Hiking Hong Kong Discovery Bay to Mui Wo Route 2

This hiking trail from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo takes you on an alternative route across the mountain. The traditional route takes you along 100% paved trails, whereas this route aims to get you off the pavement as much as possible. Half way through, this route crosses that of the pavement route via Trappist Monastery, so you can mix and match the two routes as you wish.

Discovery Bay to Mui Wo Route 2 hiking trail scores 4 stars for enjoyment as it is a less popular route compared with the usual paved route known to locals of Discovery Bay, and therefore less traveled. It takes you through some lovely greenery and offers superb views when the weather is permitting. It gets 3 stars for difficulty due to the fact that maximum height is 275 metres.

The best starting point for this hike is right from the Plaza at Discovery Bay ferry pier or if you arrive on the bus from Tung Chung (DB01R) or the Airport (DB02R) or Sunny Bay (DB03R). Here is a link to the current timetable for the Central to Discovery Bay ferry.

Proceed from the ferry pier along the water front to the left, up the gentle slope past the busses and cross the road taking the first left into La Vista.

Head straight up the stairs in front of you. At the top of the stairs take a right and head up the road towards the building at the top.

There is a lovely garden/water feature at the top of this hill that is great for relaxation and offers some exceptional views.

Take some time out to have a wander around before heading on if you wish.

Once at the top of the water feature/park area head directly towards the mountain. The hiking path starts right behind the building at the end of La Vista.

You should see a small staircase leading up the hill (about 15 stairs) which then continues up a drain way (covered). Keep to the right (the left is a short cut but way too steep) and follow to the top.

Take a left at the end and continue up the next drain way.

Be careful if it is wet or humid as these grates can get rather slippery when wet or damp.

The beginning of this trail to Trappist Monastery is very steep so take your time if you find it difficult. There are five lengths which zig zag up the hill until you reach a tree at the top. Take a look around as you climb this hill as there are many pleasant views between the trees. After this section the trail remain relatively flat and for the most part downhill.

When you reach the top head straight ahead. The trail is a little un established here but for the most part try to keep to the trail along the left wherever there is one. Up ahead a new path (road?) has been created. When you can move onto the small single trail that follows the road on the left. It later moves away from the road and you want to be sure that you are on it to keep to the track.

Go left here! There are some great views here if you are lucky enough to be hiking on a clearer day.

Follow this trail until you reach this sign and head towards Mui Wo.

This trail is quite pleasant. There is only one way so follow it while enjoying the views. Generally speaking the right hand turns along the mountain are dry and slippery while the left handers are wet, undercover and slippery. Be careful in dry or wet or even humid situations.

When you get to the sign above, right, make your way towards Mui Wo, across the creek below.

Make your way up the other side, being careful on the often slippery moss covered rocks. The incline through the bamboo can also be very slippery as it is very steep and doesn't offer much grip.

When you reach the concrete path, cross over it and head up the dirt track which snakes over the next mountain.

At the top of this hill you will come to a clearing, shown below. Keeping to the right, just after the rock, you will find a dirt trail that heads down the mountain.

From the top of the hill looking down to the left we can see the Kau Shat Wan Government Explosive Depot. Ahead, the trail becomes a little less defined. Keep to the left and you should be fine.

Just ahead you will come to a fork in the path. Keep to the right for a more defined hiking trail.

Again, the trail breaks up a little. Keeping to the right you should find a more defined trail which leads downhill through some small bushes.

At the bottom of this slope, the trail enters some thick, lush greenery. This is quite a beautiful area. It is the Country Parks Rehabilitation Planting Programme carried out in 2005.

Ahead, there is a small stream crossing. You will find the trail again on the other side.

Once you get through the thicker part of the forest, the trail winds around the mountainside with a view of Silvermine Bay and Mui Wo to your left.

When you get to the intersection below, turn left to continue alongside Silvermine Bay.

After passing some abandoned huts, the trail gets back onto the pavement.

Continue straight ahead and down the hill at both points pictured below.

When you get to the bridge below, cross it and turn left, following the beach front.

Cross the green bridge below and turn left to head towards the Mui Wo Ferry Pier.

Take a left toward the ferry pier when you reach the road.

I took this picture below of the Mui Wo to Discovery Bay Ferry Timetable, should you wish to head back to Discovery Bay. This ferry costs HK$12.