Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Sky Trail Hike: A Peaceful, Challenging Route For Nature Lovers
Contents
- Essential Information
- Hike Highlights
- Google Route Map
- How to Get There
- Quick Route Summary
- The History of KFBG
- Pre-Sky Trail Attractions
- Butterfly Path, Rainbow Falls, and Rainbow Pavilion
- Post Office Pillars, Signpost Corner and Kwun Yam Shan
- T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion and Sky Trail
- Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion and the Exit
- Getting Back
Essential Sky Trail Hike Details
- District: New Territories
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Distance: 8km
- Highest Elevation: 645 meters
- Difficulty: 3.5/5
- Facilities: Toilets are available in the lower sections of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
- Entrance Fee: 50HKD (As of December, 2024)
Why Hike the Sky Trail?
*It costs 50HKD to enter Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden as of December, 2024. You can also buy a separate shuttle bus pass at the ticket counter and take the bus to all the places mentioned in this hiking guide.
The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) Sky Trail is a fairly challenging hike with plenty of wonderful secrets and natural highlights to make it an unforgettable adventure!
Located in the upper reaches of KFBG, you can check out all the wonderful attractions in the Lower Area before beginning your hiking journey. Most people tend to stick to the lower sections of KFBG, so there’s a good chance you’ll have most, if not all, of the Sky Trail to yourself.
There are a few different ways to reach and tackle the Sky Trail. Much of the trail intersects stretches of road that are serviced by shuttle buses. You’ll need to pay a bit extra at the ticket office by the entrance of the park to use them.
There are maps aplenty throughout KFBG and the route outlined in this guide is just the one that suited me best on the day.
Google Route Map
Kadoorie Farm Sky Trail Hike GPX
*Click the box icon in the top right of the map below to load the blue route directly into your own Google Maps. You can then see your location relative to the trail in real time!
How to Get to the Sky Trail Hike Start Point
Take the MTR to Tai Po Market Station or Yuen Long Station and take the 64K bus (same bus for both stations) to the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden stop.
I went from Tai Po, so my pictures show the route I took to the bus.
Quick Sky Trail Hike Summary
- Take the MTR to Tai Po Market MTR Station or Yuen Long MTR Station and take the 64K bus to the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden stop.
- Check out all the exhibits in the lower part of KFBG (optional but highly recommended)
- From the Jim Ades Raptor Sanctuary, look for the sign pointing to the Butterfly Path
- Head through the little gate and follow the Butterfly Path trail
- When you see signs for the Rainbow Trail towards the Great Falls and Rainbow Pavilion, follow them
- Stay on the Rainbow Trail and you’ll go past the Great Falls and Rainbow Pavilion
- Head upward and you’ll arrive at a road by the shuttle bus stop
- Follow the sign pointing to the Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion/ Kwun Yam Shan by the bus stop
- Go Past the Post Office Pillars and begin a steep uphill climb
- You will go past Signpost Corner, after which you follow the signs all the way up to Kwun Yam Shan
- You will see a pair of stone pillars near the summit of Kwun Yam Shan, head through them.
- From Kwun Yam Shan’s summit, you will find a statue of Kwun Yam (goddess of mercy) and have wonderful views
- Head back down to the stone pillars and look for a trail demarcated by a T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion stone.
- Follow the trail to the T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion, then head through it and follow the sign for the Sky Trail
- There are a lot of steps here! As you climb, keep looking for the Sky Trail signs and follow them
- Enjoy awesome views from the Sky Trail and a few poignant quotes on black placards as well!
- Begin your descent downward to the Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion (signs point the way)
- From the Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion, follow the concrete road all the way back down to the entrance
The History of KFBG
Founding Purpose
The Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association (KAAA) was established on September 28, 1951, by Sir Horace and Lord Lawrence Kadoorie, along with Norman Wright and Woo Ting Sang. The aim was to assist destitute immigrants in Hong Kong, helping them become self-sufficient through agricultural training and support.
