Kau Nga Ling. Photo: Facebook/Mick Fung
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https://scmp.com/magazines/style/well-being/article/3026457/5-most-extreme-hiking-trails-hong-kong Wellness
The 5 most extreme hiking trails in Hong Kong
The growing popularity of hiking has also resulted in an increase in accidents and fatalities in Hong Kong, and even the most experienced hikers need to be vigilant
Fei Ngo Shan is popular among weekend hikers because of ‘Suicide Cliff’, a large stone platform and a photo hotspot once featured by National Geographic magazine. Photo: Jean-Christophe Clement
With the arrival of cooler weather, hiking will become even more popular as a weekend activity for health-conscious Hongkongers. The growing popularity of hiking has also resulted in an increase in accidents. In 2017, the Fire Services Department received a total of 1,372 search and rescue calls involving hikers, with 175 injuries and 15 deaths.
Although accidents can happen to the most experienced hikers, adequate preparations and precautions are always advised, as most mishaps result from poor judgement or ignoring route conditions and the weather. Extra caution is required for trails and locations with records of fatal and serious accidents.
Here we’ve rounded up the five most dangerous trails in Hong Kong – so make sure you’re ready before hitting the trails.
1. Kau Nga Ling, Lantau
This is a section of rugged and undulating ridges on the south range of Lantau Peak, hence its name “dog teeth ridges” in Chinese.
The ridges are located about halfway along an 8km trail from Shek Pik Reservoir to Ngong Ping. The most dangerous spot is ominously dubbed “slim chance of survival”, and hikers often need to clamber up with their hands and legs.
The latest accident at this spot took place in October 2018, when a 53-year-old woman slipped and suffered a head injury. There was a fatal accident here in November 2017 when a 69-year-old man fell 30 metres from the steep slope.
2. Green Dragon Stream, Lantau
Green Dragon Stream, Lantau. Photo: Facebook/Adventure Outing Explore
Hikers love trekking along streams with pools and waterfalls in the heat of summer, but the presence of wet and slippery rocks can make it dangerous. Green Dragon (Tsing Lung) Stream is one of the streams flowing down from Sunset Peak to San Shek Wan on Southern Lantau where hikers usually start their ascent.
Most serious accidents occur at the Green Dragon Fall along the upper reaches of the stream, where hikers have to climb an eight metre tall, near vertical cliff with running water.
3. Tiu Shau Ngam, Ma On Shan
Tiu Shau Ngam. Photo: Facebook/Mak Chunkit
This 588-metre peak offers panoramic views of Tolo Harbour and Pat Sin Leng. Hikers often visit Tiu Shau Ngam as part of an 8km hike from Ma On Shan Village to Sai Kung.
The main danger at Tiu Shau Ngam is the loose stones along the rugged, exposed paths. The initial section of the uphill trail is particularly steep, and some strenuous clambering is needed with the help of the ropes left there by hikers.
The peak made headlines in March 2017, when a firefighter fell off a cliff while rescuing a trapped couple and died later.
4. Fei Ngo Shan, Kowloon
Fei Ngo Shan. Photo: Jean-Christophe Clement
Closer to the city, the 602-metre Fei Ngo Shan is popular among weekend hikers because of the “Suicide Cliff”, a large stone platform and a photo hotspot which once featured by National Geographic magazine.
Less experienced hikers should avoid taking the south route from the start of Fei Ngo Shan Road as the climb is steep and strenuous.
While the rocky area near “Suicide Cliff” offers breathtaking views of the Kowloon Peninsula, it is also the most dangerous spot. In November 2017, a 48-year-old woman died after falling from the cliff, and there have been several accidents when hikers were seriously injured or stranded among the cliffs.
5. Sharp Peak, Sai Kung
Sharp Peak. Photo: Facebook/Sino Choi
Known as one of the most dangerous peaks to ascend in Hong Kong, the 468-metre Sharp Peak (Nam She Tsim) is also a hotspot for rescue calls – and was the scene of one death in November 2016.
The pointed peak is on the to-do list of many hikers because of its peculiar contours and the 360-degree views of the Sai Kung Peninsula from the summit. Most hikers take the path from Tai Long Au, which is steep and rocky with lots of loose stones near the summit. As the path is mostly exposed, it is particularly dangerous during hot or inclement weather.