The Tai Tan Country Trail in Sai Kung is a beautiful coastal hike between Hoi Ha Wan and Tai Tan. The trail runs along the coast of Sai Kung’s Long Harbour and is a mix of easy walking and moderate climbing.
The hike is suitable for the summer months and also for kids. But my favourite part about Tai Tan Country Trail is that it passes two secluded, hidden beaches!
Tai Tan Country Trail
The Tai Tan Country Trail connects two villages in Sai Kung West Country Park, Tai Tan and Hoi Ha. The 6.8 km trail between the villages can be completed in either direction and should take about 2.5 hours.
We started our hike from Tai Tan and ended it at Hoi Ha. Although the trail is an easy coastal walk, for the most part, it does involve quite a bit of climbing. It’s a short, steep climb and nothing too difficult, but given how easy the rest of the trail is, it does feel a challenge.
For the sake of simplicity, I like to think of the Tai Tan Country Trail in three parts:
- An easy and scenic 2.8 km coastal walk that ends at a secluded beach.
- A challenging 2.5 km hike that also ends at a secluded beach near Wan Tsai South Campsite.
- A relatively easy 1.5 km hike that ends at Hoi Ha Wan.
Starting point
Whether you start from Hoi Ha or Tai Tan, it’s a long journey to get to the starting point deep in Sai Kung Country Park. we decided to start our hike from Tai Tan. And although the Tai Tan Country Trail starts from Hoi Ha Road, I find it easier to access it from Tai Tan Village.
To start the hike from Tai Tan Village, make your way to the Tai Tan bus stop on Pak Tam Road. Only three buses stop at the village,
- 94 – From Sai Kung to Wong Shek Pier
- 96R – From Diamond Hill to Wong Shek Pier (public holidays only)
- 289R – From Shatin Central to Wong Shek Pier (Saturdays and public holidays only)
Once you arrive at the bus stop, turn left towards the village road. Walk down the road as it passes a few houses before reaching a small inlet on the right. After the inlet, cross the bridge over the Hau Tong Kai River to arrive at Tai Tan Village.
Walk up the ramp, to the end of the road. At this point, follow the path behind the houses and then cut between them to get to the coastline. If you’re here on a sunny day, the view of the harbour and hills is breathtaking!
This marks the starting point of the Tai Tan Country Trail.
Tai Tan to the first secluded beach
The first section of the Tai Tan Country Trail is a gorgeous coastal walk! It runs alongside the sea and doesn’t move inland. And what’s better is that the trail is mostly flat and shaded!
The views of Wong Shek Pier, Sharp Peak, and other hills set amidst the beautiful blue waters of Sai Kung make you gasp at almost every corner!
There’s not much else I can say about this section of the trail, except that it’s easy and very scenic!
You’ll know when you’re close to the beach when you’ll have a few steps to climb.
The first beach
Approximately 2.8 km from the bus stop, you’ll arrive at a beautiful secluded beach. Needless to say a secluded, hidden beach in Sai Kung is bound to be beautiful. And this beach is no exception!
What I loved most about the beach is that it’s not a diversion from Tai Tan Country Trail. In fact, the trail cuts through the beach.
Relax and enjoy the beach because the next section of the trail is not like what you’ve covered.
To Wan Tsai Peninsula
Prepare yourself because the next 2.5 km of Tai Tan Country Trail is the toughest section, relatively speaking. It no longer feels like a coastal walk, but more like a regular hike.
As you walk away from the secluded beach, the trail gradually begins its uphill climb. It doesn’t seem too bad initially but the incline slowly increases. And once the trail moves inland, the view of the sea disappears.
The trail is also filled with large boulders that add to the difficulty of navigating the hike. My advice is to climb at a comfortable pace.
Keep going till you see the C5408 marker and when you do rejoice because this is the highest point on the trail. From the marker, follow the signs for Hoi Ha and Wan Tsai as the trail descends before returning to another incline.
