Sharp peak, Sai Kung, Hong Kong / 蚺蛇尖, 西貢半島, 香港

Sai Kung Peninsula
The Sai Kung Peninsula is located in the New Territories in Hong Kong. It is composed almost entirely of volcanic materials such as coarse tuffs, pyroclastic rocks, and acid lavas.

The first geographical feature you will encounter while doing this hike is Sharp Peak (蚺蛇尖, Nam She Tsim). It rises to a height of 468 meters above sea level. It is one of three sharp peaks of HK together with Castle Peak (583m) in Tuen Mun and High Junk Peak (344m) in Clear Water Bay. It is not that hard to hike it, needs a bit of stamina.

After the peak, you will go through multiple beaches with turquoise water and white sand. You will pass Tung Wan Beach (東灣泳灘), Tai Wan Beach (大灣), Ham Tin Beach, Sai Wan Beach (西灣沙灘). They are popular spots for camping. We saw many people setting their tents a bit far from the water and enjoying nature.

After enjoying some time on beaches you will start climbing another peak - Sai Wan Shan (西灣山, 314m). It is easier than the Sarp Peak. The summit is not that steep and the path is paved. While descending you will see one more beach - Long Ke (浪茄灣沙灘).

At the end of the hike, you will be awarded with a nice view of the High Land Reservoir and UNESCO Global Geopark where you can see spectacular hexagonal columnar joints near the East dam.

Overall it is an amazing hike where you summit a peak, walk on beaches, see hexagonal columnar joints, and caves, and try some local food.

Difficulty
It is a moderate hike. Finding a way is no problem as it is well laid and well organized. There is no boulder hopping, climbing, abseiling, exposed walking on edges, etc. I mark it as moderate, not easy, because the ascent to Sharp Peak is a bit steep and requires a bit of scrambling level 1. In general, It is just a walk. The trail is almost 23 km long with 1200+ m elevation gain which requires good stamina.

Transportation
We took a bus 289R (to Wong Shek Pier) from Sha Tin Central bus terminal. Got off at 北潭凹管理站tr (22.420941, 114.332023). It is the starting point of MacLehose Trail Section 3. After that, you start hiking Section 2 in reverse. To go back to the city, I took a minibus 9A (to Pak Tam Chung) at 萬宜水庫東壩 next to High Island Reservoir East Dam (22.361922, 114.371576). You can choose any bus in Pak Tam Chung (22.397144, 114.319304) depending on where you stay/live.

Must-have gear
1) High-cut hiking shoes
2) 4 liters of water (December), electrolytes
3) Sun protective clothing

Organized by Mike Hkg.

How I grade hikes
I grade all routes based on technical difficulty only. The stamina requirement is inferred from distance and elevation gain/loss information. Do not be surprised if you see a 25 km easy hike in my profile.
- "Easy". There is a well-defined trail. You know where to go.
- "Moderate". No trail. Lack of obvious path. You have to hike via rough rocky terrain. Expect boulder hopping and scrambling (use of hands), steep slopes, and scree. There are some exposed locations, but safe.
- "Difficult". There are exposed locations, really exposed.
- "Very difficult". Exposed and you need a rope. No abseiling. If abseiling is involved, I mark it as canyoneering, not hiking.
- "Experts only". I hope I will never do this kind of hike.