Continuing my Hong Kong Trail journey, Section 3 left me with… mixed feelings. It’s not the most exciting section. No dramatic viewpoints, no “wow” moments, but that doesn’t necessarily make it bad. So the real question is: is it worth doing, or should you skip it?
Hong Kong Trail Section 3 Overview & Quick Facts:
- Route: The Peak to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road
- Distance: 6.5 km
- Elevation Gain: -
- Highest Point: -
- Difficulty: Easy (Beginner-Friendly)
- Time Required: 1.5-1.75 hours (depending on pace)
- Best Season: Autumn to Spring (October–April for cooler, less humid weather)
- Highlights: Shaded forest walk
How To Use This Guide:
I hiked the Hong Kong Trail from west to east, starting with Section 1. But there’s really no “right” way to do it. You can just as easily start from Section 8 and work your way back, or tackle one section at a time, depending on your schedule (and your #hikeppetite).
If you’re looking for a specific section, you can jump ahead here:
- Hong Kong Trail Section 1 Guide: The Peak to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road
- Hong Kong Trail Section 2 Guide: Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road to Peel Rise
- Hong Kong Trail Section 3 Guide: Peel Rise to Wan Chai Gap Road
- Hong Kong Trail Section 4 Guide: Wan Chai Gap Road to Won Nai Chung Road
- Hong Kong Trail Section 5 Guide: Won Nai Chung Road to Tai Fung Au/Mount Parker Road
- Hong Kong Trail Section 6 Guide: Tai Fung Au/Mount Parker Road to Tai Tam Road
How to get there and how to get out?
If you're continuing from Section 2, then you’re already on track! Just follow the distance posts and keep going.
If you’re starting fresh, the most straightforward way to reach the trailhead is by bus. As of March 2025, here's the most direct option:
- From Central, take Bus 70P and get off near Aberdeen.
- From there, you’ll need to walk uphill along Peel Rise Road, passing by St. Peter’s Secondary School and the Aberdeen Chinese Cemetery until you reach the start of Section 3.
To get out of the trail, you have two options:
The first one is based on my experience where I exited the trail midway since it was starting to get dark. A trail runner I met pointed out the nearest exit point (from where we were); however, this was NOT the end of the trail yet. I took the stairs after the distance post #34 (installed on the left side of the trail).
The trail continues uphill in the woods until another set of stairs. After the stairs, I was finally on Watford Road.
From this signpost, I walked straight until I reached a small supermarket to ask for instructions. Since it was a weekend, I was asked to take Bus #15 from Sinopec Peak Road (it's a gas station) to take me back to Central.
The second option is at the start of the Hong Kong Trail Section 4. From here, follow the Aberdeen Reservoir Road, then Coombe Road, and then walk up to Sinopec Peak Road (same gas station as above). Upon reaching the gas station, you can take the Green Minibus #1 back to Central.
Hiking Trailhead:
Since I came straight from Section 2, I’ll walk you through it from that perspective.
Picking up where Section 2 ends, the trail continues up a short flight of stairs leading to what looks like a small reservoir structure. From there, just keep walking, and you’ll reach a junction, Peel Rise on the right, and Hong Kong Trail Section 3 on the left (there’s also a map here, so it’s hard to miss).
Stay on the Hong Kong Trail and follow the path ahead to begin Section 3.
Hong Kong Trail Section 3 Route (Step-by-Step Guide):
Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery in this section, so I don't have any pictures apart from photos of the distance posts.
The entire section feels pretty consistent. It was a quiet walk through the woods, surrounded by dense greenery from start to finish. I didn't encounter any sweeping views here. This section is more about being in nature than looking at it.
There are a few small streams and water pools along the way, and at one point, I actually used it as a water source. It looked clean enough, and I didn’t get sick, thankfully. But of course, if you must do it, do this at your own risk.
One thing I appreciated was the presence of an emergency phone booth along the trail, which I only noticed in this section, but it's available all throughout the Hong Kong Trail. It’s a small detail, but absolutely reassuring, especially if you're hiking solo.
After this phone booth, you will come across distance post #34 and the signpost to exit to Watford Road (in case you want to leave the trail).
Two days later (after I left the trail), I went back to continue my unfinished business and followed the trail up Wan Chai Gap Road. Again, the vibe here is pretty much the same.
Hiking Tips & What to Bring for Hong Kong Trail Section 3:
Even though this is an easy, beginner-friendly hike, proper preparation is essential for both safety and enjoyment.
What to Bring:
- Water and snacks – there are no facilities along the trail; bring at least 2–3 liters of water and enough snacks
- Trekking poles – highly recommended during descent on stairs to reduce strain on your knees
- Raincoat - prevents getting wet during rain
- Offline map or GPS – download your route in advance, in case of a weak signal
- Small first aid kit – useful for minor injuries or altitude-related discomfort, bring ibuprofen for headaches due to high altitude sickness
- Trash bag – practice Leave No Trace principles
Personal Thoughts:
As I always say, we all have different adventure appetites, or what I call #hikeppetite to begin with. So, a good trail for me might not be a good trail for you, and vice versa. And that’s completely okay — we don’t need to agree with anyone or everyone all the time. Anyhow, here’s what I think about my hike on the Hong Kong Trail Section 3:
Pros:
- Quiet and less crowded compared to other sections
- Fully shaded — great for hot or humid days
- Easy to follow and not physically demanding
Cons:
- No major viewpoints or standout highlights
- Can feel repetitive after a while
Overall, the trail is easy, chill, and relaxing. It is perfect if you like a short walk or stroll in the woods. It's the kind of trail you would like to take to ease your worries away. It's just too short for my #hikeppetite. If you’re #hikeppetite is more (like me!), I suggest combining it with Sections 2 and 4! Or even better, to finish the whole Hong Kong Trail!
👉 Continue reading: Hong Kong Trail Section 4 Hiking Guide
Whatever decision you make, always remember to prepare beforehand, stay safe, and last but not least, enjoy the outdoors! #happyhiking!
With lots of love,
PINAYHAKAWATI 💗
AND AS A GENTLE OUTDOOR ETHICS REMINDER:
LEAVE NO TRACE!
