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

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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!