Unveiling itself as the small hump below, Nam She Au marks a challenging stretch. It lies on the trail between Nam She Au and Sharp Peak summit. Let’s explore this area. Nam She Au is part of the Sharp Peak trail. Sharp Peak rises sharply to 468 metres above sea level.
Sharp Peak is also known as Nam She Tsim. It is a hill within Sai Kung East Country Park. The park lies to the north of Tai Long Wan. It is on the Sai Kung Peninsula. Hikers find this hill reasonably hard. The terrain is steep and rocky. Good weather and the right gear are important.
The hike to Nam She Au and Sharp Peak begins at Chek Keng. To get to Chek Keng, you can take a bus to Pak Tam Au. Stage 3 of the 100km MacLehose Trail shares a part of this route. The trail descends for 2.5km. It leads from Pak Tam Au to Chek Keng village. Chek Keng is a hub for hikers in Sai Kung East. Though largely abandoned in the 1970s, it has a paved hiking path. This path crosses the village. It passes a pebbly beach. You might even see a cow munching grass.
The trail ascends past warning signs. These signs alert hikers to the dangers ahead. As you pass a mobile phone tower, you see the trail. It stretches up the steep ridge-line. It heads towards Sharp Peak in the distance.
The steep climb pays off with expansive views. To the south is Ham Tin. You can also see the uninhabited islands of Tai Chau and Tsim Chau. Tsim Chau is a popular diving site. It features underwater caves. To the north lies the Sai Kung peninsula. This area is relatively undeveloped. Tap Mun or Grass Island lies beyond the peninsula.
As the trail nears the summit, you get a nice view back. Look over Ham Tin Beach and Tai Wan Beach. Both beaches are part of Tai Long Wan. Tai Long Wan includes four beaches inside the Hong Kong UNESCO Geopark. You will see Nam She Au. The steepest part of the trail is between Nam She Au and the Sharp Peak summit.
To the east beyond Sharp Peak is Tung Wan Shan. It rises to 298m. Tai Long Tau is at the end of the peninsula. Tung Wan Beach is another remote beach. Also known as East Bay Beach, it is secluded among the Tai Long Wan beaches.
The trail ends at the summit. There you can enjoy stunning views. A pillar marks the highest point at 468m. Many spots offer great outlooks.
Though Hong Kong has many accessible peaks, this one is special. It feels surreal. You are close to the city, yet you see only mountains. Undeveloped coastline stretches in every direction.
You can return the same way. Enjoy the view on your way back. Or, do a loop. Return via Mai Fan Teng and Tai Wan beach. This slightly longer hike takes you past two beautiful beaches. Whether you choose the loop or the out-and-back route, this hike is challenging. It offers spectacular views of the Hong Kong hiking trails. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes. Some trail sections are very steep. The surface is often loose. Bring plenty of water for your hike around Nam She Au and Sharp Peak.