Bride’s Pool Waterfall and Mirror Pool are two of the most serene and beautiful waterfalls in Hong Kong. Located in Plover Cove Country Park, near Tai Mei Tuk and Pat Sin Leng, Bride’s Pool Waterfall is the main attraction along the Bride’s Pool Nature Trail, while Mirror Pool can be reached via a short detour from the trail.

Bride’s Pool also has an interesting, albeit tragic, folklore story attached to its name’s origin.

The waterfalls and nature trail are quite popular with hikers and picnic/barbecue goers, come summer or winter. But having visited Bride’s Pool and Mirror Pool on numerous occasions, I can confidently say that the area comes alive after the rains; when the streams are gushing with water, and the force of the waterfall makes it impossible to stand next to them without getting splashed.

How to get to Bride’s Pool Waterfall and Mirror Pool

Given its remote location, getting to Bride’s Pool can be quite a journey. Public transport is limited and taxis can cost a decent amount (assuming you can catch one back).

You have a couple of options to reach Bride’s Pool, but for the sake of simplicity, I will use Tai Po Market MTR Station as the starting point for each option.

So, first make your way to Tai Po Market MTR Station.

By green minibus

The green minibus 20R plies between Tai Po Market Station and Wu Kau Tang, a small village above Mirror Pool. You can catch GMB 20R from the bus terminus at the Tai Po Market Station.

Pro tip: Because the 20R and 20C depart from the same lane at the bus terminus, sometimes the 20R stands in the open area waiting for passengers and not in the lane.

Ride the bus to Bride’s Pool Road and alight at the Bride’s Pool bus stop.

Also, please note that the minibus has an hourly frequency.

By bus (Only on Sundays and public holidays)

The bus frequency doubles on Sundays and public holidays thanks to the 275R. The bus plies between Tai Po Market Station and Wu Kau Tang (previously it would end its journey at Bride’s Pool) from 9:40 AM till 6:45 PM at an interval of 15–20 minutes.

By taxi

Alternatively, you can take a green taxi to Bride’s Pool bus stop from Tai Po Market Station.

Keep in mind, if you’re relying on Uber, the connectivity can be patchy around Bride’s Pool and Mirror Pool.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Exploring Bride’s Pool: Best Route?

To preface this, there is no right or wrong way to explore Bride’s Pool Nature Trail and the two waterfalls. Once on the nature trail, accessing each Bride’s Pool or Mirror Pool requires a short detour.

The detour to Mirror Fall runs along a maintained and marked 200-metre trail. However, the 250-metre detour to Bride’s Pool Waterfall requires a bit of scrambling across rocks, and jumping over streams. Luckily, neither detour is difficult.

The Bride’s Pool Nature Trail, even with its steps and inclines, is easy to hike and complete even in the humid summer months. So, if you’re looking for a simple route to explore the nature trail, and the two waterfalls, we’ve got you covered.

For starters, we recommend taking the bus or taxi to the Bride’s Pool bus terminus stop, on Bride’s Pool Road. Once you arrive, there two entry points. One for Bride’s Pool Nature Trail (north side) and the other for Bride’s Pool Barbecue Site (south side). Don’t be fooled by the names, Bride’s Pool Nature Trail is a loop, and these are the two entrances/exits.

To make the most of your day exploring the area, I recommend entering from the Bride’s Pool Barbecue Site (south side).

Bride’s Pool Nature Trail

Although many visitors simply come to visit Bride’s Pool Waterfall, I personally enjoy taking a stroll on Bride’s Pool Nature Trail. The trail is an 650-metre loop that can be accessed from either of the entrances on Bride’s Pool Road.

As you enter the trail from the Bride’s Pool Barbecue Site side, follow the steps to an outdoor seating area.

At the bottom of the steps are a series of gorgeous cascades that converge into a stream. This lush, tranquil flow of water is very soothing and calming!

Once you’ve enjoyed the cascades and the stream, keep walking. The main barbecue site at Bride’s Pool lies just ahead.

After crossing the main picnic/barbecue area, you’ll arrive at the “Bride’s Pool Stone Bridge”. This historic bridge consists of three sections and was built in 1906! The Bride’s Pool Stone Bridge is also the point where the nature trail begins its loop back.

But for now cross the bridge to arrive at your first detour.

The Mirror Pool Detour

Just on the other side of the bridge, you’ll notice a trail heading uphill on the trail, with a sign for Mirror Pool. Turn right here and begin your journey to the waterfall.

The trail follows a relatively easy incline, with steps. Nothing too difficult.

Mirror Pool Waterfall

For your safety, the trail ends at a distance from the Mirror Pool waterfall. If you’ve ever visited this area after the rains, you’ll know the force with which the water flows down and even reaches the trail!

