This gently sloping paved road is safe and quiet and popular all-year round. Thick tree cover shades the pathway as it meanders up towards Tai Tam Country Park with several observation decks along the route offering good views overlooking Quarry Bay and Tai Koo. As you leave Quarry Bay behind, the noise of the city slowly fades away and you find yourself relaxing as you immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature.

The elegant Edwardian-style red-brick house, a Grade II historic building, originally built in the 1920s as a residence for staff at Quarry Bay's Taikoo Sugar Refinery, was renovated in 2012 and is now the city's first biodiversity education centre specialising in Hong Kong's variety of plant and animal life. It houses three galleries offering a fun, interactive introduction to Hong Kong's impressive range of wildlife. If you have time, explore the nearby winding 1 km-long Quarry Bay Tree Walk, which passes through hillside clearings with overgrown World War II brick field stoves — built as part of the city's defence preparations — and signs identifying more than 20 tree species.

As you look at the crystal-clear reflections in the reservoir's emerald waters beside the towering dam in tranquil Tai Tam Country Park, surrounded by lush trees and mountains, you could be forgiven for imagining you have entered a secret garden. Completed in 1888, Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Dam is the most northerly of the four dams linked to Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs — the others are Tai Tam Byewash, Tai Tam Intermediate and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Dams — which were built to provide drinking water to Hong Kong Island. It marks the beginning of the 5 km-long Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail, covering 21 historical granite and concrete structures, including the dams, bridges and aqueducts built between 1883 and 1917, which have been declared as monuments. Stand still and close your eyes as you savour the area's serene setting — and make sure to get that perfect Instagram picture of the sun's rays sparkling on the water!

As you reach the junction between Tai Tam Intermediate and Tai Tam Tuk reservoirs, you will see a beautifully designed round-arched masonry bridge — one of four built in 1907 along Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir's western shore, which ensure easy public access through Tai Tam Country Park's reservoir system. The best place to admire and photograph the bridge is further along the trail beside Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir. The walls running along the top of all the bridges — two of which are quite high — are lined with decorative cornices and rough-covered, curved granite stones.

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir, built between 1904 and 1907 as the first phase of the Tai Tam Tuk Scheme, adds about 740 million litres to the island's water supply system. Seventy years after its completion, the top of the reservoir dam's 12 spillways — used for draining sudden flood waters — was left looking slightly indented after being lowered by three metres for safety reasons.

Repulse Bay's spectacular 292-metre-long beach of soft, white sand is the perfect place for well-earned rest after your hike. Its beautiful, unspoilt setting and calm clear waters have long made it one of Hong Kong's most popular seaside destinations. Dip your toes in the sea while sipping an ice-cold beer, or savour the soft touch of the sea breeze on your face as you unwind over a relaxing meal at one of the many waterfront restaurants. You can also pay your respects — and take great Instagram photos — while visiting the colourful shrines of two deities, Kwun Yam, the Goddess of Mercy and Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, at the southeastern end of the beach.