Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Overview

Hiking trails are one of the key facilities in Hong Kong’s country parks. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has long adopted the concept of sustainable trails, planning and constructing these trails using the “handcrafted trail” approach. This approach minimises impacts on natural environment such as soil, vegetation, and animals, while improving resistance to natural erosion so that trails can remain in good condition over the long-term and be used sustainably by visitors. As society pays increasing attention to nature conservation, the public has become more interested in the methods and materials used in trail construction. To enhance public understanding of trail building and raise awareness of trail conservation, the AFCD launched the “Build Your Own Trail” program in 2016, inviting the public to participate in trail maintenance activities in various country parks. The program has attracted over 1,500 participants to date.

To further promote the sustainable use of hiking trails and provide more opportunities for the public to join trail maintenance work, the AFCD has rolled out the Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme. Through hands-on participation in trail maintenance and experiencing the “handcrafted trail” approach to trail construction and repair, the scheme aims to deepen public understanding of Hong Kong’s trail-building methods and principles, and to raise awareness of protecting country parks and hiking trails.

Those interested in joining can read the information below to learn more about the scheme, then complete the application form and submit it along with the required supporting documents to apply to become a Country Park Trail Volunteer. After assessment, successful applicants can sign up for trail maintenance activities held each year in the autumn and winter seasons.

Photo of Country Parks Trail Volunteer Scheme

How to Apply

Recruitment of volunteers for 2025 has closed. Applicants will be notified of the results by email by the end of September 2025.

For enquiries, please email: cptrailvolunteer@afcd.gov.hk

Trail Volunteer Activities

Trail maintenance activities under this scheme take place mainly on hiking trails within country parks and fall into the following types:

Trail Maintenance Activities	Description
1. Trail Building Technique Trainings	These activities focus on specific trail maintenance methods and techniques, providing volunteers with both theory and practice. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, volunteers will learn and take part in hands-on work to gain in-depth understanding of the principles, applications and importance of each method in trail maintenance. Techniques cover in the training include: Trail drainage clean-up Shortcuts blockage Stone basket braiding and placement Soil erosion restoration (dams and stone works for root protection) Trail drainage design and repair Stone step construction and rock prying Wood log steps and curbs construction Trail inspection
2. Trail Maintenance Workshops	These workshops focus on repairing damaged trail sections. The specific maintenance methods to be adopted will be determined by the condition of the trail, on-site environment and availability of materials. Workshops are held at weekends, with around 20 participants per workshop. Volunteers will be divided into small groups to carry out trail maintenance works at different locations along the trail.
3. “Trail Master” Workshops	These workshops are held on Monday to Friday, with around 3 to 7 participants. They target sections of trail that are busier at weekends to minimise disturbance to trail users. The format is similar to the Trail Maintenance Workshops.
4. Trail Theory and Knowledge Courses	These courses cover the history and development of country parks, geology and ecology, sustainable trail theory and design, activity planning and preparation, as well as mountaineering safety and first aid.

_{Note: If the Hong Kong Observatory issues a thunderstorm warning, rainstorm warning (amber, red or black), and/or Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 or above within two hours before the assembly time on the activity day, the activity will be postponed to a backup date without further notice.}

Photo of Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme

Trail Volunteer Tiers

Trail volunteers under this scheme are grouped into the following tiers:

Trail Volunteer Tiers	Requirements
1. Trainee Trail Volunteer	To become a Trainee Trail Volunteer under this scheme, applicants must first register as a Country Park Trail Volunteer and provide proof of prior participation in trail maintenance workshops (e.g., certificates issued by the AFCD or partnered organisations, or photos or videos of volunteer activities).
2. Official Trail Volunteer	To become an Official Trail Volunteer under this scheme, participants must fulfil the following requirements: 1) Complete at least five Trail Building Technique Training sessions; 2) Take part in at least three Trail Maintenance Workshops; and 3) Inspect at least three hiking trails. Experienced AFCD instructors will observe volunteers during the workshops to determine whether they can correctly use various trail maintenance tools. Volunteers who meet the conditions below may be exempted from the above requirements and directly become Official Trail Volunteers. Applicants must: 1) Register under the AFCD Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme and agree to the guidelines and code of practice; 2) Provide proof that they had, between 2016 and 2025, taken part in at least three Trail Maintenance Workshops and four different techniques trainings/activities (with proof such as group photos or photos/videos of the volunteer carrying out trail maintenance work). (Note: This exemption arrangement applies only to volunteers recruited in 2025.)
3. Senior Trail Volunteer	To become a Senior Trail Volunteer under this scheme, participants must fulfil the following requirements: 1) Complete all eight Trail Building Technique Training sessions; 2) Complete all Trail Theory and Knowledge Courses; and 3) Accumulate at least 120 hours of trail maintenance work. In addition, volunteers must demonstrate that they can proficiently use various trail maintenance tools and can briefly explain and apply the different techniques. After becoming a Senior Trail Volunteer, volunteers will assist and work with AFCD’s experienced instructors to lead other volunteers in carrying out different techniques. Volunteers who meet the conditions below may be exempted from the above requirements and directly become Senior Trail Volunteers. Applicants must: 1) Register under the AFCD Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme and agree to the guidelines and code of practice; 2) Provide proof that they had, between 2016 and 2025, accumulated at least 120 hours of trail maintenance work (excluding event coordination roles), and have taken part in six different technique trainings/activities (with proof such as group photos or photos/videos of the volunteer carrying out trail maintenance work); 3) Be able to briefly explain and apply the various techniques, 4) Have experience assisting in leading activities; and 5) Pass an interview and practical assessment. (Note: This exemption arrangement applies only to volunteers recruited in 2025.)

