Aberdeen Country Park -Tin Wan Shan - Peel Rise

Getting away from the crowds in Hong Kong is easy. I did this Aberdeen 香港仔 walk on February 12, 2013, the third day of Chinese new year and a public holiday, and there was hardly anyone around.

It's a loop that begins in Aberdeen Country Park, past the lower and upper reservoirs, up Tin Wan Hill and down Peel Rise back to Aberdeen. It takes around 3.5 hours and is very easy walking apart from a couple of steep flights of steps.



Make your way to the entrance of Aberdeen Country Park. The walk up from the Aberdeen Tin Hau Temple to the park entrance is steep and tedious, so I'd take a bus (#7 or #95 towards Shek Pai Wan) or a minibus from Aberdeen that takes you up to the Yue Kwong Chuen 漁光村 stop near the top of Aberdeen Reservoir Road. From there, it's just a two minute walk to the park gates. 

Aberdeen Country Park Entrance

Follow the signpost on the right for the Lower Reservoir. As is the case for much of this walk, the path to the lower and upper reservoirs is paved and makes for very easy walking.

Aberdeen Lower Reservoir looking a bit parched in February

On the bridge at the Aberdeen Lower Reservoir

You have two choices here. Either go straight on to get to the Upper Reservoir more directly, or follow the Aberdeen Nature Trail, takes just over half an hour, for a more circuitous route that goes around the Lower Reservoir.

Start of Aberdeen Nature Trail

I was expecting a view of the reservoir but there was none along the path. There is a view point for Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau, which is not exactly pretty. It's probably meant more for educational purposes (as there are a number of signs along the way about the plants and pyroclastic rocks) than the scenery.

View of Ap Lei Chau

Sign says you can see the Catholic Seminary in Aberdeen from here but it's now hidden by the trees

The nature trail may not fill you with awe but it's a pleasant enough walk. Always follow the sign for Aberdeen Upper Reservoir, and not Lady Clementi's Ride, for this particular route.

This is a very tame walk, as you can tell by these steps

No view, but it's verdant

One of many very popular BBQ sites in the park. This one is close to the Upper Reservoir

 The Upper Reservoir is at the end of the Aberdeen Nature Trail. Instead of seeing crummy old Aberdeen, the view from here is The Peak and the very big houses that some of HK's wealthiest live in.

Aberdeen Upper Reservoir

Aberdeen Upper Reservoir and view of The Peak

 After the reservoir, go straight on until you see a small sign on the left for Watford Road and HK Trail. There are some steps at the start of the trail.

This trail is very green and has a number of lovely brooks which have plenty of water even in February. From here on, follow signs for Aberdeen or Peel Rise, and not Wanchai Gap. The main section of the remainder of your walk is HK Trail Section 3.

Follow the sign for Aberdeen, not Wanchai Gap

Some government people have made the effort of planting lots of bamboo along the way

Follow sign for Peal Rise.

One of a number of beautiful brooks on HK Trail section 3

Someone's made a charming little garden dedicated to the Beijing Olympics

This is the view of Tin Wan towards the end of the walk. Where you are is Tin Wan Shan.

View of Tin Wan

You will emerge among the graves of the Chinese permanent cemetery in Aberdeen

Chinese Permanent Cemetery, Aberdeen

 Walk through the cemetery, and down the bottom section of Peel Rise. You are then facing Hoi Kwong Street Market, which stands just above Aberdeen town and with its many options of public transport.

Hoi Kwong Street market

 Restaurants in Aberdeen are not great, but there are plenty of them. A safe bet is Chiu Yuen Choi Chow Noodle 潮苑正宗潮洲粉麵.