What can be done in 1-2 hours’ free time? Watch a movie? Have an afternoon tea?
Actually, 1-2 hours is enough for a relaxing hike. Hong Kong has mountainous terrain, so there is always a hill beside you. TrailWatch began to introduce Backyard Trails 3 years ago and recently we decided to restart this series. This time round, we have selected six short routes located around Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories for you. We invite you to explore the backyards around the city and to discover the beauty of nature that is just right outside your doorstep.
New Territories East: Duckling Hill & Mau Wu Shan
(Duckling Hill and Mau Wu Shan are located in different parts of Tseung Kwan O.)
To reach the peak of Duckling Hill, you can start from Hau Tak Estate in Hang Hau and walk to Ying Yip Road – the starting point of the trail. Duckling Hill has a trigonometry and viewing point overlooking the panoramic view of the beautiful Port Shelter. After a section of shaded trail, you will reach Siu Nui Fung which has a pavilion and some physical activity facilities.
A special pavilion on the way to Duckling Hill
Mau Wu Shan is closer to Tiu Keng Leng. Mau Wu Shan Observation Post located at the peak is also known as an abandoned bunker, and was listed as a Grade I historic building in 2009 therefore attracting many hikers to come visit. After reaching the top, you can retrace your steps or continue to Wilson Trail Section 3, to Ma Yau Tong Village or Po Lam.
Mau Wu Shan Observation Post
Duckling Hill’s route detail: www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10232184
Mau Wu Shan’s route detail: www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10202792
Island East: Ghost Bridge & Leaping Dragon Walk
Chai Wan Ghost Bridge and Leaping Dragon Walk are both popular morning trails for nearby residents. Many hikers also like to visit the places, to take pictures with the ancient bridge and enjoy the panoramic ocean view without skyscrapers, which is not that common in Hong Kong Island.
Chai Wan Ghost Bridge is part of the century old Tai Tam waterworks that is situated at a valley near Pak Chai Stream and Mount Parker Lower Catchwater.
Chai Wan Ghost Bridge
The entire Leaping Dragon Walk is paved, there are a few rest spots along the way which are also the gathering points of residents in this neighbourhood. After, climb up the 500 steps to reach the pavilion and Pottinger Peak View Compass where you can enjoy the magnificent view of Clear Water Bay and Siu Sai Wan.
Pottinger Peak View Compass
Chai Wan Ghost Bridge’s route detail: www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10233866
Leaping Dragon Walk’s route detail: www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10236160
West Kowloon: Garden Hill & Woh Chai Shan
Garden Hill and Woh Chai Shan are both famous hills in Kowloon which are located in Sham Shui Po. The height of Woh Chai Shan is 86.6m, similar to that of Garden Hill. The two hills are approximately 1km away from each other, many people will plan a one day trip to visit both hills and enjoy food in the district.
Garden Hill is named after the Garden Centre in Sham Shui Po which once used to be the highest building in the district.
Begin your hike from the YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel, then follow the Morning Walk Trail next to it and slowly walk up to Garden Hill. There is a sitting-out area for resting at the top. It offers hikers a view of the Sham Shui Po district and West Kowloon from the farther side.
A sitting-out area at the top of Garden Hill
As Woh Chai Shan is surrounded by several churches at the foot of the hill, it is also called Bishop Hill. The top of the hill used to be an open outdoor area for the neighbourhood but due to some government construction at the end of 2020, a one hundred years old underground resovior was discovered and put in the spotlight by the public. The construction has since stopped but the site is closed and is awaiting its conservation direction. We hope hikers will continue to follow the case, as well as those of other historical buildings in the mountains or countryside, so they can all be preserved.
The shady trail of Woh Chai Shan
Garden Hill’s route detail: www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10200862
Woh Chai Shan’s route detail: www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10200892
Backyard Trails around Hong Kong have a lot in common, most of them are relatively easy trails, paved paths or stairs. Often, pavilions and recreational facilities are built along the way for nearby residents to use for exercising. Sometimes neighbours may plant some garden plants in the hill or transform the facilities; however, such transformations could cause safety problems and ecological issues, and from time to time, can cause conflict and controversy. If you discover such situations at your backyard trail, try to understand the background by talking to the neighbourhoods, then act accordingly.