Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve: A Completely Shaded Hike that's Perfect for Summer
Contents
- Essential Information
- Hike Highlights
- Google Route Map and GPX File
- How to Get There
- Quick Route Summary
- Getting to the Blue Walk from the Bus Stop
- Walking by the River to the Rest Spot
- Getting to the Stream Crossing
- Heading Back Along the Other Side of the River
- Getting Back to the Start Point
- Optional Detour: Tai Po Kau Outdoor Study Centre
- Getting Back
Essential Tai Po Kau Trail Hike Details
*There are 4 trails throughout Tai Po Kau. You will need to add an additional 2km to all the below distances to get to and from each trail from the bus stop.
- Red Walk — 3km
- Blue Walk — 4km
- Brown Walk — 7km
- Yellow Walk — 10km
This guide specifically covers the Blue Walk Trail
- District: New Territories
- Duration: 1 hour 45 mins (at a slow pace in wet conditions)
- Distance: 6.3km (including additional 2km to and from the bus stop)
- Highest Elevation: Just under 300 meters (but you're only climbing maybe 80 meters or so)
- Difficulty: 1.5/5
- Facilities: Toilets near the start. There's a stream running throughout the trail if you're feeling adventurous and want to have a drink of natural stream water (at your own risk)!
Why Hike the Tai Po Kau Nature Trail?
While Tai Po Kau Nature Trail is not the most scenic ( in terms of grand vistas) or most challenging hike in Hong Kong, it most certainly is one of the most peaceful. Tucked away in a little corner of Tai Po, the area was once logged heavily for timber, taking a toll on the diverse animal and plant species in the area.
In the 1920s, reforestation efforts began and today Tai Po Kau is one of the most significant natural areas in Hong Kong with a deep wealth of biodiversity residing in its rich forests and natural streams.
Some rare species in the area include:
Birds
- Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius)
- Hainan Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis hainanus)
- Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
- Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus)
Amphibians
- Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) - Classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
- Romer's Tree Frog (Liuixalus romeri) - Critically endangered and endemic to Hong Kong
Reptiles
- Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) - Considered an invasive pest in some areas of the world and relatively rare in others
Butterflies
- White Dragontail (Lamproptera curius) - While not critically endangered, the White Dragontail is considered rare in Hong Kong
- Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus) - Also not critically endangered, but rare in Hong Kong. This species is often poached for its beauty
Mammals
- Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) - The most widely distributed Asian small wild cat but is extremely elusive and hard to find in Hong Kong (hence its inclusion on this list).
- Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata) - Similar to the leopard cat, the masked palm civet is not endangered but is an uncommon sight in Hong Kong
- Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) - Critically endangered and is one of the most trafficked animals in the world for its scales and meat
Plants
- Hong Kong Camellia (Camellia hongkongensis) - Endemic to Hong Kong
- Incense Tree (Aquilaria sinensis) - Vulnerable due to overexploitation
- Ailanthus-like Garcinia (Garcinia oblongifolia) - Rare in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Pavetta (Pavetta hongkongensis) - Endemic to Hong Kong
- Lamb of Tartary (Cibotium barometz) - Protected species
- Grantham's Camellia (Camellia granthamiana) - Rare and endemic to Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia blakeana) - Hong Kong's floral emblem
Google Route Map and GPX File
How to Get to Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve
There are a few buses that go to Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve. You'll want to get off at the Chung Tsai Yuen stop.
If you want to take a taxi directly there, you can show the below address to the taxi driver. Click on the address below to open up its location on Google Maps.
I took the bus from Tai Wai, so the below section will outline how to find the bus from Tai Wai MTR Station.
Getting the 72A Bus from Tai Wai MTR Station
Quick Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve Blue Walk Route Summary
- Take the bus to the Chung Tsai Yuen stop and get off
- You'll see a set of brown signs with "Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve" written on them
- Follow the concrete road upward in the direction that the brown signs at the entrance point toward
- A short while later, you'll want to follow the brown sign pointing to "Tai Po Kau Forest Walks"
- From hereon out, you'll just want to keep an eye out for the clearly marked "Blue Walk" signs
- Follow the river while heeding the "Blue Walks" signs
- Eventually, you'll cross the river and make your way back toward the entrance. "Blue Walk" signs will be present throughout
- Before leaving, there's a little detour at the "Tai Po Kau Outdoor Study Centre". It's well worth a short 10-15 minute stroll through!
- You'll walk back down the same concrete road you took at the start and return to where you can get the bus back
From the Bus Stop to the Blue Walk Start Point
Once you disembark from the bus at Chung Tsai Yuen, look for the entrance to Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve and begin walking up the concrete path.
It takes about 15 minutes to reach the start of the Blue Walk and while not super steep, the road to the start point certainly does have a bit of an incline to it.
Keep your eyes open for little bursts of color as many of the plant species and animal species are tiny but beautiful. If you don't slow your pace down on this hike, you're likely to miss all the best sights (the flora and fauna)!
A set of obvious signs will mark the start point of the hike.
Walking by the River to the Rest Spot
This entire section takes only about 10-15 minutes to complete. There's plenty to see along the way and as long as you keep looking for the signs that appear quite regularly, you'll find it almost impossible to get lost.
Getting to the Stream Crossing
This section isn't long, taking perhaps 20 minutes in total.
You'll mostly be switching between coming across little streams and climbing stairs, though it really isn't too tough.
Remember to take your time and enjoy your beautiful surroundings!
Heading Back Along the Other Side of the River
The journey back round the other side of the river takes around 35 minutes. You'll find that this section of the hike is much more natural. The cobblestone path vanishes after a while and you'll feel the wonderful sensation of compact dirt under your shoes rather than hard stones all the time.
You're also more likely to see monkeys on this side of the river, so listen in the trees for loud crashes and the telltale calls of macaques (Hong Kong's resident monkeys)!
Getting Back to the Start Point
It takes about 30 minutes to get back to the entrance (not including the detour). You'll be following the concrete road the whole way and it's basically impossible to get lost.
Just make sure to go left and downward when you see the same signs as when you started the hike. You'll loop round and complete the same circle again otherwise!
Optional Detour: Tai Po Kau Outdoor Study Centre
The Tai Po Kau Outdoor Study Centre was created as an educational space that makes it easier for visitors to spot an abundance of wildlife in a single area. The centre features a specially planted butterfly garden, which attracts various butterfly species found in the reserve. Additionally, it has small freshwater ponds that, during certain seasons, become habitats for frogs and a variety of dragonfly species.
There are also several dense sections of towering bamboo along with an open grassy area where you might spot a skink or snake basking if you're really lucky!
Getting Back
Take the same bus in the opposite direction or grab any other bus you like from right outside the nature reserve!
