Mt Violet
Quick links
Vital statistics
| Length: | 2.5 hours |
| Level of Difficulty: | Strenuous |
Walkopedia rating
Beauty
|
30 |
Natural interest |
15 |
Human interest
|
6 |
Charisma |
31 |
Negative points |
(3) |
Total rating |
79 |
| Note: Negs: popularity; concreting; pollution. | |
Hong Kong, China
Key information
- Fine walk across this sharp hill on the south of Hong Kong Island.
- Magnificent views, across placid reservoirs nestled amid rocky, verdant hills and toward towers clustered around the bays, distant islands shimmering in the haze.
- Beautiful shrub azaleas and sub-tropical woodlands; surprising birdsong and wildlife, just across the ridge from one of the world's most densely populated cities.
- Pity about the concreted paths.
Walk summary
One of our favourite Hong Kong walks, a demanding yomp on the Wilson Trail over this sharp hill on the south of Hong Kong Island, followed by a steady meander beside storm drains back around the contours of the hill.
Starting at the hideous, corruption-built Parkview, the trail climbs steeply up a long ridge through shrub azaleas, which sport beautiful flowers over a long season. This stage is a bit of a slog on at times concreted paths, but the top of Mt. Violet is worth it: wonderful views far down to the upper Tai Tam Reservoir, nestled between steep hillsides of gorgeous mixed foliage, round to the towers lined around Repulse Bay, the outlying islands faintly visible through the haze. And that most romantic of waters, the South China Sea.
The hike down is fabulous, winding along a ridge which falls sheer to Repulse Bay. You will be surprised by the birdsong and wildlife a wide-spanned kite will circle above you; a large snake slithered across into the scrub when we were last there.
From a junction near some WW2 blockhouses, one way back meanders along a fault in steep cliffs above the densely populated Repulse Bay, then contours beside a storm drain around the rugged, densely forested hillside. The other follows another water channel high above the peaceful reservoir. This is beautiful, steep, empty hillside and an elevating walk, slightly let down by finishing with a steep, crowded climb back to Parkview.
Any enterprising visitor can walk Violet Hill (just 15 minutes from central Hong Kong), which is a testament to the truth behind the cliché: nowhere else in the world can such superb walking exist so close to such dense population. Pity about the concreting on the paths (although we acknowledge the need in places): even when you see no buildings, you sense you are in suburbia.
Other accounts and travel writing
Your comments on this walk, your experiences and suggestions, and your photos are very welcome. Where appropriate, you will be credited for your contribution.
Read about our travel writing and other competitions.
Responsible travel matters, a lot. How you travel will make a real difference - for better or worse. PLEASE consider this when making plans. Read more
Practical information
See also expedition planning, including our universal expedition checklist. Walkopedia encourages responsible travel.
Guidebooks/maps/background reading
Guidebooks
Hong Kong - Lonely Planet City Guide
Other books
A History of Hong Kong Frank Welsh
Hong Kong Jan Morris
Prisoner of the Turnip-Heads George Wright-Nooth with Mark Adkin
An Insular Possession - Timothy Mo
Myself a Mandarin Austin Gates
Maps
Good maps are easily bought in Hong Kong.
Best times to walk/weather
Best times to walk
October to March. Azaleas in spring.
Weather
Excellent (warm, sunny) October-January. Cool and cloudy Feb-March. Increasingly humid and hot April-May. Very hot and humid June September. Can be wet from January onward.
Getting there/transport/permits
Taxi or bus to/from the start at Parkview (15 minutes from Central)
Route(s)
As described above.
Possible problems, health, other warnings
· Heat, humidity and strong sun at some times of year. Carry enough water and protect yourself.
See also the websites in our useful links page for more detailed, and up-to-date, information.
Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk. Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to Important information for further important information.
Accommodation
A huge range, from luxury hotels to hostels. Serviced apartments are also to be found.
Luxury some wonderful hotels, including:
Mandarin Oriental
The Peninsula
Island Shangri-La
Kowloon Shangri-La
Conrad Hong Kong (Central)
Grand Hyatt (Wanchai)
Cheaper a profusion of good (but seldom particularly cheap) accommodation includes:
Bishop Lei International House (mid-levels)
Newton (in North Point)
YMCA/YWCA (Kowloon and Central)
Other information and tips
Useful websites and information
There are many websites with information on this walk. Here are some that we think are useful or have been recommended to us.
· Hong Kong Tourism Board www.hkta.org - for accommodation, eating
Other things to do in the area
Other walks
A large number of excellent walks (many listed on this site), including parts of the Maclehose Trail, Hong Kong Island Trail, Wilson Trail and others.
Some lesser, but delightful, walks can be found in Derek Kemps Twelve Hong Kong Walks (possibly now out of print). See also Magic Walks by Kaarlo Schepel, which has charm (if a basic layout) and some great walks.
Other activities
Hong Kong is a fascinating place with a huge amount to do. The Peak for its views; a ferry to an outer island or Macau. The Peak Tram is horribly crowded (queues can be endless) but hugely romantic. The Star Ferry still has atmosphere, but its new location in the wastelands of the Central Reclamation, a classic piece of Hong Kong planning stupidity, has reduced the magic.
Food Hong Kong is one of the worlds great centres. Chinese food (obviously), but all Asian food is fantastic here.
Shopping, if you must
Endless. Getting clothes made well but reasonably cheaply (Tsim Sha Tsui backstreets). A profusion of fun tourist tat. Fascinating antiques (beware, majority are fakes) around Hollywood Road and Cat Street.
Add your experiences, suggestions and photos. We would be delighted to receive your writing and ideas (which will be attributed appropriately where published).
See our Fun page for some entertainment and to read about our travel writing and other competitions.
Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.
Responsible travel matters, a lot. How you travel will make a real difference - for better or worse. PLEASE consider this when making plans. Read more