Going on a nature walk after the rain subsides is one of those simple pleasures in life that rivals…read moredrinking lemonade on a hot day or napping after lunch. As far as I know, taking the 82 minibus from Tsuen Wan is the easiest way of getting here. Because of the distance traveled and the limited seating, it's best to stand in line early, since the wait at the bus stop can be pretty long. Near the trailhead, there's a shop for snacks and drinks as well as public restrooms.
There are a number of ways to go about your adventure. Since we were trying to get back before dark and avoid the next rainstorm, we covered Pineapple Dam and Waterside Paperbarks, extended a little past Shing Mun Reservoir Delta before turning around to check out Shing Mun Reservoir Main Dam. While there were a few stairs and some incline, the trail was mostly flat as well as well-kept and easy to traverse. Breaking away from the main loop, there were portions with gnarly trees, rocky boulders you can climb, and flatlands for day-camping.
Another perk is that the wildlife around here roam freely. A herd of cattle were grazing near the reservoir's edge unbothered by passersby. A local troop of monkeys made their appearance, with a few more brazen than others. Word of advice: If you've got your phone in hand or any other small object, they might mistake it for food and lunge towards you, so maintain some distance. If you happen to have driven and parked in an area with monkeys, well...they might just make it their bed and scratch it up, perhaps even leave a dollop or two...We also chanced upon a kaleidoscope of butterflies along the way, many of which were uniquely patterned. Finally, there was a shared rest area completely occupied by a pack of dogs before they went on their way.
Fun, fairly straightforward, and not too physically demanding trail for most folks. For humidity and possible chance of rain, bring an umbrella, a water bottle, and change of clothes. Next time I'll try completing the entire loop.
