The weather is cooling down, which means it’s time to get out and take a walk on the wild side.  Here are some refreshing escapes from the city, all just minutes from your doorstep. By HK Staff.

Take a Hike
Hong Kong’s hiking trails can take you from the city fringe to the top of a mountain in no time. All you need to get going is a pair of boots and a bottle of water. Here are six great routes with varying degrees of difficulty.

Pak Tam Chung Practice Hiking Trail
Length: 1.8km
Approximate time: 1 hour
Difficulty: 1
Great for beginners and families with small children, this trail is marked with lots of helpful signposts that help you judge your fitness levels, grids that pinpoint your location and some handy safety tips.
Getting there: Bus routes to Pak Tam Chung are the 94, 96R, T6 and 698R.

Tai Mo Shan Practice Hiking Trail
Length: 1km
Approximate time: 1 hour
Difficulty: 1
If you’re still not totally confident about stepping out on your own, take a practice hike to ease yourself into your new found hobby. This trail has barbecue sites and plenty of amenities, so it doesn’t have to be an endurance test. Take your time and enjoy the serenity.
Getting there: The route starts and ends in the Rotary Club Park. Take bus 51 from Tsuen Wan and get off at the Tsuen Kam Country Park Management Centre.

The MacLehose Trail (Stage 2)
Where: From Long Ke to Pak Tam Chung.
Length: 13.5km
Approximate time: 5 hours
Difficulty: 2
This hike takes you along the beautiful coastline in Sai Kung to Tai Long Wan, one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong. Old villages along the way feature historic churches and friendly cafes serving up staples like fried rice and noodles. It’s a bit of a trek, but the stunning vistas and the pristine beach are worth it.
Getting there: Take the MTR to Diamond Hill. From there, take bus 92 to Sai Kung Village. Change to bus 94 going towards Wong Shek Pier, which will drop you off at Pak Tam Au.

Ng Tung Chai Waterfall
Where: From Ng Tung Chai Village to the waterfall and back.
Length: 4.5km
Approximate time: 4 hours
Difficulty: 3
Often overlooked because of its inaccessibility, this route is one of the most tranquil and scenic in the city. Soon after you get started, you’ll pass the renovated Taoist temple Man Tak Yuen. Continue uphill to catch the three parts of the Ng Tung Chai Waterfall. The main section is the city’s highest fall at 100 meters. Nothing beats a picnic by the fall. But take care: some of the slopes are slippery and require some climbing with both hands.
Getting there: Take bus 64K or 65K from Tai Po Market MTR Station and get off at Ng Tung Chai Village. Alternatively, a taxi will cost around $40. Walk up the slope to enter the village and you’ll find a sign leading to the route.

Hong Kong Trail (Stage 8)
Where: From To Tei Wan Village to Tai Long Wan.
Length: 8.5 km
Approximate time: 3 hours
Difficulty: 4
Commonly known as Dragon’s Back, this mountain ridge is one of the most popular and accessible hikes in Hong Kong. It’s also the most challenging part of the Hong Kong Trail. From up high you get a fantastic view of Shek O and the sea, and the trail leads down to the beach, where you can reward yourself with a quick dip and an excellent meal at one of the many open-front restaurants.
Getting there: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan, then take bus 9 to Shek O, or one of many green minibuses. A taxi will cost $60 from here. Stop at To Tei Wan Village, and you’ll see the sign for Stage 8 of the Hong Kong Trail.

Lantau Trail (Stages 2 and 3)
Where: From Nam Shan to Ngong Ping.
Length: 11km
Approximate time: 5 hours
Difficulty: 5
This gorgeous hike takes you past Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak (at 934 meters tall, the second-highest point in Hong Kong). They’re tough climbs and the descent isn’t a breeze either, but the views are to die for. You can also be sure there won’t be herds of fellow hikers blocking your path. This stretch of the trail is relatively deserted, even on weekends.
Getting there: From Mui Wo, take buses 1, 3 or 3M and get off at Nam Shan. Walk to the Nam Shan Country Park Management Centre and you’ll find the start of the country trail.

Hiker’s Talk
John Evans, 28, videographer
“I love hiking the Dragon’s Back, it’s one I do over and over again. It feels weird that something like this is available in Hong Kong, right alongside the regular hectic lifestyle. When you’re up high with the wind and the beautiful scenery, there’s a totally different energy from the city, which can really drag you down sometimes. And you end up at the beach in Shek O, where there’s a cool bar and a great Thai restaurant.” Ever helpful here at HK Magazine, we also promised Evans to give him a hand with his love life: he’s currently single, and seeking attractive women or men to date. He enjoys hiking, of course, and other healthy, natural activities (9157-6853).

