Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Wilson Trail Section 4-5

Duration: 
(16 kilometers)
5 hours

Difficulty: 7.5/10 for section 4, 3/10 for section 5. 


Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 1 liter

Appreciation: 6/10. Section 4 has some nice views. Section 5 I suggest you skip.

Transportation: Take bus 91 at Diamond Hill. Get off at Denon Terrace. Return with bus 81 at Kowloon Reservoir on Tai Po road.

Why it's worth it:

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Get off at Denon Terrace and walk in the same direction the bus was going
After about 200m walk, you'll see this fork on your left. The sign says "Tseng Lan SHue". Take that way.

Going through the village is a bit messy; the trail is not too well signed and often only in Chinese














Ok, at this point, you're pretty much ok for most of Wilson 4. That's the official trail head.

A bit confusing here. Don't go in front of the building but rather, just immediately to the side, on the right





View of Kowloon, with HK Island in the back. You won't climb Lion Rock as part of Wilson though


There you go; Shatin Pass. Have some Dao Fu Fa, replenish your water and when ready, go on to section 5. If you want to skip it, you can just go down here towards Wong Tai Sin

If you keep going for Section 5, just keep going in front of the restaurant, then head left at the fork. The rest is self explanatory... and boring...

Sunday, October 25, 2015

HKU to Victoria Peak garden

Central, High West and Victoria Peak loop

Duration: 
(4 kilometers)
1.5 hours

Difficulty: 6.5/10. 300m elevation gain

Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 1 liter

Appreciation: 8/10. Great views of the Victoria Harbour on a clear day. Nice park

Transportation: HKU MTR station, exit C1. Return from bus at Peak Galleria

Why it's worth it:


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Right out of HKU MTR station's exit C1, head right on Pok Fu Lam road

Cross the road and when you see a gas station on your left, that's about where the trail starts (on the left). Lots-o-stairs!

Go towards Pinewood Battery

After this point, follow the instructions towards The Peak. You can also go through Pinewood Battery if you have not seen it before but that's more steps.


That's the flat spot with a park where Hatton, Lugard and Harlech Rd meet. Take the steps up (Don't step over the dog!)

Head left at the junction

Voila! Victoria Park. Go across and down when you are done admiring

Down

Very nice spot for a pic-nic

When done, go back up and onto Mount Austin Road. Head right.

Former Gate Lodge

Done. The Peak Tower. Tons-o-bus at the Galleria go back down to Central

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Wilson Trail Section 3

Duration: 
(8 kilometers) 3 hours
Difficulty: 6/10

Cel phone coverage: Everywhere

Water needs: 1.5 liter. Please, do not litter! 

Appreciation: 5/10. Boring. Lots of paved roads. Not a lot of nice views except for the first 2km if you detour to Devil's peak, in which case, better just do Devil's peak. I basically put in here just for the sake of completeness because it is part of the Wilson trail.

Transportation: MTR to Yau Tong (Exit A1). Return on Clear Water Bay road via bus 91, 91M, 92. They will bring you to Diamond Hill MTR
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MTR to Yau Tong (Exit A1)

Go straight

Turn left at the elevators and through to the bus station

Through

Left as soon as you get out and cross the street


There will be a blue sign pointing the direction towards the cemetery. That's where you want to go towards (right)

About 500m in, you'll see signs for Wilson Stage 3. Cross the road and up the stairs

Head right atop the stairs





At this point, if you take the dirt path on the left, it will bring you to the top of Devil's Peak. There's WWII remnants and a nice view of the harbour. That is really the only nice thing to see on this trail so, better go. Once you are done, step back to this point and head down


O King Road. Cross and go up the stairs



Terrible signage (read:none) on this portion of the trail. Head left. You're in Ma Yau Tong village.




That's it. The big buses to Diamond Hill are at the second stop, just 20m down

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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!