Victoria Peak - Pok Fu Lam (Country trail)
Created by- Sona Suzuki, Ree Nie Kong, Maxim Atepolikhin, Federico Pepe (8W)
Introduction
Do you need a day without stress? Are you sure staying at home is a good idea? If you want some fresh air to cool you down, a quick hike from the Victoria Peak to Pok Fu Lam is a good way to help you out. It's easily located and accessible with no confusion. The scenery will calm you and give you a breathtaking landscape of Hong Kong and what it truly looks like.
History
The Pok Fu Lam Country Park Trail includes the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, Peak Trail, Hong Kong Trail and the Sylvan Sanctuary.
Built in 1860, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir is Hong Kong’s first reservoir. Nestled between High West and Mount Kellett, the reservoir and its surroundings provide cool shades for morning runners, picnickers and dog walkers. The hike is short, shaded and has cell phone coverage all the way to ensure safety. This reservoir has a very long history that dates back to the 1800s. Before the reservoir was built, citizens got their water from nearby streams and wells, although this was not effective as diseases and viruses were spread by the polluted water. Consequently, the government of Hong Kong needed an urgent, practical solution for this on-going problem, and came up with an idea to be rewarded 10,000 pounds for whoever that found a solution for this problem. In addition, the colonial government actually prepared a budget of 25,000 pounds for the construction of the solution. On 29 February 1860, S. B. Rawling, a clerk from Royal Engineers suggested to construct a dam to collect rain water across the valley of Pokfulam. The reservoir was completed in 1863, but unfortunately, the dam did not meet the needs of the citizens due to budget-cuts, leaving the dam to be far less than adequate for the ever-growing population of Hong Kong. In the end, another reservoir was constructed above the original one in 1877. Now, 6 Historical Structures of the Pok Fu lam Reservoir were declared as monuments in 2009. These included 4 masonry bridges, a gauge basin and the Former Watchman’s Cottage, which is now the Pok Fu Lam Management Centre. |
Hand drawn map of a brief idea of the trail.
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How to get there
If you want to start from the peak.
(It will take only 45 minutes since its a down hill) 1. Start at the Peak Galleria. 2. On the left to the 'Peak lookout restaurant', you'll see a trail saying 'Pok Fu Lam Country Trail' 3. Now start walking the trail. (The trail is one route so theres a low chance of getting lost.) Ways to get to the Peak Galleria: - At pier 4, there is a bus with route 15 that ends at the Peak Galleria. - From the IFC bus station, take mini bus #1 to get to Peak Galleria. - Take a taxi to the Peak Galleria - Take the peak tram but on weekends there is a high chance of a long que. |
*Bus route number 1 to peak (below Frozen Yogurt Shop 'Yomama')
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If you want to start from the Pok Fu Lam
(Harder than starting from the Peak since it is uphill)
Any bus would drop you off at the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir bus stop, where you should get off.
(Harder than starting from the Peak since it is uphill)
Any bus would drop you off at the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir bus stop, where you should get off.
At the bus stop, take the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir road, which is within 10 metres of the bus stop.
Once you reach the barrier, do not follow the road which goes around the reservoir. Instead, climb the stairs on the left. The steps might be hard to climb, but the rest of the trail will be mostly flatland.
Shortly after the steps, who will reach a crossroad where the path you were on merges with the Hong Kong Trail. Head left.
At this spot, head right, following the steps to the peak.
Elevation of route
Equipment
- 1L of water
- Snacks
- Camera (recommended to take pictures)
- Map or phone
- Snacks
- Camera (recommended to take pictures)
- Map or phone
Things to do
- You can enjoy the activities below.
- Take a lot of pictures since even though the hike is short it has great scenery.
- Identify plants and species.
Activities and Challenges
Activity 1: Close-Ups
Equipment: Camera
Have someone with a camera or smartphone walk ahead on the trail and take a macro—or super close-up—shot of an object along the trail, it can be anything. The close-up should focus on part of the object rather than the whole thing. When the rest of the group catches up to the photographer, make a small 10-by-10-foot area, the winner is the person who finds the image first.
Activity 2: Find Animals
Equipment: Nothing much.
Look at the signs, then try to find the animals that you saw on them.
Activity 3: Categories
Equipment: Nothing much.
Think of a specific category, such as state capitals, foods, countries that begin with “M,” sports teams, et cetera. Everyone takes turns naming something that fits into that category. Play rotates through the group until a player can’t think of something within a 5-second time limit or an answer gets repeated.
Equipment: Camera
Have someone with a camera or smartphone walk ahead on the trail and take a macro—or super close-up—shot of an object along the trail, it can be anything. The close-up should focus on part of the object rather than the whole thing. When the rest of the group catches up to the photographer, make a small 10-by-10-foot area, the winner is the person who finds the image first.
Activity 2: Find Animals
Equipment: Nothing much.
Look at the signs, then try to find the animals that you saw on them.
Activity 3: Categories
Equipment: Nothing much.
Think of a specific category, such as state capitals, foods, countries that begin with “M,” sports teams, et cetera. Everyone takes turns naming something that fits into that category. Play rotates through the group until a player can’t think of something within a 5-second time limit or an answer gets repeated.
Discovering Plants
Alocasia macrorrhiza
This large leaf is on average 20 cm. Its stem is thick and when u cut it, a liquid substance comes out. Its like an enormous umbrella and a shelter from the sun. The yellow veins is a significant feature of this beautiful plant. |
Mikania micrantha
This commonly known plant is a tropical plant usually all over the world. Its soft furred stem is delicate and satisfying as it relives your stress. The beautiful shade of green also helps your eyesight and makes you calm. |
Large-flowered Uvaria
This plant is hard to identify since it is not really there sometimes. The strong colour of red stands out of all the others. This long attractive top part smells sweet and floral. |
Silver-back Artocarpus, Sweet Artocarpus
This juicy fruit grows on top of these magnificent trees. Its habitat is mostly where the sun shines through the leaves of the tree and glimmers at the ground. |
Species in Nature life
Black Kite
This magnificent bird broadly soars through the Hong Kong sky. These majestic raptor are attracted to smoke and fire because they attack prey running away from fire. |
Leaf Warbler
This bird has beautiful pale greyish green upper parts. The voices are easily recognized because of its high pitched sound. Its size is cute as if you would want to hold onto them. |
Tailor Bird
This creature has a cute red head. It matches her/his scarlet red eyes which just stare at you and fills you with cuteness. Its breast fur is soft to touch which feels like a babies butt. |
Streak Breasted Scimitar Babbler
This long tailed bird breeds usually around in Nepal and comes to Asia to live or pass by. These places include the Nothern Thailand, Hong Kong, China |
Risk Assessment
Hazard |
Risk |
Control Value |
Emergency |
Uneven parts in the path, random rocks. |
Slip and fall. |
Look where you walk. |
Call emergency services. |
Slippery plants on floor, all the way to Pok Fu Lam. |
Slip and fall. |
Look where you walk. |
Call emergency services. |
Steep downhill practically the whole way. |
You could roll down the hill if you trip. |
Walk slowly. |
Call emergency services. |
Steep cliff. |
You could fall of the cliff. |
Don't walk near the cliff. |
Call emergency services. |
The slope in the beginning of the hike. |
You could fall off. |
Walk slowly. |
Call emergency services. |
ENJOYY!!
*All photos except birds were taken by us. Not surfed on the internet.