Rising Above The City

Victoria Harbour from The Peak.

I am ashamed to say that I haven't been hiking since around last May. It's either been too hot, or too wet, or I've been too busy, or just too lazy. Nowadays the weather is perfect for hiking, so no more excuses. Yesterday I finally dragged myself out for a walk.

I decided to start off with an easy walk up to The Peak, the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island. I've never walked up The Peak before, though I have walked down several times via Pokfulam Reservoir and The Central Green Trail. There are many different routes for walking up and down The Peak. This time I decided to try going up Peel Rise on the Aberdeen side. I first came across Peel Rise when I walked The Hong Kong Trail Section Three and thought then that I should come back and walk up this road some time.

To get to Peel Rise, I went to Exchange Square Bus Station and got on bus 70P. This started out quite fast, going through the Aberdeen Tunnel and past Ocean Park, but when it reached Aberdeen, it got stuck in traffic for ages. I was actually tempted just to get off and walk the last stretch, but I didn't. I got off at Pak Sha Lau Yue Kong Chuen, (that's a bit of a mouthful for a bus stop) walked back down the hill to Saint Peter's Secondary School and found Peel Rise just below it.

Peel Rise.

Peel Rise split into two right at the start. I took the path on the right. Within a short distance, I was next to a large cemetery. I remembered this from The Hong Kong Trail. Chinese cemeteries in Hong Kong are normally located on hillsides and facing the sea, as these things bring good feng shui.

Take the path on the left.

Cemetery.

Past the cemetery, I went left at the catchwater. I enjoyed this stretch, as it was the only flat part of the whole hike. When my path split into two again, I went to the right. This was the correct way to go, but I should have gone left first to see a beautiful waterfall, then doubled back. The way I went, I still managed to see the waterfall, but I had to climb half way down a really steep bank to do so.

Waterfall.

Next, I crossed over a stream and reached a rest garden. I followed the sign for Peak Road. From this point the walk was all uphill. It was not a steep uphill; it was a gradual one, so it was not too demanding. There was shade the whole way, as the walk meandered up through the forest. On each side of the path there were streams for a while. It was very soothing, listening to the gurgling water and the songs of the birds.

Stream.

Rest area.

Follow the sign for Peak Road.

Every so often I came to a sharp hairpin bend. There were quite a few of these on this trail. There was lots of foliage but almost no flowers, except a few that had fallen from the trees.

Hairpin bend.

Fallen flower.

Selfie on the walk.

As I was in the trees there weren't too many views, until I was nearly at the top. I finally found one small gap in the trees.

View from the top of the trail.

View from the top of the trail.

When I reached number 7 Peel Rise, I had returned to civilization. There was a good view over Aberdeen from here, but I had to take it through a wire fence.

7 Peel Rise.

Looking down over Aberdeen.

Looking down over Aberdeen.

I noticed a wonderful old tree with beautiful roots.

Tree roots

There were posh, expensive houses here and Peel Rise was no longer pedestrianised.

Posh houses on the hill.

The Peak.

The Peak.

At the end of Peel Rise, I kept to the left and went up Gough Hill Path. This was to avoid the heavy traffic on busy Peak Road. There was a pretty little rest garden here, where I sat down for a while.

Gough Path on the left.

Peel Rise Rest Garden.

The next part of the walk wasn't pretty. It was necessary to cross Peak Road on the overhead bridge or at the traffic lights. I then walked along the slip road on the right of Peak Road until I reached Peak Galleria. The reason I didn't like this part of the walk was because I was walking along the sides of a busy main road. Mercifully this part of the walk was short.

Slip road.

At Peak Galleria I had a quick wander around, looking at The Peak Tower, the old tram carriage and the Peak Cafe

Peak Tower.

Old Peak tram.

The Peak Cafe.

Then I headed off to the Lions Pavilion. I passed a cafe with a spectacular view on route. It's a long time since I have been to The Lion's Pavilion. During COVID I could easily be the only person here. This time it was filled with Mainland Chinese tourists. Someone was selling paintings next to the pavilion.

