A Hike from Wan Chai to The Peak via the Hong Kong Trail

It's mostly just buildings along the path, but it starts to get greener once you cross Kennedy Road (it isn't straight across as the road is barricaded, you need to take a left and walk a short distance to the nearby pedestrian crossing).

As you can tell, the path has a rather steep gradient. It is sweat-inducing, but the increasing amount of plant life provides plenty of shade.

If you need a rest half-way up, I suggest you stop at Bowen Road Park.

After more panting and sweating (I thought I was going to take it easy today!) I reach the intersection of Peak Road and Stubbs Road.

I head along the nearby Mount Cameron Road, which borders Wan Chai Gap Park.

And then take a right along Aberdeen Reservoir Road.

You can continue to follow Aberdeen Reservoir Road to the trailhead of Section 3 or do what I did and take a diversion on Lady Clementi's Ride, a small path which runs parallel to the main road.

Lady Clementi's ride joins up with the Hong Kong Trail at Section 4 (take the sign towards Peel Rise as that is where I am headed).

Follow the path until you join the road again, take a left, go over an old stone bridge and then look for the trailhead of Section 3 on your right.

Time to enjoy some hiking on Section 3 of the Hong Kong Trail!

If you are looking for a walk on a rather flat trail with plenty of trees and shade this is the one. You do get the occasional view though.

It is not that exciting, but a nice walk, nonetheless. So far, probably the least exciting section of the Hong Kong Trail I have completed.

When I hit Peel Rise (which is an old road) I have a decision to make.

Do I take a left down Peel Rise and finish off Section 3? Or do I abandon Section 3, take a right and head up Peel Rise to The Peak? The latter sounds much more interesting but much more strenuous. Hmmm, think I will go the exciting option (I also brought the tripod for my camera, so I would like to try some night photography over the Hong Kong skyline from the Lugard Road Lookout).

I take a right.

It is an unexciting, uphill walk, but I am enjoying my time outside. As I make my way up Peel Rise, I hear a sudden scream from further up the road. I am not sure what is going on, but I can just see two people through the trees. As I continue, I hear a woman yelling "get down into the trees and off the road!". What's that all about? I look up the road and there it is ... a dirty great big wild pig.

The woman walks out of the trees and I meet her on the road as she calls out to her husband. We don't hear anything from him. The big pig walks into the vegetation and the husband appears out of the vegetation. The husband is all good and said he got within a few meters of the wild beast. I'm not sure how dangerous it would be, but the woman was very adamant that they have sharp teeth and like to bite. Think I will pass on that.

I didn't expect to see a wild pig so close to The Peak. I am so close to civilisation.

With the piggy excitement out of the way, I continue to The Peak via Peak Road. On the way, there are views of Mount High West and the outlying islands.

Soon enough I am at The Peak Tower.

Time for a rest until the sun starts to set and then I will head along Lugard Road to get some night photography of the Hong Kong skyline. Here is the result.

And here is the time-lapse.

Spectacular isn't it? One of my favourite views in Hong Kong.

I planned to take the bus back to my hotel but the line-up at the bus stop was epic. So, I did what I usually do, walk. I found my way through the affluent streets of The Peak and returned to the top of the Wan Chai Green Trail. I enjoy going downhill and then call it a day back at my hotel in Wan Chai.