The Argyle Ross trail is a challenging twelve section, 100km swim hike from the desolate far north east islands of Double Haven Geopark to the far west enclave of Ha Pak Lai overlooking Shenzhen. This hike will introduce you to some of the most spectacular lesser travelled parts of the New Territories, and will have you sea swimming between beautiful islands, hiking streams, jumping in waterfalls and traversing rugged coastlines, ridges, reservoirs and beaches across the length of Hong Kong. Best hiked in the hot summer months, every section is wet with swimming designed into each section. This is a difficult trail, for those that love water and seek real adventure beyond anything offered by other long distance Hong Kong trails.
The Route
Section |
Start/Finish |
Distance (km) |
Water |
Difficulty |
Time (hrs) |
1 |
Kat O to Tung Wan |
9 |
Island swims, coasteering |
** |
3 |
2 |
Tung Wan to Wu Kau Tang |
11.8 |
Island swim, coasteering |
**** |
5 |
3 |
Wu Kau Tang to Lung Mei Beach |
7.4 |
Stream, beach, major waterfall |
*** |
3 |
4 |
Lung Mei Beach to Tai Po Market |
10.2 |
Island swims |
** |
3.5 |
5 |
Tai Po Market to Yin Ngam Peak |
5.5 |
Stream |
**** |
4 |
6 |
Yin Ngam Peak to Pineapple Dam |
6.3 |
Stream |
*** |
3.25 |
7 |
Pineapple Dam to Chuen Lung |
7.6 |
Stream, major waterfall |
***** |
4.5 |
8 |
Chuen Lung to Allway Gardens |
4.9 |
Two streams, major waterfall |
** |
2.5 |
9 |
Allway Gardens to Sham Tseng |
8.5 |
Stream, major waterfall, beaches |
**** |
3.5 |
10 |
Sham Tseng to So Kwun Wat |
12.1 |
Stream, major waterfall |
**** |
4.5 |
11 |
So Kwun Wat to Tuen Mun |
6.4 |
Beaches |
* |
1.5 |
12 |
Tuen Mun to Ha Pak Lai |
10 |
Stream, waterfalls, coast, beach |
**** |
5 |
Click map for PDF
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Allway Gardens to Sham Tseng.
Ancient trail, stream hike, major waterfall, beaches and coast.
Read more...
Ancient trail, stream hike, major waterfall, beaches and coast.
Read more...
Section 10
Section 11
Section 12
Hiking HK
Alltrails
Is this even thru-hikable?
Thru-hiking the Argyle Ross is the ultimate challenge. However bear in mind that sea swimming and stream hiking is significantly slower than hiking the well-trodden trails of the main Hong Kong trails. With this in mind, a tough six days should be enough time to complete the whole trail in one shot. Additionally, as you will be swimming many parts of the trail, carrying your supplies in a dry bag is essential and this means going light and small with a hammock instead of a tent. The best hammock spots are shown on each seperate section map, otherwise you will be limited to finding a spot on stream. Pagodas are also a good option, and can offer protection if it rains.
The trail is also designed with resupply in mind. The trail will take you through some major conurbations and villages such as Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Sham Tseng, Gold Coast and Tuen Mun. These urban walks should offer you ample opportunity for restaurants or resupply, and we have recommended some of the best local restaurants en-route.
Ensure you check the weather for the duration of the thru-hike. Any rain whatsoever will make hammock camping miserable and turn some of the stream hiking very dangerous due to slippery climbs.
For a guide to thru-hiking the Argyle Ross Trail click here.
The trail is also designed with resupply in mind. The trail will take you through some major conurbations and villages such as Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Sham Tseng, Gold Coast and Tuen Mun. These urban walks should offer you ample opportunity for restaurants or resupply, and we have recommended some of the best local restaurants en-route.
Ensure you check the weather for the duration of the thru-hike. Any rain whatsoever will make hammock camping miserable and turn some of the stream hiking very dangerous due to slippery climbs.
For a guide to thru-hiking the Argyle Ross Trail click here.