Lau Shui Heung Reservoir to Hok Tau Reservoir: a Fanling easy day hike

Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and Hok Tau Reservoir are both in the Pak Sin Leng Country Park and make for an easy day hike to two of Fanling’s reservoirs. Since going to just one is such a short affair, combining them together is perfect and you get both a good view of a reservoir on the ground and from above. The two are the easier Fanling hiking trails but you can make it a bit hard (more at the end).

Note: remember that you cannot swim in ANY of the reservoirs in Hong Kong

Summary of Lau Shui Heung Reservoir to Hok Tau Reservoir hike 

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Time taken: 2-3 hours, depending on how long you spend taking photos

Lau Shui Heung Reservoir Hike Difficulty: ⅖ – there are a fair amount of stairs from one reservoir to another

Pros: an easy hike with mountains and water

Cons: concrete trail in and out relatively boring 

How to get to Lau Shui Heung Reservoir

How to go to Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and Hok Tau Reservoir are the same – you just get off at different points of the minibus route. I highly recommend starting at Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, although you can do the route the other way around as well since it’s on the same minibus.

Make your way to Fanling East Rail Station and take exit A to the minibus station. The minibus 52B goes to Hok Tau and you can queue for it at the end of the second from the left station. It’s just next to the minibus stop to Luk Keng that goes towards the starting point of Ping Nam Stream.

Let the driver know that you’re getting off at the roundabout of Pak Sin Leng Country Park, where you can start the walk to Lau Shui Heung Reservoir.

Lau Shui Heung Reservoir

The concrete road that the minibus passed by is the trail in. It is a relatively monotonous journey but it only takes around 20 minutes to reach the reservoir.

You’ll find a public bathroom – the last one you’ll find on this hike – and you can get on the dam from the path behind it.

Lau Shui Heung Reservoir Dam

The Lau Shui Heung Reservoir dam is also called the sky mirror of Fanling. You can go down to see the calm water, but it’s a dead end. Although it does give a splendid view of the whole reservoir. The terrain is relatively flat and when the water is still, it forms a perfect mirror surface.

Once you’ve taken enough photos of the mirror of the sky Fanling, head back up to the path that continues past the public bathroom. 

Lau Shui Heung Country Trail

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The paved road leads to the start of the Lau Shui Heung Country Trail and transitions onto a paved small path, taking you past the BBQ site and then to a junction.

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From the dam you could see a line of trees, take the little bridge to cross the stream and the path will lead you there.

Line of Trees

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The symmetry of the trees and the water is reminiscent of Nami Island near Seoul. It’s a great place to get some photos. It’s very popular in autumn for the red leaves:

Lau Shui Heung Country Trail (East)

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You can carry on down the Lau Shui Heung Country Trail counter-clockwise or go back to where the tarmac road meets the start of the country trail and go clockwise (east). This is the faster way to go to Hok Tau Reservoir. If you prefer an easier option and to skip Hok Tau Reservoir, go to the bottom of the article for another option.

Alternatively, you can also leave but then this would be a half-day hike only!

Lau Shui Heung Reservoir to Hok Tau Reservoir 

It’s a long climb but also the only true uphill stretch of the entire hike, so hang in there!

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Once you get to the top, it’s a relatively flat trail with small flights of stairs here and there. We also caught a glimpse of Pak Sin Leng.

Stick to the main trail and there shouldn’t be any problems.

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Look out for a slope warning sign for a glimpse of the Hok Tau Reservoir from above.

At the big junction, there are signs pointing you to the correct path and for Hok Tau, it’s to the left and down.

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It started with a small incline, then quickly became a series of stairs. The stairs feel longer here hence I recommend hiking in this direction.

Hok Tau Reservoir 

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The stairs end at a sign and flat trail, which is on the perimeter of the Hok Tau Reservoir but higher in elevation. Go left and the glimpses of the reservoir here are better than the view from the bridge at the bottom.

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This eventually leads you to a narrow and long flight of concrete stairs that takes you to the bridge/dam.

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You can walk along it a little for a look around, but the view is limited since you’re almost on the water with a high fence.

Getting out of Hok Tau Reservoir 

The tarmac road by the stairs and the bridge lead you out to Hok Tau – passing the campsite. This doesn’t go past the Hok Tau Reservoir Family walkway, but it might be a fun add on! This route also doesn’t go along the Hok Tau Country Trail, just the Hok Tau Road.

There’s a minibus stand at the end but this isn’t the end stop, you need to go left before it towards the village and wait there. Otherwise, it’s likely to be full and you won’t get on!

Lau Shui Heung Reservoir hiking alternative and add-ons

There are a few alternative ending points and add ons you can take from Lau Shui Heung Reservoir if you’re not set on going to Hok Tau Reservoir. There is one that’d make it a more challenging hike and some scenic spot that’s a short detour away. I haven’t done them all but here are the two that I’ve:

Hindu Temple

The temple on Po Kak Tsai Road was built by the Indian troops who were stationed here on Queen’s Hill camp during the colonial time. It’s dedicated to Shiva and was left empty when the barrack left the area in 1996. The green colour, hexagonal shape, and uniqueness draw many people over.

Cloudy Hill

The Lau Shui Heung Reservoir country trail actually links up to Wilson Trail section 9 that goes up to Cloudy Hill, which then descents towards Tai Po. It’s a great add on and you can even go all the way to Pak Sin Leng if you have the stamina!