Historical Hong Kong Hikes
For a different take on Hong Kong hikes, check out our forthcoming book about hiking through local history. “Historical Hong Kong Hikes” will be available in all major local bookstores from Nov 28.

Go Fish
Didn’t know you could net a big catch in Hong Kong? Forget the piers and reservoirs and head out on the open water.

All Aboard
Join a deep-sea fishing trip run by the experts. Several companies run trips out to oil rigs in the South China Sea. Reefs form around the rigs, attracting big fish.

Triton Deep Sea Fishing
1/F, Pinnacle Building, 9 Ship St., Wan Chai, 2866-8551, www.tritontackle.com.
As well as being one of the biggest tackle shops in Hong Kong, Triton also offers two-day offshore fishing trips to the oil rigs eight to ten hours off Hong Kong in South China Sea. Angle for all the bluefin tuna you can manage under the guidance of a friendly captain.

Mandarin Sports Fishing Club
1/F, 6 Hillier St., Sheung Wan, www.msfc.com.hk.
Fishing can also be a great way to net some new friends. This social club meets at Hong Kong’s oldest tackle shop to exchange techniques and plan excursions.

Asiatic Marine
GPO Box 9726, 2104-2297, www.asiaticmarine.com.
Shark expert Charlie Frew runs charters to the Nine Pins or Waglan Island, as well as the rigs. Experienced fishers go after mackerel, tuna, mahi mahi and even barracuda. Trips depart from Sai Kung Pier.

Equipment
Grab your tackle and everything else at the following stores:

Po Kee Fishing Tackle
1/F, 6 Hillier St., Sheung Wan, 2543-7541, www.pokeetackle.com.

Triton Fishing Equipment
(see website for other outlets)
1/F.&2/F, Pinnacle Building, 9 Ship St, Wan Chai, 2866-8551, www.tritontackle.com.

Yat Fan Fung Shun
71 Ho Pui St., Tuen Wan, 2409-9299, www.fishingtackle.com.hk.

Pitch A Tent
Extend your escape from the city by setting up camp for the night. Hong Kong has 37 designated camp sites (see the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s website, www.afcd.gov.hk). Check out these sweet spots:

Ngong Ping Campsite
Ma On Shan Country Park, Ma On Shan.
This plateau with superb views is a popular breeding ground for birds. You can also venture down to the now defunct and somewhat spooky Ma On Shan Mine. Facilities include barbecues, benches, tables, drains and dry toilet pits.
Getting there: From Yiu On Estate in Ma On Shan, take village minibus 84R and get off at Ma On Shan Village Terminus. Hike  along the Ma On Shan Country Trail to reach this site.

Sam A Chung Campsite
Sam A Chung, Plover Cove Country Park, Tai Po.
Perched on a small hill by by Sam A Wan bay, this is a gorgeous site surrounded by rock cliffs and sand pits. There’s a good view of the Double Haven islands, and the water contains interesting fish and coral species. Facilities include barbecue pits, benches, tables, drains and clotheslines.
How to get there: Take Minbus 20C from Tai Po Market Nam Shing Street to Wu Kau. Walk along the Bride’s Pool Road towards Wu Kau Tang. Then ahead towards Sam A Tsuen along the Wu Kau Tang country trail. The walk takes about an hour.

Tung Lung Chau Campsite
Tung Lung Chau Special Area.
The island of Tung Lung Chau lies at the eastern entrance to the harbor, near Clearwater Bay. Its rock walls are a popular haunt for local rock climbers. Facilities include barbecue pits, benches, information boards, bins, pavilions and dry toilet pits.
Getting there: Take a 20-minute ferry trip from Sam Ka Tsuen at Lei Yue Mun (Coral Sea Ferry, 2513-1103) or Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier (Lam Kee Ferry, 2560-9929).

Pui O
Shap Long, Lantau South Country Park, Lantau.
Surrounded by lush vegetation, this site has a great lost-in-the-wilderness ambience, but Pui O beach is just 10 minutes away, with its fine sand and sparkling surf. Facilities include barbecue pits, tables, benches, drains, clotheslines and dry toilet pits.
Getting there: Take any bus from Mui Wo and get off at Pui O. Follow the Chi Ma Wan Road and walk toward Ham Tin Village for about 40 minutes. Or you could take a taxi to Shap Long Old Village.

Equipment
Get all your necessary camping and hiking gear at the following stores:

Chamonix
6A Nelson St., Mong Kok, 2388-3626, www.chamonix.com.

Nature Outdoor Equipment
B/F, Champagne Court, 16 Kimberly Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724-1866.

Protrek
156-157 Connaught Rd. Central, Sheung Wan, 2850-7900, www.protrek.com.hk.
 

Talk To The Animals
To really get in touch with nature, check out the wildlife at Hong Kong’s conservation hotspots.

