Hong Kong Trail – Section 6

🚶【Hong Kong Trail • Section 6 (港島徑 • 第6段)】 , The starting point is located at Quarry Gap (Tai Fung Au), a mountain pass sitting about 320 meters above sea level along Mount Parker Road. You can easily reach it by walking uphill for about an hour from Quarry Bay. Quarry Gap isn’t just a trail intersection; it’s equipped with pavilions and picnic facilities, as well as a stone monument celebrating the opening of the Hong Kong Trail. This section is mostly a continuous downhill trek spanning roughly 4.5 km, usually taking about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your pace and how often you stop to rest. The views along the trail are incredibly enchanting—especially the scenery around Tai Tam Reservoir, where the historic British-style masonry dams and bridges create a deeply peaceful, serene atmosphere. Walking this route feels like stepping into a lush natural sanctuary, offering a stark, beautiful contrast to the city’s usual hustle and bustle.

📌 Quick Facts

Item Details

🚩 Start Point Quarry Gap Pavilion (Tai Fung Au), Mount Parker Road

🏁 End Point Tai Tam Road

📏 Distance Around 4.4–4.5 km

⏱️ Time Required About 1.5–2 hours

⛰️ Highest Point Approx. 328 meters

🌊 Lowest Point Approx. 51 meters

💪 Difficulty ⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate; highly accessible for most hikers)

🌿 Trail Features Shaded paved paths, colonial-era waterworks heritage, and flourishing wildlife (wild birds, dragonflies, and aquatic flora)

—

🚌 Transportation Guide

Getting to the Start: Walk uphill for about 3 km from Tai Koo or Sai Wan Ho MTR stations to reach the Quarry Gap Pavilion.

Leaving from the End: Once at Tai Tam Road, you can jump on a bus or green minibus back to the city (Bus 14 heading to Shau Kei Wan / Sai Wan Ho; Minibus 16M or 16X heading straight to Chai Wan Station).

—

🌿 Geography & Natural Highlights

Feature Description

🌳 Shady Tree Canopy The vast majority of the trail is well-shaded by trees, making it pleasantly cool even during summer and perfect for a relaxed stroll.

💧 Interconnected Reservoirs The trail beautifully strings together Tai Tam Upper Reservoir, Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir, and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir, showing off an incredibly complete historic water system.

🐦 Rich Biodiversity You’ll spot a vibrant variety of birds, insects, and seasonal plants, giving the trail a completely fresh look through all four seasons.

⛰️ Stream & Pool Vistas Just downstream of the Byewash Reservoir lies the spectacular Double Pond Stream, which fills up wonderfully during the rainy season for a truly magnificent sight.

— Along the trek, you will also encounter fascinating historic ruins, like the stone foundations of the old Mount Parker Sanatorium, which add a fantastic layer of cultural depth to your hike. The Tai Tam Upper Reservoir is another undeniable highlight of this route; completed way back in 1888, it stands as Hong Kong’s second-oldest reservoir. The pristine natural scenery wrapping around it offers distinct, beautiful backdrops year-round, drawing countless visitors looking to take stunning photographs.

🏛️ History & Cultural Heritage

Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail: Built between 1883 and 1917, these structures are officially recognized as declared monuments of Hong Kong.

Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Dam: Standing 30.5 meters high and 121.9 meters long, it is a magnificent showcase of early 20th-century dam-building craftsmanship.

Masonry Bridges: Classical, elegant stone arch bridges that look exceptionally breathtaking when the water levels rise during the rainy season.

Mount Parker Sanatorium Ruins: Located close to Quarry Gap and built in 1893, the stone foundations resemble a “Mayan pyramid.” The site historically utilized a specialized ropeway system to transport patients up the mountain.

—

📍 Major Landmarks

Quarry Gap Pavilion (Tai Fung Au): The trail’s starting point, offering wide, expansive views.

Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Dam: A massive, awe-inspiring stone structure and an absolute favorite photo spot for hikers.

Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Masonry Bridge: A classical stone arched bridge that is perfect for taking postcards-style photos.

Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir: A glassy, mirror-like lake surface nestled in an incredibly peaceful and quiet environment.

Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail: Dotted with detailed information boards explaining the engineering history of Hong Kong’s early water supply.

—

🚶‍♂️ Trail Experience & Tips

Incline: Almost entirely downhill, meaning you won’t have to tackle any grueling, long-lasting uphill climbs.

Best For: Great for absolute beginners up to intermediate hikers; it is also perfect for family outings or a casual weekend walk.

Sun Exposure: Offers excellent tree canopy shade for the most part, though walking across the open dam structures can get hot, so sun protection is recommended.

Best Season: Autumn and winter offer the most comfortable hiking weather, though it remains a viable option in summer with proper hydration.

Gear Needed: Comfortable, lightweight sneakers are perfectly fine. Note that there are zero replenishment kiosks along the trail, so you must bring your own snacks and water.

