To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Hong Kong Trail, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) organises the “Unlocking Hong Kong Trail” Hiking Challenge during the 2025-26 hiking season, guiding you through the rolling hills of Hong Kong Island, to appreciate Hong Kong Trail's scenery and understand its rich cultural history.From November 2025 to February 2026, the AFCD organises the “Unlocking Hong Kong Trail” Hiking Challenge, encouraging nature lovers to hike through Hong Kong Trail, to learn about its unique scenery, biodiversity and history. The hiking challenge consists of 8 checkpoints, with one checkpoint in every section of Hong Kong Trail, introducing their unique features.Participants should read through the Event Information, plan their visits to Hong Kong Trail based on their physical fitness and hiking experience. Participants should register for an event account, and visit the checkpoints at Hong Kong Trail. At each checkpoint, participants will need to answer a question about the fun facts of Hong Kong Trail by scanning the QR code at the checkpoint panel using their mobile phones (with location services turned on). Upon answering the question correctly, participants have successfully “unlocked” that checkpoint and can collect a corresponding e-badge. Hikers will be awarded a set of 8 commemorative pin badges and a towel (limited quantity, while stocks last) upon completing all checkpoints. Let's hike Hong Kong Trail to unlock and appreciate its uniqueness in this hiking season!

Many animals deserve a second chance of being a pet again after they were abandoned or given up by their owners. Before buying a pet, why not consider adoption to save a life? Your wise decision can alter the destiny of abandoned animals!Merits of AdoptionYou can save a precious life by giving an animal a chance to live and be an affectionate companion again.You get a companion animal with a friendly temperament.You get a pet that has been neutered (mainly dogs and cats) which makes it a healthier pet.You help to prevent overpopulation of companion animals.AFCD Rehome SchemeThe Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) encourages the public to adopt abandoned or surrendered animals through its partnering Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs). These animals include dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, reptiles, etc.Abandoned and unclaimed animals which have a friendly temperament and are healthy will be selected for re-homing.Procedures of Animal AdoptionAFCD receives abandoned or unclaimed animals.AFCD’s veterinarians will perform health checks and temperament assessment of the animals.Animals with a good temperament and health condition will be transferred to AFCD's partnering AWOs for neutering (mainly dogs and cats) and adoption.Members of the public who are interested in adopting animals could apply to the AWOs and follow the adoption procedure accordingly.
(This video is in Chinese only)Beware of "Petfishing Scams"In recent years, an increasing number of unscrupulous pet sellers post misleading or false information about pets online to lure buyers into purchasing animals that are unhealthy or do not match the descriptions provided. Innocent citizens fall victim to these increasingly common “Petfishing scams”. Buyers may suffer financial losses, and in severe cases, pets may become ill or even die shortly after being brought home. This leaves pet owners traumatised and emotionally devastated, grappling with both financial and psychological burdens. Moreover, these deceitful sellers often disappear once health issues arise with the pet, making it difficult for the buyer to seek accountability. These incidents highlight the potential risks of purchasing pets online.If you are planning to purchase a pet, be sure to purchase from a licensed seller. AFCD introduces to you the essential knowledge needed to become a smart buyer and consumer, so as to avoid falling into the trap of “Petfishing” scams.SourceAFCD's webpage on AdoptionAFCD's webpage on Petfishing Scams

