Written by Justin Holland,

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	Distance	Duration*	Elevation	Level of Difficulty
Off the Lantau Trail to Tai O	about 12 km	5 hours	Lowest:   1 m Highest: 350

This Sunday 26th November we will walk from Ngong Ping (the Big Buddha) to Tai O.  We will walk along sections 4 and 5 of the Lantau Trail, and then leave the trail to go overland due West to the coast.  In this part of the walk we will be climbing down a large (very scenic) and quite steep valley/waterfall. From the bottom, we will walk north to Tai O.

The walk has several distinct parts:

• Ngong Ping to Shum Wat Road: This is a shady downhill path for 4 kilometres
• Shum Wat Road to Man Cheung Po: About 4 kilometres of rolling hills (note that we will cut across the loop at the south end of this section of the Lantau Trail).  (Man Cheung Po is an abandoned village.)
• Man Cheung Po to the coast: We will leave the trail and head due west which will bring us to the top of a large cliff / waterfall.  It will take about an hour to get down to the bottom.
• North along the coast: It is a 2.5 km walk along the coastal path to Tai O.

Upon arriving at Tai O, we will have dinner. 

The walk is manageable - Sumy has done it - but please note that you should feel comfortable with climbing down the waterfall. We climb next to the waterfall, not in it.  There is a path - it is steep.   If however, we arrive at that point and you are not comfortable, it is very straightforward to return to the Lantau Trail and walk directly to Tai O where you can meet us.

We will meet at Tung Chung MTR station at 10:30 am at the exit for the bus station (near the hang seng bank).  We will get the no 23 bus to Ngong Ping.  To return from Tai O, we will get the no 11 bus back to Tung Chung.

Please remember to bring all of the usual gear - lunch, a torch, sun block, mosquito spray and if the weather looks dodgy, rain gear.  In particular, some sturdy shoes.  There is no where along the way to purchase drinks, so ensure that you bring enough water. 

If it is raining hard or thunderstorms are threatening, the walk might be cancelled. If in doubt, call the trampers hotline 8209-0517 in the morning.

Disclaimer:- People join this walk at their own risks.  I shall not be held responsible in any way for any injury or death incurred or any loss or damage to personal property caused due to whatever causes including, but not limited to, negligence, neglect, errors of judgment and inadequate orientation skills on my part.  The fact that you show up at the time and place on the day to join the walk is an implication that you have agreed to and accepted unconditionally this disclaimer.

Last update: 22-11-2006 07:54

Keywords : Lantau Trail, Tai O