Ideas to help you get started on your #50kmNatureChallenge
By Alicia Lui, TrailWatch
Thank you to TrailWatch for supporting Move It for Mental Health 2021 and for contributing to this blogpost.
There’s nothing better for us than physical activity and being in nature for our health and well-being. This past year has proven to us just how truly important outdoors, country parks and trails are for all of us in Hong Kong. In fact, analysis of individuals who have a habit of visiting country parks indicate the more frequent the visits to the country parks, the better the self-reported physical, mental, and social well-being.
Parks and trails have become one of the best avenues for us to cope with anxiety, stresses of life and the pandemic, to have a place to stay connected with friends and family, and to feel uplifted and resilient. Without a doubt being in nature will continue to play an important role in our lives, with or without a pandemic. Even just half an hour outdoors in nature daily can be sufficient to bring you benefits such as improved moods, better focus and sleep!
Hiking is one of the simplest and easiest ways to enjoy nature and trails in Hong Kong. There are plenty of options to choose from among the 25 Country Parks and 11 Special Areas around the city, including Country Trails, Family Walks, History and Heritage Trails, Nature Trails, Tree Walks, and the four major trails. There’s even a Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail, and other routes that aren’t designated within the Country Parks but nonetheless are spaces for physical activity. We also have Accessible Trails, which have been identified as being barrier-free and suitable for wheelchair users — sometimes though, take caution as public transportation itself is not always barrier-free.
Hiking is also one of the best ways to experience the different aspects of Hong Kong and its nature. From trails that allow you to marvel at the spectacular landscape on top of mountain peaks, ones that take you through a historical tour to learn stories and legacies, to those that spark wonder about the biodiversity from marine to land, there truly is something for everyone.
And if you don’t want to hike or run, you can even try your hand at cycling along the 15 designated mountain biking trails.
To help you get started on your #50kmNatureChallenge, here are four hiking trails that we suggest for you.
Hong Kong Trail Section 5: Wong Nai Chung Gap to Mount Parker Road
Overview
This Section, starting from the top of Wong Nai Chung Gap Road and ending at the top of Quarry Bay, is one of the most difficult but shortest among the eight sections of the entire Hong Kong Trail.
The start of this Section is opposite to the entrance of Parkview where you’ll see signs for both the Hong Kong and Wilson Trail. There is quite a steep incline at first towards Jardine’s Lookout, and afterwards to Mount Butler. With two peaks along the hike, the total elevation gain is about 330 metres. The descent to the end point is down a long steep set of stairs where you’ll end at a pavilion and resting spot at Mount Parker Road.
You can leave this Section either by going down the paved road towards Quarry Bay MTR, or head along Hong Kong Trail Section 6.
Why try this trail
The views! This section offers sweeping views of Victoria Harbour and to the south side, Tai Tam Reservoir. Being relatively close to business districts such as Wanchai and Causeway Bay, this is a route that is easily within reach before or after work, without requiring hours of commute or to complete. If you’re looking for a quick hike to unwind, this is a good option to feel removed from the busyness and stresses of city life.
Route with useful information
https://www.trailwatch.hk/?t=activities&rid=10001825
Length: 4km
By the time you’ve walked it, you’d have completed almost 1/10th of the #50kmNatureChallenge!
Extra
This is a route that can also be tackled in the dark, and the night view of Victoria Harbour is spectacular. Just make sure to bring a headlight and an extra layer or warm gear.
Ma On Shan Country Trail
Overview
Beginning at Ma On Shan Village, this country trail leads you to Ngong Ping Plateau, a grassy plain where you will have spectacular views overlooking Sai Kung Town, Port Shelter and High Island Reservoir.
The Ma On Shan Country Trail is a relatively mild trail, and for experienced hikers with good physical endurance, you can consider taking a detour to Pyramid Hill (536m). After your stair ascent along Ma On Shan Country Trail, at the pavilion there will be signs for Gilwell Campsite or Kei Ling Ha. Take the path towards Kei Ling Ha and after this stair climb, on the right hand is another steep stairway for the ascent. However, this hike is definitely not for the faint hearted, especially as the descent from the top towards Ngong Ping Plateau is steep and barren.
Why try this trail
Before you start the hike, learn a little about Hong Kong’s iron-ore mining past by stopping at the ELCHK, Grace Youth Camp. Ma On Shan Village was once before a thriving mining village with over 10,000 residents. Since the closing of the mine in 1976, most of the former villagers have left. The area has since been revitalised to showcase the heritage and legacy.
Route with useful information
https://www.trailwatch.hk/?t=activities&rid=10000577
Length: 4.5km (without ascent to Pyramid Hill)
Extra
If you want a more challenging hike that takes you up to “Horse Saddle Mountain”, Ma On Shan (702m) itself, you can instead begin from the Ma On Shan Family Walk. Please caution this trail will have sections requiring you to use hands and rope to ascent.
Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail — Long Dragon’s Back Walk
Overview
You may already know of the Hong Kong Trail Section 8, and while parts of the Long Dragon’s Back Walk will overlap with Section 8, instead of heading into and ending at Big Wave Bay, detour along Pottinger Country Trail and into Siu Sai Wan. The point where the two trails split is just after distance post H096. To stay on Pottinger Trail, keep walking straight instead of turning right into Big Wave Bay.
If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can detour down Cape Collinson Road to Cape Collinson Battery to visit the World War II relic, and after the visit, you can return the same way, and turn downhill into Leaping Dragon Walk to finish this hike.
Why try this trail
Have you realised that it’s possible to go around the whole of Hong Kong Island by foot? It is! Follow the Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail (HKICT)!
Although the trail is not completely along the waterfront of Hong Kong (there will be sections going through urban, residential and industrial areas), the Long Dragon’s Back section offers the most natural scenery.
If you walk the entire HKICT, you’d have completed the whole #50kmNatureChallenge!
Route
https://www.trailwatch.hk/?t=activities&rid=10166418
Length: 8.5km
To start: from Shau Kei Wan MTR stop Exit A, take bus 9 and alight at To Tei Wan stop.
To leave from Siu Sai Wan: there are many buses from Island Resort such as 788 to Central
Extra
Pottinger Country Trail skirts around Pottinger Peak (312m), but also hike up for some elevated views of Tathong Channel.
Take caution — the popularity of Dragon’s Back has rendered parts of the trail at higher risk of erosion and degradation.
Once you reach Siu Sai Wan, you can take a visit to the promenade, which is just a short walk along the harbourfront, to capture a bit more of the sea view and breeze.
Lantau Trail Section 7 and 8: Tai O to Shek Pik
Overview
Lantau Section 7 is the longest section of the whole Lantau Trail. Starting from Tai O, you can start your hike with a visit to this popular tourist destination.
Along this section, you’ll have sweeping sea views, passing by Fan Lau and the village there, with a small restaurant for you to grab a quick drink and refuel if needed.
As you continue on, you’ll end Section 7 at Kau Ling Chung. As there is no easy transportation to leave from here, the best is to continue on Section 8, which is along the catchwater — easy and paved and extends your total hike to 16km when you finish at Shek Pik Reservoir.
From the end point, it is possible to catch buses towards Tung Chung for the MTR or to Mui Wo for the ferry to Central (passing by Tong Fuk, Cheung Sha, Pui O).
Why try this route
The views at Fan Lau! There is a fort that was built in 1729 to protect shipping. As you pass by Fan Lau, you’ll actually be passing by the Southwest Lantau Marine Park. This area was designated in April 2020 to better conserve Chinese White Dolphins, their habitats and the surrounding fishing resources. You’ll notice this area is demarcated with yellow buoys and boundary poles.
The trail is relatively quiet, even as more and more people have been hitting the trails these past few months, making this a trail quite suitable if you want to get away from crowds.
Route with useful information
https://www.trailwatch.hk/?t=activities&rid=10001627 (Section 7)
https://www.trailwatch.hk/?t=activities&rid=10001865 (Section 8)
Length: 16km for both sections together
Extra
Located in the southwest part of Lantau, Tai O was once an entry point for many illegal immigrants, and also has a history of salt production. Stop by to visit some of the shops, learn about its history before starting your hike!
The benefits of nature aren’t just limited to being physically on the trails — there’s so much joy to sharing photos and documenting your records, what you’ve seen, heard, smelt from being in touch with nature! After your hike, don’t forget to share your experiences with friends and family!
Lastly, after you’ve benefited from being outdoors in nature, you can further reap the benefits of being in nature — by playing a part to protect it! Volunteer activities such as supporting environmental conversation, tree planting, trail cleanup and trail maintenance can further enhance positive feelings and mood.
We hope that embarking on the #50kmNatureChallenge, will give you the opportunity to learn more about and appreciate the amazing nature that surrounds us.
This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Safety
At Mind HK, safety is always our top priority. Given the flu season and Coronavirus outbreak, we ask all ‘#MoveItHK’ participants to take extra safety precautions during this time and follow government guidelines. At all times, we encourage you to take extra precautions: wash your hands before and after working out, wear a mask when in the community or in crowded areas, avoid hiking in groups and in crowded areas, and refer to government guidelines: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html.
Sign up for ‘Move It for Mental Health’ Campaign: www.moveithk.com
For more COVID-19 mental health resources, please visit: https://www.mind.org.hk/mental-health-a-to-z/covid-19/managing-mental-health-staying-well-during-a-virus-outbreak/
COVID-19 mental health relief scheme: https://www.mind.org.hk/covid19reliefscheme/
For a list of emergency contacts, please visit: www.mind.org.hk/find-help-now/
For other local mental health services, please visit our Community Directory: www.mind.org.hk/community-directory/
For more information on mental health in Hong Kong, please visit: https://www.mind.org.hk/mental-health-in-hong-kong/
For more information on seeking help in Hong Kong, please visit: https://www.mind.org.hk/getting-help/
Questions? Email the team at media@mind.org.hk
