Walk Hong Kong offers an away-from-it-all guided hike on an island with 6,000 years of fishing history. Walking is the only way to explore the many trails on Lamma Island, as there are no roads. Our journey starts at the colourful fishermen´s quay in Aberdeen, on the south side of Hong Kong. From there we take a slow boat to Lamma, giving us good views of southern Hong Kong Island.
Our guided walk then takes us through near-abandoned villages with their banana plantations and past beautiful old feng shui woods, as we follow a lovely paved coastal path on this peaceful, traffic-free island. As we walk we are often escorted by beautiful butterflies. We then climb a hillside for majestic views over the shipping lanes of the South China Sea, neighbouring islands Cheung Chau and Lantau and the unspoilt south. We also walk past many of Lamma's famous boulders, which make great backdrops for photos.
We enter Sok Kwu Wan village through ancestral graves, descending into the famous stretch of waterfront seafood restaurants that provide us with a welcome stop for lunch. But first we must pay a visit to the atmospheric 1826 Tin Hau temple, our local sea goddess to whom we pay our respects.
Leaving the numerous fishing boats, platforms and fish-breeding nets behind, we take a scenic walk past World War II Kamikaze tunnels and a delightful sandy bay to the bustling village of Yung Shue Wan, where we stroll down the narrow streets of tightly packed local shops, absorbing the relaxed atmosphere.
At the southern end of Lamma is a recognised breeding site for the endangered green sea turtle, which comes to shore between June and October to lay eggs. The beach is closed during this period.
Reaching the old pier, a fast ferry awaits to speed us back to the hustle and bustle of Central, Hong Kong Island.
Please note, we have two versions of this hike and these are shown in the two Youtube videos attached. One is our summer walk, where we go along the coastal pathway and through the pass over to Sok Kwu Wan. On cooler days, we go to the mountain top for views back to the shipping lanes.
"Hong Kong" is the anglicized version of the Cantonese "heung gong," meaning fragrant harbour. When the English arrived in the 1830's, the incense trees were brought down from southern China to what is now Aplei Chau, and stored here, awaiting export, in the "go-downs" creating a pleasant smell. Hence the name Fragrant harbour.
Cost: HK$800 per person, includes transport Total tour time 7.5 hours Walking distance: 7 km Grade: moderate Facilities: Toilets en route
Start time: 8.30 am Meeting Location: General Post
Office, No 2 Connaught Place, Central. Outside the General
Post Office, at
street level beside the
green stamp vending machines.
Directions from the MTR: Leave Central Station by Exit K. As you come to
the top of the long escalator out of the station, turn right and
immediately right again. Cross Chater Road at the pedestrian lights, and
go straight ahead through the pedestrian underpass. As you emerge at
the other end, the GPO is ahead and to the left of you.
General requirements
Please
provide us with a contact phone
number in Hong Kong, or the name
of the hotel where you are staying, plus the name the booking is made
in.
We need notification of any cancellation before the morning of your
tour, as no-shows do inconvenience our other clients. It is also
important that you ring us if you are delayed, as it may be possible to
direct you to another meeting point en route. Footwear
We recommend that you wear either robust walking shoes or
trainers/sneakers. Casual sandals or open shoes are not suitable for
trails, which can be rocky in places.
Clothing
Sun and rainfall can be intense and a hat is recommended. During the
winter season (November - March) temperatures can drop with a chilling
wind, so a sweater/fleece is advisable. During the wet season (April -
September) a waterproof jacket is recommended. In warmer months (May -
October) it is advisable to carry a spare T-shirt or other garment to
change into at the end of the hike.
Skin Protection
Suntan lotion should be used throughout the year, and applied frequently
during the hike.
Water
Please carry sufficient water for your own needs. In the warmer months,
this may equate to one litre for every two hours of walking. Dehydration
is a real risk on hot days. Choose mineralised rather than distilled
water. Consider an electrolyte replacement drink as well.
Personal needs
Please notify us of any medical conditions that we should be aware of.
We will assume clients have their own medications for asthma or known
illnesses. Insect repellent is not obligatory, but advisable if you tend
to attract insects.
Payment
Payment can be made in cash at the start of the tour, or by electronic
money transfer pre-tour. Prices quoted in Hong Kong
dollars. HK$7.75 = US$1.00
Schedule
Our tours and hikes are driven by client demand. Please consult our
website for the current schedule.
