Section 3 Brides Pool to Lung Mei
Scaling the Dragon Ball
Difficulty *** | Time 3 hrs | Distance 7.4 km | Transport to start Bus to Brides Pool | Hammocks Ting Kok Delta | Food Tai Mei Tuk | Water feature Stream, major waterfall, beach
| argyle_ross_sec_3.gpx |
Section 3 information
Section 3 of the Argyle Ross Trail introduces you to one of its main features: stream hikes. The trail encompasses eight streams throughout its entire length, but few are more dramatic than Wang Chung stream on the eastern side of Pat Sin Leng Country Park. If you have never hiked up a stream before, then you are in for a real treat. There cannot be a better feeling on a hike than diving into a cool freshwater plunge pool on a hot summer’s day.
To begin Section 3, leave Wu Kau Tang bus terminus and walk south-west down the Bride’s Pool Nature Trail. After about 15 minutes you will pass through Bride’s Pool BBQ site, a very pleasant spot to take a break or set up for the night if you are thru-hiking. Moving on you will soon reach Bride’s Pool Road where you need to turn left and after a few minutes find a green AFCD gate which marks the entrance to the bottom of Wang Chung stream.
The first half an hour is a straightforward, gradual ascent. Pick your path on either side of the stream, following the ribbons through the edges of the forest. You will criss-cross the stream multiple times, scrambling up boulders and hopping from rock to rock, whichever route suits you best. Even at this bottom section, there are numerous little waterfalls and pools to take a dip in.
Soon you will arrive at the foot of the Dragon Ball waterfall, one of the most spectacular in Hong Kong. This ascent is quite technical and needs to be undertaken with care. We would recommend you climb up through the trees on the right-hand side of the lower waterfall before traversing to the other side along the rocks where there is a break in the flow. Then follow the steep path through the forest on the left hand side of the falls (always looking for ribbons where you can). It won’t be long before you have a beautiful infinity pool right at the top of Dragon Ball with stunning views down the leafy, green valley, hopefully all to yourselves.
The upper section of Wang Chung is flatter but just as pretty. There are still more than enough rocks to climb up and pools to jump into or bathe in. When the stream curves to the right you won’t have far to walk until you see a park signpost which marks the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail. Follow the rest of the trail south for an hour until you reach Brides Pool Rd then through the charming coastal village of Tai Mei Tuk. If you are completing Section 3 and 4 in one day, this is the natural midway point and obvious choice for lunch at one of the numerous restaurants. Alternatively, a stop at hiker favourite Q-Club is recommended, where you can sit at a table outside and sample their impressive selection of imported drinks from around the world. Have a drink here before going through Tai Mei Tuk to the end of Section 3 at Lung Mei beach. We highly recommend you pay a visit to Chung King BBQ opposite Lung Mei beach, with free flow beer and all you can eat, and with the most incredible selection of meat, vegetables and seafood, it has to be the best value BBQ in Hong Kong.
To begin Section 3, leave Wu Kau Tang bus terminus and walk south-west down the Bride’s Pool Nature Trail. After about 15 minutes you will pass through Bride’s Pool BBQ site, a very pleasant spot to take a break or set up for the night if you are thru-hiking. Moving on you will soon reach Bride’s Pool Road where you need to turn left and after a few minutes find a green AFCD gate which marks the entrance to the bottom of Wang Chung stream.
The first half an hour is a straightforward, gradual ascent. Pick your path on either side of the stream, following the ribbons through the edges of the forest. You will criss-cross the stream multiple times, scrambling up boulders and hopping from rock to rock, whichever route suits you best. Even at this bottom section, there are numerous little waterfalls and pools to take a dip in.
Soon you will arrive at the foot of the Dragon Ball waterfall, one of the most spectacular in Hong Kong. This ascent is quite technical and needs to be undertaken with care. We would recommend you climb up through the trees on the right-hand side of the lower waterfall before traversing to the other side along the rocks where there is a break in the flow. Then follow the steep path through the forest on the left hand side of the falls (always looking for ribbons where you can). It won’t be long before you have a beautiful infinity pool right at the top of Dragon Ball with stunning views down the leafy, green valley, hopefully all to yourselves.
The upper section of Wang Chung is flatter but just as pretty. There are still more than enough rocks to climb up and pools to jump into or bathe in. When the stream curves to the right you won’t have far to walk until you see a park signpost which marks the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail. Follow the rest of the trail south for an hour until you reach Brides Pool Rd then through the charming coastal village of Tai Mei Tuk. If you are completing Section 3 and 4 in one day, this is the natural midway point and obvious choice for lunch at one of the numerous restaurants. Alternatively, a stop at hiker favourite Q-Club is recommended, where you can sit at a table outside and sample their impressive selection of imported drinks from around the world. Have a drink here before going through Tai Mei Tuk to the end of Section 3 at Lung Mei beach. We highly recommend you pay a visit to Chung King BBQ opposite Lung Mei beach, with free flow beer and all you can eat, and with the most incredible selection of meat, vegetables and seafood, it has to be the best value BBQ in Hong Kong.
