Name(English): Tai Tam Reservoir Hike
Name(Chinese): 大潭水塘
Category: Outdoor Activities
Address(English): Mount Parker Road Green Trail
Address(Chinese): 香港柏架山道自然徑
Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/SQpN2q7tiKWaKs2w7
Address longitude and latitude: 22.280830968901927, 114.21016133944651
Nearest MTR Station: Quarry Bay MTR station Exit A
Nearest MTR Station Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/yVDXba67c95bLs2h9
Nearest MTR Station longitude and latitude: 22.288688087413327, 114.20990222376818
How far from the nearest MTR Station: 20 mins from Quarry Bay MTR station Exit A
Opening Hours:
MON 00:00 – 23:59
TUE 00:00 – 23:59
WED 00:00 – 23:59
THU 00:00 – 23:59
FRI 00:00 – 23:59
SAT 00:00 – 23:59
SUN 00:00 – 23:59
Recommended Time to Visit: 9am
Accessibility Note: need to walk up staircases
Another secret garden of the city awaits you coming! Strolling around Tai Tam Reservoirs can heal your inner soul with the view of the evergreen surrounding hills and their reflections on the mirror water. You will also get to appreciate the 21 English style waterworks structures of high historical values, so spend about a few hours immersing yourself in the green and history – which is probably the best idea for a relaxing chill day.
The 9km hiking trail from Quarry Bay to Tai Tam is easy-peasy, educational and suitable for all the hikers, especially the lazy ones(!). The paths are mostly shielded by canopy trees providing natural air-con to cool you down from the heat so it is still a decent spot to explore around even during summer times.
Directions:
Get out of Quarry Bay MTR station Exit A and head east towards the junction with King’s Road and Mount Parker Road, where you will find a directory sign “Mount Parker Road Green Trail”.
There is no ups and downs on the trail so you can easily get to the Quarry Pass Pavilion walking up on smooth concrete walkways within an hour. The uphill slopes take a bit of efforts for some so make sure you rest yourself under the lookout pavilions along the way – try to catch some glimpses of the top view of the Island East as well! Be mindful of the vehicles passing through especially when you are near the curves of the path.
After you reach the Quarry Pass Pavilion, look for the sign that says “Hong Kong Forest Track Mount Parker Section”, start walking down the slope for about 30 minutes and you will soon arrive at the cluster of century-old dams. The Tai Tam Upper Dam, constructed in 1883 during the first phase of the Tai Tam Scheme, will first come into view. The tranquil ambience and the reservoir water surface with sparkling light reflections offer a perfect Instagrammable spot – so get that picture right!
Make a left at the end of the Upper Dam and you will pass through the rest of the three reservoirs constructed in early 1900s: Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir, Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir & Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir, within the next hour along the Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail. Take your time and admire the unbeatable sceneries of the granite stone bridges with the backdrop of evergreens, before reaching the south entrance of the Tai Tam Country Park, where you can take bus no. 14 to either Stanley or Sai Wan Ho.
Highlights of the trail:
1) You will find an Edwardian-style Red House when you are on your way up to the Quarry Pass Pavilion. Built in the 1920s, the house initially served as a residence hall for the senior staff members of the Taikoo (太古) Sugar Refinery, known as Swire nowadays, but has been revitalized as a Woodside Biodiversity Education Centre. Feel free to pop in to take a look at the conversation work in town, not to mention the admission is free!
2) Most of the structures around the reservoirs including the dams, the stone bridges and the valve houses are classified as graded historic buildings due to its aesthetic values and its significance to meeting the growing demands for water amid rapid urbanization at the time.
What else to visit?
Stop by the famous town Stanley if you still have time! The little town of East and West has everything to offer from the colonial heritage and temples sitting by the waterfront to the beautiful beaches overlooking the southern waters. So why not sipping a beer there to continue on your relaxing chill day? Bus 14 can get you there from the end of your hike!
Recommendations:
1) Do bring sunscreen, hat, towel, enough water and snacks to protect yourself from the sections without shades. As you will be mostly in the woods so it’s better to also take mosquito repellents with you – better safe than sorry!
2) No worries if you are not good at directions as there are plenty of signs leading you the way, and not to mention the explanatory boards dotted all over the area where you can learn about the history of the heritage!
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