Sunday, January 22, 2017

Bride's pool, Wu Kau Tang (烏蛟騰) to Bluff Head/Wong Chuk Kok Tsui (黃竹角咀). Devil's Fist (鬼手岩)

Duration: 
One way: 6hours, 14km. From Wong Chuk Kok Tsui to Wu Kau Tang. You have to get a speedboat to drop you off at Wong Chuk Kok Tsui
Return:  9-12 hours, 28km. You will have to either leave very, very early (6am) so you can make the return minibus, or plan to camp there

Difficulty:
One way: 8/10. Hard because of distance, terrain (slippery, loose rocks), bushwacking, 500m elevation gain
Return: 10/10. Double the distance and elevation gain! Only for experienced hikers. In both cases, I would suggest shades, long sleeves and long pants because of the bushwacking part. Don't skimp on water

Cel phone coverage: No coverage

Water needs: 2.5 liters

Appreciation: 9/10. Nice views. Interesting rocks formations. But don't get your hopes up too much for Devil's Fist; it is a small rock formation.

Transportation:
One way: Hire a speedboat to Wong Chuk Kok Tsui (黃竹角咀). Devil's Fist (鬼手岩), then hike to Wu Kau Tang. There, minibus 20R will take you to Tai Po Market MTR station. Last 20R is at 8:15pm so manage your time wisely!
Return: Minibus 20R from Tai Po Market to terminus Wu Kau Tang. Return the same way. Again, last 20R is at 8:15pm !


Why it's worth it:
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Below are the instructions for the return trip to Wong Chuk Kok Tsui. Again, only for the experienced hikers (ones who routinely can do 15k+ hikes in non-flat terrain)
Exit A at Tai Po Market MTR station. Go in the tunnel. The go towards the Minibus terminus (left)

Minibus' schedule calls for once every hour, but they often add buses due to the route being quite busy on weekends. The bus trip to Wu Kau Tang is between 30 and 45 minutes. Wu Kau Tang is the terminus (pictured here)

A few meters back on the road where the bus came from, there's a path leading to the village. Take it

Go through the small village

Left or right around the toilet. Doesn't really matter. Path afterwards will be on the right

Just out of the small village

You want to go towards Plover Cove Country Trail


Can't miss it; a big board with a map of the trail. Take the path going up on the left of the board


Nice views along the way...




An hour and a half or so along the way. Head right at the sign. On your way back, you can always take the other way to Wu Kau Tang which is a bit easier (less scenic) and faster

Yeah, yeah...

At this point, take the path to the right...

Just as a reference


This is where you leave the Plover Cove Country trail and get on the bushwacking path towards Wong Chuk Kok Tsui. About 3.5hours/7km from the bus-terminus in Wu Kau Tang

The trail is mostly well-worned. When it gets a little bit more questionable, follow the ribbon markers

At this point, you probably have another2, 2.5 hours to go. When you reach a big pile of rocks with a sign (all in Chinese), you're almost there. The path keeps going to the right, then down to the water. The Devil's fist is there right on the rocky beach. The path going down is a bit treacherous so big mindful of loose rocks and slippery terrain. Once you are done marveling at Nature, retrace your steps all the way to Wu Kau Tang

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Lung Ha Wan (龍蝦灣 - Lobster Bay) and Tai Leng Tung (大嶺峒 - Great Ridge Cave)

Duration: 
3.5 hours (7 km), with 30 minutes of sightseeing included

Difficulty: 5/10. 290m ascent

Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 1 liter

Appreciation: 8/10. Nice views. Horses. Lobsters nowhere to be found though...

Transportation: To and back via bus 91 that you can take at Diamond Hill MTR station, exit 'C'. Get off at Tai Au Mun. You can also take a cab from anywhere in Tseung Kwan O if you want quicker access.


Why it's worth it:

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At Diamond Hill MTR station exit 'C', take bus 91, get off at Tai Au Mun

Right off the bus, head on the left-most at the roundabout. That's Lung Ha Wan Road

Can't really miss it. About 100meters onto Lung Ha Wan Road, there will be a road to the Cham Shan monastery on your right. If you feel like it, that can be a nice little stop. Then continue on Lung Ha Wan Road which you will follow all the way to the next stop.

Paved and shaded

About 1.5km along Lung Ha Wan road, you'll reach this set of stairs on your left, going down to the bay where you will find some rock carvings. Great views there. When done, go back on the road and keep going.

After 300 or so meters on Lung Ha Wan, you'll reach the Clearwater Bay Equestrian and Education Centre. Take a quick break to admire the fine animals. You can also replenish in snacks/water and there are toilets. At the end of the dust road, there's a path leading to a pic-nic area with nice views, and people will often fly kites there. Once you are all done, come back to the spot pictured, then climb the stairs on the right on the photo. You are starting the Lung Ha Wan Country Trail proper.



Follow the Lung Ha Wan country trail

About 260m climb from this point. The path will lead you to more nice views and the peak of Tai Leng Tung. Then will end at a very large BBQ area. You will have to follow Clear Water Bay road back to your starting point where you can return via bus 91. You can probably also get a cab at the BBQ area

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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!