The Twins Hong Kong hike is perhaps one of the more famous hikes in Hong Kong and seems to be popular among the weekend hiker as well as those looking for a good workout. We first attempted, by mistake, without knowing, doing the first “twin” when we first starting hiking and were struggling for breath closing the car door. It was the middle of summer, 33 degrees, and I can tell you walking up those stairs was the least fun we had experienced in quite some time. We made it the top of the first twin, not actually knowing it was the Twins Hong Kong hike, and proceeded to turn around and go back. That was absolutely knackering, so if you’re new to hiking or exercise, proceed with caution when attempting the Twins Hong Kong hike.
Now we do the twins as a good two hour workout. We park opposite Park View, you can normally get a car park there weekdays depending on the time (avoid school start/finish times), but weekends you don’t have a chance unless you get really lucky. There are also buses and most taxis should know Park View Apartments. From here you cross the road, walk down and you find the entrance to Wilson Trail Section 1. You’ll reach the top of Violet Hill in about 30-45 minutes, it’s an easy to medium difficulty climb that is a good warm up the Twins Hong Kong. Once at the top of Violet Hill you’ll get some good views over Tai Tam Reservoir and on the way up some good views of the city. Going down should take about 15-20 minutes, then you’ll reach an intersection which is where the true start of the Twins Hong Kong hike begins. Up a path you go, oh so easy and then the punishment begins. This is stair after stair after stair with no break. It’s quite steep, your thighs will be absolutely burning and your heart rate will go up very quickly and stay there unless you take breaks often. It’s 30-45 minutes, probably much longer if you’re not in a hurry. There’s some okay views along the way. Once you get to the top you’ll go down a bit before ascending the next peak of the Twins Hong Kong and this is slightly better and nowhere near as long.
As you begin descending down, you guessed it more stairs, you’ll get some great views overlooking Stanley and Tai Tam Bay. Unfortunately we did it on an overcast and cloudy day and didn’t get the full viewing experience. Most people go right down to Stanley Gap road then proceed to Stanley, but just before you’re near the end, we turn right down the Twins Catch Water and run back. It’s an all concrete path for the first bit, not a whole lot to see, but a nice run nevertheless.
This is a pleasant way to return fi you’ve parked at Park View and you’ll also have some good views of Repluse Bay and can walk down there once you reach the beginning of the Twins Hong Kong Hike. From the beginning of the Twins Hong Kong hike, which is above Repulse Bay, we then walk up Violet hill a bit, then turn left onto what is called Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path, an excellent path for trail running, no stairs, and only concrete path near the end which is the Wong Nai Chung Gap Reservoir. From there it’s a quick walk up the hill back to the car park. To do Violet Hill and The Twins Hong Kong hike takes us 2 hours and 10-15 minutes. Sure, if you’re really fit, under 2 hours is easily doable, but if you’re out for a Sunday stroll, the route described above could take you 3 and half-4 hours.
The Twins Hong Kong Hike is only 12 km, but the Twins bit will slow you down a lot.
The Twins Hong Kong Hike Views: 7.5/10 for Island South views, as good as it gets
The Twins Hong Kong Hike Level of Difficult: 7/10 Your thighs will ache for days afterwards
The Twins Hong Kong Hike Access: Usually starting from here:
But we include Violet Hill and start from Park View.
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