Illustrated by Lance Spencer 8E
Written by: Matthew Frank and Leone Mattoli and Anson Leung
If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic - Jackie Chan
History
The Peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island, and was originally used as a natural signalling posts for incoming ships. Back in the 1860’s, Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell had a summer home in the peak to escape the hot, humid climate of Hong Kong. Other wealthy residents of Hong Kong decided to do the same thing. They would travel up and down the Peak sedan chair. During the 19th century, Alexander Finlay Smith requested to open tram routes. The Peak Tram increased the amount of visitors coming to the Peak so Mr. Finlay Smith decided to open the Peak Hotel. However, the hotel was burned down in 1938. Today, the Peak is one of Hong Kong’s top tourist destinations with the Peak Tram and stunning views.
The peak circle trial is constructed of 2 roads Lugard road and Harlech road. Lugard Road was built in 1913-14 and is named after Sir Frederick Lugard. Lugard Road is located around 400m above sea level. Lugard road is created with "plank roads" which are very narrow. Harlech road is more a lot more recent and is mainly used as a nice route for running/jogging. |
WWII History:
The Pinewood Battery is located within the Victoria Park. It was built at the end on the 19th century by the British military. Originally, it consisted of 2 naval guns to protect the western approaches to Victoria Harbour. |
Google maps: Lugard Rd
What to see and do
As well as stunning views of the Victoria Harbour, the Peak has a large variety of flora and fauna. With many different ways of transport, The Peak is very accessible. To fully experience the Peak, you can take the vintage Peak Tram up to the Peak. The Peak Circle Walk is an easy way to stay healthy and have fun! To make the most of the trail, you can play different games including, trail bingo and I spy. The Peak has a fascinating history. You can learn about the origin of the Peak Tram and what the Peak was originally used for. Nowadays, the 3.5km route is fantastic for a morning jog and to experience Hong Kong’s Top Tourist Attractions. The topography of the walk is mostly flat with tiny hills. If you go just off the trail you can find the Pinewood battery itself and really get indulged in the history of WWII and what the soldiers went through. The pinewood battery is located just off the end of Lugard road near Hatton road it's in Lung Fu Shan country park you can try and find it in the google map we have provided you,
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Activities & Challenges
PHOTO COMPETITION:
You'll need a camera/phone Along the trail you will take as many pictures as you can trying to get the best and most stunning picture. For example, a picture of the city, trees plants flora and maybe even pictures of yourself. By the end of the trail everyone has to go through their top 5 pictures throughout the whole walk. There are 2 scoring categories originality and creativity. Your friends will rate your pictures and whoever has the highest average wins. The winner gets a egg waffle ice cream from Gino's Gelato (Next to peak tower entrance) that is paid by the loser. I SPY:
You will need your eyes and money It is like a regular game of I spy except your trying to find something really hard to find. The aim of the game is to spy 5 things that your friends can see. The first person to spy 5 things that can't be guessed wins. Winner gets anything of burger king's menu located at the left side of the peak tower, funded by all the losers. |
Trail Flora
Peak bird life
Black Kite:
The black kite is a medium sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, The south asian population of the black kite is quite high. The black kite is one of the larger birds species in Hong Kong It communicates with a "long call" which can travel long distances. |
Osprey:
Scientific name: Pandion haliaetus, Phylum: Chordata, Higher Classification: Pandion The Osprey, also known as the fish Eagle, Sea Hawk, River hawk, and fish hawk is a diurnal, a fish-eating bird of prey with a universal range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings |
Yellow-crested Cockatoo:
The Yellow-crested Cockatoo known as the lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo can be found on The Peak Circle Walk. It is around 33cm in size and is usually very noisy. Their diet contains of berries, seeds and nuts. Sadly, the yellow crested cockatoo is critically endangered. Interestingly there is a high concentration of these bird in Hong Kong due to introduced population. |
The blue magpie:
The blue magpie is a species of bird in the crow family. It is 65 to 68cm long. The blue magpie ranges from Northern India and eastwards. The blue magpie's diet is mainly consisted of small animals and invertebrates. It's grating rattle and high pitched squeal is described to sound like a small flute. |
Wild Mammals
Wild Boar
Also known as the Eurasian wild pig is Hong Kong largest native mammal. They have a very bristly coat of greyish brown and black fur. You may be lucky to find one on harlech road in the shrubbery. |
The Pallas' Squirrel
The pallas' squirrel is Hong Kong's only squirrel. It has a grey and brown coat that can fades into a red and slightly paler orange on the underside. You may be able to see one in a tree or climbing a fence. |
Getting there
How to get there:
The peak circle trail is in a really accessible location their are 3 buses that go to the peak
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Materials and Equipment
Risks and hazards
Risks |
How to stop |
Falling down and injure yourself: If people are looking at there phones or to busy chatting they might trip and fall of the mountain |
Always carry a first aid kit or some medical kit to help any injuries. |
Landslides and flash floods. |
Make sure it's good weather for the hike |
Dangerous animals: Wild boar and wild dogs |
Be cautious and quiet, for extreme situations bring pepper spray |
Dry weather can cause fire in the woods. |
Check the weather forecast and the warnings from the government. |
Health: When you’re a person with some health problem’s with cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc. It’s really easy to have a heat stroke or some other problems with your body. |
Be sure your 100% ok to go and make sure it's not to hot for your liking |
Getting lost |
Make sure have a mobile phone to contact someone and tell people where you are going before you go. |