegetation - a bit like the surface of the moon. Finally we followed a river bed all the way home. spacer   TAI LONG WAN CHRISTMAS CAMP DATE: 26.12.2004 Jean Yves, Jonee and I decided to leave the city behind at Christmas and enjoy nature instead. We took the ferry from Ma Liu Shui to Chek Keng and crested Tai Long Au before descending to Tai Long village. We put our tents on Tai Long beach and ate some delicious food at Ham Tin. The next morning we woke up early and enjoyed sunrise on the beach. Gorgeous! spacer   PLOVER COVE NIGHTS DATE: 14.12.2004 Sunset always lends an aura of calm to proceedings. After a gorgeous day I headed out to Plover Cove Reservoir for a night hike. The undulating steep ups and downs were really fun, and listening out for strange animal noises added a fun dimension to the walk. At certain points I sat down to rest and took some photos as sunset and darkness approached. spacer   LUK KENG STREAM HIKE DATE: 27.05.2004 This was great fun! Starting from Nam Chung we passed through a semi-industrial farming area until reaching a wide river bed, punctuated by large pot holes. As we continued upwards the river bed became steeper and more technically challenging. Eventually we emerged at the Pat Sin Leng range and descended to Ping Shan Chai and Sha Lo Tung. spacer   CHEK LAP KOK VILLAGE STREAM HIKE DATE: 20.05.2004 Starting from Chek Lap Kok village we walked past a storm pipe that leads all the way to Shek Pik Reservoir and followed the wide river bed uphill, stopping often to swim and relax in the large pools. The river bed eventually became narrower and very rugged and exciting with dramatic views. Near the top there were some very steep sections. Great fun!!! spacer   SAI WAN, HAM TIN WAN & SHARP PEAK DATE: 04.05.2004 A very relaxing day. Starting from Sai Wan pavilion I walked down to Sai Wan beach and then continued over the hill to Ham Tin beach. Walking back over Tai Long Au pass the view of Sharp Peak and its surroundings was superb. So I stopped to potter around a bit and take some nice photos. Eventually I rolled down the hill to Chek Keng and took the ferry. spacer   TURRET HILL & JUMPETY JUMP DATE: 02.05.2004 From Fa Sam Hang village I followed the clear mud path that leads to Mui Tsz Lam. At Nui Po Au I left this path and climbed up to Turret Hill, with its very charismatic and strikingly shaped stone formations. The weather here was gorgeous so I stopped for some time to enjoy the views and take some photos. After this I went to Nui Po Shan before descending. spacer   LION ROCK & BEACON HILL DATE: 26.04.2004 Myself and Jean Yves started from Tsz Wan Shan and passed the slightly dishevelled but interesting Kwun Yum Temple complex, where we stopped to explore for a bit. After this we took the long, steep climb up to Lion Rock from where there is a great view over Kowloon. We then followed a ridge trail down and climbed over Beacon Hill before descending. spacer   PARKVIEW TO KORNHILL DATE: 23.04.2004 Starting from Parkview I climbed towards Jardine's Lookout. It was a really charismatic day, with lots of dark, ominous clouds and fresh, blooming undergrowth. I climbed Mount Butler to Quarry Gap and took the gorgeous, quietly technical Boa Vista contour trail. I then followed a catchwater for a short while before a technical mud path and then finished at Kornhill. spacer   TSING LUNG TAU TO NAM HANG PAI DATE: 20.04.2004 From Tsing Lung Tau I climbed steadily towards the Sham Tseng settlement basin and followed an undulating country parks road. I then followed the Yuen Tun Country Trail for a while, walking along peaceful, gently undulating contour paths and enjoying the green wonderland. After this I walked through Sheung Tong village before finishing at the very tranquil Nam Hang Pai. spacer   SHING MUN RESERVOIR TO CHUEN LUNG DATE: 31.03.2004 From Shing Mun Reservoir Ully and I followed the Lung Mun Country Trail to Chuen Lung. It was a misty, humid day and really atmospheric. The Lung Mun Country Trail typifies many things that are great about hiking in Hong Kong. Amazing, shaded mud paths surrounded by lush greenery. Interesting features like bamboo, river beds and rocks. Really gorgeous. spacer   NEEDLE HILL SUNSET DATE: 19.02.2004 Hiking in Hong Kong is as much about appreciating the scenery and enjoying calm moments as it is about vigorous exercise. I began the hike by following some mud trails around Shing