BY Tai Mo Shan (which basically translates to Big Hat Mountain) is the highest mountain peak in Hong Kong. An extinct volcano, the mountain is made up of volcanic rock, and parts of the mountain still vent warm air from cracks in the rocks that lead all the way down.
Boasting spectacular views, a waterfall that many would Instagram, and cows roaming the mountainside, it’s one of the best trails to hike or run up. It’s also one of the toughest trails to climb up to the top. Since I was in Hong Kong during November last year, I decided that Tai Mo Shan was going to be a fun place to hike up.
However, to get there is a bit tricky. Many would suggest getting off at Tai Po Market and then taking a walk, while others would suggest taking the MTR to Tsuen Wan, then cabbing down to Lead Mine Pass (鉛礦坳), which is where most hikes would start.
Having never been to the place before and unfamiliar with the terrain, I took a cab from my hotel and reached the base of the mountain.
Here’s a fun fact:
On early weekday mornings, you will see locals hiking/running and even cycling, and it’s said to get even busier on weekends.
The locals living in the area will tend to greet everyone they see with a 'good morning' in Cantonese. The mostly middle-aged crowd move through the trail easily as they do this every day. However, don’t take this as a sign the trail is easy for beginners. Many have rated the climb up as a difficult one.
For foreigners like myself, exploring the trail was an experience in itself. The terrain is far more arduous than the ones in Singapore.
Trail running enthusiasts should take the opportunity to come here if they visit Hong Kong. In my opinion, the trail is one that should not be missed as it’s also the terrain that the annual HK100 is held on, while also boasting a similar terrain for those who want to run the TransLantau50.
While I had read up on the mountain and what to look out for on my trail, I was still a little unsure on what trails to hike up. Basing my decision on ‘safety in numbers’, I joined a group of hikers and followed them up the trail.
In November, the weather starts to become much cooler and temperatures drop the higher you go, so it’s best to wear a jacket, or something warm. However, do take note: while the weather was absolutely chilly, Hong Kong during the cool season still experiences a lot of humidity, and the constant uphill climb will cause you to sweat plenty.
It took me about 2.5 hours to hike from the base point to the highest that anyone from the public could go, and quite a lot of it was tiring, considering that the closest training I have done in trail is a run through the hills in Singapore. Nevertheless, it was a good experience for me in HK to explore trails that I've never been before.
Toughness- 8/10
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