Introduction:
Stage Two runs through impressive country -- the
peaks, uplands, peninsulas and bays around Tai
Long Wan. This stage goes through the north half
of Sai Kung East Country Park, to its border
along the Pak Tam Road.
The route begins at Long Ke, then
makes a steep ascent to Sai Wan Shan. Climbing
up here, one has majestic views over a superb coastline
- and north towards conical Sharp Peak. After
dropping down to Sai Wan, the Trail follows the
beaches to Ham Tin, then turns inland over the
coastal hills. Finally Stage Two skirts some shallow
sea inlets, before ending at Pak Tam Au.
The rocks near Long Ke are rhyolite,
a fine grained volcanic rock formed when lava cools
rapidly. Rhyolite's six-sided crystals create,
on a much larger scale, hexagonal columns of rock
-- which give the Long Ke coastline its distinct
appearance. Jagged brown-grey columns of rhyolite
rear up everywhere.
The outer Sai Kung peninsula is
a ria (or submerged) coast. Late in the last Ice
Age, about 15,000 BC, the sea level was 100 metres
lower than today. Then, from about 15,000 BC until
5,000 BC, the global climate warmed and the sea
level rose. Hong Kong, with its hilly terrain,
inherited a deeply indented coast: valleys became
bays, ridges became headlands, hills became islands.
In all of Hong Kong, the east Sai Kung peninsula
has the most dramatically indented coast: the MacLehose
Trail looks out over bays, coves, islands, islets
and headlands.
Transport Access:
The end point of
Section 2 is a very popular entry point to access
the magnificent coastal wonders of Tai Long Sai
Wan. To get to the end point of Section 2, take
bus 94 from Sai Kung Town and get off at Pak Tam
Au while you can access Tai Long Sai Wan via Chek
Keng and Tai Long Au. Another popular route starts
from the Sai Wan pavilion which is about one km
to Chui Tung Au, from there you can walk up to
Sai Wan Shan or walk down to Sai Wan. Infrequent
village bus operates from Sai Kung Town to Sai
Wan Pavilion on Sundays & Public Holidays.
Supplies are available at Sai
Wan, Ham Tin and occasionally at Chek Keng. These
shops have telephone services. Village toilets
(with no flushing water) are located at Ham Tin
and Chek Keng.
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