Shing Mun Reservoir Walk – Easy HK Hike

Shing Mun Reservoir Trail Info

Trail Name: Shing Mun Reservoir Walk

Location: Tsuen Wan

Distance: 7.5km

Hiking Time: 3hrs

Difficulty:  Easy

 

Shing Mun Reservoir is a good start for first time hikers.  The 7.5km hike might look daunting, but the trail is easy enough to walk, with alternating paved and dirt paths.  The elevation is also mild, dotted with places for picnic and rests, making the trail very popular for families with little kids.  The paperbark trees and of course the water of the Pineapple dam is a stunning site to see.  There are many places where you can walk down the path towards the water shed.  But please, do not attempt to swim on it since there are no lifeguards around and the water is deep in various areas.

Paperback Trees

Pineapple Dam

Grounds near the water changes depending on the season, so you can do this hike several times each year and still be amazed at what nature can offer.  There are plenty of monkeys (rhesus macaques) in the trail and they can be intimidating.  Make sure that you’re not holding any food item or bags containing foods as the monkeys are intelligent.  They know that if you’re toting a plastic bag, chances are there’s food in there. Best is to ignore them or observe from afar.  Try not to make eye contact as they perceive that as a challenge, especially for those big male monkeys.  Personally, I’ve been charged, but not harmed, by monkeys at this hike twice.  They know I’m a coward.  Both times, I’m either holding out my phone taking a picture, or my son is holding food.

There’s also the occasional wild boar roaming around, like these two that we saw.

Most of the time, you’ll be walking in shaded tree area, so minimal sun protection is needed.

Trees along the trail

There’s a food stall and clean restroom at the start of the trail and another restroom at about 500m mark.  Portalets are also available throughout the trail, at different picnic areas.

Food stall and restroom

To go to the Shing Mun Reservoir Trail, take exit B1 from MTR Tsuen Wan station, and get on the green minibus 82 on Shiu Wo street.  Since this trail is plenty popular, there’s always a long line going there, as well as going back to the train station.

Green minibus 82 bus stop

Here’s our trail made using Hiking Trail HK app, during actual hike last February 20, 2021.

Shing Mun Trail

Shing Mun Trail Profile

Read more about Shing Mun Country Park from the HK Tourism board here.

More photos on Instagram.

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