In the last year, as the pandemic was preventing me from traveling, I set a goal for myself to do 1-2 hikes a week in Hong Kong. I’ve been able to keep to it, for the most part, from July 2020 till now (April 2021). I’ve seen much of Hong Kong during this time, and it has made me realize just how little I knew of Hong Kong prior. This came as a surprise, since I’ve lived in Hong Kong for quite some time, I’ve done hikes in various spots, yet somehow I’ve managed to skip some truly spectacular hikes. There’s little that brings me as much joy as discovering a new hike, especially when travel options are limited.
One of the my greatest surprises during this whole time was Tai Mo Shan. It’s the highest peak in Hong Kong and the view from up there are some of the best you’ll see anywhere. Panoramic views in all directions, walking in between and above clouds, wonderful nature spots, and depending in which direction you can discover streams, waterfalls, wildlife, and come across lots of little gems.
Most surprising of all, the top is almost entirely reachable by taxi. The mountain is just above 900 meters, but there’s a road up until the army area entrance around 700m, so that leaves you with a fairly easy 200m hike up on a winding no car army road, taking you to the very top. From up there, you’ll get to see all of Hong Kong and then you have many options of where to explore, going down hill. Wonderful.
In the hike below I just took off straight to the east. I was almost along, just me and the cows, enjoyed every minute of it.
You can start from the parking spot, which already offers spectacular views towards Shenzhen, and some people decide to camp…
You enter the closed road and start going up hill, walking in the clouds…
Until you reach the radar station at the top, with the local wild cows…
I embarked towards the east, walking on the mountain ridge …
Finally connecting with other famous trails and down back to civilization…
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