Mac2 to Sharp Peak (蚺蛇尖)

Duration: 

(15.86 kilometers)
6 to 7 hours

Difficulty: 10/10. Hands required to climb some of the sections. Make sure you print the Garmin map for reference.

Appreciation: 10/10. One if not the most scenic hike in Hong Kong.

Transportation: From Sai Kung, take a cab to High Island Reservoir dam 萬宜水庫 (get all the way to the pavilion). At the end, take a boat from the Chek Keng Hau bay pier to Wong Shek pier.To do on a Sunday so you can take the 96R back to the Diamond Hill MTR.

Why it's worth it:

Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/335835620

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The cab should drop you off at the Easternmost part of the High Island reservoir. Right after the principal dam and the pavilion, you'll head left and start climbing.

After 20 minutes or so of climbing up and down, you'll reach Long Ke beach which is  paradisaical and  nicely shaded, making it a nice spot for pic-nics or even camping if you're into it. Once you're done, follow the trail, more climbing and awesome vistas as per photo (Long Ke)

After the 300 meters climb, you'll start going downhill and eventually reach the merging point with the trail that most Sunday hikers take coming from Sai Kung (it is much easier). Head right.

Arriving in Sai Wan village.

Food break or keep going.

Sai Wan beach. The next bit has no shades so it is a bit painful if you do it in the summer and mid-day. 

After 30-40 minutes and a few "wow" moments, you will have reached Ham Tin Wan where you can rest a bit, have some food, restock your water supply and enjoy the beach. The toughest part of the hike is yet to come so, you'll need all the energy you can muster.
Once you are done, go right through the store and take a left.

After this point, it's all quite obvious; just follow the trail. It is not a steep climb but it keeps going up for about 50 minutes with not much in terms of nice views as rewards for a job well done.

About a 2km walk up from Ham Tin beach (between M039 and M040), you'll reach a bench at the top of a hill with a this sign which describes Sharp Peak. At this point, you must decide if you still have the energy to tackle it because it is going to be a strenuous 2km up, followed by a no-less strenuous 2km down which will bring you back to this very same location you are now at. The path to Sharp Peak is pretty obvious but quite hazardous. If you don't feel good about using your hands to climb some of the sections, don't go.

On the way back, keep going on Maclehose section until you reach M042. There should be a set of stairs going down on the right towards the bay and a path will lead you to the pier where boats can take you to Wong Shek pier. It costs $150 to charter the boat so if you are alone , wait for other hikers to join you so the price can come down to something more reasonable.