Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail

Difficulty ★★★★☆

Start here: Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital, Tsuen Wan (39M from Tsuen Wan MTR).
End here: Tai Tong Barbecue Area, Yuen Long.

What makes it special? This is called an ancient trail for a reason. In the past the route was a vital artery connecting the 18 villages of Shap Pat Heung in Yuen Long, and the market town of Tsuen Wan. Every day villagers would haul their goods over the mountain to Tsuen Wan to trade. That came to an end with the completion of Castle Peak Road in the 1930s, but the trail remains and it’s a lesser-known jewel.

Tsing Ma and Ting Kau bridges as seen from Shek Lung Kung (Photo: Rico Lam Chi-chung)

The trail: This route runs over the length of Tai Lam Country Park: It’s a steep and tiring 200m-plus climb from the starting point to the top of Shek Lung Kung, which sits 400m above sea level. However, from that point onwards it’s mostly downhill. About halfway along, the trail meets Stage 10 of the MacLehose Trail at Tin Fu Tsai, home to a campsite, bubbling stream and wooden bridge. If you can’t quite manage the full trek to Yuen Long, then you can always turn aside here and head south to Sham Tseng instead, where you can treat yourself to the famous roast goose at Chan Kee Roasted Goose (63 Castle Peak Rd., Sham Tseng, 2491-0722). This route takes about three hours. Otherwise, press on to the end. But be warned: from the Tai Tong barbecue site finishing point it’s another 1.5 kilometers down to Kiu Hing Road, where you can catch a bus home.

Look out for: The spectacular view over Tsing Yi harbor from the summit of Shek Lung Kung, which offers fantastic panoramas of Tsing Ma and Ting Kau bridges.