HIKERS have been warned not to use the trails in Lantau Country Park because of landslips caused by last Friday's torrential rain. The advice was issued yesterday by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD), which said it could take months before the routes were fully cleared. The AFD has conducted site inspections of the Lantau trail, a circular route of about 70 kilometres running through the country park. It discovered that landslips had cut the trail, with mud blocking the paths, and set up warning signs. Senior country parks officer Lai Ching-wai said: ''We are not saying that trail walkers cannot come to Lantau, but they have to adhere to the warning messages and not risk their lives by entering dangerous areas. ''The trails near Nam Shan, Lantau Peak, Shek Pik, Tong Fuk and Cheung Sha have been more seriously affected.'' The AFD would send staff with shovels to clear the blocked areas, said Mr Lai. Fabian Pedrazzini of the Green Lantau Association, which organises hiking activities on the island twice a month, said the landslips would not seriously affect the association's operation. ''We could alter our route to avoid visiting the damaged area. But hikers without much experience should stay in the southern lowland area instead of going to the high peaks, such as Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak,'' he said. The YMCA hiking group's Cheung Mo-hon warned: ''People should identify difficult areas and return to the starting point immediately if the path has been blocked.''