Wu Kai Sha to Hoi Ha out-and-back
Hong Kong bike rides don't get better than this. On a sunny cool morning in winter, get up early to enjoy virtually traffic-free wide roads, manageable but challenging hills and photo opportunities at every turn. Bring a towel for a halfway dip in the pristine sea at Hoi Ha.
The basics
Note: Don't try this on Sundays or public holidays when cyclists are banned from the Sai Sha Road. Rating: B2 Distance: 44km approx. Starts: Wu Kai Sha MTR station exit A1. Ends: Wu Kai Sha MTR station Urban/rural/mixed: 5/80/15% Surface: Good cycle path for 2km at the start. Reasonable road/pavement on the Sai Sha Road, with lots of drains and potholes near the kerb. From the roundabout near Sai Kung, the surface is very good. Difficulty of navigation: Easy with a map. Note that signs do not point to Hoi Ha, so read the description carefully. |
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Map and Elevation
The details
To do this ride you need to be comfortable riding on the road, being passed by buses, lorries, cars and minibuses, in narrow and winding areas.
The ride starts from Wu Kai Sha MTR Exit A1. As you exit the station the footbridge is very visible, and you will take the cycle path leading up right from the far end.
The cycle path crosses several roads but is quite clear up to its end, where it suddenly stops and turns into pavement. From here on, follow the Sai Sha Road all the way to the end at the roundabout - a distance of about 6km of road riding on busy bus routes. Note this road is closed to cycles on Sundays and public holidays. There is a pavement for almost all of it, but it is narrow and difficult to cycle on due to the amount of street furniture and the number of kerbs that must be traversed due to side roads.
At the roundabout, take a left, signed for the Sai Kung Country Park. Follow this undulating road as it hugs the beautiful coastline, all the way to the Country Park entrance, which is clear because there is a guard hut with a barrier. Vehicles require a permit to go further, but this is the one place in Hong Kong that the cyclist feels like a god. As you cycle towards the barrier, it will raise, and you will cycle through to one of the most heavenly parts of Hong Kong for cycling.
From this point, the roads will be quieter, but this can make for some extra-dangerous behaviour as taxis, minibuses and coaches pull into the middle of the road and do what they like. Keep your wits about you!
Follow the road until a left turn signed for 'Wong Shek Pier'. Don't miss this turning. This is the first of two major climbs on this route. Follow this well-maintained and quiet road to the summit, where there are public toilets. Following this is a steep descent.
After the descent, keep a look out for a left turn signed for Hoi Ha, and also for the Pak Sha O youth hostel. Follow this road, starting the steep climb almost immediately. This road continues to climb for some time, before levelling out at the summit for a few hundred metres. From here, it is almost entirely a gentle descent into Hoi Ha.
On arrival at the village, follow your nose through the paths to the cafe/restaurant, a very basic affair (cash only). If you want to visit the beach, turn left down the path here and you will arrive at one of Hong Kong's cleanest marine environments. It is well worth packing the swimming costume to take a dip in the waters here. Be careful, as there are no lifeguards or shark nets, and there is no changing room either (but plenty of trees to hide behind).
The return journey is very simple and follows the same route. Sadly there are no alternative routes that would allow a circular ride.
If you wanted to combine your hiking interests, there are several hikes that are easily accessed along the route.
The ride starts from Wu Kai Sha MTR Exit A1. As you exit the station the footbridge is very visible, and you will take the cycle path leading up right from the far end.
The cycle path crosses several roads but is quite clear up to its end, where it suddenly stops and turns into pavement. From here on, follow the Sai Sha Road all the way to the end at the roundabout - a distance of about 6km of road riding on busy bus routes. Note this road is closed to cycles on Sundays and public holidays. There is a pavement for almost all of it, but it is narrow and difficult to cycle on due to the amount of street furniture and the number of kerbs that must be traversed due to side roads.
At the roundabout, take a left, signed for the Sai Kung Country Park. Follow this undulating road as it hugs the beautiful coastline, all the way to the Country Park entrance, which is clear because there is a guard hut with a barrier. Vehicles require a permit to go further, but this is the one place in Hong Kong that the cyclist feels like a god. As you cycle towards the barrier, it will raise, and you will cycle through to one of the most heavenly parts of Hong Kong for cycling.
From this point, the roads will be quieter, but this can make for some extra-dangerous behaviour as taxis, minibuses and coaches pull into the middle of the road and do what they like. Keep your wits about you!
Follow the road until a left turn signed for 'Wong Shek Pier'. Don't miss this turning. This is the first of two major climbs on this route. Follow this well-maintained and quiet road to the summit, where there are public toilets. Following this is a steep descent.
After the descent, keep a look out for a left turn signed for Hoi Ha, and also for the Pak Sha O youth hostel. Follow this road, starting the steep climb almost immediately. This road continues to climb for some time, before levelling out at the summit for a few hundred metres. From here, it is almost entirely a gentle descent into Hoi Ha.
On arrival at the village, follow your nose through the paths to the cafe/restaurant, a very basic affair (cash only). If you want to visit the beach, turn left down the path here and you will arrive at one of Hong Kong's cleanest marine environments. It is well worth packing the swimming costume to take a dip in the waters here. Be careful, as there are no lifeguards or shark nets, and there is no changing room either (but plenty of trees to hide behind).
The return journey is very simple and follows the same route. Sadly there are no alternative routes that would allow a circular ride.
If you wanted to combine your hiking interests, there are several hikes that are easily accessed along the route.
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