Bride’s Pool – Waterfall and Nature Trail

Bride’s Pool is a peaceful stream pool and waterfall located in Plover Cove Country Park, near Tai Mei Tuk. This natural wonder is truly a hidden gem in a city synonymous with skyscrapers.

Us at Bride’s Pool

The waterfall and pool are enclosed within the Bride’s Pool Nature Trail, which is popular with hikers and picnic/barbecue goers. And of course, Bride’s Pool is a popular scenic natural pool that attracts many visitors in the summer months to take a dip in its waters.

How to get to Bride’s 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 each option first requires you to make your way to Tai Po Market MTR Station on the East Rail Line.

Aerial view of Bride’s Pool Waterfall

By green minibus

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

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

However, be advised that the bus has a very low frequency, about one every 90 minutes.

By taxi

Alternatively, you can take a green taxi to Bride’s Pool bus terminus from Tai Po Market Station. A one-way trip should cost you HK$ 100-120.

By bus (best option, but only on Sundays)

The trick to reaching Bride’s Pool is to visit it on a Sunday because that’s the only day bus 275R operates. The bus plies between Tai Po Market Station and Bride’s Pool bus terminus from 9:40 AM till 6:45 PM at an interval of 15-20 minutes.

By cycle or foot

And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a cycle from Tai Mei Tuk and cycle to Bride’s Pool. It’s a 4.5 km incline on Bride’s Pool Road from Tai Mei Tuk village.

It’s good to know that there is a public toilet and vending machines at the Bride’s Pool bus terminus.

Once you arrive at Bride’s Pool Road, you may notice two entry points. One for Bride’s Pool Nature Trail (north side) and the other for Bride’s Pool Barbecue Site (south side).

Both entrances will lead you to Bride’s Pool Waterfall via the Bride’s Pool Nature Trail. However, the one marked Bride’s Pool Nature Trail is closer to the waterfall.

Bride’s Pool Nature Trail

Although many come just to visit Bride’s Pool Waterfall, I personally enjoy taking a stroll on Bride’s Pool Nature Trail. The trail is an 860-metre loop that can be accessed from either of the entrances on Bride’s Pool Road. However, to get to the waterfall is a 700-metre detour from the trail. And if you want to combine it with Mirror Pool, add an additional 700 metres.

Bride’s Pool Nature Trail map

I recommend accessing the trail from the Bride’s Pool Barbecue Site side, to save the waterfall for the end.

Cascades and stream pools

As you enter the trail from the Bride’s Pool Barbecue Site side, there are steps that take you down to an outdoor sitting area.

Walk down the steps next to the barbecue site

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

The main barbecue site at Bride’s Pool is just beyond these cascades. Cross the barbecue site, and turn left onto the bridge over the stream (Alternatively, you can turn right, onto the steps, to head to Mirror Pool. Details below.).

Cross the bridge and continue on Bride’s Pool Nature Trail for about 80 metres till you reach a fork in the trail.

Turn left at the fork to take the detour to Bride’s Pool Waterfall.

Walk down the detour path for another 170 metres, till it ends next to all the signboards. Just beyond the signs are the banks to the Bride’s Pool stream.

Bride’s Pool

This path ends at the banks of the Bride’s Pool stream. Depending on the level of water, carefully descend onto the rocks and cross the stream. After crossing the stream, walk across to the other side.

The walk upstream to Bride’s Pool Waterfall can be slightly challenging as it requires some clambering over rocks. After hoisting yourself over the initial rocks, walk along the stream till you see the waterfall and the stream pool up ahead.

Walk on the rocks till you see the waterfall

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 civilisation.

The waterfall is so close to Bride’s Pool Road and yet it feels so far

The pool below the waterfall is relatively clean and safe for swimming. Or you just enjoy Bride’s Pool by sitting on a nearby rock. Just remember to carry mosquito and insect repellent.

The peaceful and serene surrounding makes you forget all about the noisy 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.

Aerial view of the stream pool

The name is rooted in a Chinese folk tale. Legend has it that a bride was passing by on her sedan chair in stormy weather when one of her porters slipped. The bride, along with the wedding sedan, 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, trace your steps from the waterfall and stream pool, down the rocks and back to the trail, back to Bride’s Pool Nature Trail.

Return to Bride’s Pool Nature Trail and follow the signs to Bride’s Pool Road

Once you return to the trail, 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 the detour.

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.

Take the final steps up to Bride’s Pool Road

Mirror Pool and Waterfall (Chiu Keng Tam)

Many visitors to Bride’s Pool choose to combine it with another waterfall and stream pool further downstream called Mirror Pool or Chiu Keng Tam in Cantonese.

To reach Mirror Pool Waterfall, take the steps on the right just as soon as you cross the second bridge after the barbecue site and follow the signs to Chiu Keng Tam. The walk to Mirror Pool Waterfall is about 250 metres, whereas Mirror Pool is another 100 metres ahead.

Follow the signs to Chiu Keng Tam to reach Mirror Pool Waterfall

The Mirror Pool detour should add an additional 700 metres to your Bride’s Pool Nature Trail.

A picturesque waterfall in Hong Kong

We hope you enjoyed our guide to Bride’s Pool Waterfall. Personally, I think the best time to visit any waterfall in Hong Kong is after the rainy season, from August onwards. That’s when they are flush with fresh rainwater.

And if you’re visiting Bride’s Pool, do stop by Tai Mei Tuk. It’s one of my favourite spots in Hong Kong to enjoy the outdoors!

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