SKAT rating: 💩💩💩💩
Length: 9.5km Elevation: 534m
The classic SKAT runners staple. The Loop has it all! Beast of a climb rising to 550m above sea level in just over 5km, some runnable trail across the ridge offering pretty much the best views imaginable in Hong Kong, a truly disgusting decent with ankle breaking potential pretty much the whole way and a conveniently placed 7 – 11 for finish line Yau’s or Asahi’s (Soda etc for Ben).
Not a full circuit loop, starting at the pagoda on Shan Lui Yeung rd (basically to prevent moaning by the Jade Villa/Leung Mei runners) head straight up the hill to meet the MacLehose trail stage 4.
Little instruction needed, follow stage 4 up and over the top, across the ridge (obligatory photo on selfie hill), down behind Pyramid hill and along the path through Ngong Ping plateau.
At the end of the flat section, drop down the little rocky part and take a left at the signboard down the trail to Pak Kong Au/Po Lo Che. Don’t break ankle or worse!!
After a set of truly shitty sized steps the trail emerges into a village. its pretty much all down hill, and all concrete from here in. Straight down Pak Kong Au road, across the cross roads and down again until the steep left turn. Down, down, down until the road takes a sharp right in amongst the houses, follow the path on the right between high walls, right again, then left…….the path opens up by a church. Keep going down to the main road, hang left, keep pushing to the 7 – 11. Bend over with hands on knees, stop watch, deep breath, get a round of cold ones in.
