Sunday, March 31, 2019

High Island Reservoir (萬宜水庫; maan6 ji4 seoi2 fu3) to Sai Kung beaches

Duration: 
13km (4.5 hours)

Difficulty: 
6/10. 568m elevation gain. Sun exposed throughout 

Cel phone coverage: Partial.

Water needs: 1.5 liter.

Appreciation: 10/10. Best combination of beaches and mountain views. Hong Kong Geopark at the beginning. Fishing villages at the end.


Exercise Area: No

Transportation: Take a taxi in Sai Kung, in front of the 7-11 and ask the driver to get you to High Island Reservoir (萬宜水庫; maan6 ji4 seoi2 fu3). Return to Sai Kung via bus 92 at Wong Chek pier, or bus 94 all the way to Diamond Hill on Sundays & public holidays.

Why it's worth it: 


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High Island Reservoir (萬宜水庫; maan6 ji4 seoi2 fu3). This is where the cab will drop you off. You can spend a bit of time going down to check-out the Hong Kong GeoPark's rock formations. When done, head left to the trail. 

About 35 minutes later, you will arrive at the first beach, Long Ke Wan. Keep going on the path which has been a bit beaten up by typhoon Mankut. The trail goes up the mountain and you'll get this view of Long Ke Wan if you look back

About 4km and 1.5 hour into your hike, you'll reach this point where you can admire, in order, Sai Wan, Ham Tin, and Tai Long beaches... 

You will then hike back down for another 40 minutes to this crossroad with a map. Head right and down towards Sai Wan


Sai Wan (little beach)

The path going up after Sai Wan is quite clearly demarcated.
You may want to cross the bridge on the left if water level is high 
After 8km and 3.5 hours, you'll be about at this point, overlooking the wonderful Ham Tin beach!


Rest for a while at Ham Tin beach, have a bit to eat, then when done, go through the store and head on the path to the left. Then just follow the path for about another 50 minutes (3km)

Exactly at trail marker M042 (encircled on the picture), you will see stairs on your right. Take them and follow the path to the Sha Tau pier. You can take a fast boat to Wong Shek pier where the bus terminus back to Sai Kung is.


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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!