Agricultural Development
In 1956, the KAAA established an experimental farm at Paak Ngau Shek to demonstrate effective farming techniques and improve livestock breeds. This initiative significantly contributed to food security and revitalized the local economy.
Community Support
The KAAA engaged in various aid projects, providing families with livestock, training, and infrastructure improvements such as roads and bridges to enhance community livelihoods.
Historical Records
In 2010, a cache of approximately 20,000 case files was discovered, documenting the circumstances of families involved in KAAA programs, serving as an important historical record.
Shift to Conservation
As farming declined in Hong Kong, KFBG began focusing on environmental issues. The establishment of the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Corporation in 1995 marked a new era for conservation and sustainability initiatives.
Expansion into Mainland China
In 1998, KFBG extended its conservation efforts into Mainland China, furthering its mission to harmonize human-environment relationships.
Pre-Sky Trail Attractions
Before you reach the Sky Trail in the upper portion of KFBG, it’s well worth checking out some of the amazing attractions lower down.
I’d highly recommend taking a gander at the the following spots:
Piers Jacobs Wildlife Sanctuary - to see the barking deer and leopard cat!
Reptile Lookout - to check out tortoises and monitor lizards
Reptile House - I really liked the Green Tree Boa in there!
Orchid Greenhouse - The space is so tranquil and the orchids are gorgeous
Wildlife Pond - A cute little pond where you might be able to spot frogs, newts, or even snakes!
Raptor Roost - Check out just how massive Hong Kong’s common birds of prey are!
Wildlife Walkthrough - Flamingoes, turtles, and an alligator (which I didn’t see)
Fruit Forest - Like a mini orchard with loads of fruit trees!
These are just some of my favorite spots lower down in KFBG (there are plenty more things to check out). Before beginning your hike, check these spots out, along with plenty more that you’ll love!
Butterfly Path, Rainbow Falls, and Rainbow Pavilion
The first portion of the hike takes about 20-25 mins.
You'll start at the Butterfly Path, which is right next to the Jim Ades Raptor Sanctuary. From there, you'll simply follow the Butterfly Path signs upward for a while.
Part way through, you'll see another sign pointing you to Great Falls and Rainbow Pavilion. Head in the direction that sign points and you'll go past some of the most beautiful scenery of KFBG.
After checking out Great Falls and the Rainbow Pavilion, you'll emerge at a concrete road, which connects to the next portion of the hike.
Post Office Pillars, Signpost Corner and Kwun Yam Shan
This section took me about an hour. I spent plenty of time admiring all the amazing things on the way up to Kwun Yum Shan.
The first leg of this journey was following the concrete road to the Post Office Pillars. They were once part of the historic General Post Office building in Central, which was sadly demolished in 1976. Instead of putting the pillars in the landfill, they were donated to KFBG, where they have stood proudly ever since.
After more climbing, you'll also find Signpost Corner, which points to several major cities around the world and indicates the travel distance to each one.
Finally, at the top of Kwun Yum Shan, you'll find a statue of Kwun Yum and some wonderful views. Don't miss the little forest path!
When you're ready for the next part of the adventure, head back down to the pair of pillars.
T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion and Sky Trail
This section took just under an hour.
You'll want to start by looking for the T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion marker stone. Follow the trail beyond and then head through the pavilion.
You'll then be following frequent Sky Trail signs. Remember to always follow the Sky Trail signs that point you towards the Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion.
You'll have to overcome plenty of stairs, but it's worth it for the views on the top. Follow the Sky Trail signs down until you arrive at the round entrance of the Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion.
Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion and the Exit
It took about 50 minutes to explore the Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion and to descend down to the Lower Area of KFBG.
The Pavilion actually has two roofs to represent the strong bond between Horace and Lawrence Kadoorie.
Once you're done exploring, follow the concrete road for a while until you see a set of stairs beside a green rest area.
Take the stairs down through the Honey Path until you can connect to the Butterfly Path again.
You'll then arrive in the Lower Area, where you can pick your own path to the exit.
Getting Back
Take the 64K bus from the exit of KFBG to either Yuen Long MTR Station or Tai Po MTR Station.