Fortunately, this is a short climb up a few steps. And at the end of the steps, that gorgeous view of the blue sea and Sharp Peak returns!
From this point onwards, the trail runs downhill and along the coast. From here, you should be able to see Wan Tsai South Campsite and Grass Island (Tap Mun). And as the Tai Tan Country Trail reaches sea level and moves into the bay, you can finally see the second secluded beach on this hike.
The second beach
Unlike the first beach, the trail doesn’t cut across this beach. However, a 10-metre shortcut through the bushes should bring you onto this beautiful beach that has spectacular views of Sharp Peak straight ahead.
On weekends, you can hear the sounds of the campers from the Wan Tsai Campsite. Unlike the first beach, this beach is close to Hoi Ha and the Wan Tsai Campsite. So, you can expect to see a few people on this beach.
So, once you’ve enjoyed a break on the beach, return to the trail.
Lan Lo Au to Hoi Ha
Just after the second beach, you’ll reach Lan Lo Au, the pass where the Wan Tsai Nature Trail meets the Tai Tan Country Trail.
At this juncture, turn left for Hoi Ha which is approximately 1.5 km away. The initial section of the trail involves climbing a flight of steps. Fortunately, it’s much easier than what you’ve already encountered.
After the initial climb, the trail is fairly straightforward. It’s mostly flat and completely shaded.
Just after the halfway mark, you’ll notice an interesting-looking building on stilts in the water. This is the Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre.
Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre
The Jockey Club HSBC WWF Hong Kong Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre (or simply the Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre) provides educational services and opportunities for visitors to appreciate the marine park.
Hoi Ha Wan is one of the marine reserve parks in Hong Kong and visitors to the Marine Life Centre can book a trip on the glass-bottom boat! The boat takes visitors for a tour of marine life in the reserve.
The park operates between 10:30 AM and 5 PM and you can learn more about what they do on their website.
End at Hoi Ha Wan
From the Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre continue on Tai Tan Country Trail for another 500 metres till you arrive at Hoi Ha Wan Beach.
And just as you’re about to enter the village, check out the old abandoned lime kiln next to the beach.
The Hoi Ha Wan village is just behind the beach and there are a couple of shops for refreshments in the village. Also, given its beautiful waters and marine life, don’t be surprised if all you see are kayaks and life jackets around the beach!
You can learn more about Hoi Ha Wan in this post.
Walk through the village towards the main road. From here you can catch the green minibus number 7 to Sai Kung or use an app (not Uber) to call a taxi.
Tai Tan to Hoi Ha Wan Hike
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the Tai Tan Country Trail in Sai Kung. To appreciate the views, make sure you do this hike on a sunny day when the sea and the hills glow in the sunshine!
Also, remember to carry sufficient water on this hike. There are no shops till you reach Hoi Ha Wan, and it can be very hot and humid if you attempt this hike in the summer months.
And if you’re looking for more coastal walks, check out the hike between Shui Hau Village to Shek Pik Reservoir on Lantau Island, or the Coastal Village Walk in Tai Tam.
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4 Comments
Hi, does it make sense to do this in the reverse – because it might be easier to get out of Tai Tan village (using Bus 94) than out of Hoi Ha village? Thanks!
Absolutely! The KMB bus is more reliable and easier to find space on when compared to a green minibus.
Thank you for introducing us to this nice hike. We did this hike starting at Hoi Ha. We parked at Pak Tam Chung and took a taxi (HKD70) there in order to start early. The rest of the walk was easy and well-marked, but beautiful.
The funny thing was there was no 3G or 4G signal in the Hoi Ha village! We had two sim cards (Three and Smartone). But as we crossed the village and entered the country trail itself, we magically got the signal!
You’re welcome! Yes, the walk is easy and very beautiful, especially on a cold and sunny day! True, even I face signal issues in Hoi Ha (CMHK). Probably because it’s surrounded by hills and the closest cell tower isn’t well placed (just a guess).