[punk]

Originally Posted by Vrindavan

http://www.hktrampers.com/

http://www.hktrampers.com/Mambo/comp...lery/Itemid,3/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SaturdayHikers

http://www.hkcrystal.com/hiking/index.htm

A good way to go. These people really know the side trails since they've been hiking them for years. As a newbie, this can require research that has already been done by the groups. I've been on a couple of Saturday Hikers trips and their not super demanding but a pleasant day out. I've heard trampers are more challenging trips out. Good way to meet people to boot...

[Vrindavan]

one more

http://groups.google.com/group/Hong-Kong-Hiking/about

[ToNzOfPHuN]

Originally Posted by PDLM

There are no really deadly snakes in HK (i.e. you always have time to get to the serum). In fact if you stay to paths rather than go hacking through the bush you won't see very many. I've probably seen 3 or 4 in 6 years of quite regular hiking - they've tended always to disappear off into the undergrowth very quickly when they detect me coming.

There's some good stuff online about HK wildlife. start here: http://www.hkbiodiversity.net/html/en/home.html

If you go hacking with a machete then muggers would have to think twice

[texasaxel]

I'm curious where you guys go hiking? Monkeys, spiders, snakes ??? I have done a fair bit of hiking and biking on Lantau Island and not come across any of the above. Are your experiences from off-the-beaten path or did you follow any of the well-marked trails?

[PDLM]

Monkeys are in some specific areas (not Lantau). The one I know is on the path down from Beacon Hill (the one with the "golf ball" radar on top of it at the back of Kowloon) to the Tai Po Road.

Spiders are all over the place on the trails that go through bushy/wooded areas.

Snakes are all over, but you really don't see them very often if you are on the trails - they slither off and hide when they feel you coming.

The muggers thing is hugely exagerrated by some people. There are thousands of people out hiking every weekend, and there was one spell a couple of years ago when there were 4 or 5 robberies. But they caught the perpetrator and he is behind bars. There have been none since that I am aware of.

[punk]

Originally Posted by texasaxel

I'm curious where you guys go hiking? Monkeys, spiders, snakes ??? I have done a fair bit of hiking and biking on Lantau Island and not come across any of the above. Are your experiences from off-the-beaten path or did you follow any of the well-marked trails?

Hey Tex, check out the above links. These go off the beaten paths and into the well know, depending on the hike. Fun times...maybe I'll see you on one of the hikes...haven't seen the above except a massive spider in Sai Kung.

[caroline13]

Originally Posted by neither3nor4

A gang of monkeys tried to mug me for my food one time when I was trekking around Shing Mun. I'm not sure whether they were local or mainland monkeys though.

I was hiking in the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve and saw some pretty big monkeys. But they kept their distance ...all but 2 who swung over to the trees next to the trail and just stared down at us.... just curious I guess ...also, we weren't eating, so perhaps that's why they weren't too interested in us.

[jayinhongkong]

Definitely PLENTY of spiders in HK, some of which can really make your life uncomfortable. Same goes for the snakes -- bamboo snakes n cobras are no fun. Saw a snake last week, it slithered away as soon as it saw me...was sunning itself on some concrete steps was only a couple of feet long. I dunno who got the bigger scare, me or the snake! definitely cover up your arms n legs if you're gonna be in the undergrowth, some of the plants can really scratch you badly. take a whistle n cell phone, n make sure you have plenty of water....

[Expatriate]

Monkeys near Beacon Hill, they are locals.
Lots of dogs everywhere near a village.
Snakes: cobras and pythons.

There are also wild boars near Sai Kung, but they are mostly eaten by the pythons, nothing to worry about.


And well, I wouldn't go hiking during the rainy season or on Annual Hill Fire Day when the locals set fire to the mountains to honor their ancestors..

[neither3nor4]

Originally Posted by caroline13

I was hiking in the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve and saw some pretty big monkeys. But they kept their distance ...all but 2 who swung over to the trees next to the trail and just stared down at us.... just curious I guess ...also, we weren't eating, so perhaps that's why they weren't too interested in us.

Yes. They are only interested in food. At Kam Shan (or Ma Lou San, as the locals call it) and the Shing Mun picnic areas, one can see a lot of monkeys.