Tiger’s Head Trail

This trail, not to be confused with Lion’s Head/​Rock is a short yet strenuous hike ideal for those that have just begun their transition from doing not much exercise to wanting to try a few trails out. Well, that’s how I started anyway, not that it did me any good as I despise hiking now as much as I did then. I’ll still go on one very now and then, however, just not in the summer!
Of all the trails, in all the cities, in all the world, this one is by far one of the most rewarding for a non-​hiker wanting to prove his/​her hiking worth. Why? Because it’s only an hour and it’s pretty tough towards the end (instantly giving you credibility amongst other hikers), but you don’t need to be a veteran mountain-​walker to complete it. Just a bit of grit and determination!
The trail starts at the foot of the road leading up to the Golf Club in Discovery Bay. From there it follows the road all the way up to the ‘look-​out point’, a point where one… looks out, obviously. It provides a view of most of the community and on a clear day even Hong Kong and Kowloon are visible. It’s a great place to take the first break before the final, and hardest part. Walking up the road should take around thirty minutes, it’s a friendly incline with no loose rocks to slip on… that all changes from here onwards!
From the lookout point to the summit looks like it shouldn’t take any longer than 15 or 20 minutes. Wrong! It will take 30 to 40 gut-​busting minutes so make sure you have enough water and perhaps a sherpa to help you along the way. One step at a time, is my mantra. The only good part being that you can actually see you destination, instead of one of those «It’s behind the next hill…»
The path turns into something out of the Lord of the Rings. There’s barely a trail never mind a civilized walking area, but it does add to the adventure and feeling of achievement at the end. At some points I’ve been on all fours clambering up. Worry not, any tumbles and the most you’ll fall is a couple of feet.
After three almost-​heart attacks I’ve reached the top! It takes me about 5 minutes to catch my breath before I can think properly but after those five minutes, and I’m staring, to one side, at nothing by rolling mountains, and to the other side Discovery bay it almost feels worth it. Almost!