Urban Jungle: Hiking in Hong Kong

Plan a visit to metropolis and you’ll probably image yourself somewhere in Wan Chai when time of day, navigating its lofty malls, packed restaurants and chemical element signs.

What not several understand, is that incised into the soaring mountains and volcanic headlands of metropolis square measure three hundred kilometres of hiking ways split into four major treks: the MacLehose, Wilson, Lantau and metropolis trails, every giving a special expertise of the colourful town.
Steve Pheby, a British expat and director of amateur club metropolis Hikers, runs 5 or six hikes every week and additionally hosts guided journey journeys. He has seen a notable spike in interest in out of doors activities in recent years, wherever guests and residents alike square measure sorting out a simple, cheap and convenient thanks to become a lot of active. “You will walk to AN MTR [Hong Kong’s transit system] station and, at intervals ten minutes, you’re on a mud path within the forest. I’ve been round the world and there’s obscurity quite like this.”

 HIKE BY NIGHT

Swap cocktail hour for a fast trip up the mountain and experience the breathless views of the town after-dark. Pheby leads a bunch on a two-hour urban trek that traverses sections of the metropolis and Wilson trails. It starts within the heart of Wan Chai and skirts round the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, before ascending the leaflike Wilson path to Jardine’s Lookout. There, at associate elevation of some 430 metres the path opens to a perspective of North purpose and Central, revealing the city’s skyline in shimmering white and gold. “There’s the air of adventure”, says Pheby, “the moon is out, you have got your headlamps on, you may see geckos or hear owls and ruminant within the dark – all this adds a degree of pleasure.”

FROM the height TO THE BEACH

One of the simplest (and the foremost popular) beginner hikes is that the half-day Dragon’s Back path. to induce there from Central, take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan, then move variety nine bus to To Tei Wan on the southern fringe of metropolis Island. The hour-long trip can take you straight to the foot of Shek O Peak.

Dragon’s Back begins as a steep uphill trek, however because the climb levels out and therefore the summit comes into read, you’ll end up on the slender ridge of the dragon’s spine, marveling at the views on either facet of the trail. On a transparent day, the sheer drop provides thanks to the mild surf of Shek O Beach, wherever paragliders flit on top of the emerald ocean. At the top of the walk, cool off with a swim at massive Wave Bay or head to the village of Shek O, wherever little barbecue stands, like Sai Jai Thai Store, kindle rows of smoky meat skewers that go down a treat aboard a well-earned brewage.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
A a lot of advanced however equally scenic hike is on Lantau, Hong Kong’s largest island. The steep seven-kilometre walk up Sunset Peak is ideal for those searching for a physical challenge. Climb and you shall reap the rewards, with unshackled views of ocean, coast and islands expecting those that reach the height.

HISTORIC city
History buffs United Nations agency take the Pinewood Battery Heritage path at the height within the CBD, will walk an equivalent path touched by Japanese air raids throughout the Battle of city in 1941. or else, investigate the gathering of colonial structures on the Tai cap Waterworks Heritage path, or immerse yourself within the native culture with a visit to the 400-year-old former Hakka settlement – accessed via the Lai Chi Wo Nature path. The site, antecedently in danger of complete abandonment, is presently being revitalized by native historians, environmentalists and hobby farmers. target-hunting tours operate each Sunday, through the native village of Yau Kee for a conventional Hakka expertise.