Heng On - Sai Kung - Yau Ma Tei
Head out early to avoid the traffic on this 'Sai Kung Sandwich' - a bike ride that includes the beauty of the coastal approach to Hong Kong's Sai Kung Country Park, arriving and departing along roads that are deserted until 7am. Stay out later by extending the ride into the country park itself and going to Wong Shek or Hoi Ha, ending your ride at Choi Hung MTR to avoid the busy roads back through town.
The basicsRating: B2
Distance: 40km approx. Starts: Heng On MTR station. Ends: Yau Ma Tei MTR. Urban/rural/mixed: 60/20/20% Surface: Good cycle path for 5km at the start. Good road/pavement to Sai Kung Country Park. Fair to very poor through urban area from Sai Kung to Yau Ma Tei. Some pavement paved with brick throughout. Difficulty of navigation: Easy from Heng on to Sai Kung. Very difficult (involving leaving roads and using footbridges and pavements) from Pik Shui Sun Tsuen. |
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Map and elevation
The details
I can't suggest that anyone does this route, since it involves many narrow and dangerous roads. That said, it does give access to the Country Park in Sai Kung.
From the MTR, head north to pick up the cycle path at Heng On. This runs for 2km to it's initial end, where you need to go straight over the first road you see and then left on the next one. On the opposite side is a cycle path that runs the next few kilometres. After that, riding on the pavement is probaby best as the road is narrow and busy.
At the roundabout at the end of Sai Sha Road turn left towards the country park. The road is again fairly narrow with several buses and tourist coaches using it. However, it isn't as busy as Sai Sha Road.
The road is very simple to follow with many nice views on the right hand side over the water. At the end of this ride is the start of the restricted country park road with yellow barriers. It is permitted to cycle along Pak Tam Road to Wong Shek and then Hoi Ha Road beyond to Hoi Ha. However, it is not permitted to ride on the Sai Wan Road without a permit.
At the barriers, this route turns back and takes signs to Sai Kung, then pick up signs for Kowloon. After going through Sai Kung, take the second turning at Ho Chung roundabout onto New Hiram's Highway. It looks like it should be forbidden for bikes but it isn't. That said, there is a wide and empty pavement which can be ridden all the way to the top.
At the top, the road is restricted for bikes. At this point, slide over the pavement to the road on the left, and go up and over the footbridge that you just went under. On the other side, follow the pavement on the right hand side of the road (i.e. no need to cross Clearwater Bay Road at all) until the very top.
From this point on, cycling is dangerous and unpleasant. Reflective and bright gear is essential.
From the top (by Marketplace supermarket), cross over and begin road riding again. Follow this road all the way down, following signs for Hong Kong. At the bottom, look for a route onto Prince Edward Road West. I didn't manage to find this properly, and ended up using pavements and footbridges.
From Prince Edward Road West, take Argylle Street (signed) and later pick up Waterloo Road to head back to Yau Ma Tei.
From the MTR, head north to pick up the cycle path at Heng On. This runs for 2km to it's initial end, where you need to go straight over the first road you see and then left on the next one. On the opposite side is a cycle path that runs the next few kilometres. After that, riding on the pavement is probaby best as the road is narrow and busy.
At the roundabout at the end of Sai Sha Road turn left towards the country park. The road is again fairly narrow with several buses and tourist coaches using it. However, it isn't as busy as Sai Sha Road.
The road is very simple to follow with many nice views on the right hand side over the water. At the end of this ride is the start of the restricted country park road with yellow barriers. It is permitted to cycle along Pak Tam Road to Wong Shek and then Hoi Ha Road beyond to Hoi Ha. However, it is not permitted to ride on the Sai Wan Road without a permit.
At the barriers, this route turns back and takes signs to Sai Kung, then pick up signs for Kowloon. After going through Sai Kung, take the second turning at Ho Chung roundabout onto New Hiram's Highway. It looks like it should be forbidden for bikes but it isn't. That said, there is a wide and empty pavement which can be ridden all the way to the top.
At the top, the road is restricted for bikes. At this point, slide over the pavement to the road on the left, and go up and over the footbridge that you just went under. On the other side, follow the pavement on the right hand side of the road (i.e. no need to cross Clearwater Bay Road at all) until the very top.
From this point on, cycling is dangerous and unpleasant. Reflective and bright gear is essential.
From the top (by Marketplace supermarket), cross over and begin road riding again. Follow this road all the way down, following signs for Hong Kong. At the bottom, look for a route onto Prince Edward Road West. I didn't manage to find this properly, and ended up using pavements and footbridges.
From Prince Edward Road West, take Argylle Street (signed) and later pick up Waterloo Road to head back to Yau Ma Tei.