香港遠足挑戰：2022年9月至12月，漁農自然護理署舉辦香港遠足挑戰，鼓勵熱愛自然的你向郊野出發，動起來挑戰自己！走一遍香港的郊野公園。是次活動設有25個站點，囊括各式各樣香港郊野獨有的風景線：香港之巔大帽山、西高山小城日落、荔枝窩古村風貌、倒影如畫的千島湖等等動人景致留待頌讚！

參加者可根據自己的能力、興趣及遠足經驗，用自己的步伐自行計劃路線前往站點，並以智能電話打卡記錄。每完成一個站點，可收集該站點相應的香港物種電子獎章，認識香港生態之美！集齊指定數量獎章更可獲得精美遠足紀念品！今年秋天，開始挑戰！

Hong Kong Hiking Challenge: From September to December 2022, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department organizes the Hong Kong Hiking Challenge to encourage nature lovers and hikers to set off for the countryside and take on the challenge! There are 25 checkpoints scattered in various scenic spots in the country parks, featuring a variety of picturesque views unique to Hong Kong’s countryside. The top of Hong Kong – Tai Mo Shan, the breath-taking sunset view at Mount High West, the enchanting historic Hakka village of Lai Chi Wo, the thousand islands reflection of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, and many more!

Participants can plan their own routes to visit these checkpoints based on their interest, physical fitness and hiking experience. Use a smartphone to check-in at the checkpoints to collect the unique local flora and fauna badges made for each checkpoint. You will also learn about the amazing biodiversity of Hong Kong! Collect a certain number of badges and you will get different rewards! Let the challenge begins!

小介紹：有千島湖之稱的大欖涌水塘於1957年落成，是二戰後本地首個興建的水塘。由於水庫原址為丘陵河谷，儲水後便形成了大大小小的島嶼，島上又種滿了山松、濕地松、大葉桉和檸檬桉等植物，創造了一片綠意盎然的千島湖美景。

「千島湖清景台」位於麥理浩徑第十段上，路上會看到一塊畫上大欖涌水塘景色的指示板，沿旁邊以枯木及沙土建造的路徑拾級而上，再步行約200米即可登上觀景台，俯瞰千島湖全貌。南邊是大欖涌村上游的水壩、桃坑峒和小欖，極目則是大嶼山的景色。

Background: The Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, also known as Thousand-Island Lake, was completed in 1957 as the first reservoir built in Hong Kong after the Second World War. Located in an undulating river valley, the sight of islands of various sizes magically materialized after the area was flooded with water stored. The islands are vegetated with Chinese Red Pine, Slash Pine, Swamp Mahogany and Lemon-scented Gum, creating a lush green landscape on Thousand-Island Lake.

Located on section 10 of the MacLehose Trial, there will be a road map that painted the whole Tai Lam Reservoir Islands Viewpoint, walk through the cleaned and tidied path built with woods and sands, walk up 200 meters to arrive the viewpoint, enjoy the landscape of Thousand-island Lake. On the south side is the damn of Tai Lam Village, To Hang Tung and Siu Lam, overviewing the Lantau island.

交通資訊、發車時間、金額：

1.從港鐵朗屏站搭港鐵巴士K66至「大棠山道」巴士站

2.週一至週日06：00-23：20固定時間發車，每趟4.8元

備註1：港鐵巴士有moovitapp，可以參考路線圖，但巴士抵達時間僅供參考用。

備註2：遇上楓葉季節在大棠山道遇上小巴可以上車，車費約5-6元。

備註3：遇上楓葉季節假日會加開直達巴士68R。

Transportation, bus schedule and costs:

1. Take bus K66 from Long Ping MTR station to Tai Tong Shan Road.
2. The bus runs from Monday to Sunday from 6am to 11:20pm (Highly recommend to check the bus schedule beforehand), it costs $4.8 for a one-way trip.

Reminder 1: There is a moovitapp where you can check the bus route, but the arrival time of the bus is only for reference.

