Hong Kong Hiking Challenge Checkpoints (Kowloon and the New Territories)
12-10-2022
From September to December this year, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department organises the Hong Kong Hiking Challenge to encourage nature lovers and hikers to set off for the countryside and take on the challenge! Go outside and hike through the country parks, immerse yourself in the spectacular views and learn more about the unique stories of Hong Kong’s local flora and fauna, and discover the beauty of undulating mountain ridges.
There are 25 checkpoints scattered in various scenic spots in the country parks, featuring a variety of picturesque views unique to Hong Kong’s countryside. Participants can plan their own routes to visit these checkpoints based on their interest, physical fitness and hiking experience. Use a smartphone to check in at the checkpoints to collect the unique local flora and fauna badges made for each checkpoint. You will also learn about the amazing biodiversity of Hong Kong! Collect a certain number of badges and you will get different rewards! Let the challenge begin!
Here are the 15 checkpoints in Kowloon and the New Territories:
[ Checkpoint 1: Hong Kong Reunification Pavilion (Kowloon Pass) ]
Location: Lion Rock Country Park | Difficulty: ★★
Trail: MacLehose Trail (Section 5) Tate's Cairn to Tai Po Road | Open location on map
The Hong Kong Reunification Pavilion was built in 1997 to commemorate Hong Kong's reunification with the Motherland, and it bears the inscription of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Tung Chee-hwa. From the pavilion, you can enjoy the cityscape of Kowloon in a myriad of lights and the Victoria Harbour. With the bustling city just beneath you, and mountains stretching out behind you, this combination weaves into a picturesque landscape second to none.
[ Checkpoint 2: Biu Tsim Kok ]
Location: Sai Kung East Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: Biu Tsim Kok - Viewing Points | Open location on map
"Biu Tsim Kok" is a headland to the north of the High Island Reservoir East Dam. The hills are composed of volcanic hexagonal rock columns, creating a spectacular geological collage. This is one of the few places where you can see the hexagonal volcanic pillars from above, making it a popular spot for visitors to 'check in'.
[ Checkpoint 3:Kiu Tsui Viewing Point ]
Location: Kiu Tsui Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: Sharp Island Geo Trail|Enjoy Hiking - Sharp Island - Waterscapes Sharp Island Country Trail | Open location on map
Sharp Island located in Port Shelter, Sai Kung, hosts a Geo Trail and a Country Trail. At high tide, Sharp Island and Kiu Tau are two islands; at low tide, a tombolo connecting the two islands is exposed, allowing visitors to access the islands on foot. The island's trails also offer a great view from Kiu Tsui Viewing Point to the east over the vast grasslands of Kau Sai Chau and Yim Tin Tsai area, or to the west over the tombolo.
[ Checkpoint 4: Kei Ling Ha Coast (near Yung Shue O) ]
Location: Sai Kung West Country Park |Difficulty: ★
Trail: Cheung Sheung Country Trail | Open location on map
Yung Shue O is located in the inner bay of Three Fathoms Cove, a calm bay full of fishing rafts. Three Fathoms Cove is surrounded by mountains, with the villages of San Wai and Lo Wai built along its shoreline, and huts scattered around the hillside, giving off a fishing village vibe. Nearby is the Cheung Sheung Country Trail; Cheung Sheung is a wetland on a highland surrounded by mountains.
[ Checkpoint 5: Tai Hang Tun Kite Flying Area Viewing Point ]
Location: Clear Water Bay Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: Lung Ha Wan Country Trail Tai Hang Tun Kite-Flying Area | Open location on map
The lush green hillside near Tai Hang Tun is Hong Kong's most open and scenic kite-flying site, offering a panoramic view of Hong Kong's south-eastern waters, from the Ninepin Group, Green Island, Tung Lung Chau, to Wang Lang Island, Beaufort Island and other islands in the south. Located on the eastern side of Hong Kong, far from the city's light pollution, the Kite Flying Area is ideal for star and moon gazing at night. At Tai Hang Tun, anyone, from children to grown-ups, can discover a unique and enjoyable countryside experience.
[ Checkpoint 6: Kowloon Peak Viewing Point ]
Location: Ma On Shan Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: Sunset at Kowloon Peak Wilson Trail (Section 4) Tseng Lan Shue to Shatin Pass Road | Open location on map
From Kowloon Peak Viewing Point, you can enjoy the proximate view of Kowloon Peninsula, and on a clear day, even the view on both sides of the Victoria Harbour is clearly visible. As the sun sets and the sky blazes with different shades of orange-red with ever-changing clouds, the city lights up as if it is hustling for the next round of festivities. The splendid scene dotted with vivid colours is definitely a sight to behold.
[ Checkpoint 7: Beacon Hill Viewing Point ]
Location: Lion Rock Country Park | Difficulty: ★★
Trail: MacLehose Trail (Section 5) Tate's Cairn to Tai Po Road | Open location on map
Beacon Hill, named after the pen rest it resembles from a distance, offers a breath-taking view of the entire Kowloon Peninsula that even stretches to as far as Tseung Kwan O and Chai Wan. At sunset, you can fully take in the views of the blinking lights of the dynamic and vibrant city while basking in the warm rays of the receding sun.
