Opinion | Heat vs cold, snakes vs sheep: how hikes in Hong Kong and the countryside of southern England are different
- Hong Kong’s country parks, with their wild boar, snakes and spiders, are a far cry from Kent in southern England, with its dogs, cows, sheep and robins
- Swapping Hong Kong’s heat and humidity for mud, snow and ice, the writer treks through the Kentish countryside

One of the delights of life in Hong Kong is escaping the crowds and taking a hike in the spectacular country parks.
For me, this was a lifeline during the pandemic, when Covid-19 restrictions made going for a walk one of the few forms of leisure possible. My treks in the hills kept me sane and were enjoyable even when I had to wear a mask.
Hiking in Hong Kong has become increasingly popular, but it carries risks. There were more than 1,000 rescue operations last year and eight hikers died in the first five months. You need to navigate the heat, the humidity and pollution while not slipping on the steep, isolated slopes.
The wildlife is both a wonder and a worry. Watch out for creepy caterpillars, scary spiders, wild boar and venomous snakes. I once came face to face with a big Chinese cobra.

I knew I would miss the thrill of hiking Hong Kong-style when moving back to Britain last year. But the High Weald of Kent also has much to offer. It lacks the vertiginous hillsides, stunning cityscape and sweeping sea views of Hong Kong but there is still much beauty to be found.
The landscape here is quintessentially English. I tramp through fields of sheep. The view takes in medieval churches, traditional oast houses, weatherboarded Kentish cottages and ancient oak trees. There is even a little steam train. It is as if time has stood still.