Siu Sai Wan (小西灣) to Shek O (石澳泳灘) via Dragon Trail, Pottinger Peak (砵甸乍山眺望處), and Big Wave Bay Beach (大浪灣泳灘)

Duration:  8km (3h)

Difficulty: 6/10. I rated it a 6 because of a 100m section after Pottinger Peak that is rope-assisted and slippery. If you decide that it is too risky (it is not bad at all), you can retrace your step from Pottinger Peak and walk on Pottinger Peak Country trail towards Big Wave Bay. Without the rope portion, the rating would be 4 out of 10. 

Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 1.5 liter. 80% shaded. 

Appreciation: 8/10. Great views, beach, food along at the end, what's not to like!?

Map & Details: https://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/5424169075

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 to Shai Kei Wan MTR via bus #9 in Shek O. If you do not care about walking to Shek O, there's a minibus from the Big Wave Bay car park that will get you to Shai Kei Wan MTR.

Why it's worth it:

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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 right at the top of all the stairs.

Just after this little shop on the left, about 10m in...

... is the Pottinger Peak Country Trail on your left. Climb these stairs up.

Take the first left at the top of the stairs to reach Pottinger Peak View Compass

Enjoy the view at Pottinger View Compass, then retrace your steps...

... and go straight at the intersection where you had turned left.

Pottinger Peak in sight!

Very Instagramable Pottinger Battery
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23889786?seq=1
At this point, if you don't like the idea of going down a slope with the aid of a rope, retrace your steps to the crossroad, and go right. Otherwise, march on!

Keep going and you will see the RTHK broadcast antenna building, go around on the left.

It is a short while after this point that the path goes down and is rope assisted.

About 30 minutes after the RTHK broadcast building and past the ropes, you will reach this point, head left on the path and you will connect...

... to Hong Kong Trail Section 8. Head left where you will see...

... this gazebo. Follow the catch water on your left.

Keep going straight on Pottinger Peak Country Trail for about 15 minutes.

You will reach this fork, with a bench, head right, towards Big Wave Bay Beach.

At the bottom of the stairs, the path veers abruptly to the right a the cliff, with beach in sight. Take the path on the left which will take you to ancient carvings. Then head towards the beach.

Go past the lifeguard tower, through the BBQ site, then walk on the beach and go straight through the village...

... after a while, you will reach the car park, where you can take a minibus to the city, or keep walking towards Shek O. No sidewalks though so be careful.

Keep going straight at the roundabout.

After the golf-course, you will reach Shek O with the bus terminus being immediately on your left. #9 will get you back to Shai Kei Wan MTR. But, why not enjoy some food in Shek O, and check out the beach.

Lei Yue Mun (鯉魚門) loop

Duration: 

4km (1 hour)

Difficulty: 

9/10. A- 56m elevation gain. 50% sun exposed. Heavy bushwacking, sometimes no trail, rock-climbing down

1/10. B- If you skip the Pottinger Battery. 2m elevation gain. Sun exposed when not in seafood village.

Cel phone coverage: Full.

Water needs: 0.75 liter.

Appreciation: 8/10. I really liked Lei Yue Mun; it feels like you are on an island but yet, in the city.

Map & Details: https://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/3592352470

Exercise Area: No

Transportation: Yau Tong MTR exit A2

Why it's worth it: 

History: 

https://coconuts.co/hongkong/features/seafood-serenity-and-stray-dogs-hong-kongs-lei-yue-mun/

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/dine-drink/where-to-eat/lei-yue-mun.jsp

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Yau Tong, Exit A2

Go down the stairs on the right, right out of exit A2. Then just keep following Cho Kwo Ling Rd road, all the way to the harbour-side and the Lei Yue Mun archway... can't miss it.

Cross the street

As I said, just follow the road...

Here you are!

Pwetty...

Go down the stairs and into the seafood village.

In the seafood village, just follow the red-colored ground path and it will lead you to the other side of the village.
Great food to be had there by-the-way. We liked their cooking better than in Tuen Muen.

You'll see a sports court, go around on the right.

Uncles & aunties have all sorts of traditional snacks for you to buy...

Lei Yue Mun Coast Lighthouse

Keep going

Ok, at the red fire-hydrant. This is where you make your most important decision.
On the left is the more difficult path (A), bushwacking, rock-climbing down, and sometimes no real trail to speak of. It is more treacherous... you are warned.
If you just want an easy walk, just go straight towards the shore (B) and keep following the path all the way to the quarry and then back the same way, all the way to the MTR. Still a nice walk, and great food!

Ok, so you decided that you are a tough guy/gal eh!? Good for you!
The path climbs aside the village houses and you'll go over this 'Wilson Trail' sign.

Shortly after (less than 50m), you exit the village on a path with these concrete railings.
When you get to this point, the path veers left and you should see concrete blocks on your right and a faint footpath. That is where you want to go. There are some faded ribbons but, in general, for about 150m, you'll probably be wondering whether you are going the right away, which should generally be Eastward.

You should get to this post. Just keep going and the path becomes better defined after

Finally, you'll reach the Pottinger Battery. Not too much to look at anymore.

Unusual views of Hong Kong however are worth a few snaps

When you are done, go down through the well maintained path

... and then the path ends, leaving you a bit baffled. But, from that point, you can see the ruins of the Old Lei Yue Mun quarry's building down in the distance. No path, but that's the direction you need to go. Be careful...

After having cursed at me a few times, you'll get to this point, right atop the quarry. Go to the edge...

... that's where you have to come down, viewed from the bottom.
It is not as hard as it looks and it is only about 7m down.Still, watch your steps.

There's a little rocky beach

Once done, just follow the path going back to the village.
There are a few forks but in all cases, pick the path staying closest to the harbour

Soon enough, you'll go by, and through this Man-Mo temple

Take a few minutes to think about your ancestors... then resume your walk.
In about 5 minutes, you should be back to the A-B fork and you can just return to the MTR. Alternatively, you can also take the ferry to Hong Kong Island