A Three-Hill Traverse in Yuen Long
The hiking trail of the day would take us through three hills in Yuen Long, namely Ho Hok Shan, Cheung Ngau Shan and Tseng Hang Shan. The trail took us three hours because of the slightly hot weather (still, in November), and the traverse of the rugged terrain on three sets of ascent and descent.
There is perhaps not much to say about these relatively unknown hills in Yuen Long. But Cheung Ngau Shan, meaning “guiding the cow,” was actually a location where people grazed their herds of cattle.
The Trail
The trail goes like this. From ground up, you will first climb 149 meters in a combination of stairs and slopes to reach the first peak at Ho Hok Shan. Then you will make a descent to 60 meters or so and climb the second peak of Cheung Ngau Shan at 200 meters. This section should be the most strenuous, although it is mostly a climb on a slope. Then you will again descent to about 80 meters and climb up again on a slope to Tseng Hang Shan at 220 meters.
This is the entrance to the trail on Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long Section.
Go up, and head up these stairs.
You will see a spot where someone made a big opening out of the wired fence. Do NOT go through the fence.
Just keep on walking up the trail along the left side of the wire fence.
Although the paths are not paved on this trail, it is clear throughout. This is the view at the peak of Ho Hok Shan. You should reach this point in half an hour.
Follow the clear paths all along. You will see the terrain that you will climb right ahead of you.
Once you are up at 220 meters on Tseng Hang Shan, take the trail on your left. This is where the descent to Kam Tin begins. This section is on a clear path first and eventually a 1km-long set of paved stairs down.
Suggestions
First of all, because the paths are not paved and they are mostly narrow mountainous walkways, you must wear long pants for this hike. The vegetation will scratch your exposed body parts. I also suggest wearing hiking gloves, as well as bringing a hiking cane with you to assist with the descents on the hilly terrain in particular.
Although experienced hikers will be able to complete this trail in a little over two hours, allow for a generous leeway in terms of time. Start in the early afternoon, so that you will not have to do the final section after it gets dark.
We did meet hikers that have done so, but I do not suggest starting this trail from Kam Tin. The initial climb is an ascent of 220 meters from the ground up on a set of stairs continuously for 1km. By the time one makes it to the top of Tseng Hang Shan, even the experienced hikers would feel exhaustion. And then you would have to go on a descent and climb up and down until you reach Ho Hok Shan for a final descent.
Photo: Looking onto Tseng Hang Shan from Cheung Ngau Shan. You can see the path going up on the left.
The Views
The views are quite consistent throughout the three peaks. You see Kai Kung Leng afar with all of Kam Tin beneath. Looking still further, the skyline of Shenzhen sits proudly in the very far horizon. This will be the view you get throughout the hike.
I think that this trail is great for both the physical and will power exercise that it gives you. We sweated quite a bit on a November afternoon.
How to Get There
From Yuen Long’s Yoho Mall I, Bus Routes 76K, 77K and 64K will drop you off at the Tung Shing Lei bus stop. This is the bus stop right after the Pok Oi Hospital stop. Once you are off the bus, take the overpass that lies right at the bus stop, cross Castle Peak Road Yuen Long Section, then go toward the direction of the TWGHs C Y Ma Memorial College. Pass the college and you will see the Tung Shing Lei bus stop on this side of Castle Peak Road. Keep on going for about less than one minute, and you will see the entrance to the trail leading upward on your right.