Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Kerry Whitworth | Getty
the starting point of the Maclehose Trail
LANTAU TRAIL
This trail makes a loop around Lantau, the largest of Hong Kong’s islands. Though
home to the airport and Disneyland, Lantau is largely rural. The 12-stage trail starts
and ends in the beach town of Mui Wo, reachable from other parts of Hong Kong
by bus or ferry. Early stages summit Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak, the island’s
highest mountains. Highlights include Ngong Ping, home to the much-visited Big
Buddha, a 112ft (34m) statue seated atop a hill, and Tai O, a Tanka fishing village
of stilt houses and shrimp drying on bamboo mats. Several temples and WWII ruins
along the way make interesting stops.
Start/End // Mui Wo
Distance // 43 miles (70km)
More info // The most accommodating to thru-hiking of the three walks here, with a handful of hotels
and campgrounds nearby
WILSON TRAIL
Hopping from Hong Kong Island across the harbour to Kowloon and on nearly to
the border of mainland China, the Wilson Trail lies almost entirely within Hong
Kong’s country park system. It starts with a bang, heading straight uphill on a stone
staircase from the colonial village of Stanley, offering dramatic vistas over the
island’s south side. Across the water, it wends up Devil’s Peak, home to an old
British fort. It traverses wet forests and deep gullies lush with ferns, past decaying
19th-century villages and jade-watered reservoirs, up mountains with views of
dense urban settlements and remote coastline. Keep your eyes open for troops of
macaques, who will gladly steal your lunch.
Start // Stanley
End // Nam Chung
Distance // 48 miles (78km)
More info // The Wilson Trail is usually done in stages although camping along the trail is possible