Shing Mun East Country Trail Information

This trail starts from Pineapple Dam at Shing Mun Reservoir, and continues past the grass-covered dam and the main barbecue area of Shing Mun Country Park. It then enters Stage 6 of the Wilson Trail, before returning to Pineapple Dam. In the past, when Shing Mun was a farming valley, people used the path between Shing Mun valley and Golden Hill Road as the main walking route between parts of the New Territories and Kowloon -hence the name, Smugglers' Pass.

Turning right at Golden Hill Road, and walking along the Maclehose Trail for a short distance, the hiker will find many defence trenches and military watchtowers built before the Second World War by the British Army. This was part of the strategic Gin Drinkers Bay defence line. The Shing Mun Redoubt (heavily built fortification) is connected by tunnels, with the names of London streets set into its reinforced concrete. Some of these installations remain, but the watch towers are seriously damaged. Nearby, from amidst low hills, there are good views of Shing Mun Reservcoir, and looking the other way there are views of Tsing Yi and Stonecutters Island. After proceeding downhill to the barbecue areas, visitors can return to Pineapple Dam.

Nourished by the abundant hill streams of Tai Mo Shan, and well shielded by surrounding uplands, Shing Mun Valley is lush and green all year round. During the Second World War, the hills here were almost stripped of vegetation. Thanks to dedicated reforestation after the war, the area now boasts some of the best plantations in Hong Kong.