Saturday, March 19, 2022

Island Resort (藍灣半島) in Siu Sai Wan (小西灣) to Chai Wan MTR via Cape Collinson Battery (哥連臣角砲台遺址) & Pottinger Peak (砵甸乍山眺望處)

Duration: 6.5km (3h without stops)

Difficulty: 6/10. I rated it a 6 because of a 100m section after Pottinger Peak that is rope-assisted and slippery. Without the rope portion, the rating would be 4 out of 10. 

Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 1.5 liter. 70% shaded. 

Appreciation: 8/10. Nice views, and a bit of history.

Exercise Area: Yes

Transportation: Take a bus to Island Resort in Siu Sai Wan. There are many getting there (11 or so, Island Resort is the terminus for many). We took 85 from Exit A2 @ Heng Fa Chuen MTR Station (bus stop is just down the stairs on the right. Make sure you spot the bus going to Island Resort).
Return via Chai Wan MTR
.

Why it's worth it:
-------------------------------------
Just off Island Resort, walk towards the harbor, then head right, between the sports courts and the water facilities. Then right after the sports courts

There are toilets on your right at a distance, and stairs on the left. Take the stairs.

After about 25minutes/1.5km, you will reach this point where there are stairs on the left, take them. Then head left at the top of all the stairs.

After a couple of minutes' walk on Cape Collinson Road, you will see this building on your right. The path to the first battery is sloping up right after. Take it.

The first battery/pillbox. Once you are done, retrace your step back to Cape Collinson, head right towards the correctional facility.

Another 2 minutes on the road and you will see little stairs on the fence on the left.
Easy to miss them however. Step over the fence and follow the path all the way down...

... to the Cape Collinson Battery. Very Instagrammed spot (especially from the inside looking out). Once done, retrace your steps all the way back up to the road and head left, again towards the prison.

Once you have reached the Capre Collinson Correctional Facility's gates, take the steps on the right, and go around the fence...

... and over the pipes. There's a clear path afterwards.

The path ends at concrete tombstones. Keep going straight and down into the forest.
The path will then go steeply up. Can be slippery, be careful.

As you ascend, you will reach this split. Head right.

You will eventually reach the Pottinger Peak Country Trail. Head right into it.

Head left here, towards Cape Collinson Road.

After 10 minutes or so on Cape Collinson Road, you will reach this point (there's a trail distance marker). Head right and you will soon arrive at Pottinger Peak View Compass (砵甸乍山觀景台) where the view is superb on a cloudless day. 

Once you are done with the view, keep going on the path which return to Pottinger Peak Country Trail.
But then, keep going straight on the dirt path.

Soon after, you will reach this other dilapidated battery.
From this point on, just follow the dirt path for about 1km or so.
There's going to be a steep and slippery down section. Be careful.

Then, you will reach this point. Take the stairs down on the right.

At the crossroads, take the steps down through the fence opening.
You will go through a cemetery. At the entrance of the cemetary, just keep going straight.
You will soon see the signs guiding you to the Chai Wan MTR. 


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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!