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Maclehose Trail. Hong-Kong Style Trek

Posted on 10. Jan, 2010 by yoyo in Hong-Kong

After three days of very intensive shopping (mostly of a new camera for me) we decided to take it outside. and go trekking in one of Hong-Kong’s great parks. trekking in Hong-Kong is very different than in other places in China, or any other country I have ever been to (other, maybe, than Israel). you can get a 1:25,000 topographical trekking map well marked with detailed trails, campsites and much more, in any outdoor shop for around 60HKD. public transport in and around the city ensures you a very quick and easy ride to trailheads, including a few services into the parks. some places even have ferry piers in the middle of nowhere.
We took the MTR to Diamond Hill station, and bus 92 to Sai-Kung, from which we took a bus to the trailhead in Pak-Tam Chung, where the Maclehose trail starts. I could try to describe our entire trek around the park, but it would be a waste of your time. just get a map and go trekking. the maps are very accurate, and are filled with suggestions for trails and campsites, so you can create a trail a suitable tailored to you.
We walked for 7 days, staying 6 nights outside, and it was beautiful. great sandy beaches, round green hills, bluer than blue water… only problem was the weather being cloudy, so we missed the sun and it’s colors the entire week.
Local people in Hong-Kong like their parks very much, and go hiking and treking by the dozens, especially on weekends, so be prepared. some shops around the villages sell food and ice-cream for doubled prices, but don’t count on them. most campsites have running water. don’t neglect to boil it.
Like anything else in Hong-Kong, it feels really different than mainland China. the park is free, and the trails aren’t made for the ordinary Chinese tourist, which means they aren’t covered with wooden planks… and nobody is trying to sell you anything.
We really enjoyed the change of scenery from previous treks, with a more tropical scenery, and smaller altitudes.
All thumbs up.

Tags: blogsherpa, China, Hong-Kong