The 5 most extreme hiking trails in Hong Kong
The growing popularity of hiking has also resulted in an increase in accidents and fatalities in Hong Kong, and even the most experienced hikers need to be vigilant
With the arrival of cooler weather, hiking will become even more popular as a weekend activity for health-conscious Hongkongers. The growing popularity of hiking has also resulted in an increase in accidents. In 2017, the Fire Services Department received a total of 1,372 search and rescue calls involving hikers, with 175 injuries and 15 deaths.
Although accidents can happen to the most experienced hikers, adequate preparations and precautions are always advised, as most mishaps result from poor judgement or ignoring route conditions and the weather. Extra caution is required for trails and locations with records of fatal and serious accidents.
Here we’ve rounded up the five most dangerous trails in Hong Kong – so make sure you’re ready before hitting the trails.
1. Kau Nga Ling, Lantau
This is a section of rugged and undulating ridges on the south range of Lantau Peak, hence its name “dog teeth ridges” in Chinese.
The ridges are located about halfway along an 8km trail from Shek Pik Reservoir to Ngong Ping. The most dangerous spot is ominously dubbed “slim chance of survival”, and hikers often need to clamber up with their hands and legs.
The latest accident at this spot took place in October 2018, when a 53-year-old woman slipped and suffered a head injury. There was a fatal accident here in November 2017 when a 69-year-old man fell 30 metres from the steep slope.
2. Green Dragon Stream, Lantau
Hikers love trekking along streams with pools and waterfalls in the heat of summer, but the presence of wet and slippery rocks can make it dangerous. Green Dragon (Tsing Lung) Stream is one of the streams flowing down from Sunset Peak to San Shek Wan on Southern Lantau where hikers usually start their ascent.
Most serious accidents occur at the Green Dragon Fall along the upper reaches of the stream, where hikers have to climb an eight metre tall, near vertical cliff with running water.