Hiking Hong Kong Tung Chung Loop via Pak Mong

This loop hike from Tung Chung to Pak Mong and back is a great family hike or quick fitness trail for those living in Tung Chung as it is relatively flat all the way - the biggest height variation being about 60 meters. This trail would also be great as an early morning workout before work.

This hiking trail gets two stars for enjoyment as most of it is along a flat concrete path and it is more suited for the person who wants a decent fitness loop hike/walk around Tung Chung. Difficulty also ranks in at two stars as the majority of the terrain is flat.

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.

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.

Be careful though as there are several paths to choose from ahead.

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, especially for those with lower fitness levels.

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

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.

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.

If you look ahead far 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!

Be sure to also keep a lookout for snakes in the hotter months as they tend to hang out close to the edge of the trail in any scrub that is lying around.

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!

For some reason this area is called the Olympic Green. I have no idea why! There is a trail leading up from here and back to the same path, however it is very overgrown and virtually un-passable.

Keep to the left as you make the approach down by Pak Mong. Take a left at the bottom road, while watching out for vehicles. The road to the right leads into Pak Mong. You want to however turn left here and head for the underpass.

The underpass takes you under the road and railway line to Tung Chung. Come out the other side via the ramp and follow the long, hot, concreted road to Tung Chung.

When you reach the back of the petrol station keep to the left between the concrete wall and the fence. When past the petrol station and on the road take a left at the end, passing Caribbean Coast.

Follow the road until you reach the back of the shopping mall. Go up the steps to the left and enter the shopping mall. Take the escalator up into the main shopping area.

This is a good time for a rest or a bite to eat after your long hike.

Take your pick. The is a small cafe up here, the Novotel have a great lunch or dinner buffet which is reasonably priced and there is also a large Pacific Coffee up here if you just want to sit back and chill.

If not, continue through the mall until you reach the escalators and go down, twice. Exit the shopping mall where you can either head towards the Tung Chung MTR station or catch a Taxi nearby or go the other way (behind you) to the bus terminus where you can pretty much head anywhere.