The Kap Lung Ancient Trail and the Kap Lung Forest Trail are two parallel trails on the western slope of Tai Mo Shan. The Kap Lung Ancient Trail was once used by villagers in Pat Heung, Shek Kong and Lui Kung Tin to carry their goods to Tsuen Wan. And the Kap Lung Forest Trail was built by the government to explore the woodlands of Kap Lung.

The granite stones on the Kap Lung Ancient Trail

Today, both the trails offer hikers a way to explore the lush woods and flowing streams of Tai Lam Country Park while admiring a piece of history.

The Kap Lung Forest Trail is such a relaxing walk in the woods

Kap Lung Ancient Trail and Kap Lung Forest Trail Hike

Both the Kap Lung Ancient Trail and the Kap Lung Forest Trail run between Tsuen Kam Au and Kap Lung Village, but they vary in distance and incline.

Kap Lung Ancient Trail and Forest Trail map and elevation profile

The Kap Lung Ancient Trail is 1.8 km and the Kap Lung Forest Trail is 3.7 km. The height of Tsuen Kam Au is 480 metres and Kap Lung Village is 90 metres. This means that the hike descends and reascends 390 metres.

Together, the two trails form a circular hike on the western slope of Tai Mo Shan.

The Kap Lung Ancient Trail and the Kap Lung Forest Trail Hike is relatively easy and shaded, with moderate climbing and a fun pit-stop!

Starting point

The starting point for the Kap Lung Ancient Trail and Kap Lung Forest Trail Hike is the Tai Mo Shan Country Park bus stop on Route Twisk. The bus stop is located in Tsuen Kam Au.

The Tai Mo Shan bus stop at Tsuen Kam Au

This is also the starting point for the Tai Mo Shan Hike. In fact, we were meant to hike to Tai Mo Shan on the day but changed our plan at the last moment because of the poor visibility caused by the haze and clouds.

Only KMB bus number 51 stops at the Tai Mo Shan Country Park bus stop on Route Twisk. You can board this bus either at the Tsuen Wan MTR Station (on Tai Ho Road North) or Tsuen Wan West MTR Station (at the Nina Tower Bus Terminus).

Bus number 51 at the Nina Tower Bus Terminus

Once on the bus, alight at the Tai Mo Shan Country Park bus stop and walk 15 metres ahead to arrive at the entrance for the Kap Lung Forest Trail.

The entrance to the Kap Lung Forest Trail

To the meeting point of the two trails

One of the best parts about the Kap Lung Ancient Trail and Kap Lung Forest Trail is that the directions and routes are clearly visible and marked. This is helpful because there are many hiking and biking trails in the area.

The start of the Kap Lung Forest Trail

As you enter the Kap Lung Forest Trail, follow the signs that lead you on the path parallel to Route Twisk.

At the first intersection, take the trail on the right as it descends the steps. The steps soon give way to a fairly long downhill slope.

After about 400 metres from the start, you’ll arrive at the meeting point of the Kap Lung Ancient Trail (on the right) and the Kap Lung Forest Trail (on the left).

The decision point – go right or go left?

Kap Lung Ancient Trail is shorter and steeper, whereas Kap Lung Forest Trail is longer and gentler on the incline. Which trail to descend on and which trail to reascend on is your decision to make.

We decided to go down the Kap Lung Ancient Trail.

Kap Lung Ancient Trail

At 1.8 km, the Kap Lung Ancient Trail is the shorter of the two. Which also means that it is slightly steeper.

The initial section of the trail consists of fairly moderate steps. However, at the end of the steps, the downhill trail begins.

What makes the Kap Lung Ancient Trail unique is the trail is created using granite stones. The stones were laid down by the villagers when they built this path to make the trail easier to walk on.

These stones were laid by villagers back in the day

As beautiful as the granite trail looks, it’s equally slippery, especially after the rains or when it’s cold and humid.

