Not all hikes need to be difficult. Sometimes, it’s nice to just explore the lush, verdant hills of Hong Kong Island. Be one with nature and immersive yourself in it. If this sounds like something that you’d want to experience, then this hike is exactly that!
Moody woods of Hong Kong Island
The 3.5 km hike from Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to HKU is easy, family and kid-friendly as it involves minimal climbing, and is shaded throughout. It starts at Pok Fu Lam Country Park and ends at Lung Fu Shan Country Park on the western part of Hong Kong Island.
What makes it more fun is a short 500-metre detour to the Belcher’s Falls, which during the monsoon gushes with power.
Belcher’s Falls
Map and elevation profile
Here’s a quick summary of the hike.
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- Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to HKU map
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- Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to HKU elevation profile
You can also open the hike’s route on Google Maps.
Starting Point
To start this hike, make your way to the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road bus stop on Pokfulam Road. There are plenty of buses that stop here, and it’s probably best to Google Maps your way to the stop.
Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to HKU starting point
Pokfulam Public Riding School to Hong Kong Trail Section 1
Once you arrive at the starting point, walk up Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road, towards the Pokfulam Public Riding School. Wall till the Former Watchman’s Cottage, one of the six Historic Structures of Pok Fu Lam Reservoir that were declared monuments in 2009.
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- Walk past the Pokfulam Public Riding School
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- The Former Watchman’s Cottage, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir
Just after the Former Watchman’s Cottage is a boom barrier, to the left of which are steps. Go up the steps. If you go straight, the trail will take you to The Peak.
Take the steps going up on the left
This might come as a surprise you to but these initial steps are the most challenging part of this hike. At the end of the steps, you’ll arrive at a clearing with some sort of a control station for the reservoir. Turn right and walk along the wired fence till you finally arrive at Hong Kong Trail Section 1.
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- The initial climb from Pok Fu Lam Reservoir
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- Almost done with the steps
Hong Kong Trail Section 1
Turn left and continue along Hong Kong Trail Section 1 for the next 850 metres. This part of the trail is shaded with some gradual climbing.
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- Turn left once you reach Hong Kong Trail Section 1
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- Walk along Section 1 of the trail
There a couple of clearings along the way from where you can catch a glimpse of Pok Fu Lam below, but nothing too exciting yet.
Shortly after, you’ll arrive at another 3-way crossing with steps going up towards your right. This trail takes you up Mount High West. Yes, you can also reach High West from this route.
However, follow the sign for Hatton Road and go straight.
Keep straight and follow the signs to Hatton Road
To Pik Shan Path
For the next kilometre, the trail twist and turns through Lung Fu Shan Country Park, often clearing up for some nice views. On a clear day, you can see Lamma Island from here.
View of Pok Fu Lam and Lamma Island
However, after about 750 metres you’ll arrive at the stream above Belcher’s Falls. I sat here for a while, just admiring and photographing the stream. I honestly thought that this was the only waterfall along the hike. Obviously, I was wrong!
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- The stream above the waterfall. It gets better below.
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- These streams are what make this hike so beautiful
Continue for another 200 metres till you arrive at a pavilion. There is a flight of steps before and after the pavilion, going down on the left. Take the latter flight of steps down and walk till you arrive at the “Herb Garden” according to Google Maps.
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- The steps after the pavilion
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- The “herb garden”
This area is the Lung Fu Shan Country Park Plantation Site. It contains plenty of small plantation gardens and an outdoor seating area.
Navigate your way around the seating area, and follow the signs to Pokfield Road till you arrive at Pik Shan Path.
Follow the signs to Pokfield Road
A quick detour to Belcher’s Falls
If you turn right, you risk ending the hike prematurely. Instead, turn left for a quick detour of Belcher’s Falls. Google marks it as the “Hill Above Belcher’s Falls“.
Although the cascading falls don’t look impressive when you first approach them. My advice is to walk up beside them. It almost feels like a neverending stairway up the cascades. The multilayer Belcher’s Falls are quite a picturesque location!
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- The cascades and tiny pools of Belcher’s Falls
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- You can walk around these falls
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- The steps along the falls. You can keep walking up to the Hill above Belcher’s Falls
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- The cascades of Belcher’s Falls
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- Time to turn around as the sun begins to set
Finish at Pokfulam Road near HKU MTR
After you’re done taking pics from your Instagram at the Belcher’s Falls, trace your steps back to where you came from.
Make your way towards HKU
The next kilometre runs flat above Kennedy Town. Walk till you reach the next flight of steps on your left, going down towards Pokfield Road.
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- Sit out area overlooking Kennedy Town
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- Mossy trails to HKU
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- The evening sun through the trees as we approach Pok Fu Lam Road
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- Turn left to Pokfield Road
Walk down the steps till you arrive at the main road right next to the Sinopec petrol station. Turn right and walk for another 5 minutes till you arrive at the HKU MTR Station.
Finish strong!
Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to HKU
During my hike, I noticed that most hikers were doing this hike in reverse. Personally, I prefer ending this hike at HKU for two reasons.
- You end at the MTR station which makes it easier to get home.
- You can spend more time relaxing at Belcher’s Falls.
Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed this guide. Also, keep in mind that you can hike to The Peak from Pok Fu Lam Reservoir. So, maybe once you land up at the reservoir you decide where you want your hike to end.
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