How to hike the Cross Island Challenge
Join this limited edition charity hike in collaboration with Exploring Dogs to raise funds for local animal shelter, Lifelong Animal Protection (LAP). To complete this challenge with the Exploring Dogs pack, register for their event here, or sign up via the Trail Challenger app to tackle this in your own time - either way, you will earn yourself a medal upon completing this 20km Cross Island challenge, all whilst raising funds for one of our local animal shelters.
Overview
Length: 19.2 kilometres
Elevation Gain: 896m
Difficulty: 3/5
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Recommended Hike Plan
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The average time to complete this entire trail is 6 hours and 44 minutes, however, if you’re a beginner or prefer to tackle this trail by sections, we recommend tackling this over two days and have outlined our recommended hiking plan below, with multiple exit points along the way, should you need them. This trail mostly follows paved paths, and the occasional roadside, so be careful of your dogs and cars for these sections.
Day 1
10.5km - 3 hours
Mount Davis Path - The Peak
This trail starts at Mount Davis Path, and involves walking up the concrete path past the Fresh Water Service Reservoir. You’ll soon start to head downhill towards Mount Davis Road, where you will need to cross the intersection of Pok Fu Lam Road and head up the stairs next to the Pok Fu Lam Road Sitting out Area. This takes you through Lung Fu Shan Country Park, which is a sealed path up to Harlech Road at the Peak. This is probably the most challenging section of the entire trail as it involves the biggest climb.
This section takes 1.5 hours to get to the Peak Galleria, where you will have ample opportunities to visit the lavatories, stock up on water and snacks.
The Peak - Wong Nai Chung Road
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From the Peak Galleria, walk down Findlay and Severn Road, before turning off on Hospital Path - this takes you down Barker Road to Magazine Gap, where you will follow Coombe Road to Wan Chai Gap Park. Here, you will have another opportunity to stock up on snacks and drinks, and visit the public toilets before continuing on to Black's Link.
Follow the paved path through Aberdeen Country Park, as it contours around the mountainside. Just be careful of cars as you edge closer to the residential area at the other end of Black’s Link, as the nearby intersection can get quite busy.
Once you’re by Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, this marks the end of day 1 of our recommended Hike Plan! From here, there are plenty of opportunities to hail a taxi home..
Day 2
8.7km - 6 hours
Wong Nai Chung Road - Tai Tam Country Park
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Starting from where we left off at Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, the second leg of this challenge involves a steep climb up Tai Tam Reservoir Road towards Parkview.
Once you reach the Parkview entrance, continue on to enter Tai Tam Country Park. Here, you will have access to public toilets near the start of this trail, opposite Tai Tam Barbecue Area Site 2. There are several Barbecue Site areas along this trail, which make for a great pitstop to rehydrate or refuel on snacks.
After you pass Tai Tam Upper Reservoir, you will connect with Hong Kong Forest Track - Boa Vista Track section. Before you reach Boa Vista, you will need to turn off the paved path to join Tai Tam Road. which comes out at the roundabout of Tai Tam Gap, which can be a busy intersection.
Be careful walking along this section of Shek O Road as there is no pavement here before you enter Shek O Country Park.
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Shek O Country Park - Siu Sai Wan Promenade
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There are several public toilets, along this route; at the start of this trail, and at Cape Collinson Road Garden. Be sure to stop on occasion to take in the scenery, as you get unobstructed view of Shek O, as well as a panoramic glimpse of the channel from Pottinger Peak View Compass, which is a short detour.
The final stretch follows the coast to Siu Sai Wan, along Leaping Dragon Walk.
Once you reach Siu Sai Wan Promenade, you can give yourselves and your dog a pat on the back for a job well done!
You have also just earned yourself a medal, for tackling the Cross Island Challenge whilst giving back to a local shelter!
If you fancy another challenge, check out our other trails in the app or compete in Time Trials to see how you do against other users of the app!
Start the challenge!
