Section 12 Tuen Mun to Ha Pak Lai
A desert and a sunset
Difficulty **** | Time 5 hrs | Distance 10 km | Transport to start Tuen Mun MTR | Hammocks On stream | Food Ha Pak Lai | Water feature Stream, waterfall
| argyle_ross_sec_12.gpx |
Section 12 information
Section 12 is vintage Argyle Ross, offering a highly enjoyable, varied mix of steep climbs, a classic Hong Kong peak, precarious descents, a gorgeous stream, waterfalls, plunge pools and a coastal finish offering unbeatable views of Shenzhen and the Pearl River Estuary. If timed correctly and on a clear day, you will be rewarded with a glorious sunset over the west of the territory. As a finish to a long distance trail in Hong Kong, things don’t get much better than this.
Begin Section 12 at Tuen Mun MTR, head south through the park and cross Tin Hau bridge. Continue under Tsing Wun Rd and head up to the Ching Shun Monastery, one of the three oldest temples in Hong Kong and widely believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in the territory. This is worth a short stay to look around but can be skipped if you are short on time and want to make the coast for sunset.
After the monastery you will face a steep climb up towards Castle Peak, the tallest (583m) of the three sharp peaks in Hong Kong and the only prominent peak not located inside a country park. When you reach the top of the trail it’s recommended you make the final ascent up Castle Peak itself for splendid views over Shenzhen to the north, and Tuen Mun, the Gold Coast, Tai Mo Shan and, if visibility is good, as far as Hong Kong Island to the east .
From here you will head north, descending deep into the barren Castle Peak Hinterland, a vast network of mesmerising sandy trails, interlocking ridge lines and valleys which on any other day offer ample opportunity for exploration. Not today however, getting lost here is not an option so keep an eye out for the trail west which descends steeply towards Qing Dai stream. These sandy trails are precarious, particularly on the descent, so take care and expect at least one slip on the way down.
You will eventually reach a tributary to the main Qing Dai stream, a great feeling after a hike through the dry desert-like terrain of the Hinterland. Continue on this tributary until it meets Qing Dai stream and follow the stream north until you emerge at the top of a series of waterfalls. You will need to descend these waterfalls on the rocks. It’s not particularly steep but watch your footing. A dip in the beautiful pool at the base of the final, largest waterfall may well be your last on the Argyle Ross, so savour it before continuing down the Qing Dai's gentle, sandy river basin towards Ha Pak Lai.
When you almost reach the road bridge at the mouth of the river, exit the stream to the left and cross over the bridge on Nim Wan road. Take the first left and you will enter the outskirts of Ha Pak Nai: a collection of small arable farms and village houses. Before long you will hit the “main” street, busier than you would expect with local daytrippers here for the sunset. There is a handy little shop here and a minibus stop which will be your public transport back to Tuen Mun later. Here you can resupply for the finale - a walk along Lau Fau coast to the end of the trail at Kwun Yam Tin Hau Temple to watch the sunset and enjoy the views over the Pearl River Delta towards Shenzhen.
Begin Section 12 at Tuen Mun MTR, head south through the park and cross Tin Hau bridge. Continue under Tsing Wun Rd and head up to the Ching Shun Monastery, one of the three oldest temples in Hong Kong and widely believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in the territory. This is worth a short stay to look around but can be skipped if you are short on time and want to make the coast for sunset.
After the monastery you will face a steep climb up towards Castle Peak, the tallest (583m) of the three sharp peaks in Hong Kong and the only prominent peak not located inside a country park. When you reach the top of the trail it’s recommended you make the final ascent up Castle Peak itself for splendid views over Shenzhen to the north, and Tuen Mun, the Gold Coast, Tai Mo Shan and, if visibility is good, as far as Hong Kong Island to the east .
From here you will head north, descending deep into the barren Castle Peak Hinterland, a vast network of mesmerising sandy trails, interlocking ridge lines and valleys which on any other day offer ample opportunity for exploration. Not today however, getting lost here is not an option so keep an eye out for the trail west which descends steeply towards Qing Dai stream. These sandy trails are precarious, particularly on the descent, so take care and expect at least one slip on the way down.
You will eventually reach a tributary to the main Qing Dai stream, a great feeling after a hike through the dry desert-like terrain of the Hinterland. Continue on this tributary until it meets Qing Dai stream and follow the stream north until you emerge at the top of a series of waterfalls. You will need to descend these waterfalls on the rocks. It’s not particularly steep but watch your footing. A dip in the beautiful pool at the base of the final, largest waterfall may well be your last on the Argyle Ross, so savour it before continuing down the Qing Dai's gentle, sandy river basin towards Ha Pak Lai.
When you almost reach the road bridge at the mouth of the river, exit the stream to the left and cross over the bridge on Nim Wan road. Take the first left and you will enter the outskirts of Ha Pak Nai: a collection of small arable farms and village houses. Before long you will hit the “main” street, busier than you would expect with local daytrippers here for the sunset. There is a handy little shop here and a minibus stop which will be your public transport back to Tuen Mun later. Here you can resupply for the finale - a walk along Lau Fau coast to the end of the trail at Kwun Yam Tin Hau Temple to watch the sunset and enjoy the views over the Pearl River Delta towards Shenzhen.
