Shorter Chi Ma Wan loop (Sesame bay-芝麻灣半島)

Duration: 
13k, 4.5 hours

Difficulty: 

7/10, 8/10 if really hot as the first few kilometers are in plain sun and climbing.
477m elevation gain

Cel phone coverage: Coverage everywhere.

Water needs: 1.5 liters.

Appreciation: 9/10. Although not as scenic as MacLehose section 2 and 3, Chi Ma Wan has some gorgeous sights. And it starts and ends at a beach so that's quite nice in itself.

Map & Details: http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/2582544724/

Transportation: Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo. 35 to 50 minutes depending on whether you take the fast or slow ferry. Then take NLB 1 and stop in Pui-O (about 10 minutes), you can ask the bus driver for cheaper fare as this sectional. Return the same way.

Why it's worth it: 

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Exit the bus in Pui-O. That's the first village after the drive in the hills.

At the 'Welcome to Pui O' statue, take the Chi Ma Wan road.

Follow the Chi Ma Wan road.

You will be walking on Chi Ma Wan road for 25-30 minutes.

Eventually, on your right, you will see the start of the Chi Ma Wan country trail for you to take. 

Take the stairs next to the map. Don't take the left nor right path.

About an hour and 3.5km in, you will have reached the Miu Tsai Tun peak.
Soak-in the amazing views. The path path will go down a bit then back up to the Lo Yan Shan peak. After Lo Yan Shan, it's mostly shaded and a relatively easy hike.

About 1.5 hour in and a little bit more than 4km, you'll reach this intersection. If you head left, you'll get the long version of Chi Ma Wan. But this time, head right and up

About 1h50 hour in and 5.25km, you'll reach this intersection. Head right. Then keep going straight on that trail until you have looped back at Pui-O beach, at the beginning of the trail.

Hong Kong Trail Section 3 and 4

Duration: 

(15 kilometers)
4 hours

Difficulty: 4/10

Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 2 liters. Please, do not litter! 

Appreciation: 7.5/10. While there aren't many nice views, section 3 of the Hong Kong trail is shaded and goes through nice woods and streams, with the occasional waterfalls. Quite a nice trail on a hot summer day

Transportation: CityBus No. 7 from Exchange Square. Get off at Tsung Man Street in Aberdeen. Return via buses 6 (to Central) or 76 (Causeway Bay) at Wong Nai Chung Gap.

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Get off at Tsung Man Street in Aberdeen

Keep on going on Aberdeen Reservoir Road

Until you reach Peel Rise. Take a left on Peel Rise 

Keep going up on Peel Rise, you'll get to this barrier. Keep going straight...

... you'll reach the trail head on your right, take it. There will be a map. Keep on the trail (don't take the stairs, they bypass pretty much all of section 3)

En general, just follow the signs with the little hiking guys...

Keep following the HK trail signs...

At the end of section 4. Buses will be on your left.

East Island dam coastal hike

(updated 2021-03-01) 

Duration: 

(7 kilometers)
3 hours

Cel phone coverage: None

Water needs: 2 liters. Not shaded.

Difficulty: 7/10 because there's some steep descents.

Appreciation: 10/10. Nice views, nice beach. Amazing views on part of Hong Kong Geopark.

Map & Details: 

Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/285297622

Exercise Area: No

Transportation: From SaiKung, takes the Taxi to the East Island Dam. Stop at the blue "anchor" (High Island Reservoir Monument - 紀念碑（萬宜水庫）). Return on cab to SaiKung. About $125 cab fare one-way.

Why it's worth it:

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Start at the powder-blue, anchor like thing right before the East dam.

If you trace back your steps on the road for 25 meters or so, there a set of stairs to climb.

Can get quite steep on the way down.

Follow the coast. Lots of sandstone.

Can't really get very lost if you keep following the coast. Print the Garmin map to be safe.

Nice views

You'll go by the two pebble beaches.

Back to bushwhacking after the 1st beach.

Village on the right. Go straight.

The cave option.

Pak Lap beach in sight

Pak Lap beach. There's a restaurant there.

Back on actual trails.

Sha Kiu Tau where you head back towards the reservoir road.

At reservoir road. Hail a cab from there.