Monkey Hill (Kam Shan Country Park)

(Updated 2019-APR-15)

Duration: 

1.5 hours

Difficulty: 

6/10. The first part has quite a few steps to climb. About 120m ascent.

Cel phone coverage: Partial.

Water needs: 1.5 liter.

Appreciation: 10/10 if you are there for the monkeys. 4/10 otherwise.

Map & Details: n/a

Exercise Area: No

Transportation: http://hketransport.gov.hk/. KMB Bus 81 will get you there and back.

Why it's worth it: 

Monkeys. Tons of them. Everywhere. They might also be on the trail so, you have to be comfortable being in close proximity with the distant cousins. (We probably saw about 30 of them). If you don't care for monkeys, pick another trail as that one is not anything special. The return part is on the road (no shade).

Take KMB Bus 81 and drop off at KOWLOON RESERVOIR (九龍水塘). That's the blue dot on the map. The trail starts right there (actually, it is a part of Macleahose section 6). Just follow the path to your right (when facing the reservoir).

Beginning of the path is quite simple. Follow the trail.

After about a minute walk, you'll see a series of steps parrallel to the road: don't take them. Follow the path on the left along the reservoir.

You'll reach the sharp, V-like turn on the map (before W062). There's a concrete post announcing the trail (circled).

At W064 (exactly there), you'll reach a crossroad. Head right to the Kam Shan Family Walk trail. More steps!

At the end of the trail proper (Post M120), there are quite a few tables where you can have lunch in the company of many monkeys (be careful about your food and don't feed the monkeys). From that point on, it's all downhill on Golden Hill Road (Kam Shan). You will cross the reservoir's dam. Be watchful for cars.

You will end your journey at Tai Po Road. The bus stop is right across the road, on your right (about 50 meters). You can take bus 81 back. There are also a few more buses stopping there (72 being one of them).

Lantau island: Ngong Ping (Big Budha)- 昂坪 to Tung Chung-東涌

(Updated 2018-APR-02)
Duration: 8k, 3 hours

Difficulty:
6/10. Downhill pretty much all the way. However, there are zillions of steps and it will be a good workout. I'd say it's not for people that are totally unfit.

Cel phone coverage: Full

Water needs: 0.75 liter

Appreciation: 8/10. Nice views on a clear day. Big Budha. Monastery.

Map & Details: http://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/2795062298

Exercise Area: No

Transportion: Bus 23 from Tung Chung MTR, or cable car. Return via Tung Chung MTR.

Relive.cc:

Click to see Relive.cc video

Why it's worth it:

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When you arrive at Tung Chung via MTR, get out at Exit B. Go around the left of the building facing you.

Bus 23 is in the back of the building. There should be quite a few people taking it.

For bus schedule details, go to the extremely useful government PTES web site: http://ptes.td.gov.hk/index.php?golang=EN

After a 35 or so minutes bus ride, you will arrive at Ngong Ping. Take some time to visit the Budha, the monastery and everything else you feel like. Quite touristy. Once you are ready to hike down. You will need to get through the "village" and towards the cable car station.

Go through the village. Right before the cable car station, take the steps on your right between the buildings (there's a big Ngong Ping sing). Then cross the bridge on your right. The path will be right there (there's a map and fire-extinguishing brooms). Can't really miss it. There might be a few cows wandering about...

 The trail head. It's paved most of the trail

After a few minutes walk, you'll get to this  fork where there's signage warning you about not going through.
That's the rescue trail proper and it goes nowhere.

Take the path on the right marked with the yellow 'Lantau Trail' sign

About 7-8 minutes in, there will be a path going up. Don't take it, keep going straight.

When in view of pylon #6, climb towards it. Don't take the path on the right.

Steps can be very steep. Be careful.

At this point, you will be break from following the cable car's path (it goes over water). You will get a nice view of the path ahead. My indications roughly highlight the way towards Tung Chung. Note that you are now about 2 hours in. Still one hour to go!

End of the trail, head right

Head left here

Head right at the next fork, then up the stairs

Head left after the stairs

Don't take the first pedestrian overpass, just walk along on the left

Velly pletty!

Do take the second footbridge. It goes over the road.

Eventually, you'll reach the pedestrian tunnel. Go down, then right (follow the big arrow!).

Then left as you exit the tunnel. You'll sign signs for the MTR

Victoria Peak hop; Central to Pok Fu Lam

(Updated 2019-APR-14)
Duration: 

2 hours

Difficulty: 

5/10. Shaded for the most part

Cel phone coverage: Full.

Water needs: 1 liter

Appreciation: 8/10. Iconic views from the Peak

Map & Details: n/a

Exercise Area: Yes

Transportation: Return; Take bus 973 to Stanley for dinner on the boardwalk or GMB (Green Minibus) 31 to Admiralty (25 minutes),  GMB 22 or 22s to World Wide House (25 minutes)

Why it's worth it: 

Pok Fu Lam reservoir.

The buildings of Central.

Views from the Peak.

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Start at the IFC mall, on top of the Hong Kong MTR Station.

Start at the IFC mall, under the IFC1 (the shorter) tower. Go through the doors, past the walkway and through the Heng Seng building right in front. Then through the next building which used to be a wet market.

Then it's all escalator for the first portion of the trail.

Soho, keep going up.

At the end of the elevator, head left.

Cross the street, climb up the smaller road on the right.

Climb the stairs on the right. Don't go under the tunnel, to avoid car traffic.

Head right and up. Then keep climbing.

At the red house, turn right.

3rd section of the hike.

Right of the bus stop, past the Peak Lookout Cafe. You'll see the trail sign on your right.

That one...

Lots of buses and minibuses stops.

Take bus 973 to Stanley for dinner on the boardwalk or GMB (Green Minibus) 31 to Admiralty (25 minutes),  GMB 22 or 22s to World Wide House (25 minutes)