Reminder 2: During the maple season, there are minibuses (Unique Hong Kong transportation – Usually a green/red colored 18-seater minibus) at the Tai Tong Shan Road, which takes you to the viewpoint, it costs around $5-6, but definitely worth taking when there are lots of people (and a long queue)

Reminder 3: Also, there is also bus 68R during weekends of the maple season that takes you straight to the location (okay, basically 80% of the whole route, you will still have to walk for a bit)

(Detailed guide at the bottom)

詳細路徑指引：

1.搭港鐵至朗屏站B出口，往B1下樓

2.下樓後往左迴轉或往右迴轉都可以，然後直走

3.過2個路口，就可以看到巴士站

4.看到K66就可以等著上車了

5.搭巴士至「大棠山道」巴士站，下巴士後四處望望，可以看到左邊有回程的巴士站牌，就往巴士站牌方向直走出發

6.小心的過路口，過完路口開始往右往上走，途中會經過偉記士多

7.一直往上走，看到叉路繼續往左走（如果是楓葉季，假日會從這裡下車）

8.在走一陣子會看到左邊有保良局賽馬會大棠度假村，繼續往上走

9.看到郊野公園牌子了，還沒到呢，繼續往前往上走

10.沿著山路跟著左彎右彎的，終於看到了大棠燒烤場

11.大棠燒烤場，景致開揚，有廁所及涼亭可以休息，唯目前封閉中，拍拍照繼續往上

12.來到了郊野公園管理站，這裡有三條路，繼續往中間往上走

13.郊野公園管理站，右邊是停車場，開車可以停這裡；如果是楓葉季搭乘小巴會停靠在這裡（平日）

14.科普過後，繼續往上走，會經過大棠苗圃

15.還是往上走，遇到叉路，左邊是涼亭和廁所，我們要繼續往前走

16.途中遇到大棠自然教育徑，不管他，繼續沿著大路走

17.遇到叉路了，左邊是往楓香亭及其他高級地方，我們往右前往目的地

18.咦！開始有下坡福利了？

19.一條大路通到底，中間有涼亭可以休息

20.到底以後有小樓梯和指示牌往上走，剩下1.4公里了

21.開始走不一樣的路，先來個樓梯

22.看到麥理浩徑，算是走在第十段路上了

23.看到一座廟，沿著路徑往上走

24.再來個碎石泥路繼續往前走，途中遇到高壓電塔，可以拍拍照休息一下

25.經過數個上樓梯，下樓梯，碎石路，樹枝路，總算看到左邊有叉路了（不要在往前唷，往前是其他遠足不歸路）

26.千島湖清景台，就是這個，最後一個上木梯路

27.抵達千島湖了，拍完網美照，打卡完，就可以原路回元朗了

Detailed direction:

