Please watch the video on Youtube

https://youtu.be/H79YOYNTLSY

Wilson Trail Section 2

Wong Nai Chung Gap➡Tai Koo

Distance: 6.6 Kms

Difficulty: 2/10

To get to the starting point,

Take bus 6 from Central Exchange Square, 41A from Northpoint or minibus 5 from Sogo in Causeway Bay then alight at the Petrol station on Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. The bus stop is called Wong Nai Chung Reservoir road, 1 station after the Tennis Center.

You may either walk up the reservoir road for 5 mins, or take a taxi up.

The trail starts 50m before you arrive at the Parkview Estate. If you wish to stock up on drinks and energy bars, you may go to the supermarket close to the taxi stand under the Parkview residencial building.

The presence of wild boars here is no longer an extraordinary site because they’ve been here for quite a long time maybe due to the existence of several picnic and barbecue grounds around the area.

The trail takes on an immediate ascent on these concrete steps directing to Jardine’s Lookout

THE OSBORN MEMORIAL

The commemoration plaque reads,

“This Plaque is dedicated to all members of the Winnipeg Grenadiers of Canada”.In the early hours of December 19, 1941, “A” and “D” Companies of the Winnipeg Grenadiers of Canada fought to stern the waves of Japanese Troops attacking the strategic high grounds of Mt. Butler. After a vicious struggle, the Canadians became divided. A group was driven downhill to Jardine’s Lookout, where Company Sergeant Major John Robert Osborn took charge of about 65 Grenadiers of “A” Company.Hand grenades were thrown at his group and Osborn responded by flinging these back at the enemy.One grenade was thrown which he can not pick up in time, after shouting a warning, he threw his body over it, thus saving the lives of several comrades.He was posthumously awarded the VICTORIA CROSS- the highest award for military valour in the British Commonwealth.

John Osborn was born in Norfolk England in 1899 and moved to Canada in 1920. He joined the WGC in 1933.

Jardine’s Lookout

The old Mount Butler Quarry located between Jardine’s Lookout and Siu Ma Shan.The place is now the base of Explosive Ordinance Disposal Bureau

Explosive Ordinance Disposal Bureau

is responsible for dealing with all illegal explosive objects (other than small arms ammunition) including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Weapons in Hong Kong. The Bureau is trained and equipped to deal with items both on dry land and underwater and is called out, on average, over one to two times per week. Items dealt with range from illegal fireworks, improvised explosive devices (home made bombs) to large World War II aircraft bombs.

https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/01_about_us/os_os.html

The Tai Tam Peninsula view when walking uphill along the ridge of Mt. Butler Quarry

Wilson Trail part ways with HK Trail after the steep ascent from W012 to W013. Turn left at this point.

The busy urban settlement in contrast to the serene atmosphere from where you are standing. The industrial Kowloon covered in thick smog accross the harbour.
Don’t get lost- turn left to Braemar Hill

Turn right here! Ignore the Po Luen path to the left and the path( with chinese characters) that leads up to the rest pavilion full of elderly groups

Whenever you are in doubt, stone markers and signposts will help point out the next path to take. Head down to the direction of Mt. Parker road..

However, at this point, you must turn right walking thru the bridge to follow the direction of Kornhill instead of Mt. Parker road

The Shrine of Guan Yin( Buddhist Goddess of Mercy)

The smell of burning incense is specially strong in the morning when people come almost successively to bring offerings.

Soon enough, you will come out to Mt. Parker road, walk down to your left, and to your right is the entrance to Quarry Bay Tree Walk

These are Wartime Stoves in the Northwestern slopes of Mt. Parker which were prepared in anticipation to possible outcomes during the invasion attempt of the Japanese on which Hong Kong fell to after 18 days of struggle. As a result, these stoves never served it’s purpose.

Wilson Trail heads to the left while the right follows Hong Pak Trail

From this point is more or less 800 meters to the end point.

This section was sponsored by the staff of Swire Group

Founded by John Samuel Swire, – Swire is a diversified business group starting from sugar refinery, dockyards and later on stepped up to aviation( Cathay Pacific), properties (Tai Koo Shing and Tai Koo Place), investment(Coca Cola) and many more.

Swire’s name in Chinese is Tai Koo(Tai Gu) which means “Great and Ancient”, therefore giving the name of the place and it’s businesses.

The trail finally leads to Greig road, where you must turn left.

On King’s road, turn right immediately to go to Tai Koo MTR.

Thanks and see you again!