Cafe with a view.

Paintings near The Lion Pavilion.

The views were spectacular. It was such a beautiful clear day.

View from The Lion Pavilion.

Buildings everywhere.

I had intended to go down Finlay Path and walk down Old Peak Road, but I couldn't resist going to Lugard Road on such a clear day, as I know it has the best unobstructed views.

Viewing platform on Lugard Road.

Looking towards the ICC building from Victoria Peak.

The ICC and boats.

So many boats.

View from another angle.

As it was a week day, it wasn't too busy though there were quite a few people around. At weekends this road can get as busy as wandering through Causeway Bay. To my surprise I was passed by at least seven people on wheelchairs. I wonder if I could push Peter around here.

Blue seas and blue skies.

I spent a long time enjoying the views. I've just got a new phone with a powerful zoom, so I was enjoying trying it out.

Harbour view with greenery.

Looking up the harbour.

Looking up the harbour.

Looking over Central.

Bank of China through the trees.

There is such an expansive view here, it is possible to get totally carried away with photo taking. I've been up here on days when you can't even see Kowloon, so a clear day like things this was wonderful.

View from The Peak.

Tall buildings and views.

Harbour view.

There are views up the harbour, across to Kowloon and, as you go further around, over the tops of distant islands.

Overlooking islands.

Overlooking islands.

There are other things to see on Lugard Road as well as the views. It has several very impressive old banyan trees and an old mansion that is meant to be the most haunted building in Hong Kong, though personally I wouldn't mind living in it.

Banyan trees.

Banyan trees.

Haunted house.

I noticed another beautiful old abandoned mansion behind the Buddah statues,too and a lovely old colonial style villa

Statue on Lugard Road, Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.

Abandoned mansion on The Peak.

Villa Vista.

When I reached the little garden between Lugard Road and Harlech Road, I headed off down The Morning Trail.

Garden between Harlech and Lugard Road.

Morning Trail Sign post.

I have only walked part of this before on my way to Pine Wood Battery. I didn't detour off to the battery this time, just stayed on the path. At one point a wild boar came out of the forest right in front of me. There was the occasional beautiful view.

Wild boar.

I found an old boundary stone, saying City of Victoria. There are several of these in Hong Kong. In fact I once read a description of a hike where the hiker walked from boundary stone to boundary stone. Not easy, as they are actually pretty far apart.

Victoria City Boundary Stone.

Having never walked all the way down The Morning Trail, I wasn't sure where I was going to come out. However, I soon realised I was heading for The Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre, which I visited just before it closed down. That means there's another trail up the Peak from here - The Lung Fu Shan Country Trail.

The Morning Trail distance marker.

Old building on the trail.

Pavilion on The Morning Walk.

Waterfall.

I headed down to Hong Kong University, yet another university campus. I can't seem to get away from them. I didn't really explore. I was getting tired by this stage, but I did photograph a couple of the older buildings and wanted through the Sun Yat Sen Garden. There were some pretty flowers and a beautiful tree in this area.

Grand old tree Hong Kong University.

Grand old tree Hong Kong University.

Eliot Hall, Hong Kong University.

Sun Yat Sen.

Sun Yat Sen.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea.

Indian Rhododendron.

The University of Hong Kong.

When I got to one of the MTR entrances, I discovered it was closed for renovation. I wasn't sure where the next nearest entrance was, so I ended up walking to Sai Ying Pun. I passed a few interesting buildings. I was greatly relieved to finally reach the MTR and get to sit down on the train. My legs were well and truly exhausted by this point. It was great to have got out and hiked again, but I must admit I am pretty out of condition.

St Anthony's Catholic Church.

Chinese Rhenish Church.

King's College.

At some point I will try another up and down route of The Peak, until I have done them all.

Beautiful tree outside Sunny Bay Station.