Mai Po Marshes
It’s bird-watching season, and for an avid avian-lovers, there’s no better stakeout than the Mai Po Marshes. Featuring fishponds, gei wai (shrimp farms) and seaside fauna, the marshes stretch over 1,500 hectares and are an important stopover destination for birds on the East China Flyway, one of Asia’s main migration routes. “This season there will be around 50,000 birds in the marshes,” says Katherine Leung, an assistant reserve officer. The most common species here is the pied kingfisher, but Leung suggests also keeping your eyes peeled for the black-faced spoonbill (endangered), the black-tailed godwit (near threatened), and the Dalmatian Pelican (vulnerable).
Getting there: From the Sheung Shui KCR station, take red minibus no.17 from San Fat St. (next to Sheung Shui Landmark), or KMB bus no.76K from Choi Yuen Rd. (opposite Sheung Shui KCR station) to Mai Po Village. The Nature Reserve is a 20-minute walk from the Village. Details: www.wwf.org.hk/eng/maipo/.

The Wetland Park
Pui Pui the crocodile is the most famous resident of the Wetland Park, but there are plenty of other curious creatures including the false gharial, the mouse deer, the fiddler crab and the mudskipper. The 61-hectare conservation and education facility near Tin Shui Wai also boasts a “Swamp Adventure” playground in its impressive visitor center. The park is designed to teach children and adults alike about Hong Kong’s wetland ecosystem and how to protect it.
Getting there: Take bus 967 from Admiralty, or the MTR’s West Rail line to Tin Shui Wai station, exit E. Details: www.wetlandpark.com.

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Set on the slopes of Kwun Yum Shan in the New Territories, the lush Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden covers 148 hectares, with abundant floral and fauna all year round. There’s an aviary and deer haven, butterfly garden and raptor (that’s the bird of prey, not the dinosaur) sanctuary. Educational displays in the old farm buildings feature insects, reptiles, amphibians and freshwater creatures. If you’re lucky, you might encounter leopard cats and porcupines roaming about on the higher slopes.
Getting there: From Tai Po Market station, take bus 64K or a taxi (about 7km); from Tsuen Wan MTR station, take bus 51 from the stop on the freeway above and get off at the roundabout after the bus turns off Route Twisk. Then take a taxi or trek uphill for the last two kilometres. Details: www.kfbg.org.hk.

But Stay Away from These
Not all animals want to be your best friend. Here are some unfriendly critters that are best left alone.

Wild Boars (Sus scrofa)
These legendarily fierce animals can reach over seven feet in length and weigh up to 900 pounds. A boar weighing 500 pounds can store up to 200 pounds of food. In human terms that is like wolfing 160 Big Macs in a row. They’re supposed to be fearsomely intelligent too, but here they’re more notorious for getting stuck between roadside railings. One had to be rescued last week in Sheng Shui.

Red-Bellied Piranhas(Pygocentrus nattereri)
This 25-inch fish has a voracious appetite and is extremely sensitive to the smell of blood. A school of piranhas can eat a cow in minutes flat. Originally only found in the Amazon river, they were accidentally introduced to Chinese rivers after having been sold as pets and then released into the wild. An urgent nationwide edict was issued to kill them on sight, but they’ve been turning up at pet markets in HK.

The Hong Kong Pufferfish (Takifugu albolumbeus)
This otherwise normal-looking fish blows itself up into a spiky ball when alarmed. They’re not particularly dangerous unless prepared incorrectly for consumption. Even a tiny dose of its poison kills you quicker than you can say “that’s the last time I buy famously poisonous fish from a deeply suspicious-looking man in a Mong Kok alley.”

Monkeys (Cercopithecidae)
Hong Kong’s monkey population is surging due to a birth rate higher than that of the SAR’s women. Common in Kowloon Hills and around the Shing Mun Reservoir, most are believed to have been released by humans into the wild in the 1910s. Don’t feed them. It’s illegal, and only subordinate monkeys offer food, so all you’re doing is perpetuating the old stereotype that humans are lesser than monkeykind. Then it’s “Planet of the Apes” all over again!

Burmese Pythons (Python molurus bivittatus)
Good news: there’s only one species of python in Hong Kong. Bad news: it’s the Burmese python, one of the largest snakes in the world. They’re usually found in the New Territories and Lantau, and can grow up to 20 ft. in length. If you get bitten, seek medical attention (even though they’re not toxic). If you or a loved pet gets caught in its coils, pray for mercy.

Blue Ring Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata)
These reclusive, golf ball-sized animals usually have a tentacle span of less than 8 inches.  Their blue venom rings appear when they are alarmed or provoked, and an adult octopus contains enough poison to kill 26 humans within minutes. While they prefer the waters off Australia and the Pacific Islands, over 100 are estimated to be breeding here. People buy them as pets, but lose interest and release them into the sea.