Hiking is a physical activity with both physical and mental benefits. It can improve your physical fitness and help you relax. You may need different skills for any particular sport, and each sport, including hiking, has its own unique skills. If you can master the skills of hiking, you can reduce energy loss and minimise the chance of getting hurt. Here are some hiking tips by Enjoy Hiking: BasicsWalk with the entire soles of your boots touching the ground, to spread the load evenly across your feet.Free your hands or hold a walking stick to assist balance.Maintain a steady and natural pace, and one that suits you.Breathe smoothly, steadily and in rhythm with your pace.Avoid running or jogging.Avoid excessive conversation, which may affect your breathing rhythm and concentration.Concentrate and always look where you tread. Be observant and vigilant to what is lying aheadTo avoid accidents, always stop walking when you read your map.When moving forward, keep an adequate distance from other hikersHiking ProgrammePlan to end your hike two hours before sunset.Use the Naismith Law to estimate the time required for your hike. According to this law, a fit adult can cover 5 km of level ground per hour, and an extra hour should be added for every 600 m of uphill hiking. For hiking in Hong Kong, it is best to base on an hourly rate of 4 km for level ground, and an extra hour for every 500 m of uphill hiking.Select a gentle slope to go uphill. Avoid challenging yourself with a very steep or treacherous route right at the beginning.The party's entire load should be distributed among all members of the group, taking into account the strength of each member.UphillMaintain a natural pace and avoid making very large strides.Avoid climbing at high speed. Don't rest too frequently or for too long. When you feel tired, reduce your speed instead of stopping.Tread only on secure stable ground, where there is enough foot room.Use the strength of your legs to climb. Avoid pulling yourself up by grasping small trees or branches, as they may break leading to a fall.Keep your upper body straight.When going up very steep slopes, don't go straight ahead. Move sideways and work your up in a series of zigzags. DownhillNever run downhill ―this is a certain way to have a dangerous fall.Tread only on secure stable ground, with enough foot room.Avoid treading on wet slippery ground, especially wet clay or grasses. But if there is no other way, proceed with caution and keep your body low.Use the strength of your legs to descend. Avoid sliding down by grasping small trees or branches. This indicates you are half out of control. Branches can break and, even if they don't, you will damage the vegetation.Keep your upper body straight.When moving down very steep slopes, move sideways and work down in a series of zigzags. Food and DrinkNever eat or drink while moving.Relax to take refreshments. Don't hurry your food or drink.Never drink untreated water from hill streams or eat any wild plants or mushrooms.Don't consume icy drinks immediately after a long hike, when your body temperature is still high.Never drink alcohol during a hike. Foot CareWear suitable hiking shoes. Wear new shoes on level ground a few times before going on a serious hike. This will ensure the surface material is soft and the shoes are comfortably worn in to the shape of your feet. Bootlaces should not be too tight.Wear two pairs of socks made of soft, fluffy and absorbent material.Trim your toenails, and try to keep your feet clean and dry. Stop walking if your feet are uncomfortable. Inspect them and treat any wounds promptly.If there are signs of blisters, put a plaster on the affected area.Blisters should be dressed with an absorbent plaster that eliminates moisture.Serious blisters should be treated with antiseptic. Pierce the blisters with a sterile pin and squeeze out any moisture. Avoid touching the wounds directly, and cover them with an antiseptic dressing right away.For soreness or cramps in the legs, massage the leg muscles. If possible, soak feet in warm water, or use a menthol-based heat rub ointment. Moreover, to be well prepared for your next hiking trip, you may check out the following websites for more information!Leisure and Cultural Services Department - Hiking Scheme - Safety Hints on HikingCentre for Health Protection - A Guide for Hikers Source: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Enjoy Hiking website

There are over 40 campsites designated by the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) at country parks across Hong Kong, such as the Lau Shui Heung Campsite, the Lead Mine Pass Campsite and the Hok Tau Campsite. The Pui O Campsite and the Chong Hing Water Sports Centre are both located at Lantau Island and managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Other than these governmental campsites, there are some camping services and campsites provided by non-government organisations.There are plenty of choices among these designated camping sites, get set and explore the nature fun now!Campsites managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services DepartmentPui O Campsite  Chong Hing Water Sports Centre   Campsites designated by the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation DepartmentLau Shui Heung Campsite       Lead Mine Pass CampsiteHok Tau Campsite       Rotary Club CampsiteChung Pui Campsite       Twisk CampsiteSam A Chung Campsite       Ho Pui CampsiteTung Ping Chau Campsite       Tin Fu Tsai CampsiteWan Tsai South Campsite       Nam Shan CampsiteWan Tsai West Campsite       Pak Fu Tin CampsiteCheung Sheung Campsite       Shap Long CampsiteHau Tong Kai Campsite       Lo Kei Wan CampsiteTai Tan Campsite       Shek Lam Chau CampsiteWong Shek Campsite       Tai Long Wan CampsitePak Tam Au Campsite       Kau Ling Chung CampsiteSai Wan Campsite       Man Cheung Po CampsiteLong Ke Wan Campsite       Nga Ying Kok CampsitePak Lap Campsite       Tsin Yue Wan CampsiteYuen Ng Fan (Nam Fung Wan) Campsite       Ngong Ping Campsite (Lantau)Po Kwu Wan Campsite       Kong Ha Au CampsiteYee Ting Campsite       Shek Pik CampsiteShui Long Wo Campsite       Ham Tin Wan CampsiteNgong Ping Campsite (Ma On Shan)       Tai Mong Tsai CampsiteTung Lung Chau Campsite       *There is no mains water supply in countryside areas, and most campsites rely on natural mountain streams. During dry seasons, water shortages may occur, affecting the availability of water at several camping locations. To protect your health, any mountain water used for cooking or drinking must be thoroughly boiled and purified beforehand. When planning your trip, please check the water conditions at your chosen campsite. Campers may need to bring sufficient drinking and cooking water themselves. For details, please refer to "Camping Code and Regulations".Other non-government organisations providing tent camping servicesHong Kong Girl Guides Association Pok Hong Campsite    Scout Association of Hong Kong Shatin Scout Centre    Scout Association of Hong Kong Gilwell CampsiteScout Association of Hong Kong Choi Chee Ming Luen Kwong Scout CentreHong Kong Playground Association Tung Chung Outdoor Recreation Camp (Chinese version only)  YMCA of Hong Kong Lamma Island Outdoor Centre   Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Ma Tso Lung Campsite (Chinese version only)Camps/Centres of subvented non-government organisations Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong Y's Men-YMCA Wong Yi Chau Youth Camp (Chinese version only)Hong Kong Playground Association Silvermine Bay Outdoor Recreation Camp    Scout Association of Hong Kong Tai Tam Scout Centre    Scout Association of Hong Kong Tung Tsz Scout Centre    Scout Association of Hong Kong Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activities Centre For more details, please refer to the AFCD website or LCSD website

