The Sharp Peak Of The Needle Hill

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2 years ago

May 11, 2022

Our journey in the Enchanting Shing Mun Reservoir was great and we discovered another beautiful paradise in Hong Kong. While wandering around the reservoir, we found routes going to different trails. One of them is Needle Hill's and its name hooked us and so we opted to visit the hill since we still have enough time.

Curious about its name so I looked it up on the internet. Upon knowing about its information, we found out that Needle Hill, also called Cham San, is the third among the sharpest peaks in Hong Kong. It got its name from its sharp peak that resembles the tip of a needle as you can see in the photo below.

To get to this hill, you have to start at Shing Mun Reservoir and look for the sign heading to this hill. You can also start at the stairway to MacLehose Trail Section Seven near the main dam. The paved path seems easy to hike but it's all windy, steep slopes that you might want to bring more water, or perhaps, discontinue climbing.

We walked on a seemingly never-ending windy path up to the hill. It's exhausting, but a good exercise in the afternoon. There's also a point going down to Shatin Town.

After about an hour of walking from our starting trail, we finally see Needle Hill from the distance. It seems near, yet still far and so we continued walking.

Look how steep the hill is that has an altitude of 532 meters. It may look easy to venture out to this hill in the photo, but try to climb it, and you might say it's hellish.

Suitable non-slip shoes should be worn if you hike this trail as stairs can be slippery and you might look for a walking stick, just like what my friend did. Stairs are partly concrete but some parts are ruined and have been covered by sands over time which makes them slippery. I admired those who dared to jog on these stairs. Just one wrong step and they will fall nonstop. But they managed to do so.

Look how clever she is. Someone afraid of heights found ways to support her probably trembling legs, lol. She even wanted to discontinue when we were halfway there, but of course, we can't just stop and go back.

And here's the view of the undulating ridges we climbed before reaching the steep part of the hill. The slightly flattened ridges formed like roads that beautifully snakes atop hills.

From the higher part of the hill before reaching the summit, is a stunning view of Shatin and Tsun Wan on the left. Those cities with skyscrapers don't look bustling though. They seem peaceful from above the mountain, yet bustling once you visit them.

Meanwhile, on the right is the beautiful Pineapple Dam snaking through the Shing Mun Reservoir. Looks like this reservoir is an incredible creation.

You might wonder why it is called Pineapple Dam, but it doesn't look like a pineapple? I actually asked my friend about that matter, lol. But based on the little history I shared in my previous travel blog about the reservoir, the old settlers in this area have planted pineapples, and there were a lot of pineapple fields before this dam was created. And that's where it got its name.

After almost a couple of hours of walking on windy inclining slopes and climbing steep stairs, we finally reached the summit at almost five in the afternoon. That was exhausting, yet a great exercise.

Given its sharp peak, there isn't much flat space on the summit but offers a scenic view. Those smiles are precious after an arduous climb. Another achievement to be added to our list.

We didn't stay long on the top due to limited time and opted to continue our journey. We chose to go down on the opposite side to see what beauty lies down the hill. The incredible view from above was perfection alone and we looked forward to seeing more.

If going up is challenging, the more it is going down. But compared to the other side, this part isn't too steep and easier to climb down. However, our knees are bearing down on us, putting strains and pain on them. My friend often asked me if my knees were hurting. I guess it was hers that were hurting, lol.

Gladly, it was all paved paths and stairs that made our walk going down easier. A group of young hikers was amazed by the steep view of the hill.

Stairs seem to be never-ending the same as on the other side. Oftentimes, we would ask ourselves, "are we there yet?" All we saw were bushes, trees, and long stairs.

EAfter more than half an hour of walking, we finally see the dam from the distance which gave us hope that we were near the base already.

The stunning view of the main dam and Tsuen Wan HK. We reached the base at five-thirty in the afternoon. That was faster than we thought.

The main dam is also called Gorge Dam with a capacity of three thousand million gallons of water and 280 feet in height. It consists of a reinforced diaphragm wall, a concrete thrust block, and absorbent sand wedge and rock fill on the downstream aide.

Another attraction in the area is a Steel Bridge that spans across the water to the Valve Tower with cross-braced lattices. The Valve Tower is an octagonal masonry tower that was inspired by the architectural style of towers in Europe.

On the right side going to another trail is Bellmouth Overflow. A circular masonry overtops by a masonry footbridge connecting it to the shore. This helps control the flow of the water into the downstream area, especially during strong typhoons as water often rises.

It was a great decision to go down this part of the reservoir as the view was relaxing. A perfect place to rest for a while after an arduous hike before heading back home.

While looking at different trees of different colors, we thought that Autumn and Spring are probably the best season to visit this area as colors are more vibrant. I would truly recommend this reservoir to visit, especially for family and day-trippers. Easy trail with scenic views.

You can visit this article to know how to get to this reservoir.

The Enchanting Shing Mun Reservoir

Thanks for stopping by. See you in my next travel blog.

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Comments

Ang ganda sana pero parang nakakatakot po kapag pababa na. At surely nakakapagod yan, ang haba ng trail niyo.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Halla sis, ang layo din ng na-hike nyo ha. D ba sumakit paa nyo nyan? Pero in fairness, ang ganda nung place pati yung surrounding views.

