Lunchtime rolled around, and my legs still being sore, I decided just to do the "double trail route". This route does have a lot of climbing (almost 200m of vertical gain), but I can take it slow and enjoy the scenery. But as I was heading out the front UST gate, I thought... nah... I've got the serious shoes... let's go on an adventure! So I decided to head back down along the coastal jungle trail north of HKUST.
Heading out across the bridge, I turned right, past the school following the little residential road downhill. I wasn't 100% on where I was going (have only come this way once before), but hopped the fence and headed down alongside the apartment complex
Razor wire glittering in the wet sunlight
Oh, looks like I've found the right place. Time to start the trail adventure.
Then... BAM... spider-web right in the face.
Oh... I remember now... the spiders love this dense, enclosed section of the trail. After a few short metres and numerous spider-webs already, I found small branch and proceed to slowly jog down the path, waving the branch in front of me collecting most (but not all) of the webs that blocked my way.
Luckily, pretty little guys
Starting to get closer to sea level, and the path opens at the top, meaning that I'm mainly copping spider webs on my legs now, instead of in the face
The vaguely visible trail doesn't really lend itself to fast times, but the scenery is pretty good!
A brief stop at the beach for a photo before returning to the spidery trails
Crossing a little creek. No freshwater yabbies this time (I did look)
The trail becomes better defined, but rather enclosed again
Sai Kung Jungle coastline
As I get closer to civilization the trail quality improves and my speed picks back up again
Beautiful overcast conditions for the beautiful coastline
Just as it started, the trail randomly comes out deep in some village, and I head along the road preparing for the large hill
I pass a final little store before the hill back up to UST. Not including some of the trails, the hill out of Sai Kung back to UST is probably the hardest road hill in the region.
As you can see, the actual trail section is rather short. Probably only about 2km of the 7km route, but because of the terrain, etc, it's rather slow going and takes probably half of the full run's time!
Once again, I'm reminded why I don't do this route very often. The scenery is beautiful, but this course isn't really run-compatible (it'd be a better hike). A quick jaunt up Razor Hill probably comes out in front in my mind!
See you all out on the trails!
~ Joe
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