Have you ever thought that Hong Kong, which seems like a concrete jungle, can actually offer mountain biking activities? Whether you are a beginner interested in trying mountain biking or an advanced mountain bike rider, Hong Kong offers a variety of trails and venues to suit every need!Mountain Bike Practice Ground and TrailsSetting up by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), there are 15 designated mountain bike trails and a mountain bike practice ground in country parks for mountain biking activities. In which, some of the mountain bike trails have been rated with the Mountain Bike Trail Difficulty Rating System. Choose the suitable mountain bike trail according to the rating and enjoy the adventurous journey!LocationMountain Bike Practice Ground / TrailsMountain Bike Trail Difficulty RatingClear Water Bay Country ParkHigh Junk Peak Mountain Bike Trail(This trail is not open on Sunday & Public Holidays)Blue GradeLantau South Country ParkThe Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice GroundNot ApplicableChi Ma Wan Mountain Bike Trail (Blue to Black Diamond Grade) Blue to Black Diamond GradeMui Wo to Pui O Mountain Bike TrailCurrently not ratedPui O to Kau Ling Chung Mountain Bike TrailWhite GradeSai Kung West Country Park and Sai Kung West Country Park (Wan Tsai Extension)Hoi Ha to Wan Tsai Mountain Bike TrailGreen GradeShek O Country ParkDragon’s Back Mountain Bike Trail(This trail is not open on Sunday & Public Holidays)Blue GradeTai Lam Country Park（Overview Map / Detailed Map）Ho Pui Mountain Bike TrailBlack Diamond GradeSiu Lam Mountain Bike TrailCurrently not ratedTai Lam Chung Reservoir Mountain Bike TrailGreen to Blue GradeTai Tong Mountain Bike TrailCurrently not ratedTin Fu Tsai Mountain Bike TrailCurrently not ratedTin Fu Tsai North Mountain Bike TrailBlack Diamond GradeTsing Fai Tong Mountain Bike TrailCurrently not ratedTsing Lung Tau Mountain Bike TrailCurrently not ratedTwisk Mountain Bike TrailCurrently not ratedBefore Heading Out to Ride Mountain Bikes...Before setting off, remember to prepare the necessary safety equipment and pay attention to the code of mountain biking. While enjoying the thrilling experience, safety must always come first!
Source: AFCD's Mountain Bike Activity webpage

Located at Kwu Tung North, the Long Valley Nature Park is a new facility integrating wetland conservation, farming operation and nature education in one place. The large piece of fresh water wetland at Long Valley has been composed of a mosaic of wet and dry farmland, marshes, water ponds, water channels, etc. Through habitat management and eco-friendly farming practice, Long Valley provides home for diverse wildlife and has now become great choice for a vacation getaway!Visitor FacilitiesLong Valley Nature Park is about 37 hectares. It is divided into three management zones, namely the Visitor Zone, Agriculture Zone and Biodiversity Zone. The 5-hectare Visitor Zone is designed for visitors and education experience. There are visitor facilities such as Birding Hut for bird watching as well as Wetland Square Long Valley Plaza for activities and events.The Long Valley Nature Centre is on the other side of the Sheung Yue River and connected with the Visitor Zone by a foot bridge. It provides an indoor area for workshops, exhibition and interactive games.Remember to check the website for the latest updates on upcomming activities and events, and plan your visit to Long Valley Nature Park for a deep dive into nature!
For details on visits and activity information, please visit the website of Long Valley Nature Park.

