Hong Kong Plant Walk 4: Black's Link

About this outing:
The weather is still warm but autumn is in the air, so it is time for Hong Kong Plant Walk 4! For this outing, we will be doing an easy stroll along Black’s Link on Hong Kong Island. As always, our aim is to get familiar with Hong Kong’s native plants by using the iNaturalist app. We will gather at Wan Chai Gap Park and begin with a quick overview about iNaturalist and how to make and upload an observation – by doing so, you’ll be contributing useful biodiversity data to a huge citizen science database! Then, we will wander at a comfortable pace along Black’s Link (a paved road running through the central hills of Hong Kong Island), pausing to look more closely at plants and record what we see. This easy 3km route contours the northern slope of Mt. Cameron and the southern face of Mt. Nicholson, offering a variety of plant habitats from moist walls of ferns to rocky crags and shaded woodland – so let’s see what botanical treasures we can find!

This event is beginner-friendly. You need moderate fitness and comfortable walking or hiking shoes. There are no steep climbs, stairs or technical terrain, but there are still some ups and downs and the weather is warm, so do plan for that.

About the organizer:
I am a regular hiker, plant lover and iNaturalist ambassador. However, I am not a botanist or expert! The aim of this walk is to discover plants together, document Hong Kong’s native biodiversity and work on removing our plant blindness.

Please:
✔Have a true profile photo of yourself on Meetup, so that I can recognize you
✔Download the iNaturalist app on your phone before the walk and create an account (it's free and nonprofit - no ads)
✔Have breakfast and hydrate before the hike
✔Plan your transportation to Wan Chai Gap Park and show up on time!

Do bring:
✔Water or sports drink (at least 750ml)
✔ Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
✔Mosquito repellent
✔Sun protection (hat / sunscreen / long sleeves)
✔Umbrella

Don't:
❌Wear inappropriate clothes/shoes (flip flops, heels)
❌Be late
❌Bring guests (all participants must sign up separately)
❌Smoke or drop litter on the trail

Route description: Blacks’ Link, starting from Wan Chai Gap Park

Walk details: Approx. 3 km paved road with some moderate ups and downs. Much of the walk is shaded, but some sections are exposed to the sun. I plan to finish within approximately 2 hours. We will end the walk at Wong Nai Chung Gap, where there are various bus services towards Central, Causeway Bay, North Point, as well as the south side. From the end point, there are various options to extend the hike (e.g. HK trail, Tai Tam area) for keen hikers, though this isn’t part of the meetup.

Meeting time and place: 10 am at Wan Chai Gap Park 灣仔峽公園.
I will wait at the park entrance. There are palm trees and a small shelter/pavilion at the entrance of the park.
Meeting point (please check google street view if you don’t know it): https://maps.app.goo.gl/jPnj8DNAu1xN2hV6A

Transportation info
By taxi or Uber
Wan Chai Gap Park 灣仔峽公園 is at Wanchai Gap. It is at the junction of Coombe Rd, Mt Cameron Rd and Middle Gap Rd. This junction is just off Stubbs Road, and next to the Police Museum.
Drop off location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UXs6Q9g5XmcgCJx89

By bus
If taking public transport, you need to get off at Wan Chai Gap Road (Police Museum) bus stop. The park is 100m walk from the bus stop. If coming from the city, after getting off from the bus, walk towards the junction ahead, carefully cross the road and you will see the park entrance.
Bus stop location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ooYjwakcAEudVJ7K6

Bus service: Citybus service 15 (Peak Explorer) from Central (Central Ferry) to the Peak is the only bus to this stop. It runs every 6-10 minutes from Central Ferry, Exchange Square or Admiralty MTR station (Admiralty Queensway stop). Note that there can be long queues as it is a popular tourist bus. Allow 30 minutes for the bus journey plus queueing time.

On foot! (good fitness level required)
For those that want a challenging and sweaty morning workout before the easy plant walk, it’s possible to walk up to Wan Chai Gap from Kennedy Road in Wan Chai via the very steep Wan Chai Gap road (hiking path) which is 1km long.
Starting point of the path: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NNbX5VpedxazVkdr5.

Important note: this option is not for the unfit and is not part of the meetup! If attempting it, allow an extra 30-45 minutes, expect a substantial degree of difficulty and bring additional water!

Important notes:

I will make a list of participants with visible profile photos on Meetup. If you cannot make it, please update your RSVP on Meetup as soon as possible.
Out of respect for all participants, we will not wait a long time for latecomers. If you are running late, please leave a message in the chat before 10am to let us know. Otherwise I will start the walk promptly.
The walk may be cancelled in the event of heavy rain/thunderstorm or for other reasons.
I will not check messages after the walk begins.
There is no shop along the route, and the park kiosk was under renovation when I was there recently, so don’t count on that. There is a drinking water fountain in the park. Please bring enough water and a snack for energy.
Expect warm sunny weather. Remember sun protection/hat/umbrella.
There is a public toilet in the park at the start of the walk.
Participants join this walk at their own choosing and at their own risk.