Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Stanley to Quarry Bay via Tai Tam and Mount Parker

Duration: 
(13 kilometers)
4 hours

Difficulty: 5/10. Quite easy and shaded throughout. Elevation gain is very progressive. A nice walk on a hot summer day or at anytime you want to go for a nice easy walk. Still 13k so if you never hiked, might be long-ish


Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 1.5 liter

Appreciation: 7/10. Bring your swimming attire as there's a nice little detour to the Tai Tam mound waterfall (9/10 with the waterfall break).

Transportation: Get to Stanley Plaza via various buses (6, 6X, etc). Ends at Quarry Bay MTR

Why it's worth it:





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Exit at the Stanley Plaza bus stop and trace back from where the bus came from (Carmel Road).

After about 250m, you'll have a path on the right through the woods. Take it.

Just out of the woods and at the junction, head left on Repulse Bay Road. Stay on the sidewalk on the left as there's no sidewalk on the right and it could be dangerous

Look for the bus stop on the right, a few hundred meters in. Cross the road and take the stairs.

Our fashionable model Anthony shows us the stairs. He sports a pre-33 degrees/85% humidity hike smile! At the top of the stairs, head left on the water catchment path (The Twins Catchwater).

After about 1.5/2 km on the catchwater, you'll get here, at the intersection of the Wilson trail. Cross the bridge and head left towards Tai Tam reservoir.

Junction at the reservoir, head left on Tai Tam Reservoir Road.

Walk on Tai Tam Reservoir Road until you reach a path on your right (Hong Kong Trail Section 6). That's the little refreshing detour.
Walk until you see a small wooden bridge. There's somewhat of a path on the right going down in the bushes (on the right side from where you came from, left side from the bridge). Go down that path. Be careful. Then at the bottom, the waterfall is on the left.

Clear water for a swim. Nice area for a picnic. Once you are done, trace your steps back to the road

At the road, head right. You can follow either MT Parker Road or Hong Kong trail Section 6, they get to the same place.

If you followed HK Trail Section 6, head right at the junction on the island

Top of Mt Parker. Head right. Go all the way down on Mt Parker Rd to King's Road in Quarry Bay. Turn left on King's Road and the Quarry Bay MTR is about 200m onto King's Road

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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!