Please refer to the Chinese version.
(Video provided by the Civil Service Bureau)

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) officially launched the Biodiversity Geographic Information System (BGIS) on 17 January. The BGIS aims to provide a one-stop platform to enable the public to gain a better understanding of the diverse species found in Hong Kong.The BGIS is the second development phase of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Information Hub (HKBIH), an initiative under the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) to facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing. The BGIS contains more than a million occurrence records of local species compiled by the AFCD, its partner organisations, and scientific research and citizen science projects at present. The BGIS is also linked to other databases in the HKBIH, which include the species database and multimedia database featuring information and photos of various species. The new BGIS features a "search by area" function which allows the public to search not only by species name but also to find local species based on geographical location.Since the launch of the HKBIH in 2022, new data and information have been updated and added continuously, with over 10,000 visits recorded each month. The newly launched BGIS will further enrich the content of the HKBIH and enhance public understanding of local biodiversity. The AFCD will continue to engage more partner organisations to contribute to the HKBIH during the BSAP implementation in the future, and also organise relevant citizen science activities to enable the public to participate in data collection and knowledge sharing to promote biodiversity conservation.>>Visit the Biodiversity Geographic Information System to explore more!

The 25th country park in Hong Kong - The Robin's Nest Country Park has been established!Country Park's Overview The Robin's Nest Country Park, occupying an area of about 530 hectares at Sha Tau Kok in Northeastern New Territories, lies on a continuum of mountain ridges stretching from the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area to the north and Pat Sin Leng Country Park to the south. Natural habitats in the park remain untouched due to its remoteness at the border.The Robin's Nest Country Park is characterised by the rich floral and faunal diversity, including various species of conservation interest. The abandoned Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine in the park supports one of the most important bat colonies in Hong Kong and was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Part of the Robin's Nest Country Park falls within the former Frontier Closed Area and harbors a diverse collection of war relics. Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine was one of the most extensive mining systems in Hong Kong's mining history. Together with the MacIntosh Forts, Grade-2 historic buildings, they are the key heritage resources in the Robin's Nest Country Park.Hiking TrailsThere are two hiking trails in the Robin's Nest Country Park, namely Robin's Nest Country Trail and Lin Ma Hang Country Trail. Information boards, waymarks and distance posts are installed along the trails. Viewing points and interpretation panels are also set up at suitable locations to facilitate appreciation of nature and cultural heritages.Transportation InformationTo the start point of Robin's Nest Country TrailTake public transport to Tam Shui Hang Bus Station at Sha Tau Kok Road – Shek Chung Au, and walk along Shan Tsui Village Road for about 30mins to the start point of Robin’s Nest Country Trail.Green Minibus route – 55KKowloon Motor Bus (KMB) routes – 78KTo the start point of Lin Ma Hang Country TrailTake minibus at Sheung Shui Station and get off at Lin Ma Hang Road before the Frontier Closed Area. Walk along the connecting path for 20mins to arrive at the Lin Ma Hang Village.Green Minibus route – 59K (Please take the one towards Lin Ma Hang at Sheung Shui MTR Station)Please note a section of Lin Ma Hang Road near Lin Ma Hang Village is within the Frontier Closed Area (FCA). Visitors to/from Lin Ma Hang Village who wish to take minibus route 59K are required to possess a valid Frontier Closed Area Permit, or they have to get on or off before the FCA and use the connecting path to hike to Lin Ma Hang Village. Hikers should take note of the waymarks onsite. Please refer to the webpages on Closed Area Permit and the New FCA Boundary of the Hong Kong Police Force for information on access to FCA. (Video in Chinese only)For more details of the Robin's Nest Country Park, please visit the website of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

This story is only available in Chinese. For more information on the subject, please visit the Facebook page of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

This story is only available in Chinese. For more information on the subject, please visit the Facebook page of Hong Kong Country Parks.