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Hiking around the Shing Mun Reservoir and Pineapple Dam is a must if your family loves a brisk hike that’s suitable for all ages!
Hong Kong has one too many hiking trails, so the trick is to find suitable ones for your family. One that we’re particularly fond of is the Pineapple Dam and Shing Mun Reservoir hike, nestled in Tsuen Wan. It may be quite a trek for some just getting there but the shaded, stroller-friendly hike is worth the extra mile! We love that you can hike around the Shing Mun Reservoir any time of year and still enjoy it (well, the humidity isn’t the most ideal but not the worst!). Here’s your family-friendly guide to hiking the Shing Mun Reservoir.
Read More: The Best Trails To Go Hiking In Hong Kong With Kids
How To Get To Shing Mun Reservoir
The easiest way to get to Shing Mun Reservoir is to take minibus route 82 from Tsuen Wan. Take the red MTR line and get off at the last stop (Tsuen Wan, of course!), get to exit B2 and walk over the footbridge to get off at Castle Peak Road. Walk one street further to reach Shiu Wo Street where you’ll find the minibus — find the exact location of the bus stop here.
If you’re thinking of driving over, you can park your car at Lo Wai or Shing Mun Village Parking Lot and then walk up the gentle slope along Shing Mun Road to reach the starting point.
Hiking Around The Shing Mun Reservoir & Pineapple Dam
The loop hike can be adjusted to how adventurous your family is. Do note that not every section of the hike is stroller-friendly (as long as you stick to the concrete path, you’re good) and some sections could have steep inclines. If you’re looking to do this hike with younger children, you can easily just complete the scenic and easy paths and go back the way you came instead of completing the loop.
Shing Mun Reservoir Hike – Whole Loop
Hiking distance: 7 kilometres
Hiking time: About 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to intermediate
To start the hike, go up the short flight of stairs right by the minibus stop. Continue going straight, this will be on somewhat of a dirt path and rather narrow. On your way, you can take a short detour to the butterfly garden (when you see concrete stairs pointing to your left, that’s your cue). If you’re exploring the butterfly garden, the hike eventually converges into the same path as if you continued going straight, opting not to detour.
Once you’re on the concrete pavement, the path becomes wider and you’ll already be taking in the serene views of Shing Mun Reservoir. Soon after, you’ll be greeted by the marvellous waterside paperbacks, which, if you ask us, doesn’t feel like you’re in Hong Kong! Here, you can also get up close to the reservoir (a great photo op!) — during the wet season, the paperbacks will be partially submerged in water, creating a mystic scenery.
Continuing on, you’ll come across the Tai Shing Stream and a couple of picnic sites. You can choose to end your hike here and return back the same way, or if your family likes a little challenge, continue on to finish the loop.
Highlights along the way of the rest of the hike include the pondside meadow, the Shing Mun Reservoir Viewing Deck (the highest point of the hike), the Shing Mun Reservoir Main Dam and more picnic sites with barbecue pits. The entire duration of the hike depends on how many breaks you take (soak in all the beauty and take your time!). The loop will bring you back to the minibus stop where you can head back to Tsuen Wan.
Read More: Stroller-Friendly Hikes Hong Kong – Easy Hiking Trails And Accessible Walks
Things To Note When Hiking Around Shing Mun Reservoir
- The hike is a walk around the Upper Shing Mun Reservoir. There is a Lower Shing Mun Reservoir but that’s a different hike.
- Pack insect repellents, there can be quite a few mosquitoes around in the summer.
- Though it’s mostly a shaded hike, make sure to wear sunscreen!
- Bring enough snacks and water. There’s a vending machine by the entrance of the hike but no shops as you go on.
- There are a couple of washrooms here and there but bring your own tissues just in case!
- There are lots of monkeys! Do not have your snacks in front of them, they will come and snatch it from you. And do not feed any of them. Most of the monkeys are on the latter half of the hike so if you choose to only do the first half, chances are you won’t spot many.
Read More: The Best Outdoor Playgrounds And Parks In Hong Kong