Slowly coming down Kap Lung Ancient Trail

We found it quite challenging navigating our way down the Kap Lung Ancient Trail’s granite path. In some parts, it was easier to walk on the side of the stones.

After the initial descent is a dirt trail that felt like a relief. But that doesn’t last for too long as the granite path soon restarts.

Fortunately, the slope isn’t too steep at this point, which makes the path easier to walk on.

And after about 500 metres of walking, you’ll arrive at the first stream crossing on the Kap Lung Ancient Trail.

The first stream crossing

First stream crossing

There are three stream crossings on the Kap Lung Ancient Trail. The first two cross the Kap Lung Stream.

The flow of the streams depends on the season that you visit the trail. We visited during the winter which meant that most of the streams were dry or had little water flowing through them.

A very tranquil break

Nevertheless, that didn’t stop us from sitting down and taking a break next to the stream.

Taking a quick break next to this stream

To the second stream crossing

After the first stream crossing, the Kap Lung Ancient Trail continues alongside the Kap Lung Stream.

Continuing on the Kap Lung Ancient Trail

We could hear the soothing sounds of the stream below us as we walked on the granite stones.

The trail continues along the stream

The trail continues downhill with the occasional views of Kai Kung Leng. The Rooster Ridge was a hazy shadow in the distance the day we hiked.

Hazy views from the Kap Lung Ancient Trail

Fortunately, the distance between the first and second stream crossing is short, just under 400 metres.

I found the second stream crossing to be as peaceful as the first. Unfortunately, we’d just taken a break at the first crossing, so we didn’t think it was worth taking another break so soon.

To the third stream crossing

The Kap Lung Ancient Trail turns to a moderate slope after the second stream crossing. Depending on the season, you may encounter a few other streams along the way.

The downhill path of the Kap Lung Ancient Trail gives way to steps before reaching the final flat section of the trail. But before that, comes the third and final stream crossing.

Although this stream was completely dry when we visited, I’d imagine that it would be the most beautiful stream after the rainy season.

The third and final stream on the Kap Lung Ancient Trail is stunning (sadly no water when we went)

The final stretch

My favourite section of the Kap Lung Ancient Trail is the final stretch that follows after the third stream crossing.

The final section of the Kap Lung Ancient Trail after the third stream

This section is a flat, dirt trail surrounded by tall trees that form a beautiful canopy! I loved how lush and verdant this section of the trail felt.

A beautiful canopy of trees

At the end of the trail, turn right before the catchwater drain and walk down the steps.

Lui Kung Tin Village

The Kap Lung Ancient Trail ends at Lui Kung Tin Village. At this point, you can choose to end your hike by turning right and walking down the road to Route Twisk.

Turn right and walk down this road to reach the bus stop

But if you wish to complete the Kap Lung Forest Trail too and finish where you started, turn left.

Turn left into Kap Lung Village

To Kap Lung Village

Before starting the hike back up on Kap Lung Forest Trail, we highly recommend taking a break at the Farm Milk Co. Ltd. Cafe in Kap Lung Village.

As you turn left, continue walking on the paved road. The road passes a couple of barbecue areas and then a public toilet.

After the public toilet, there’s a small bridge. And once you cross the bridge, the Farm Milk Company’s Cafe is on the right.

Farm Milk Co. Ltd.

If you’ve ever browsed the milk section in your local supermarket, you might have seen milk cartons from a brand called “Farm Milk”.

Farm Milk is a Hong Kong-based dairy producer based in Kap Lung Village, and their cafe sits in the middle of the Kap Lung Ancient Trail and the Kap Lung Forest Trail.

The cafe at the Farm Milk Co. Ltd.

This reminded me of the time we visited the Trappist Monastery on Lantau Island and learned that they also have their own dairy farm.

If the Farm Milk Company’s cafe is open on the day of your visit, take a quick pit stop to grab one of their famous puddings or beverages. We recommend their ginger milk pudding!

Taking a break with the ginger milk pudding

And while there, keep an eye out for interesting creatures on the farm.

