6/10. Mostly flat. Added one point for length. While the total ascent is 452m, it is spread over the 17.5km.
Cel phone coverage: Everywhere.
Water needs: 1.5 liter.
Appreciation: 8/10. First half is a bit boring walking on concrete path. However, second half has tons of beaches, the Fanlau fort, and finishing in Tai O.
Exercise Area: No.
Transportation: Either from Tung Chung via bus 11 or 23 (but it is very busy on weekends), or from Mui Wo (Ferry #6 from Central) via bus 1. Exit at Sha Tsui stop. Return the same way from Tai O; 11 or 23 to Tung Chung, or 1 to Mui Wo.
Why it's worth it:
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The Shek Pik stop is right after the Shek Pik dam. The bus might be going down to the jail first.
Exit at Sha Tsui, climd the stairs (there's a toilet there), and head left on Wang Pui road. |
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| Keep following the signs pointing to Fan Lau Fort |
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| This fork is after about 10-12min walk. Head right, staying in the direction of Fan Lau Fort. |
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| After about 1:30 hour walk on the concrete path from the bus stop, you'll reach this point where you leave concrete and join a proper hiking path. You can't miss it with the pavillion at a distance. |
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Head left towards View Campass/Obelisk. This is a loop so you will be coming back here in about 20-30min.
You will go by a pavilion. This is where the path will look back. Head left. |
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| The obelisk; a bit underwhelming. |
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| Loop is completed... Head left now towards the beach... |
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| You'll reach this fork. You can go straight which leads to the beach (30 seconds walk). Once you are done at the beach, retrace your steps and go to the other path, towards Fan Lau |
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| The beach. |
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| This is the fork where you were, head left now. |
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| Just a minute or two latter, you'll reach this point, head left and you'll see signage atop a few steps pointing the direction to Fan Lau on the right. That's where you want to go. |
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| Left towards Fan Lau |
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You'll see a fork, a beach on the left, and a map. Head left towards the beach.
You will be on Fan Lau Country Trail |
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| Walk on the beach. The path resumes about 20m right of the very obvious rock formation's alignment. |
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AFter about a 5-10 min walk from the funky rock, you'll reach the Fan Lau Fort on your left.
Once you are done at the fort, keeping going on the path. About another 10-20min walk, you'll reach a fork where you can go towards the beach or away, head towards the beach (Fan Lau Sai Wan). |
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| Fan Lau Sai Wan (分流西灣). Take the little bridge on the left. And then up the path. |
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| Afterwards, there's just one path to go all the way to Tai O. You'll reach a rice farm. Just keep going in the same direction on the path. You'll soon be at the edge of the sea. That's the path to Tai O. |
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| Arriving at Tai O. Bus terminus will be on your right. |
