From Pak Kung Au down to Mui Wo, where delectable dining options await! (Photo-essay)

The South Lantau Country Trail officially has its trailhead at a junction on Nam Shan -- which also is the point where the Lantau Trail's boring Stage 1 (which many hikers choose to skip) segues into the more interesting and challenging Stage 2 (which leads hikers up to and then down Sunset Peak) -- and ends down at the Tong Fuk Catchwater some 10.3 kilometers over to the west.  But although I've ventured along the section of this official Hong Kong hiking trail between Pak Kung Au and Nam Shan several times, I've only been once on the section of this trail to the west of Pak Kung Au (during which I ended up tramping all the way down to Pui O) and, actually, have never hiked the whole trail in one go.

Another preference of mine with regards to the South Lantau Country Trail is to opt to go in the reverse direction from how one is officially supposed to do.  One reason for this is that this means that I'm going downhill rather than uphill for much of the hike.  More importantly though is that going in this alternative direction means that I (and my hiking friend(s), for this is one of those trails that I would very much prefer not to go on alone -- and definitely not when the hill streams are on the full side) will end up in Mui Wo, where a number of really good dining options (including Wah Kee, the China Beach Club and Bahce Turkish Restaurant) are to be found! ;b

On a gray day, the large rock lodged along the trail looks to be 

brooding and contemplating whether to roll down to the water's edge!

 

The kind of scenery few people expect to come across 

in Hong Kong, and which always gets me thinking of Scotland!

 

Along with the Lung Mun Country Trail, this official hiking route

may well pass by the most hill streams I know 

 

 And yes, when the water is on the full side, one needs to be

careful when going over or around them -- as slipping

and falling off a mountain becomes a distinct possibility!

It's not just me who reckons this tree's bark

looks like it's been painted on, right? ;b

 

A mysterious stone building near an archway for 

the Lantau Trail over at Nam Shan

In Lantau, feral cows often act like they own the roads

(buses and other vehicles, be damned!)! ;D

 

The kind of food that can be found in Mui Wo, and which 

I will happily -- and can completely -- devour post-hike! ;b