The real start of the trail is at the BBQ area at the entrance to Lion Rock Country Park, which we had seen countless times from the motorway to Lion Rock Tunnel. But finding the access route across the motorway from Tai Wai was surprisingly hard. Proud Daddy had foolishly left the instructions at home but then found lack of sign-posting defeated his orienteering skills and patience. Eventually by yomping along various roads in the heat and asking for directions we found the secret crossing on the motorway slip-road leading to the path through the tunnel under the motorway and the hidden staircase to the BBQ area.
At the BBQ area we were greeted by the inevitable group of Aunties having a picnic and a pair of monkeys who were trying to join in.
First part of the hike was up to Armah Rock (Mong Fu Shek), which Hannah walked up quickly. This 15m rock looks like a woman carrying a baby on her back I told Hannah the famous Legend about how the woman climbed the hill with her baby every day to look out for her husband who had been sent away to work for an Investment Bank, not knowing that he had died at his desk from overwork. Eventually in reward for their faithfulness a goddess turned them into a rock (and presumably scaled them up somewhat).
We couldn't see the view from the rock as the cliff is dangerous and fenced-off. But it was a good opportunity to show Hannah how the chinese character for 'danger' (3rd from the left in the photo below) is derived from a picture of a dead body at the bottom of a cliff.
For Armah Rock Hannah exercised her right to be carried uphill in the Deuter and we walked up the wooded path towards Lion Rock. It was now 32 degrees but nice and shaded but we rapidly worked through the bottles of water I'd brought.
This is Shatin valley from the path.
Around 5pm we reached Kowloon Pass just below Lion Rock, and were rewarded by views of Kowloon City. We finished off the last of the water - 3.5l in 3.5 hours!
The old Kai Tuk airport in Kowloon from Kowloon Pass.
We climbed-up for another 30 min towards the summit of Lion Rock. Since this is steep and suitable for experienced hikers only I made Hannah dismount from the Deuter, and she happily climbed up.
The views from the top were spectacular. Looking west along the ridge towards Beacon Hill
Video: panorama from just below Lion Rock
Hannah just below the 'head' of Lion Rock
West Kowloon and ICC from Lion Rock
Shek Kip Mei and Beacon Hill from Lion Rock
Video panorama: view from the 'head' of Lion Rock
Shatin, Fotan and Tolo Harbour from Lion Rock
The path continued on along the lion's 'back' to Tate's Cairn, but it was now about 5:30 and we had to get home so we descended back to Kowloon Pass and took the exit route down to Kowloon.
Lion Rock from the path down to Kowloon from Kowloon Pass.
After about 30min we had defended down to the Lion Rock Park where Hannah still had energy to try out the playground.
Lion Rock in the late afternoon sun from Lion Rock Park
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