Hiking Hong Kong Tung Chung to Mui Wo Hiking Trail

This hiking trail starts off the same as the hike from Tung Chung to Discovery Bay, however at the halfway point at the top of the hill the trail goes straight ahead along the concrete path. Most of this trail is along a concrete path now known as the Olympic Trail.

Due to the fact that this hiking trail from Tung Chung to Mui Wo is almost entirely concreted, it gets 3 stars for enjoyment. It offers some pleasant views along the way and the path is covered well with trees, making it quite peaceful. It get 3 stars for difficulty as total ascent is limited to 240 metres.

Starting in Tung Chung, from the MTR station make your way toward Exit C. Head out past Planet Pluto pet store, turn right and head towards Pizza Hut. Continue past and around the buildings to the right along the walking path in the photos shown below.

Make your way through the tunnel and continue around and up the gentle slope which leads to another tunnel. Go straight ahead here and turn left (do not go through this tunnel).

Continue along this paved path around the estate to the left until you reach a T-intersection. Turn right and continue along underneath the overpass.

If you wanted to keep this trail as a quick workout trail you could turn left instead and head back towards the centre area of Tung Chung.

At the end of the path turn right up the stairs - but only take the first flight.

Turn left and head towards the next flight of stairs ahead. Be careful here as it is quite easy to take the incorrect path.

Continue along this trail which turns into a paved path leading through the bushes.

This is quite a nice area to hike through as it is covered by trees in the first half and winds through some very beautiful areas.

With the severe rains last June, there were also some major landslides along this hiking trail, so there are many rocky crossings ahead.

Be sure to take care when crossing these sections as most of these crossings have not yet been fully restored and therefore require some careful footing placements.

This hiking trail is very nice for the novice hiker as there is always a break in between sets of stairs or slopes.

This makes it very easy for one to get their breath back after climbing a short uphill, the perfect trail for a novice hiker.

Equally for the experienced hiker, this trail could be jogged for more of a workout.

This portion of the trail is currently under construction due to the landslides from the black rain in June 2008. Follow the detour signs if they are still up, otherwise take the path shown below.

From around this point the trail goes off the pavement and onto a single track dirt path that continues to wind through the bushes and trees on the way to Pak Mong.

Most of this path leads through thick grass and the path is not all that visible through some sections.

If you are hiking through the summer months, be sure to make adequate noise to scare away any snakes.

There are many lizards along this trail that take some talent to spot rather than just hearing them scatter off into the bushes.

If you look ahead enough before they scatter away into the bushes you may be lucky enough to see one as I did on my hike through here.

These guys are very fast and very alert so the only time you will get to spot one is if you see it from a distance and can approach it cautiously.

Once they run away into the bushes, they blend in so well that they literally disappear!

One thing that I noticed along the course of this hike is that there are quite a number of wasps of different varieties hovering around. A lot more than I normally see. I am not sure if this is due to the location of this hike or if it is specific to this time of year (October).

The good thing is that I did not get bitten, and generally they do get out of your way so mostly it is nothing to worry about. If you are however allergic to bee stings or the like, you may want to avoid this hiking trail.

I almost brushed by this leaf with a party of wasps on it - the only reason that I spotted it. I'm not sure what type of wasps they are, but I was glad that they didn't mind my flash going off when I snapped this photo of them!

Just ahead of the wasp party I came across this waterfall, which I just couldn't resist climbing up for a closer look. I warn you, be very careful as the rocks are all covered in moss and are very slippery!

Keep to the right as you make the approach down by Pak Mong. Take a right at the bottom road, while watching out for vehicles. Continue out the other side and follow the path that meanders its way around the body of water here. At the fork in the road, be sure to keep to the right.

Continue up the hill. At the bridge, keep right and follow this path which leads through a small village. Continue to follow this path which continues up on a slight and continuous gradient. Personally I prefer to hike this trail starting from Discovery Bay as you can get the hill out of the way in the first hour of the climb. Coming from Tung Chung, however, the first three hours is nothing but uphill. Although it is a gentle rise, it is a rise nonetheless and can get quite monotonous after a while.

The path goes downhill for a little while here as we come into Tung Chung New Town. There's a dunny (that's Aussie for toilet) here in case you need to use it. Keep to the right past the toilets then stay left at the next sign. Once over the bridge, that is the end of the town. Continue up the hill and keep right at the next junction.

At the fork in the road keep left, following the sign which points to Mui Wo. About a quarter of the way up the hill you will get to a lookout point (there is a hut here). This is a great time for a rest as you will most likely start to feel your legs begin to hurt. Have a drink and a snack and carry on.

The signs along here point out that this was part of the Olympic Trail which appears to be just over 5km in length. This is evidently almost the halfway point. At the rest point below, continue straight ahead.

Just around the corner, you can see Mui Wo in the far distance. On this day that I was hiking, which happened to be the Buddha's Birthday, some storm clouds were rolling in.

When you reach the clearing, pictured to the left, turn right and continue along the trail.

There is also another trail which comes in from the left here - this used to link up to the trail from Tung Chung to Discovery Bay, however since it's renovation (trail widening and clearing), this trail is now very difficult to spot and has most likely become very overgrown.

At the very tip of the mountain we are greeted with views of Mui Wo and Silver Mine Bay.

Just up ahead I spotted a Burmese Python. This is the second time I have seen this species in Hong Kong, the last was at the top of Sunset Peak. This time, I managed to get some great photos.

Just past Silver Mine Cave, which is now blocked off for your safety, you will come to the intersection below. To the left you can check out the Silvermine Bay Waterfall Garden. This is a popular spot to chill out around or even in the waterfalls here. It is a lovely place to relax, when it is not teeming with people as it was on this day! Once you've had a look at the waterfall continue on to the right.

At the intersection below, take a sharp turn to the left and head down the stairs.

These gum trees make me feel like I am back home in Australia.

You will pass a small village called Wang Tong. At the end of Wang Tong, turn right toward Mui Wo.

When you reach the toilet block below, turn left and head toward Silver Mine Bay Beach.

When you come to the beach, turn right and walk along the beach front toward Mui Wo.

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

Well done! You have made it to Mui Wo.