Thursday, August 1, 2013

MACLEHOSE TRAIL SECTION 2

There's no way to get to the starting point directly than to hike the first section (around 10km & 3hrs) until you reach the Starting point of Section 2 or if you want to skip hiking the first section then you must take a Blue Colored Taxi from the bus terminus at Sai Kung Country Park Visitor's Centre which roughly cost HK$50 until you reach the Pavilion next to Dolosses landmark and then from the Pavilion, simply follow the trail post marker until this starting point of Section 2.

TRANSPORT:
  • (Option 1) Take the MTR to Diamond Hill Station and board in to bus 92 'til you reach its final Terminus at Sai Kung District. Then, quickly take bus 94 and get off at Sai Kung Visitor's Center. Finally, take the blue cab at the terminus and ask the taxi driver to take you at High Island Reservoir Pavilion or MacLehose Trail Section 1.
  • (Option 2) Take the MTR and get off at Diamond Hill Station and leave the station by Exit B. Locate and board into 96R (available during Sundays & Public Holidays only) and get off at Sai Kung Visitor's Centre, take a blue cab and ask the driver to take you at High Island Reservoir Pavilion. You must be on the MacLehose Trail (right side when you reach the round-about but make sure that the Taxi is between the High Island Reservoir on the left-side of the cab and the Water Sports Centre on the right-side) and when you reach the Blue colored Dolosses Landmark then, all you need to do is to follow the trail until the starting point of Section 2 is reached. 
TRAIL INFO:
  • Difficulty: 3/5 (Strenuous Hike)
  • Distance: 13.5 km (Original Trail) if you hike SHARP PEAK then it's at least 18.5+km.
  • Duration: 5 Hrs (Original) if you hike SHARP PEAK then it roughly around 7 Hrs.
  • Terrain: 40% Concrete, 40% Natural and 20% Sand
  • Mobile Phone Coverage: Good
  • GPS Coverage: Great
LOGISTIC:
  • Pack: 10L - 20L Packs
  • Liquid Supplement: 3L
  • Food: (Optional) There are restaurants when you reach TAI LONG WAN or you can have your own food. 
  • Clothing: Convertible Pants and Shirt (Summer) add Wind Breaker (Winter)
  • Shoes: Be sure to wear proper hiking shoes or boots.
  • Extras: Hiking Pole, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Mini Personal First Aid Kit, Extra Shirt, Mobile Phone & Camera.
LET'S GO!




STARTING POINT
(Work your way here by following the instructions above)


LONG KE BAY
The aquatic emerald colors of Long Ke Bay. The serenity and tranquility of the camping ground along the beach side and the beautiful mountain range that your going to hike awaits.


REHABILITATION CENTRE
Respect the privacy and peacefulness of this facility...be sure not to loiter around its premises. 


CAMPING GROUND
The Campsite at Long Ke Bay. There's a water source but I'm not sure if it's clean enough to drink (better bring your purifying tablets or portable water purifier), a toilet is also available in the area. If your planning to camp here you need to make sure that you need to bring your food and all your essentials most specially your drinking water because there's no store in the area.


Hike further on a clearly marked country trail until this Pavilion is reached. A resting area and sign to have a little break and to refuel your body.


SAI WAN SHAN (314masl) Summit
It's really not that hard to get to this summit because the trail is not steep, it is rather clean and clear and and filled with trial signs along the way.


TAI LONG WAN PANORAMA
This is a very famous viewing area and by looking ahead you can actually see TAI LONG WAN, SHARP PEAK from a distance.


INTERSECTION MAP BOARD
Its's like decision making point around this junction, but all I have to say is .."Proceed towards Tai Long Wan!".. otherwise you'll miss the opportunity if seeing the greatest Camping Ground and the famous beach side Hong Kong. 



VIEWING COMPASS


At this point you are getting closer to the No.1 Adventure Haven of Sai Kung East Country Park and of course Hong Kong. When you get to TAI LONG WAN Beach, you need to cross the wooden bridge made by the locals to reach the restaurant and also the continuation of MacLehose Trail Section 2. If your doing the original concrete trail then you need to get through village and follow the concrete path and by simply tracing the trail post, but if SHARP PEAK is in your itinerary...then you need to get to the right side and along the back of the restaurant and from there...a trail uphill with rope is what you need to follow. Never fear because the path is clear until you to reach the other side of Tai Long Wan. 


After cruising through the clean and clear sand beach line, you are bound to reach the further end of Tai Long Wan beach. Enter the very obvious path uphill until you reach this section where I'm standing on the picture above. When you get here, then follow the route on the left-side (by looking at the photo) to reach the summit of Sharp Peak. 


Looking back, the trail is so beautiful and breathe taking and one must wonder "what if I have a house here?" or "..I wish I have a house here to see this perfect scenery everyday!". How ever you feel on the day that you attempt climbing Sharp Peak, I'm certain that your going to cherish every moment of it and still look forward on hiking here again.


This massive landscape is the perfect scenery of Tai Long Wan and this is only a few meters away from the summit of Sharp Peak. The feeling of being here is so amazing...imagine how much more if your doing Mount Everest!


SHARP PEAK (468masl/1535ft) SUMMIT
Up at the summit of Sharp Peak you will blessed with perfect 360 degrees Panorama of Sai Kung. On a clear day, you will see the Sai Kung West Country Park, Sai Kung East Country Park and the rest of Sai Kung Peninsula. 

The other side of the summit and below is the beach and campsite of TAI WAN.



How to leave Sharp Peak? Make your way back down to your entry path to reach the summit and at the intersection, simply bear right aiming for the radio tower until you reach the concrete road and main path of Maclehose Trail Section 2. Bear right again along the emergency calling post and aim for Pak Tam Au. Never fear again because you will pampered by the country park's sign post.


CHEK KENG
This place has a church but not in use anymore since the village is abandoned due to the modernization and development of Hong Kong. There's still some village houses that standings among the fallows field. With all the houses here and the church, it must have been very busy town in past and I'm sure that fishing is the main way of life. At Post M045 bear left and continue trekking through the concrete path until you reach Pak Tam Au road. There's a lavatory again at the end point and the bus station to return to the city is just nearby and facing the Entry Point of MacLehose Trail Section 3.


End of Section 2 and a new set of Hikers are getting ready for their own adventure.




Friendly Reminder
Enjoy Your Country Park, Enjoy Hiking and Leave NO Trace!

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