Hong Kong’s tree walks teach you about nature as you hike or stroll – and you don’t even have to leave the concrete jungle
Do you know your gordonias from your sterculias? And what’s the tree that gave Hong Kong its name? You don’t have to go far to find out – venture to on one of the city’s 16 tree walks and learn about the natural world
It’s no secret there is more jungle in Hong Kong than concrete and glass in the city’s dense and overpopulated commercial and residential areas. But just beyond the reach of the city’s urban sprawl, sometimes as close as a stone’s throw away, is an expansive network of country parks and trails, offering idyllic escapes from the hustle and bustle.
Many of these trails bear familiar names – the Hong Kong, Wilson and MacLehose trails – and are well known to hiking enthusiasts. Others, such as Aberdeen Reservoir Road and Tai Tam Reservoir Road, offer a more relaxed, leisurely outing.
Biohackers: the DIY biologists out to barcode all Hong Kong’s plants, insects and animals
There is another type of trail in Hong Kong, however, that not only offers an outdoor adventure but also adds an educational element and encourages a greater affinity with nature.
Nestled among the city’s country parks are designated tree walks. Although they form part of Hong Kong’s network of walking trails, these specially marked-out segments are equipped with information boards detailing the arboreal features of the surrounding landscape.
There are 16 tree walks on Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, and Lantau Island. They range from as short as 70 metres (the Tai Tam Tree Walk) to more than 2km.