Mun Reservoir and as sunset approached joined Anna at the top of Needle Hill to watch the sun set. After this we headed past the Lutheran Theological Seminary to Sha Tin. spacer   LUK KENG ROUND TRIP VIA LAI CHI WO DATE: 17.02.2004 Starting from Wu Kau Tang I walked to Lai Chi Wo village. Lai Chi Wo is about 400 years old and the name translates as Lychee Nest. This refers to the lychee fruit plantations that were originally there. These are no longer visible but the gorgeous feng shui woodland, massive old village square and mostly abandoned Hakka houses in the village are really interesting. spacer   REPULSE BAY ROUND TRIP DATE: 21.01.2004 I started walking from Wong Nai Chung Gap and climbed Jardone's Lookout and Mount Butler before descending to Quarry Gap. From here I followed the really gorgeous Hong Pak Country Trail before taking a steep, overgrown path to Mount Parker. After decending close to Tai Tam Reservoir I followed a very overgrown, steep descent and finished at Repulse Bay. spacer   FIRE ON BUFFALO HILL DATE: 13.01.2004 Hong Kong is sadly prone to frequent hill fires. These are often caused by human activity such as joss sticks and paper from countryside graves, barbecues or campfires and litter burning by farmers. After a large fire on West Buffalo Hill I went there to take a few photos of the devastation. The fire had occured a couple of days before I took the photos. spacer   MA ON SHAN AND BUFFALO HILL DATE: 24.12.2003 Starting from Wong Nai Tau I climbed over West Buffalo Hill and Buffalo Hill to MacLehose Trail stage 4. After following this for a while I climbed over rugged Pyramid Hill and stopped to take some photos enjoying the clarity of the views. I then climbed back down to the MacLehose Trail and retraced my steps to Buffalo Pass before finishing the walk at Wong Nai Tau again. spacer   LUK KENG NIGHT PANORAMAS DATE: 21.12.2003 Jean Yves and I decided on a late sunset hike. We started from Luk Keng and followed the coast to Fung Hang village. From here we continued along the coast, walking towards Yung Shue Au as the sun was setting. The views over Starling Inlet (Sha Tau Kok Hoi) were really gorgeous. After this we retraced our steps finishing the hike back at Luk Keng. spacer   TIU TANG LUNG & SO LO PUN & VILLAGES DATE: 12.05.2003 From Luk Keng I followed an overgrown, bamboo grove containing, undulating path to a fire lookout. From here I took another rough path to the peak of Tiu Tang Lung before plummeting once again to fascinating, abandoned Kop Tong village. I then passed Lai Chi Wo before continuing to the ghost village of So Lo Pun, climbing again and finishing at Luk Keng. spacer   PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR DATE: 21.04.2003 From Tai Mei Tuk I followed the really pleasant Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail to Bride's Pool. After this I began to walk around Plover Cove Reservoir. At Luk Wu Tung I left the main path and followed an overgrown path over a hill and then pushed through undergropwth back to the main, clear path. I continued around the reservoir at sunset and finished at Tai Mei Tuk. spacer   PAT SIN LENG TO PLOVER COVE DATE: 03.12.2002 A long, tough hike. I started with the long, sustained climb of Cloudy Hill before descending to Hok Tau Reservoir before immediately climbing steeply again to the Ping Fung Shan ridge, passing Wong Leng and then following the Pat Sin Leng ridge. After descending to Wu Kau Tang I continued by walking around Plover Cove Reservoir. Relaxing and enjoying the views. spacer   WU KAU TANG TO LAI CHI WO DATE: 11.11.2002 Jean Yves and I started with a gentle stroll before starting a rugged climb towards Tiu Tang Lung. We explored several of the unsignposted paths in the area which involved a lot of scrambling before relaxing at Lai Chi Wo old village square. We then explored more overgrown, bushy paths passing Pan Pui Teng and Lo Fu Sheng Teng. Real adventure! spacer   CHAI KEK VILLAGE TO HELICOPTER PATH DATE: 08.11.2002 We started from Chai Kek village and walked past Man Tak Garden up the old village path to the Ng Tung Chai main waterfall. From here we followed a lush, overgrown landslide trail past the Scatter Falls and then up a grassy, beautiful climb to join MacLehose Trail stage 8. At Lead Mine Pass we followed the muddy, lush 'Helicopter Path' contour trail. Oh yeah!!! spacer 05 04 03 02 01 spacer back to top