While out hiking in the Big Lychee, I've also come across a number of geologically interesting areas that lie outside of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. Among the more well known of these are Po Toi (with such as its "Turtle Rock" and "Buddha's Palm Cliff") and Chi Ma Wan's "Rock Wonder".
In addition, there was the rocky area that three friends and I passed through while going down Tai Mo Shan to Lead Mine Pass and then to Tai Po (after having gone up Hong Kong's highest mountain from Route Twisk) one afternoon. If it were in a more accessible locale, this visually attractive space surely would attract more visitors. As it was, however, we had the place to ourselves pretty much the whole time we were there -- which, of course, made our being there feel all the more special and wonderful! :)
The easiest route up (and down) Tai Mo Shan is via
the paved road that connects to Route Twisk
This other route down (or up) Tai Mo Shan also isn't all that
difficult; it's just that there are miles to go before you
get to the nearest bus or minibus stop, forget MTR station!
It feels more like a real hike when the trail's not paved
and the terrain becomes more rugged :)
The kind of scenic view I enjoy gazing out at
while out hiking in the Big Lychee :)
Upon passing through this archway, you'll find
yourself in Lead Mine Pass
Whichever route one takes out of there, it involves traipsing
for a few more kilometers, so I wasn't surprised to see my
pedometer register 25,565 steps at the end of this long hiking day ;b
9 comments:
Hi there,
Did you see the terraced fields on various slopes before you reached the foot path to Lam Tsuen Waterfalls? Those terraces were supposed to be ancient tea plantations.
Oh, the terraces on both sides of the foot path as shown in your photo might be fields as well.
T
Hi T --
I don't think I noticed the old terraced fields on this hike, alas! Maybe next time when I go on that trail... ;)
Hi there,
Actually one of your photos had already captured some of the terraces (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5JlZbvNS42U/VzHpeW9NDmI/AAAAAAAAZSU/DGUjfCG7NPkM-Sx-rH4hhTbyXM29qVkBgCLcB/s1600/DSC04056.JPG) Zoom in and you should see some formation on the slopes, which is definitely artificial.
Thanks & Best Regards,
T
Hi there,
That section of the Mac has some interesting ruins along the way. Some require detours (http://gwulo.com/node/31911) but some are just a few steps away from the main path (https://goo.gl/maps/1Luj3wxevkT2 https://goo.gl/maps/Xfv3yHP3X922)
I believe the whole length of the Mac (and other popular hiking trails) had been captured by volunteers using the Google backpack so you could try to use Street View on them.
T
Hi T --
Coolness re my having (inadvertently) taken photos of those old rice terraces! That section of the Maclehose Trail is indeed pretty cool. If only it weren't so hard to get too... ;S
Hi there,
Have you tried to go up Tai Mo Shan through Chuen Lung before? If not maybe you should try it next time. The slopes along the old road is a bit more gentle than Tai Mo Shan Road but it is a little bit longer. If you don't mind going through the Cemetery there are shortcuts on unpaved foot paths but might be a bit tough to some.
T
Hi once more T --
I've not gone up Tai Mo Shan via Chuen Lung but have thought about it when seeing the markers while hiking from Cheun Lung to Shing Mun Reservoir along the Lung Mun Country Trail. You make it sound doable... so it might be an option to go up it and then, depending on how one feels, either going down Tai Mo Shan to Route Twisk or Tai Po.
Hi There,
Starting at Chiuen Lung has an advantage especially if you start a bit earlier. You could have breakfast/lunch there before you start.
There are bugs along the path as well. Last time I nearly bumped into a spider web with its owner right in th emiddle. Those webs are especially beautiful on a cloudy day as water droplets (or maybe morning dew if you are early) are all around. Visibility was very low up at Tai Mo Shan Road last time though.
Anyway, there are lots of foot paths up there. The country side map might not be showing all of them. But you should be able to find out more using the GeoInfo Map mentioned before.
T
Hi once again T --
I've had dim sum at Chuen Lung but don't think I could ever do so before a hike -- I'd want to go home and have a nap instead!
And as you know, I'm fine with bugs like spiders, butterflies and dragonflies. But I'm a bit leery of bugs these days after having been devoured by midges (currently in season) a few weeks back in Pui O! ;S
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