1. Take the MTR to Long Ping station, head to Exit B and go downstairs from B1 (The stairs should be on your left-hand side).
2. On the ground floor, you can either turn left or right, then walk straight.
3. After walking for about two blocks, you will be able to see the bus station.
4. Wait for K66! You should be able to see the bus sign too.
5. Take the bus and get off at Tai Tong Shan Road, you should be able to see the bus station on your left-hand side (That’s the bus station you will be waiting to return home), walk towards the bus station. (Besides K66 bus, there are also minibuses available, just get off the bus/minibus when you see the MTR station on your way home)
6. Walk past the cross walk and turn right, start walking up the hill! You should be able to see a food stall called “偉記士多”or “Wai Kee Store” on your way.
7. Keep walking upwards, once you reach the fork road, keep walking on the left hand side (Which is where the bus will stop during the maple season)
8. Don’t stop and keep moving, you will see Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, keep walking!
9. Finally, you will see a huge sign of the country park, but we will still need to work a little bit harder.
10.  Follow the path of the mountain (don’t forget to breath in some fresh air and enjoy the gifts from tree and nature), stay on the right side and don’t turn left. Keep walking (no stairs woohoo, just follow the road) and you will reach the Tai Tong barbeque area (BBQ!).
11. Tai Tong barbeque area has a wide view of the city, with wooden picnic table and seats for you to take a break (Yes you can barbeque here before, but it is now closed due to the pandemic). But you can still take a rest and head to the bathroom here (of course take some photos of the view as well). Keep walking up the hill.
12. Reach the management station of the country park where you will see a fork road, take the middle road (This is where the minibus will stop during the peak maple season. Yes, you don’t have to walk at all, and you will see a huge crowd).
13. At the management station, you will see a parking lot on your right side. You can drive and park here if you are not a hiker.
14. Keep walking up the hill (Don’t forget that you are taking the middle road). You will walk past the Tai Tong Nursery.
15. You will then see a fork road again (Don’t panic, just follow our photos). The left side is a gazebo and there is restroom on the right side, let’s keep walking.
16. The Tai Tong Nature Trail sign will appear in front of you, let’s ignore it and keep following the main road.
17. Fork road again! On your left side will be the Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods and other areas (can walk around during the maple season or if you are more experienced), turn right to reach our destination for today – Reservoir Islands viewpoint.
18. Don’t worry, we are finally going down the slope.
19. Just follow the road (There is only one road), feel free to rest at the gazebo if needed.
20. Once you reach the bottom, there will be stairs and a wooden sign that point you upwards, just 1.4 miles left!
21. Let’s start with stairs (pretty stone stairs) 😊
22. You will see the sign for Maclehose Trail, welcome to section 10.
23. You will see a temple, follow the path (like a S shape)
24. Some more stone road (Some tiny stones but still not difficult or dangerous at all), then you will see a huge high voltage tower (It’s a popular photo spot, just look up)
25. There will be multiple upstairs and downstairs, some stone roads and roads with small tree branches, then you will see a fork road (ok please be careful here and make sure you pick the left side with photos of the Reservoir Islands, or else it will take you to an endless hiking path.
26.  The Reservoir Islands viewpoint!!!! The last wooden stairs (I promise)
27. You will see the amazing (Totally worth it) Instagram-able/memoizable view of the lake. After taking enough photos, just head back (the same road) as you come.

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小後記：上次去了大棠賞楓，這個地方走到一半就回頭了，因為時間晚了，而且累了，沒有穿運動鞋，所以這次有做好準備才來。

元朗，當地人喜歡稱為元朗國，這裡有許多小吃，雞煲棧、肥姐蠔餅、阿叔泰麵、旮旯、B仔的雞翼尖、便宜的魚一和田中壽司、松記燒鵝、米其林推薦的倆口小吃等…非常多的美食，讓你吃不完。

Little feedback: Last time we headed to Tai Tong for the maple season, we were only able to finish half the path due to the lack of time, and our piglet didn’t wear the right shoes (because it is actually not needed if you are taking the minibus during the maple season). This time we have prepared and finally finish this route. The view is definitely worth going and it has been promoted by different organization in Hong Kong.

Yuen Long is also known as “Yuen Long country” in Hong Kong because of its unique location (A little bit far from the city), but Yuen Long is filled with many local foods and restaurants like Chicken Pot Hut (雞煲棧), Fei Jie Oyster Omelette (肥姐蠔餅), ASOK Thai Noodles (阿叔泰麵), The Glock (旮旯) with great Japanese dessert, Kei Kee Dessert (B仔的雞翼尖), please try the chicken wing tip that is spicy if you are brave enough, one of the best local snack ever, Sakara ichi sushi (魚一) and Tanaka Japanese Restaurant (田中壽司) that is cheap but served with fresh sashimi and sushi, Chung Kee Restaurant (松記燒鵝) with Hong Kong style barbeque pork and goose, and Both Streetfood (倆口小吃), Taiwanese cuisine (bun actually) recommended by the Michelin guide.

Yes, don’t worry we will introduce the restaurants in Yuen Long in the near future, but in short, Yuen Long is a place with countless restaurants and fun places to go, so it makes the trip to the Reservoir Islands viewpoint even more worth it!

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