—

🗺️ Hong Kong Trail Sections 1–6 Difficulty Comparison

Section ⏱️ Time Required 💪 Difficulty 🌿 Highlights

Section 1
(The Peak to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir) About 2–2.5 hours ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate to High) ⛰️ Features continuous climbs but rewards you with vast, sweeping views looking over Pok Fu Lam and Victoria Harbour.

Section 2
(Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to Peel Rise) About 2 hours ⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate) 🌳 Mostly composed of nicely shaded dirt pathways and paved roads, winding past intriguing old military relics.

Section 3
(Peel Rise to Wan Chai Gap) About 1.5 hours ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate to High) 🏞️ Features more rugged, unpaved dirt tracks that require a fair bit of uphill climbing, treating hikers to views of the southern coastline.

Section 4
(Wan Chai Gap to Wong Nai Chung Gap) About 2 hours ⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate) 🌊 Runs parallel to the lush hillsides above Ocean Park, offering flat catchwater walks and easy paved roads ideal for casual walking.

Section 5
(Wong Nai Chung Gap to Quarry Gap) About 2 hours ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate to High) ⛰️ A physically demanding section with lots of steep stairs leading up across Jardine’s Lookout and Mount Butler, offering stunning distant views of the reservoir system.

Section 6
(Quarry Gap to Tai Tam Road) About 1.5 hours ⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate) 💧 Showcases the spectacular Tai Tam Reservoir network, colonial-era waterworks heritage monuments, and beautifully shaded paved trails.

—

✨ Summary

Most Challenging: Sections 1, 3, and 5 (These feature steep inclines and steps that require a solid level of physical stamina).

Most Relaxing: Sections 2, 4, and 6 (Dominated by flat, shady, paved trails that are perfectly suited for beginners).

Best for Cultural History: Section 6 (Home to the declared Tai Tam Waterworks monuments) and Section 2 (Dotted with wartime military fortifications).

Scenic Highlights: Section 1 (Unrivaled Victoria Harbour views), Section 3 (Vibrant city-meets-nature lookouts), and Section 6 (The majestic, historic reservoir dams).

Item	Details
🚩 Start Point	Quarry Gap Pavilion (Tai Fung Au), Mount Parker Road
🏁 End Point	Tai Tam Road
📏 Distance	Around 4.4–4.5 km
⏱️ Time Required	About 1.5–2 hours
⛰️ Highest Point	Approx. 328 meters
🌊 Lowest Point	Approx. 51 meters
💪 Difficulty	⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate; highly accessible for most hikers)
🌿 Trail Features	Shaded paved paths, colonial-era waterworks heritage, and flourishing wildlife (wild birds, dragonflies, and aquatic flora)

Feature	Description
🌳 Shady Tree Canopy	The vast majority of the trail is well-shaded by trees, making it pleasantly cool even during summer and perfect for a relaxed stroll.
💧 Interconnected Reservoirs	The trail beautifully strings together Tai Tam Upper Reservoir, Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir, and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir, showing off an incredibly complete historic water system.
🐦 Rich Biodiversity	You’ll spot a vibrant variety of birds, insects, and seasonal plants, giving the trail a completely fresh look through all four seasons.
⛰️ Stream & Pool Vistas	Just downstream of the Byewash Reservoir lies the spectacular Double Pond Stream, which fills up wonderfully during the rainy season for a truly magnificent sight.

Section	⏱️ Time Required	💪 Difficulty	🌿 Highlights
Section 1 (The Peak to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir)	About 2–2.5 hours	⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate to High)	⛰️ Features continuous climbs but rewards you with vast, sweeping views looking over Pok Fu Lam and Victoria Harbour.
Section 2 (Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to Peel Rise)	About 2 hours	⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate)	🌳 Mostly composed of nicely shaded dirt pathways and paved roads, winding past intriguing old military relics.
Section 3 (Peel Rise to Wan Chai Gap)	About 1.5 hours	⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate to High)	🏞️ Features more rugged, unpaved dirt tracks that require a fair bit of uphill climbing, treating hikers to views of the southern coastline.
Section 4 (Wan Chai Gap to Wong Nai Chung Gap)	About 2 hours	⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate)	🌊 Runs parallel to the lush hillsides above Ocean Park, offering flat catchwater walks and easy paved roads ideal for casual walking.
Section 5 (Wong Nai Chung Gap to Quarry Gap)	About 2 hours	⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate to High)	⛰️ A physically demanding section with lots of steep stairs leading up across Jardine’s Lookout and Mount Butler, offering stunning distant views of the reservoir system.
Section 6 (Quarry Gap to Tai Tam Road)	About 1.5 hours	⭐⭐ (Easy to Moderate)	💧 Showcases the spectacular Tai Tam Reservoir network, colonial-era waterworks heritage monuments, and beautifully shaded paved trails.