An easy hike on HK Island - Friday 30/4

[PDLM]

In response to those who have requested easier hikes for beginners, I propose one for this coming Friday (30th April).

The walk I have in mind is a figure of eight, starting and ending at Wong Nai Chung Gap. We will go first over Violet Hill which on a clear day offers great views across the south side of HK Island and out into the South China Sea. Then we will go down to the crossroads of trails above Repulse Bay and round the catchwater path to the beginning of the Wilson Trail. Then we will come back over the top of The Twins (great views over Stanley and the surrounding areas) and on the Tsz Lo Lan Shan path around Violet Hill back to our starting point.

The walk involves two climbs of about 250m each. The first over Violet Hill is on a mixture of dirt trail and some "improved" steps. The second over The Twins is almost entirely on well formed steps. The total distance to be covered would be about 13km. How long it takes depends to quite some extent on people's hill climbing speed - it will probably be between 3.5 and 4.5 hours.

There are various exit options en route - down to Repulse Bay, or to the road above Stanley. The path is not remote, and, with the exception of a few sections of the climb up Violet Hill, is on easy walking surfaces. There are other variations possible which we may switch to on the day, depending on participants' fitness levels etc.

In the mild weather that we have at the moment, this is suitable for beginners, provided that you have a reasonable basic fitness. But it does involve a fair bit of climbing (The Twins is up 1200 steps) so it will give your muscles a good workout and give you (and me) some idea of whether you are up for some of the harder walks.

All you need for this walk are a solid pair of walking shoes with a good grip, plenty of water (I suggest at least 1.5-2 litres), and a few snacks to keep you going. Note that I am not planning for this walk to end at a bar/restaurant.

For those coming from Central/Admiralty/Wanchai or Stanley/Repulse Bay the best way to get and from Wong Nai Chung Gap is the number 6 bus (only the plain number 6 will do - not 6A or 6X). You can either join me at the #6 bus stop in Exchange Square bus terminus at around 9:30am, or at the bus stop by the Shell Filling Station at Wong Nai Chung Gap at about 10am.

Anyone interested let me know here or by PM.

[MovingIn07]

Your walk sounds nice and your description of it reasonable .... for a hiker like yourself and myself that is a nice easy hike. I doubt, however, that anyone looking at his first hike would consider it anything like easy .... which is not your fault, but I thought it might point it out for the newbies!

[PDLM]

I guess these things are all relative. Compared to yesterday's over Lantau Peak it's half as much climbing and over much easier terrain.

But yes, it is not a trivial walk - you need a reasonable basic level of fitness. Complete couch potatoes should not apply!

[Dreadnought]

Nor should office-goers
Posted via Mobile Device

[PDLM]

Again, for weekend hikes look at Hong Kong Hiking Meetup Group (Hong Kong) - Meetup.com

[PDLM]

Looks like summer is here... I went round part of this route today and came across:

And then a couple of minutes later:

And then 5 minutes later his little brother:

No promises that any of these will or won't be spotted on Friday!

[PDLM]

In view of the weather and forecast, this is now postponed until next Monday (3rd May). All other details remain unchanged.

Please again contact me by PM if you are interested in coming along.

[MovingIn07]

I hope this weather clears up by Saturday ... we are supposed to be camping!

[PDLM]

Sorry for the change of plans, but this hike is now cancelled. I have PM'd everyone who expressed an interest with an alternative.