Overview & fast facts
This area of Pat Sin Leng is renowned for its feng shui woods, which were traditionally seen as a sign for being a good place to settle and build villages on. Initially used to irrigate farmlands nearby, the Lau Shui Heung Reservoir has long since lost its original agricultural purpose, but is nonetheless well-loved by hikers for its picturesque surroundings and biodiversity. It is also an easy-going half-day hike, which can also be combined with other trails nearby for more adventuring, including another nearby reservoir.
There isn’t really a trail that goes all the way around the reservoir for maximum scenic enjoyment, but rather the most widely taken route is a loop trail going around the nearby Shek Au Shan, part of which runs next to the reservoir. A section of the ascent via stairs is pretty steep, but it’s not too long and therefore not difficult to tough out.
The entire trail is paved concrete, which might get pretty boring for those who prefer their hikes more wild, but on the upside, there are also barbecue and camping sites nearby, and the area has become a popular location for picnics. Pack some food to reward yourselves with after the hike, and head out the door!
Distance: 4.5 kilometres approx.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Total ascent: 280 metres
Total time: 2.5 hours approx.