Trail Volunteer Tiers

Requirements

1. Trainee Trail Volunteer

To become a Trainee Trail Volunteer under this scheme, applicants must first register as a Country Park Trail Volunteer and provide proof of prior participation in trail maintenance workshops (e.g., certificates issued by the AFCD or partnered organisations, or photos or videos of volunteer activities).

2. Official Trail Volunteer

To become an Official Trail Volunteer under this scheme, participants must fulfil the following requirements: 1) Complete at least five Trail Building Technique Training sessions; 2) Take part in at least three Trail Maintenance Workshops; and 3) Inspect at least three hiking trails. Experienced AFCD instructors will observe volunteers during the workshops to determine whether they can correctly use various trail maintenance tools.

Volunteers who meet the conditions below may be exempted from the above requirements and directly become Official Trail Volunteers.

Applicants must: 1) Register under the AFCD Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme and agree to the guidelines and code of practice; 2) Provide proof that they had, between 2016 and 2025, taken part in at least three Trail Maintenance Workshops and four different techniques trainings/activities (with proof such as group photos or photos/videos of the volunteer carrying out trail maintenance work). (Note: This exemption arrangement applies only to volunteers recruited in 2025.)

3. Senior Trail Volunteer

To become a Senior Trail Volunteer under this scheme, participants must fulfil the following requirements: 1) Complete all eight Trail Building Technique Training sessions; 2) Complete all Trail Theory and Knowledge Courses; and 3) Accumulate at least 120 hours of trail maintenance work. In addition, volunteers must demonstrate that they can proficiently use various trail maintenance tools and can briefly explain and apply the different techniques.

After becoming a Senior Trail Volunteer, volunteers will assist and work with AFCD’s experienced instructors to lead other volunteers in carrying out different techniques.

Volunteers who meet the conditions below may be exempted from the above requirements and directly become Senior Trail Volunteers.
Applicants must: 1) Register under the AFCD Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme and agree to the guidelines and code of practice; 2) Provide proof that they had, between 2016 and 2025, accumulated at least 120 hours of trail maintenance work (excluding event coordination roles), and have taken part in six different technique trainings/activities (with proof such as group photos or photos/videos of the volunteer carrying out trail maintenance work); 3) Be able to briefly explain and apply the various techniques, 4) Have experience assisting in leading activities; and 5) Pass an interview and practical assessment.
(Note: This exemption arrangement applies only to volunteers recruited in 2025.)

Awards

To recognise volunteers’ contributions, e-certificates are awarded annually based on each volunteer’s accumulated service hours.

Activity Time

Activities are generally held between October and the following March each year, on Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 17:00. As the trail maintenance sites are often in remote locations, volunteers are required to take part for a full day to facilitate activity management. Volunteers may sign up for activities according to their availability.

Points to Note

Participants must be able to read Chinese and communicate in Cantonese.
Participants must be Hong Kong residents.
Participants must be aged 18 or above.
The information provided by participants must be true and accurate.
The Trail Volunteer Service Unit will communicate with volunteers only by email. Participants must have, and be able to use, a computer equipped with software capable of opening documents in PDF, Word and Excel formats.
All volunteers and trainees must comply with the "Guidelines and Code of Practice for Trail Volunteers". (Click here (Chinese only) to download)
Volunteers must wear volunteer T-shirts provided by the AFCD when attending activities.
No remuneration, transportation allowance or insurance of any kind will be provided for volunteer services. Participants may purchase insurance at their own discretion.
All activities under the Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme are joined on a voluntary basis. Volunteers must be responsible for their own safety and should consider their own physical condition and fitness when deciding whether to take part.

Personal Data Collection Statement

The personal data is provided by participants on a voluntary basis and will be used solely for activities organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). The information will be accessed only by staff responsible for processing applications, for vetting, contact and other related purposes. Unless otherwise specified, the AFCD will retain participants’ names and records of the activities they have taken part in for record purposes. If a participant withdraws from the volunteer scheme, all personal data collected will be destroyed within 6 months after withdrawal. Applicants who wish to access or amend the personal data they have provided may submit a written request to AFCD staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can those under 18 participate?
A: Country Park Trail Volunteer activities mainly involve outdoor maintenance work on hiking trails, which requires the use of heavy tools and materials such as crowbars, hoes, large rocks and timber, etc. For safety reasons, all participants must be at least 18 years old to ensure the activities are conducted safely and smoothly.
Q: How can I become a Country Park Trail Volunteer?
A: Members of the public interested in the Country Park Trail Volunteer Scheme may complete the application form and submit it together with the required supporting documents to apply to become a Country Park Trail Volunteer. Applications must be submitted on or before 10 September 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by email in September 2025. Participants are then required to join AFCD-organised trail maintenance activities held between October and March each year.
Q: I have never joined any trail maintenance workshop but I am interested in becoming a Country Park Trail Volunteer. What should I do?
A: The scheme is currently in a pilot phase. In the first year, recruitment mainly targets volunteers who have previously joined trail maintenance workshops organised by the AFCD or partnered non-profit organisations. As the scheme develops, it will gradually open to members of the public who are interested in trail maintenance but lack relevant experience. If you are interested in becoming a Country Park Trail Volunteer but have never joined a related workshop, you are encouraged to first join trail maintenance workshops organised by non-profit organisations in the coming autumn and winter to gain relevant experience.