Walk the Geo Trail of High Island Reservoir

High Island Reservoir is Hong Kong’s largest water storage facility built in the 1970’s by the Hong Kong Government. It is also the last built by the Government. Since then Hong Kong has been relying on the water imported from China, resulting in being charged exorbitantly for poor quality of water while being reminded again and again by the Beijing officials that HK’s bloodline depends on China, especially when there is strong anti-China sentiment in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, as a result of the reservoir project, various rock sections near the East Dam of the Reservoir were exposed, in particular the hexagonal volcanic columns. East Dam has now becomes the venue for Geo Trail, also part of Hong Kong Global Geopark of China, providing visitors opportunity to view the spectacular hexagonal volcanic columns at close range, with some signs set up along the trail for explaining geographical features.

The trail is very short. You can finish it in half an hour. But there is more to see around as the scenery surrounding High Island Reservoir is pretty. It is definitely worth a visit.

The difficult way to get to East Dam

Take bus no. 94 at Sai Kung Market or no. 96R at Diamond Hill MTR station (opearates on weekends and public holidays only). Get off after Pak Tam Chung and walk along Tai Mong Tsai Road to the junction ahead. Turn into Man Yee Road of Sai Kung on the right and walk on for about 9 km to the High Island Reservoir East Dam. You will come to West Dam first before reaching East Dam.

It is about 2-hr walk from Pak Tam Chung to East Dam.

The easy way to get to East Dam

If you don’t want to walk, simply take a taxi from Sai Kung pier – choose the green taxis which are for the New Territories (red taxis are for the city). It will take about 25 minutes and Hk$105 to get to the East Dam.When you pass by Sai Kung, it may be helpful if you go to the “Sai Kung Geo-Heritage Information Centre” (off the bus terminal at the pier) to obtain some information about the Geo Trail of High Island Reservoir. The cente also operates some tours to different locations of Geopark in Sai Kung.

How to leave East Dam

You can walk back to Pak Tam Chung where you can find mini buses and buses back to Sai Kung. Also, taxis line up at East Dam to drive visitors back to Sai Kung on weekends. But make sure that you get the taxi before 3pm. After 3pm, when everybody wants to leave, it is hard for you to find one.

From East Dam, you can continue to LongKe, a serene and pristine beach with amazing view. It is only half an hour walk from East Dam.

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