This walk might start from the same place as the Lantau Peak hike and it does start with a climb to a considerable altitude, but today’s walk is still quite different in nature from the Lantau Peak assault.
Following the Lantau Trail - and actually skirting Sunset Peak, unless consensus is to go all the way to the top - we quickly reach a high plateau, where many a hiker probably would not mind staying overnight, if only they could locate a key to one of the old stone cabins located amongst the old grazing grounds. Much to the regret of many a developer, this highland is now part of Lantau South Country Park, so it would take some influence peddling to be allowed to build an access road… (not to mention an awful lot of money).
Anyway, after a break and having made our way around the freely roaming cattle, we cross the plateau and begin our descent towards Mui Wo. You will be pleased to learn that the path down is somewhat gentler than the way up and the views over the Chi Ma Wan peninsula and Silvermine Bay and towards Hong Kong island are simply spectacular.
Our final approach to Mui Wo is via an old village footpath, which leads through the ever-growing villages in the swampy area west of Lantau’s capital.
With a ferry back to central Hong Kong every 40 minutes, we can enjoy our late lunch at one of Mui Wo’s fine pubs or eateries without worrying too much about time…