Overview

Pok Fu Lam Country Park

Designated in 1979, the Pokfulam Country Park is a 270-hectare sylvan sanctuary encompassing the Pokfulam Reservoir. The reservoir, completed in 1863, is the oldest water storage facility on Hong Kong Island. This picturesque country park is set in the foothills of Victoria Peak. In the valley, Stage 1 of the Hong Kong Trail begins its scenic route along Harlech Road. There is a spectacular view of Victoria Harbour. On weekends and holidays, the circular hill path that trails along Lugard Road and Harlech Road is a favourite hike for Peak visitors. From here, you can walk down to the verdant Pokfulam valley, where lush woodlands and placid water to keep you cool even on the hottest day.

Strolling along the wooded path, you are greeted by beautiful landscape of hills and waters, with views across Island South, the Pokfulam Reservoir and surrounding forests. Pokfulam Country Park is very popular with morning walkers. At dawn when the air is fresh, people come here to jog, walk, exercise or simply to see familiar faces. To nearby residents, this green haven is a cherished back garden.

Major Attractions

The 2.2 km Pokfulam Native Tree Walk features Hong Kong's native plant species. Winding along Lugard Road by the Peak Galleria, this short route takes about 45 minutes to complete. While admiring the beauty of nature, you also take in superb vistas of Victoria Harbour and the urban districts on both sides. A perfect juxtaposition of natural landscape and architectural wonders, where country and city stand side by side, Hong Kong lives up to her name as Asia's world city. Along the tree walk you find interesting flora species like Chinese Hackberry (Celtis sinensis), Ivy Tree (Schefflera heptaphylla), Lance-leaved Sterculia (Sterculia lanceolata), Turn-in-the-wind (Mallotus paniculatus), Silver-back Artocarpus (Artocarpus hypargyreus), Reevesia (Reevesia thyrsoidea), Woodland Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpus sylvestris), Acronychia (Acronychia pedunculata), Morris's Persimmon (Diospyros morrisiana), Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa), Mountain Tallow Tree (Sapium discolor), Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora), Pond Spice (Litsea glutinosa), Short-flowered Machilus (Machilus breviflora) and Hong Kong Gordonia (Gordonia axillaris).

Peak Trail

The Peak Trail follows the whole length of the Pokfulam Tree Walk, and continues on to Harlech Road where it winds back to Victoria Gap for a descent to the idyllic Pokfulam Reservoir. There are 21 interpretation plates on this trail with interesting information, including origins of the names Tai Ping Shan (the Peak) and Lo Fung (incense burner peak), Tai Ping Shan's rain and mist, flora, insects, topography, geology and birds, the Pokfulam Reservoir and the old settlement of Pokfulam Village.

Facilities

The full range of facilities in Pokfulam Country Park include rain shelters, toilets, lookouts, fitness facilities, picnic sites, and information map boards. To the northwest of the reservoir you find the Pokfulam Family Walk which lies within the Pokfulam Reservoir Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with its diverse plants and birds. At dusk, as the sun sets over Lamma Island, the south horizon is beautiful beyond words.

Ecological Highlights

Lingnan Garcinia

Since the designation of Pokfulam Country Park, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has put in continued efforts to green the valley. Over the year, a great number of introduced species have been planted, such as Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii), Taiwan Acacia (Acacia confusa) and Brisbane Box (Lophostemon confertus), while major native trees include Hong Kong Gordonia (Gordonia axillaris) and Chekiang Machilus (Machilus chekiangensis). In 1999, as part of the government's bio-diversity programme, new plant varieties like Mountain Tallow Tree (Sapium discolor), Water Machilus (Machilus oreophila), Schima (Schima superba), Castanopsis (Castanopsis fissa), Lingnan Garcinia (Garcinia oblongifolia), Castanopsis fissa, Microcos (Microcos paniculata) and Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) were added to the park.

Black-eared Kite

Common bird species of the valley are Black-eared Kite (Milvus migrans), Chinese Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis), Crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Great Tit (Parus major), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Black-throated Laughing-thrush (Garrulax chinensis), Hwamei (Garrulax canorus), Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), Great Coucal (Centropus sinensis) and Spotted Dove (Steptopelia chinensis). Other inhabitants include Styan Squirrels (Calliosciurus erythraeus styani) which are often seen chasing around near bushes, and other mammals like Chinese Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Chinese Ferret Badger (Melogale moschata), Chestnut Spiny Rat (Niviventer fulvescens), Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata), Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica), Chinese Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) and Common Muntjac (Munitacus muntjac).

Scenic Beauty

Victoria Harbor

The Hong Kong Trail is a long distance hiking trail divided into 8 stages. Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 lie within the bounds of Pokfulam Country Park. Starting at the Peak Tram Station, Stage 1 follows Lugard Road and the west end of Harlech Road before winding down to Pokfulam Reservoir Road. 7 km in total length, it takes about 2 hours to complete. As Lugard Road is a wide level walk suitable for the whole family, this route is particularly popular with weekenders and sightseeing visitors to the Peak.

About halfway down Lugard Road, the heart of Hong Kong Island is spread right under your feet. Off the shore, Victoria Harbour and the mega towers that line the coasts make up a magical city skyline. For a more romantic mood, come on a misty spring day. There is a completely different atmosphere to be savoured. The grass flat at the end of Harlech Road offers panoramic views of Lamma Island and the southwestern region of Hong Kong Island. It is also a choice location for watching sunset.

The trail section that runs along the slopes north of Pokfulam Reservoir overlaps with the Family Walk in some places. Cutting through arcadian plantations, it is a delectable route.

Pokfulam Reservoir

Stage 2 of the Hong Kong Trail leads from Pokfulam Reservoir Road to Peel Rise. Extending south for 4.5 km, the trail takes about 1.5 hours to complete. This shaded tree-lined trail lies within the borders of Pokfulam Country Park. Beyond the Pokfulam Service Reservoir and Lady Clementi's Ride, it trends south down the vehicular road that winds along the southwestern slopes of Mount Kellett by the catchwaters. Just a little distance ahead, Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau come into view. Further up, a flight of steps take you down to Peel Rise in Aberdeen the end of Stage 2.

Public Transport Information

The Pokfulam Country Park is served by many public transport routes :

Pokfulam Native Tree Walk
Take bus no. 15 in Central (Exchange Square) or bus no. 515 in North Point (Ferry Pier). Alternatively, catch green minibus no. 1 at Lung Wui Road near Prince of Wales Building in Admiralty. Any one of these routes will take you to the Peak (Victoria Gap).

Peak Trail
Take bus no. 15 or 515 or green minibus no. 1 to the Peak. For your return journey, catch bus no. 4, 7, 90B, 91 or 94 at the Pokfulam Reservoir to Central. Or take bus no. 40 to Admiralty.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 of Hong Kong Trail
Take bus no. 15 or 515 or green minibus no. 1 to the Peak. For your return journey, catch bus no. 7, 37B, 38, 42, 70, 71, 90B, 91, 94, 107, 970 or 973 at Peel Rise to Central, North Point, Kowloon Bay, So Uk or Tsimshatsui.