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Super sakit 🤣 pero worth it

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Parang ako yung mawawalan nang hanging pag umakyat sa bundok na yan kung ganyan kahabog

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Haha..adventure madam

$ 0.00
2 years ago

If I was walking through that path, I would be scared of a snake or something crawling out of the bush. You guys are brave 😂😂

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Lol...we encountered one, but just small 🤣

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2 years ago

The photos are amazing and I love them. I can´t even dare climb the hills. Perhaps I even climb it, I must not look backwards 😂😂

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2 years ago

Yup..you'll be nauseated if you look back🤣

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2 years ago

You always make it look so real... I've been to many places with you without leaving the comfort of my home 🤣🤣😂. You always take us on a journey and that's why I enjoy reading your posts, Janey.

PS; I am coming for that dark shade, soon.

$ 0.01
2 years ago

🤣🤣.. It's more fun if you guys are with me 😁

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2 years ago

I'm coming Janey. We are going to several places. I know you won't get tired hahaha.

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2 years ago

Another adventure. Looks really beautiful. The city looks like the Stonehenge in the first picture. Really beautiful

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Never thought of that 😅

$ 0.00
2 years ago

It's a great feeling to read this kind of article. I really love to see this all place. Thanks dear jane❤️

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Thanks

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Ang ganda gandaaa peri feeling ko wala pa ako sa gitna lawit na dila ko jan. Pero ang ganda talaga worth the pagod sa gaganda ng tanawin ba 😍

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Haha..cguro 😅

$ 0.00
2 years ago

One thing I like about you is the way you narrate your tours..so informative

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Thank you sis sa pag tour, feel ko nandyan din ako, 😅that was a great adventure sissy. Super Ganda and relaxing tingnan ng place.,Nakaka lessen ng stress Yung mga ganyang view. 🥰

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2 years ago

Sobra..lalo na sa may dam

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Ang Ganda maglakad lakad diyan Jane parang on top of the world ka na 😍

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Kaya nga

$ 0.00
2 years ago

We really have to wear comfortable shoes going up.. and I love how there are nice trails in hongkong... Di maubosan ng pwedeng iexplore

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Sobra dami...daming stairs sa trails 🤣

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Feel ko magtremble din yung tuhod ko habang pataas ng pataas yung nilalakbay, tho super worth it naman pag dating sa peak

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2 years ago

Haha. Feeling mo mahuhulog ka paglingon mo sa baba 🤣

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2 years ago

Wow Jane! This looks like a place I could spend hours in. Awesome shots! Looks like you've bought a camera!

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Not yet haha

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Grabe endurance niyong dalawa Ms. Jane hehe ang layu...

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Small but terrible yang buddy ko 🤣

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Baka if ako umakyat jan di ko keri 😂 Pinanindigan talaga ng bundok na yan ang pangalan niya HAHA

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Haha. Sinabi mo pa

$ 0.00
2 years ago

I never had a chance to do hiking when I am still there, sobrang tamad ko lang dahil sa trabaho palang ang sakit na ng katawan ko how much more kung maghahike pa ako baka the next day Hindi na ako makabangon sa higaan ko lol, need ko pa naman bumangon ng 5 a.m to prepare my employers food and bring their daughter to school at 6:45. Kaya never talaga akong nakapag hike although nasa listahan namin yan😁. Maybe next time pag nakabalik pa ako ng hk ma try ko na🤣. Anyway sobrang ganda ng view, lalo na yung sa dam part. I suddenly regretted that I didn't explore HK 😂😂.

$ 0.02
2 years ago

Sus sis..nagsisi ako hndi ko enexplore dati pa, dami ko na sna npuntahan.. Ito lng way ko mkpag relax at exercise 🤣

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2 years ago

Honestly minsan naiisip kong hindi ka tinatablan ng pagod😂. Para kasing halos lahat ng pinupuntahan mo nakakapagod para sakin🤣,pero naiisip ko din naman na tamad lang talaga ako. Pero next time talaga pag nakabalik ako jan, maghahike na ako lol.

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2 years ago

It's tiring but rewarding. So bawi rin ang pagod

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2 years ago

I like the name of the hills ate. Needle hill. Pero wala pa ring tatalo sa Mount Mayon natin, perfect cone shape. Hehe. Pero in fairness ate, sa kakalad mo, sumesexy na. Eherm!

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2 years ago

😅.. Pumapayat na ata kakahike🤣

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2 years ago

Feeling ko eh kasama mo din ako sa adventure mo, hahaha

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2 years ago

Haha.. Dami pa susunod 🤣

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2 years ago

That’s a beautiful place. Thanks for making us feel that way you wrote.

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2 years ago

Welcome 😁

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2 years ago

Ganda naman eh, tlgang ndi nakakasawang tingnan ang paligid

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2 years ago

Sobra

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2 years ago

Wow, I love it!

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2 years ago

You're a lady of many adventures and I hope to join you some day in this fun.

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2 years ago

Why not haha

$ 0.00
2 years ago