Hong Kong hiking --- Tsz Lo Lan Shan (Violet Hill) Path and Tai Tam Reservoirs

An irony of Hong Kong is that while finding new land for residential housing remains a perpetual problem of the city, there is no shortage of scenic hiking trails that go up the hills or wind through country parks. Even as fairly keen hikers, we have not yet attempted all the trails on Hong Kong Island alone. On the day of Chung Yeung Festival last year, we tried out a route that we had never done before --- taking the Tsz Lo Lan Shan (Violet Hill) Path from Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park to Repulse Bay, then passing by the Tai Tam Intermediate and Upper Reservoirs, and finally on to Quarry Bay. Including much time spent on taking photos of the beautiful scenery along the way, it took us around four hours to complete the route. Along the trail, there are great views of Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay and the Tai Tam Reservoirs.

The part of our hiking route from Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park to Tai Tam Upper Reservoir

Traditionally Chung Yeung Festival is a day when people go up the hills.  The weather on Chung Yeung last year was just perfect for this customary activity. It was sunny and bright, yet cool enough to have a feeling of the arrival of autumn. 

We took a taxi to Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park, the starting point of the hike. This closed reservoir now serves as a park rather than a water storage facility. In the past, there used to be paddle boats for rent at this small reservoir, or artificial lake, making it a popular site for families with children.

Wong Nai Chung Reservoir

Wong Nai Chung Reservoir

The start of the Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path is clearly marked.

Start of the trail --- Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path

The narrow path winds along the side of Violet Hill. At places where the lush bushes on the side of the path do not block the view, one can see the tranquil Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay, the roller coaster ride in Ocean Park, and even housing in the distant Wong Chuk Hang district. 

Hong Kong Island Southern District, with residences along Repulse Bay Road in the foreground, and Wong Chuk Hang in the far background

On the Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path

Deep Water Bay, with Ocean Park's Hair Raiser in the background

Rock by the path

Repulse Bay as viewed from Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path

Repulse Bay

Residential buildings at Repulse Bay

The Hair Raiser roller coaster --- iconic ride at Ocean Park

Distinctive building at Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay --- school and residences

Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay

Past Repulse Bay, Tse Lo Lan Shan Path joins the Wilson Trail, as marked by a signpost. We took the path towards "Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir via Tze Kong Bridge". 

Towards Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. Tze Kong Bridge is at the bottom of the steps.

Tze Kong Bridge is a short and narrow footbridge busy with hikers going in both ways.

Plaque by the Tze Kong Bridge

A small footbridge further along the path.

The trail continues along the side of Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir. One can catch glimpses of it over the tree tops along the path.

Glimpse of Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir 大潭中水塘 above tree tops

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir, with the dam at the far end

Close-up view of the Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir

Looking down

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir

Dam of the Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir

Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Mansonry Bridge --- one of two historical bridges at the Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs

After passing by the Dam of the Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir, there is an option of going over the Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Mansonry Bridge towards Tai Tam Upper Reservoir, or going in the opposite direction along Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir towards the Tai Tam Country Park South Entrance. The latter option is the choice to take for those who wish to leave the trail and catch public transport. In our case, we went over the Masonry Bridge towards the Upper Reservoir.

View of the Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir from the Masonry Bridge

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam as viewed from the Masonry Bridge

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam

Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir

View of Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Dam

While we have visited the Tai Tam reservoirs numerous times, somehow we seldom walk by the bridge that goes over the Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir 大潭副水塘. So this time we made a slight detour just to take a view of it before turning back to cross the Upper Reservoir Dam.

Bridge over Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir

Brige over Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir

Tai Tam Upper Reservoir

Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Dam

From the Upper Reservoir, we took the trail to Quarry Bay via Tai Fung Au (Quary Pass or literally "Windy Gap"), a path that we have traversed numerous times, though in the opposite direction. This completed our four-hours hike ― somewhat longer than our average hike, but very enjoyable and pleasant in the ideal weather on the day.