But, as with most trails and excursions, proceed with caution if you plan to jump the railing, and step down towards the waterfall and stream.

I can tell you from experience, that it can get very slippery. So, proceed with caution.

Unlike the Bride’s Pool, I’m not sure if there is a legend or story behind the “Mirror Pool” name. But the waterfall is absolutely gorgeous!

The Mirror Pool is a much taller waterfall when compared to Bride’s Pool. And although it too has a pool at the base of the waterfall, the surrounding rocks, smaller size, and access make it not as exciting for swimming as the Bride’s Pool.

Once you’re done relaxing at Mirror Pool, trace your steps back to the Bride’s Pool Stone Bridge to visit the next watefall.

The Bride’s Pool Detour

Return to Bride’s Nature Trail, and continue walking ahead for another 70 metres. The trail follows a gentle incline before it reaches a fork in the path. At this point, turn left at the fork to take the detour towards Bride’s Pool Waterfall.

Walk down the detour path for another 170 metres, and don’t get fooled into taking any of the left turns to the stream. Just walk straight and stay on this path!

Keep walking till the trail ends next to a few signboards. Just beyond the signs is the Bride’s Pool stream.

The Final Scramble to Bride’s Pool Waterfall

Depending on the level of water, carefully step down onto the rocks and jump across the stream to get to the other side.

Once on the other side, begin walking upstream. The only challenging part of this detour is getting over the short rocky wall.

 

After hoisting yourself over the initial rocks, walk along the stream till you see the waterfall and the stream pool up ahead. Well done, you’ve made it!

Bride’s Pool Waterfall

It’s funny how Bride’s Pool Road is right above the waterfall but yet it feels completely secluded and cut off from civilization.

The pool below the waterfall is relatively clean and safe for swimming. It’s also much larger, and easier to enter this pool as opposed to the one below Mirror Pool waterfall.

If you don’t fancy a swim, there are plenty of rocks to sit on next to the waterfall or downstream. Just remember to carry mosquito and insect repellent.

You might find the area crowded if you’re visiting on a weekend. So, keep that in mind.

But if you’re visiting on a weekday, or early on the weekend, the peaceful and serene surrounding makes you forget all about the city. Sit and enjoy the waterfall, or jump into the pool to cool off!

The story behind the name

While there, we kept guessing why is it called the Bride’s Pool? My wife’s theory was that the waterfall was named after the cascading pools, that resembled a bride’s flowing dress. I thought that this made sense. But of course, we couldn’t have been further from the urban legend behind the name.

The name is rooted in a Chinese folk tale. Legend has it that a bride was passing by on her saloon chair in stormy weather when one of her porters slipped. The bride, along with the wedding saloon, tumbled into the river, where she was washed down the waterfall, and into the pool at its base. The bride drowned in her heavy clothing, and from then on the pool was given its name in memory of her tragic fate.

A sad story.

Return to Bride’s Pool Road

To complete your trip to Bride’s Pool Waterfall, trace your steps from the waterfall and stream pool, down the rocks and back to the Bride’s Pool Nature Trail.

Once on the trail, turn left and follow the signs for Bride’s Pool Road. Unfortunately, the next section of the trail is on an incline. But luckily the road is only another 330 metres from here.

After the incline finishes, stay to the left and cross the bridge over the stream. At this point, you’re directly above Bride’s Pool Waterfall.

After the bridge, climb the final steps to Bride’s Pool Road. And now you’ve completed the Bride’s Pool Nature Trail loop, along with visiting both the waterfalls!

Bride’s Pool Nature Trail, Bride’s Pool Waterfall, Mirror Pool

We hope you enjoyed our guide to exploring Bride’s Pool Nature Trail, Bride’s Pool Waterfall, and Mirror Pool. Personally, I think the best time to visit any waterfall in Hong Kong is after the rains. That’s when they are flush with fresh rainwater.

And as I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of routes to enjoy Bride’s Pool and Mirror Pool. The last time I visited, I approached the area from Wu Kau Tang, and had the pleasure of exploring the top of Mirror Pool waterfall.

Given its remoteness, I usually advise people to either stop by, or spend time exploring Tai Mei Tuk. It’s one of my favourite summer spots in Hong Kong, and it has so much to offer. And in the cooler months, I highly recommend hiking across Pat Sin Leng, aka The Eight Immortals, one of the most legendary hikes in Hong Kong!

Check out all the waterfall hikes guides on our site, and we had to pick our favourite, it would probably be Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls (a hike with four waterfalls), or the Ma Dai Stream hike.

As always, please feel free to share this post on the social media channel of your choice and leave us a comment below.

If you enjoy our work, come join us on Instagram and YouTube 🙂

---

---