country park hikes

[lulumay]

I am thinking of hiking with my dogs in more remote (remote to me) locations in country parks. we feel very safe in the very crowded areas of like the peak morning trail, the trail from parkview down to tai tam, the peak to pok fu lam and the likes.

How safe is it if we venture out into the wilderness? I've come across a few websites that suggest the following:

Hike with a group of friends
Hike on holidays and popular trails
Carry a walking cane for protection
Yell back when you meet stranger alone
Avoid mugger hot spots
Put some of your cash elsewhere

Has anyone been mugged?
Do you really need a cane for protection, and protecting what? Counter attack the mugger?
Is hiking alone that dangerous, i like to get away from people.
Is yelling when i see a stranger to scare him/her away?
Does anyone know where the mugger hot spots are? do muggers not hang out in cold spots?

I just bought a map and a guide. Does anyone have any good suggestions? I prefer a trails with parking. HK, Kowloon or NT?

thanks

[er2]

I've also gotten the same advice and frankly, I think it is a joke that illustrates how easily people are freaked out here. Apparently there were once incidents with illegal immigrants hiding out somewhere on Lantau who tried to mug hikers. Although all of my local friends had heard about it, noone could remember how long ago that was and whether it actually happened or was just an urban legend. If you ever dare to leave home in a European city at night, then I think you shouldn't worry hiking alone on country paths. Just make sure you don't do the difficult hikes alone, you don't want to slip and break a leg and be without mobile phone coverage.

One word of caution though - two popular areas (Wilson 5 after Shatin Pass and Wilson 6/Mac 6 around Kowloon Reservoir) have a resident monkey population which I wouldn't want to encounter with a dog.

There a hundreds of nice paths to hike on, get the government's countryside maps and check which trails are convenient for you.

[PDLM]

To be fair, there was a spate of muggings in the Country Parks about 4(?) years ago - but some nifty police work identified a gang run by someone from the mainland who was duly nabbed next time he entered the territory and put behind bars. The muggings then stopped.

[jayinhongkong]

There have been plenty of robberies in country parks over the years, but none recently I don't think. I do carry a collapsible hiking stick, but it is to move vegetation out of the way so I can make sure I'm not sticking my foot in a hole or stepping on a snake, as well as for breaking up massive spider webs I can't get around. I always carry a whistle and cell phone too, as well as plenty of water and at least one flashlight.

[PDLM]

Yes walking into spider's webs and having one land on the back of my neck worries me far more than any possibility of being mugged.

[Sigga]

I hike alone and haven't had any problems. I think the threat of mugging is overstated. The biggest danger is hurting yourself or getting lost.

I don't carry a cane, though most locals seem to carry telescopic walking sticks. Dunno why...

Long trails

Other trails

Roz's Hiking Pages

Country parks

Don't know about the legality of dogs in country parks. I don't really see any.

If you want to get away from people, hike in the NT or on Lantau. HK is always busy and it attracts the worst kinds of hikers (think radios, kids, very loud).

[lulumay]

thanks all. Just waiting for my maps from the HK government. I'll take a photo of any muggers I see. So can I assume it is safe to camp overnight too?

Are there monkeys in Lantau?

Here's a strange request, are there anyone interested in 1 day or over night hikes. I prefer if we don't talk much. We don't have to walk together, say 5 - 10 minutes apart would be great. Just to look out for each other every 30 mins or hour. I like to be alone.

[PDLM]

No there aren't wild monkeys on Lantau.

But you are not allowed (legally) to wild camp in HK - there are designated camp sites.
AFCD Camping Sites

[hello_there]

I am thinking of hiking with my dogs in more remote (remote to me) locations in country parks. we feel very safe in the very crowded areas of like the peak morning trail, the trail from parkview down to tai tam, the peak to pok fu lam and the likes.

How safe is it if we venture out into the wilderness? I've come across a few websites that suggest the following:

Hike with a group of friends
Hike on holidays and popular trails
Carry a walking cane for protection
Yell back when you meet stranger alone
Avoid mugger hot spots
Put some of your cash elsewhere

Has anyone been mugged?
Do you really need a cane for protection, and protecting what? Counter attack the mugger?
Is hiking alone that dangerous, i like to get away from people.
Is yelling when i see a stranger to scare him/her away?
Does anyone know where the mugger hot spots are? do muggers not hang out in cold spots?

I'm much more concerned with snake bites and other injuries than being mugged. Two of my friends dogs have died after being bitten on remote hikes in the NT and I've run into more snakes than I'd like over the years while hiking out here. A friend out jogging alone also broke her ankle in an area without cell phone coverage last October.

[emmie]

I hike alone and haven't had any problems. I think the threat of mugging is overstated. The biggest danger is hurting yourself or getting lost.

I don't carry a cane, though most locals seem to carry telescopic walking sticks. Dunno why...

Long trails

Other trails

Roz's Hiking Pages

Country parks

From travelling alone a bit thru spots in the EU - before joining up with friends - I tend to neglect how potentially "risky" it may be for us lone gals...

BUT in HK - with steely walking stick and a good idea of our fave, worn routes - I roam very familiar grassy hills or parks with ol' dog charging metres ahead (still, within set limits!), and not worry too much. Haven't encountered trouble (touch wood), 'cept for other folks' bounding-bold canines, sniffing tail... halted by swift wave of stick, followed by firm, glaring stance.

[Ah... about snakes. Keep an eye out IF path is particularly narrow AND fringed with shrubs. I'm a habitual whistling walker and often tap in time with my stick, thus giving unsuspecting, sun-bathing reptiles a chance to slip away first. Tho' never set eyes on 'em, still a serious risk for pooches, as well as for us.]

Awareness of one's surroundings - all-round - goes without saying... Anyway, half the time I'm with company - coz NOT all that keen at drivin' as evening closes in.