High points aplenty on a Violet Hill hike (Photo-essay)

It's listed as being the joint 74th highest hill in Hong Kong along with nearby Jardine's Lookout on a Wikipedia list of the Big Lychee's mountains, peaks and hills.  But on the Hong Kong Island & Neighbouring Islands Countryside Series map that I carry with me when I go hiking on Hong Kong Island, Lamma, Po Toi and Tung Lung Chau, the highest of Violet Hill's three peaks is listed as being 436 meters high; one meter higher than Mount Butler as well as three meters higher than Jardine's Lookout. 

As it so happens, Violet Hill also beats out both those Hong Kong Island hills as being my favorite hill to hike up on the island.  One big reason is that, because the Hong Kong Trail doesn't go up to its highest peak, that high point tends to be one which fewer people head over to -- and thus tends to be a pretty peaceful as well as pleasant place to hang out for a bit and enjoy the scenic views.  Another reason why I like hiking in the area is that, true to its name, violet flowers can be found on the hill in question.  

In addition, I also like that because various trails connect in this neck of the woods, you can mix and match your routes.  At the same time though, I have to admit that I've still to actually do what many way fitter people do in one go: i.e., go up at least one of Violet Hill's three peaks, followed by both of The Twins!  Instead, my favorite hike in the area involves going up the two highest of Violet Hill's peaks from Wong Nai Chung Gap, then heading over to Tai Tam Road from Tsin Shui Wan Au along the banks of a couple of the Tai Tam Reservoirs... :)

Yep, that's Violet Hill and the trail I like going up it! ;b

 

It can be rewarding to turn back every once in a while

and see how far one has already gone, and is from the city :)

 

The Twins can be seen in the distance but it's best to focus

at this point on getting past Violet Hill itself :b

 

Hong Kong really is such a contrast of green countryside and 

rugged trails on the one hand, and concrete jungle on the other!

 

Some of the violet flowers that gives

Violet Hill its name

 

A less common flower found on Violet Hill this time around

 

 The kind of sight that gladdens my heart, and which not all that

many people realize can be found in the center of Hong Kong Island!

 

Near hike's end, the area around the Tai Tam Reservoirs 

offer up many satisfying vistas too :)