There are some interesting creatures at the Farm Milk Co. Ltd., like this tortoise

Kap Lung Forest Trail

Once you’re done with your refreshing break at the Farm Milk Company’s cafe, get ready to hike your way back to Tsuen Kam Au.

The entrance to Kap Lung Forest Trail is hard to miss because it’s directly opposite the cafe.

The entrance to the Kap Lung Forest Trail is right opposite the Farm Milk cafe

The initial section of the trail is the steepest. It starts with a moderate flight of steps and as the steps navigate up the hill, they bring you to what is my favourite section of the Kap Lung Forest Trail.

Once again, we’re greeted with strikingly tall trees that form a beautiful canopy over the trail.

Even the roots of the trees created natural steps that help you climb this section. I found this short section of the trail mesmerising!

After the canopy of trees, the trail continues its uphill incline. And approximately 700 metres from the start, the steps and incline end, for now.

The flat section

After the initial climb, the flat trail is a welcome change!

The flat section

As the Kap Lung Forest Trail is a modern version of the Kap Lung Ancient Trail, there are quite a few stream crossings that are on picturesque mini bridges.

Crossing the first of the mini bridges

I recall three mini bridges on this flat section of the trail. Unfortunately, when we visited the streams were mostly dry. But we could imagine how beautiful it would look after the rains.

After another 800 metres, the flat section of the trail unfortunately ends. The steps mark the start of the climb again.

Gentle incline to the Ho Pui intersection

The next 1.2 km of the Kap Lung Forest Trail is on a constant, gentle incline.

More steps

It’s also a fairly uneventful section of the hike. The trail continues through the quiet and peaceful Kap Lung woodlands. We did stop to admire some forest ecology.

Other than the plants and trees, we crossed a few more mini bridges in this section of the trail.

However, when you walk past the cycle barriers, that’s when you know that you’re close to the end of this section of the trail.

These cycle barriers signal that we’re getting close to another junction

And that’s where the Kap Lung Forest Trail arrives at an intersection of multiple trails.

At the intersection

Return to the meeting point of the two trails

As I said earlier, the signs and directions are clearly marked on both these trails. At the intersection, the trail on the right heads down to Ho Pui Reservoir and the one straight ahead is the biking trail. But we need to follow the signs for Route Twisk and turn left.

Turn left and follow the signs for Route Twisk

The next section of the Kap Lung Forest Trail is relatively straightforward. It remains flat, easy, and wonderfully lush.

Simply follow the trail as it twists and turns through the Kap Lung woodlands and returns you to the meeting point for the Kap Lung Forest Trail and the Kap Lung Ancient Trail.

Almost at the point where the two trails intersect

Finish the hike

At this point, you’re back to where you had to make a decision about which trail to head down on. Now, there’s no decision to be made except to turn right and walk up the granite stone trail.

And we’re back to the intersection of the two trails. Time to climb back up to the bus stop.

This slope is a preview of what it would have been if you were to reascend on the Kap Lung Ancient Trail, instead of the Forest Trail.

The final climb on these granite steps can be a bit challenging

At the end of the slope and before the steps, there is a shortcut to the left that exits onto Route Twisk. You can take this shortcut or climb up the steps and exit at the trail end.

You can return to Route Twisk via the trail or take a shortcut to the road from the path on the left

Once on Route Twisk, return to the bus stop on the opposite side of the road and take bus number 51 back to Tsuen Wan.

Back to where we started

Kap Lung Ancient Trail and Forest Trail Hike

We hope that you find this guide to the Kap Lung Ancient Trail and Forest Trail Hike resourceful.

Given that this hike is completely shaded and moderate to easy, it can be completed in the summer or winter months.

A location marker at the Kap Lung Forest Trail

The streams crossing, verdant woodlands and the ginger milk pudding were the real highlights of this hike! The hike also reminded me of the Eagle’s Nest Country Trail, which also is a circular hiking trail through the forest.

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

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