Ups and Downs of the Wilson Trail to Stanley

On the Trail
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“We’ll go for a hike. No Problem!” Uncle David had planned to take us hiking during our time in Hong Kong. He said nothing about the difficulty of our planned route, only that we could hike on a more difficult trail if we had desired. We elected for the relatively easier route.

It was a typical steamy day. We caught the bus from Wan Chai to Hong Kong Park View and followed the signs to Wong Nai Chung Reservoir. We lunched at the reservoir, a body of green which somehow supported numerous fish and a family of turtles. Lunch at the small kisok comprised a healthy egg sandwich and iced tea (iced tea = hot tea + a cup of ice cubes) for $HKD 18.

Spectacular view of Tai Tam Bay
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We walked up hill along the footpath, a portent of things to come, to the start of the trail. It was 2.30pm. Many of the walking trails on Hong Kong Island are interconnected. Today’s walk commenced on the Tai Tam Country Trail and concluded on Section 1 of the Wilson Trail. The Wilson Trail, opened in 1996, extends 78km from Stanley to the New Territories and is subdivided into 10 sections.

The walk was paved almost all the way. The trail was undulating and comprised mostly of stairs. We followed the sign to Tsin Shui Wan Au (rather than to Wong Nai Chung Reservoir). The first half of the trail was not especially difficult and concluded with a descent to a narrow bridge. The latter half of the trail was noticeably more arduous. Notably, we immediately ascended several hundred stairs to the top of "The Twins" (Ma Kong Shan) – a long ascent, short descent and another short ascent before arriving at the top.  Our hard work was rewarded with commanding views of Tai Tam Harbour and Bay to the east; Repulse Bay to the west and Stanley Peninsula and Lamma Island to the south.

At Ma Kong Shan lookout with Stanley Peninsula in the background
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There was a lookout with an annotated map, called “Ma On Shan View Compass”, overlooking Stanley. This provided a final rest before descending some 1600 stairs to the end of the trail. It was 5.30pm. The walk is apparently more difficult commencing from the Stanley end – all those stairs to climb!

We then caught a bus down the hill to Stanley Markets. The markets are a conglomeration of small stalls selling anything from personalised T-shirts to cheung sams for infants to books.

Trail Map
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Emerging from the covered markets we strolled along Stanley Main St, which offered views of Stanley Bay and Murray House. Murray House is a stately sandstone dwelling from colonial times, dismantled and moved piece by piece from Central, which now serves as a fancy restaurant. Walking past restaurants such as the “Pickled Pelican” we overlooked such fine cuisine and ate at McDonalds instead. We then bussed it back to the other side of the Island.

Trip Overview

Why do it: Spectacular panoramic views of Hong Kong Island and surrounds.

No comment!
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Grade: Difficult.

Duration: 3 hours.

What to bring: Plenty of water/electrolyte solution to drink.

Wong Nai Chung Reservoir
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What to wear: Sunscreen and hat, comfortable footwear and a camera.

Low point: Stairs, stairs and more stairs (~3000!).

At the End: Explore Stanley Markets and Stanley Pier.

Getting There: Bus 6 from Wan Chai to Parkview. Follow the signs and walk to Wong Nai Chung Reservoir and then up the hill to the trail head. Scan your Octopus card on exiting the bus for a partial refund of the fare.

Getting There: Bus 6 from end of walk on Stanley Gap Road to Stanley Market. Bus 14 from Stanley Market on Stanley Village Rd (outside Pacific Coffee Company) to other side of Hong Kong Island (eg. Sai Wan Ho/Wan Chai).