High Island Reservoir (萬宜水庫; maan6 ji4 seoi2 fu3) to Sai Kung beaches
6/10. 568m elevation gain. Sun exposed throughout
Cel phone coverage: Partial.
Water needs: 1.5 liter.
Appreciation: 10/10. Best combination of beaches and mountain views. Hong Kong Geopark at the beginning. Fishing villages at the end.
Exercise Area: No
Transportation: Take a taxi in Sai Kung, in front of the 7-11 and ask the driver to get you to High Island Reservoir (萬宜水庫; maan6 ji4 seoi2 fu3). Return to Sai Kung via bus 92 at Wong Chek pier, or bus 94 all the way to Diamond Hill on Sundays & public holidays.
Why it's worth it:
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| High Island Reservoir (萬宜水庫; maan6 ji4 seoi2 fu3). This is where the cab will drop you off. You can spend a bit of time going down to check-out the Hong Kong GeoPark's rock formations. When done, head left to the trail. |
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| About 35 minutes later, you will arrive at the first beach, Long Ke Wan. Keep going on the path which has been a bit beaten up by typhoon Mankut. The trail goes up the mountain and you'll get this view of Long Ke Wan if you look back |
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| About 4km and 1.5 hour into your hike, you'll reach this point where you can admire, in order, Sai Wan, Ham Tin, and Tai Long beaches... |
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| You will then hike back down for another 40 minutes to this crossroad with a map. Head right and down towards Sai Wan |
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| Sai Wan (little beach) |
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The path going up after Sai Wan is quite clearly demarcated.
You may want to cross the bridge on the left if water level is high |
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| After 8km and 3.5 hours, you'll be about at this point, overlooking the wonderful Ham Tin beach! |
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| Rest for a while at Ham Tin beach, have a bit to eat, then when done, go through the store and head on the path to the left. Then just follow the path for about another 50 minutes (3km) |
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| Exactly at trail marker M042 (encircled on the picture), you will see stairs on your right. Take them and follow the path to the Sha Tau pier. You can take a fast boat to Wong Shek pier where the bus terminus back to Sai Kung is. |
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!
