Monday, May 26, 2014

Tai Tam to Quarry Bay via Sheung Tam Stream (雙潭石澗)

(updated 2022-03-11)
Duration: 
(11 kilometers)
4.5 hours

Difficulty: 7/10. 592m elevation gain

Cel phone coverage: Everywhere.

Water needs: 1.5 liter

Appreciation: 9/10. Great stream after a downpour, and great views of Victoria Harbour

Transportation: Sai Wan Ho MTR, Exit A. Take bus 14 and exit right after the dam. Return via Quarry Bay MTR.

Why it's worth it:



Map & Details: 

Exercise Area: No

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The bus stop to Tai Tam is right off Sai Wan Ho MTR, Exit A. About 25 minutes ride.
Ring the bell when you're on the Tai Tam dam (there's just one on the way). Stop right after the dam.

Beginning of the trek is right across the bus stop.  

It starts with a nice and gentle paved hike.

Head left right before the bridge.

Then right and down.

You'll go by this dam. There's a path going up on the other side of the walkway.

About 20m into that path, it curves to the left. Take the offshoot path to the right and get into the stream. 

Lots of places to swim if you feel like it on a warm day.

This first stream ends about 100m before the dam. There's a picnic area on the right on an elevated stone area.

After a short break (maybe a snack). Head left on the path.


Left after the dam's bridge

Follow Wong Nai Chung Gap Road

At this point, head right and down. You are going towards the second stream

Don't enter the stream on the first waterfall on the left. The stream to enter is about 10-15 minutes walk further along the path.

That's the stream you will enter, at the end of the footpath. Just don't enter it right away a go up behind the sign and you'll see the entry point to the stream a few meters up.
There's one big waterfall and a few nice pools.

This is the end of the second stream. Go up the stairs and onto the road.

You'll see the ParkView estate on your right. Walk towards it.

Then, back on a bone fide trail. On your right, you can't miss the entry point to the Wilson Trail.
That's where you are going. 


Whenever there's an intersection, keep following the Wilson trail signs

Follow this little guy

At one point, you'll reach somewhat of an open-air temple. At this point, just go straight, you no-longer are following the WIlson trail. From this point on, just keep going towards the city. You can't really get lost. Once you reach the town, Quarry Bay MTR is on your left, Tai Koo MTR on your right, pretty much at equal distance.
Hope you liked your hike!

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Tai Po Kau (大埔滘)

Duration: 
(7.7 kilometers)
3 hours

Difficulty: 3/10. 383m of climb


Cel phone coverage: Everywhere.

Water needs: 1 liter

Appreciation: 8/10 as a forest hike

Transportation: Tai Po Market MTR. Take mini-bus 28k and ask to be dropped off at the "Chueng Tsai Yuen" bassi tsam. Return via Fo Tan MTR (can walk all the way there or take minibus 60k on Wong Chuk Yeung street, as we did as shown on the map)

Why it's worth it:


Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/487150948


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Take minibus 28k at the minibus terminus @ the Tai Po Market MTR

About after a 20 minutes minibus ride, ask to get off at the Chueng Tsai Yuen bus stop (you will go by the Tai Po Kau park entrance on your right, before the bus stop). You will have to retrace your steps for about 100meters
Retracing your steps towards the park entrance
Park entrance
Stay on the paved road at the first intersection, direction of the Tai Po Kau Forest walk
At the Tai Pau Kau nature reserve, take the branch going-up, following the Red Walk for a short while
For the rest of the trail, best to print the Garmin map and follow accordingly. A few pictures references below.





You can take 60k back to the MTR in Fo Tan, or just walk to the MTR

Hike Hong Kong Web Site

HikeHongKOng on Facebook

Please, don't litter!

Hiking is about communion with nature. So please pickup after yourself. There's no excuse to leave plastic bags, water bottles or any rubbish on or around the trails; if you managed to bring it, you can manage to bring it back!