New Territories Century: 100km around the North and East
This ride was reviewed by one cyclist as "a surprisingly easy 100km" - and rightly so, for it avoids almost all the hills that normally confront the Hong Kong rider. Taking in the best of the lowlands of Hong Kong, you can expect undulating coastal scenery, lush green woodlands and hidden villages but - surprisingly - you're never more than a 10km ride from an MTR station if you need to escape.
The basics
Rating: C3 Distance: 103km approx. Starts: Tai Wai MTR Exit A Urban/rural/mixed: 10/80/10% Surface: Very good throughout. Entirely suitable for road bikes. Difficulty of navigation: Easy if you follow the maps. Slightly harder if you try to navigate yourself, especially around the north. |
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Map and elevation
The details
This route is too long to describe in detail, but you can follow the map above without too much issue.
From Tai Wai Exit A, pick up the bike path (turn right out the station exit) and follow the signs for Tai Mei Tuk. You will follow the cycle path all the way to Tai Mei Tuk along the pleasant coastline. I don't advise doing this after 10am on a Sunday or Saturday as it becomes very busy with beginning cyclists and you will lose a lot of speed.
From Tai Me Tuk, continue on up the steep hill (take heed of the signs to dismount; the police are known to fine cyclists after 8am) and continue along the wonderful Bridespool Road all the way to the end near Sha Tau Kok. If you want to stop along here, there is a cafe near the end that serves excellent breakfast.
When you reach the end of the road (it's clear that it's the main Sha Tau Kok road), turn left. Follow this busy road and be very careful for 8km or so. Look out for the traffic lights that will be your exit to the right. If you miss it, you can continue through Fanling but you will miss the nice river ride.
You can either follow the river all the way and cross the river using the mud path, or you can use the route shown here on the map. They both take you to the same spot. (For a map showing the alternative route, see here.) From here you join a very quiet and pleasant road along the border, before dropping down to the Castle Peak Road. Here, you can follow the road all the way or come off to enjoy quiet country lanes for a few kilometres. Again, follow the map carefully to see the exit point at Castle Peak Road, which is a pedestrian path under the main road. You'll see it when you notice a pedestrian bridge over the road (but you take the underpass).
After this section, you will need to eventually cross over the main road again as you approach Kam Tin. Note that at this point, you need to walk your bike down a flight of steps.
From here, simply follow the roads along the river and eventually pick up the road back to Fanling, then from Fanling get back on the cycle paths and head back to Tai Wai. We messed this section up so the map is a little 'wonky' - Google Maps are quite accurate in Fanling so you might be able to find a better route.
From Tai Wai Exit A, pick up the bike path (turn right out the station exit) and follow the signs for Tai Mei Tuk. You will follow the cycle path all the way to Tai Mei Tuk along the pleasant coastline. I don't advise doing this after 10am on a Sunday or Saturday as it becomes very busy with beginning cyclists and you will lose a lot of speed.
From Tai Me Tuk, continue on up the steep hill (take heed of the signs to dismount; the police are known to fine cyclists after 8am) and continue along the wonderful Bridespool Road all the way to the end near Sha Tau Kok. If you want to stop along here, there is a cafe near the end that serves excellent breakfast.
When you reach the end of the road (it's clear that it's the main Sha Tau Kok road), turn left. Follow this busy road and be very careful for 8km or so. Look out for the traffic lights that will be your exit to the right. If you miss it, you can continue through Fanling but you will miss the nice river ride.
You can either follow the river all the way and cross the river using the mud path, or you can use the route shown here on the map. They both take you to the same spot. (For a map showing the alternative route, see here.) From here you join a very quiet and pleasant road along the border, before dropping down to the Castle Peak Road. Here, you can follow the road all the way or come off to enjoy quiet country lanes for a few kilometres. Again, follow the map carefully to see the exit point at Castle Peak Road, which is a pedestrian path under the main road. You'll see it when you notice a pedestrian bridge over the road (but you take the underpass).
After this section, you will need to eventually cross over the main road again as you approach Kam Tin. Note that at this point, you need to walk your bike down a flight of steps.
From here, simply follow the roads along the river and eventually pick up the road back to Fanling, then from Fanling get back on the cycle paths and head back to Tai Wai. We messed this section up so the map is a little 'wonky' - Google Maps are quite accurate in Fanling so you might be able to find a better route.