[ Checkpoint 8: Kowloon Reservoir ]
Location: Kam Shan Country Park |Difficulty: ★
Trail: MacLehose Trail (Section 6) Tai Po Road to Shing Mun Kam Shan Tree Walk Kam Shan Family Walk | Open location on map
A walk through Kam Shan Country Park brings the view of all four reservoirs of the Kowloon Reservoir Group– Kowloon Reservoir, Kowloon Secondary Reservoir, Kowloon Receiving Reservoir and Shek Lei Pui Reservoir. Attention often falls on Kowloon Reservoir, with its famous arched main dam, the valve house and the overflow dam, all of which are declared monuments. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city while you immerse in the calmness of the vast reservoir and the reflection of the sky.
[ Checkpoint 9: Shing Mun Leisure Deck ]
Location: Shing Mun Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: Shing Mun Leisure Deck | Open location on map
Shing Mun Leisure Deck is a viewing point located on the eastern slope of Shing Mun Reservoir surrounded by the Reservoir and lush green mountains. When the water level is high in the reservoir, the Paperbark plantation is reflected everywhere, curating a poetic landscape of a picturesque mix of mountains and trees.
[ Checkpoint 10: Tai Mo Shan Country Park Viewing Point (North) ]
Location: Tai Mo Shan Country Park | Difficulty: ★★
Trail: Silvergrass on Tai Mo Shan MacLehose Trail (Section 8) Lead Mine Pass to Route Twisk | Open location on map
Tai Mo Shan is Hong Kong's highest peak, serving a 180-degree view of the Kam Tin plain from the northern viewing point. From high above, you can see as far as Lam Tsuen, Kai Kung Leng, Tai To Yan, and even Shenzhen. Tai Mo Shan offers different seasonal specials: in summer, the setting sun falls over Kam Tin plain at Pat Heung, colouring the distant Lau Fau Shan orange; in autumn and winter, the silvergrass dancing in the strong winds is common at this height. Looking back down from the peak, the view of the meandering road is a unique landmark of Tai Mo Shan.
[ Checkpoint 10: Tai Mo Shan Country Park Viewing Point (North) ]
[ Checkpoint 11: MacLehose Trail Section 9 Viewing Point ]
Location: Tai Lam Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: MacLehose Trail (Section 9) Route Twisk to Tin Fu Tsai | Open location on map
This viewing point offers a panoramic view of Tsuen Wan, Rambler Channel and Stonecutters Island. Look further and observe countless ships busy scuttling within Victoria Harbour. Turn your sight to the container terminals, decorated by rainbow-coloured containers stacked up like a neat map of building bricks.
[ Checkpoint 12: Reservoir Islands Viewpoint ]
Location: Tai Lam Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: MacLehose Trail (Section 10) Tin Fu Tsai to Tuen Mun | Open location on map
The Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, also known as Thousand-Island Lake, was completed in 1957 as the first reservoir built in Hong Kong after the Second World War. Located in an undulating river valley, the sight of islands of various sizes magically materialised after the area was flooded with water stored. The islands are vegetated with Chinese Red Pine, Slash Pine, Swamp Mahogany and Lemon-scented Gum, creating a lush green landscape on Thousand-Island Lake.
[ Checkpoint 13: Lai Chi Wo Siu Ying Story Room ]
Location: Plover Cove Country Park | Difficulty: ★
Trail: Lai Chi Wo Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail | Open location on map
The ancient Hakka village of Lai Chi Wo has a history of over 400 years; it is named after lychee which was once produced in abundance. The village has retained its traditional Hakka character in many aspects. With over 100 years of history, the village's ancestral hall, the Hip Tin Temple and the Hok Shan Monastery are listed as Grade III historic buildings. A trip to Lai Chi Wo sends you back in time to the old days of Hong Kong for a deep sense of the unique traditional Hakka culture.
[ Checkpoint 14: Cloudy Hill ]
Location: Pat Sin Leng Country Park | Difficulty: ★★★
Trail: Wilson Trail (Section 8) Yuen Tun Ha to Cloudy Hill Wilson Trail (Section 9) Cloudy Hill to Pat Sin Leng | Open location on map
Surrounded by serene valleys and lush green hillsides, Cloudy Hill is located at the junction of Sections 8 and 9 of the Wilson Trail. Atop its undulating ridge, breath-taking views of Tai Po City and Tolo Harbour unravel beneath you, immerse in this mountain paradise as a quick getaway from the repetitive city life.
[ Checkpoint 15: Pak Tai To Yan Pavilion ]
Location: Lam Tsuen Country Park |Difficulty: ★★★
Open location on map
Tai To Yan literally means “large knife edge” in Chinese; from far, the mountain ridge resembles a knife blade resting on its spine with the edge pointing towards the sky. A narrow walkway lines the ridge sandwiched by near-vertical slopes on both sides. On top of the physical challenge, on a windy day, the hike might call for more willpower as you manoeuvre along the knife's edge. Take a break on the flat grass field and adjust the rhythm of your breath and your body before climbing the summit.
For more about the Hong Kong Hiking Challenge event, please visit the "Hong Kong Hiking Challenge" website.
(The images and the information are provided by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)
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