Monday, December 18, 2017

Shek Uk Shan (石屋山)

Duration: 
9.4k, 4.5 hours

Difficulty: 
9/10. 526m elevation gain.
Bushwhacking in steep ascent on about 1km of the hike. Highly recommend not to do this trail unless you have a GPS and you can follow my map on it. Otherwise, the chances of getting lost in the bushes are high.

Cel phone coverage: Partial.

Water needs: 1.5 liters.

Appreciation: 8/10. 


Transportation: Green minibus 7 from Sai Kung. Get off at Pak Sha O Youth Hostel. Return via bus 96R or 94.

Why it's worth it: 
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At Sai Kung minibus terminus, take green minibus 7.

There will be no "official" stop there so stay close to the minibus driver and follow on the GPS map to let him know when you are getting close and need to be dropped off at Pak Sha O Youth Hostel. Then just follow the concrete path

Easy stuff at this point

Right of the houses

About 35minutes in, and 2.35km, you'll arrive at a junction. Turn left towards Sham Shung.
At this point, still easy and no chances of getting lost

About 1km further, you'll reach a 4-way junction. The path continues on to Sham Shung but you want to instead turn left and start bushwhacking. That's the tough part; it is overgrown, steep, and climbs for about about 2km until you reach the top of Shek Uk Shan.  

Looking back as you ascend

Yeah, pretty much overgrown like that all the way up...

That's your goal. The top of Shek Uk Shan. If you get lost, focus on getting there. Once you reached it, the trail is on the other side and well used. No chances of getting lost anymore. However, pictures would help much. Follow the map still

Eventually, you'll reach the small store by the campground were you can stop for some noodles and fishballs. Thenkeep going through the campground...

Just follow the signs to Pak Tam Au at this point...

You will be on Mac 3... easy peasy from this point on. Stairs going down to the road. You'll see the buses going by. Cross the road and then you will be taking 96R to Diamond Hill or 94 to Sai Kung

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Fotan to Pineapple dam

Duration: 
14k, 4 hours

Difficulty: 
6/10 
570m elevation gain

Cel phone coverage: Partial.

Water needs: 1.5 liters.

Appreciation: 7/10. Not very scenic but a nicely shaded hike through forests.


Transportation: Fotan MTR, Exit B. Return at Pineapple Dam via minibus 82M (one every 10 minutes roughly)

Why it's worth it: 

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Exit B at Fotan MTR

A bridge will be 40m ahead, right out of the MTR station

Take the bridge and then head right

You will be walking along Fotan Road for about 800m


There's a very small "park" (Kwei Tei Street Garden) at the end of Fotan Rd that you will go through

Go around on the right of the building (which may be done building when you hike this path), then up the stairs

Atop the stairs, head right again...


About 2.5km and 35min walk from the MTR station, head right at the fork



Then stay on the left as a few paths will be going right


Careful not to miss this one. 3.3km, and about 50 minutes into your hike, there's going to be a small sign and a dirt path going up on your right which you must take. If you miss it, it is not too bad as you can take the next right. Not as fun though!

Long pants for some bushwhacking. Path is quite clear however...


You will join the main road, Tai Po Kau Forest Track where you will want to head left

Keep left (@ 4.4 km)

Still left (@ 4.9km)


Left

Left

Right towards Shing Mun reservoir (@ 8.7 km)

Arboretum @ 9.9km

Left

Right. You will then follow along the Shing Mun reservoir which is quite pretty

At about 13 km, you'll see a map, take the stairs going down next to it. Easy to miss from the road.
You are about 40 minutes away from the minibus stop

Here ya go; Minibus 82m stop which will bring you back in town (Tsuen Wan)

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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!