Peering up, what do you see rising majestically before us? It’s Mount Collinson. This mountain stands proudly on the far east side of Hong Kong Island. Let’s discover its secrets together.
Mount Collinson rises 348 meters above sea level. That’s 1,142 feet. It offers stunning views and a connection to nature.
Mount Collinson sits within Shek O Country Park. This park spans 7.01 square kilometers. That is about 2.71 square miles. Shek O Country Park occupies the southeastern corner of Hong Kong Island. Among the park’s seven named peaks, Mount Collinson reigns supreme as the highest.
The traditional Chinese name for Mount Collinson is written as 歌連臣山. Simplified, it is 歌连臣山. The literal meaning is simply Collinson Mountain.
Keen hikers may recognize that Hong Kong Trail Section 8 skirts Mount Collinson. It links Shek O Peak to Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution and Tai Long Wan. Tai Long Wan is actually in the Sai Kung District.
Interestingly, there are no paved trails leading directly to Mount Collinson’s summit. Yet, a summit marking pillar stands there. From the summit, Tai Tam Gap lies to the north. Shek O is visible to the south.
Mount Collinson is quite prominent. It ranks fifth in elevation out of 27 peaks in the Southern District. Within Shek O Country Park, it holds the top spot. As for prominence, Mount Collinson ranks fourth in the Southern District. It comes in second within Shek O Country Park.
Did you know Cape Collinson is nearby? It got its name from Major-General Thomas Bernard Collinson. He was a Royal Engineers surveyor. He surveyed Hong Kong Island between 1843 and 1846.
Cape Collinson Road winds from Chai Wan. It climbs Pottinger Peak’s slope towards the east coast. The road passes near Cape Collinson Correctional Institution. Hiking trails connect to Siu Sai Wan Promenade and Shek O Country Park from there.
An ancient rock carving was found at Cape Collinson in 2018. It sits on a cliff about 11 meters above sea level. It is now a declared monument of Hong Kong.
Several cemeteries lie near Cape Collinson Road. These include the Chinese Permanent Cemetery and the Muslim Cemetery. The Holy Cross Roman Catholic Cemetery is also nearby. Plus, the Sai Wan War Cemetery holds the remains of those who died in World War II. The Cape Collinson Crematorium is also in the area.
Cape Collinson is easily reached from Chai Wan MTR station. A walk eastward will get you there.
Many hikers consider Cape Collinson a hidden gem. It has stunning views of rolling hills, bays, and the city skyline. The rock formations near the ocean provide great photo opportunities.
To reach Cape Collinson Battery from Siu Sai Wan, hike about 1.9km. The entrance is tricky to find. Look for a red ribbon tied to a tree branch. This marks the unmarked path.
Remember to wear hiking shoes for the unpaved sections. Bug spray is also a must.
As we conclude our visit to Mount Collinson, remember its beautiful views. Think of its prominent place within Shek O Country Park. This mountain offers a rewarding experience for those who venture to explore it.