Get ready for hiking season with our guide to the best hikes in Hong Kong.
Many people tend to think of Hong Kong as bustling, overcrowded, and highly urbanised with only cityscape to explore. But HK is also home to mountains, beaches, and country parks, all connected by a vast, sprawling network of hikes and trails.
And in October, as things slowly start to cool down, people emerge from their air conditioned hibernation to head out onto the trails. So whether you’re already an avid HK hiker or you’re new and looking to see a different side of the city, here are some of our favorite Hong Kong hikes to get exploring.
Best hikes in Hong Kong for beginners
Brides Pool
~1 km~1 hour
MTR to Tai Po Market station (Exit A3) then the 20R minibus towards Wu Kau Tang via Brides Pool. Or bus 275R (Sundays & public holidays only) to Brides Pool Nature Trail.
If you’re looking for a gentle, shaded stroll with some bonus waterfalls, then Brides Pool is a nice entry level hike for you to try. This trail is nestled in the Plover Cove Country Park in the New Territories. It’s accessible for all ages and only takes about an hour. There are numerous BBQ sites, as well as picnic spots so you can make a day of it even though the hike itself is short.
The trail takes you to the photo-worthy 15-metre high waterfall at Bride’s Pool, as well as a smaller waterfall, Mirror Pool. Keep in mind that these falls aren’t as impressive if there hasn’t been much rain. If you want to extend the walk, carry on into the Country Park towards Tai Mei Tuk. Otherwise, head back the way you came and return home using the same bus/MTR route.
Jardine’s Lookout
~3.5 km~1 hour
The start of the hike is located opposite the Parkview Residences near Wong Nai Chung Gap Reservoir. From Central MTR station (Exit A) take either the 6 or 66. From Causeway Bay MTR (Exit A) head to Matheson Street near Times Square and take the number 76 bus. Alight at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park for both options. Walk around 10 minutes uphill from the bus stop to the start of the trail (same start point for the Twins hike).
If you’re someone that likes a reward as you hike, then try Jardine’s Lookout Trail. It promises stunning city views and an epic sunset view point. There are a stairs at the start to get your blood flowing, but then it’s smooth sailing for the rest of the trail. The stairs and pathways are nice and even, making it family friendly.
Once you’ve reached the top (marked by a black and white trig pillar), you can either enjoy the sunset if that’s what you’ve come for, or make your way back the way you came. Alternatively, if you want to extend the hike for another hour or so (around 3 km more), carry on to Mount Butler and finish the hike in Quarry Bay, which is easily connected via buses, trams, and the MTR.
Peak Lookout
~1.5 hours
The hike starts on Lugard Road, near the Peak Tower. MTR to Central (Exit A) then the number 15 bus from Exchange Square Bus Terminus all the way to the Peak Galleria. Alternatively, take the scenic route and board the Peak Tram from the lower terminus (Central MTR exit J2) and start the walk where you disembark the tram.
Some would argue that you can’t leave HK without doing the walk around the Peak. It’s definitely one of the most iconic HK activities you can do and is a nice, active way to take in some great views.
First, you need to get yourself up to the Peak. Both the bus and Peak tram option will drop you near Lugard Road, which is where the Peak Circle walk starts. Alternatively, you can walk up the Morning Trail from Mid Levels (Central), which adds on about 2.8 km. It’s a constant incline, but there are views all the way up which make for a good distraction. Once at the top, the circle walk loops around the lush greenery of the Peak with unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour for most of the way round.
There are plenty of restaurants around the Peak Tower, but these are massively overpriced. We recommend waiting till you get back to town for that post hike snack. To get back to Central, you can walk, bus, tram, or taxi. Taxis are good if there are a few of you, the tram is a unique experience, but there are often queues so look into prebooking your ticket The bus is frequent but the ride is slow and walking means more walking!
Fancy finding out more about this iconic HK destination? Check out our full guide to enjoying the Peak.
Intermediate hikes in Hong Kong
Lion Rock
~3 hours
MTR to Wong Tai Sin station (Exit E) then either walk around 1.1 km uphill to the start of the trail or take a quick taxi ride to Fat Jong Temple.
Lion Rock is special to locals, and not just because the epic lion shaped rock looks like it’s sat protecting Kowloon side. It’s also viewed as a symbol of HK people’s indomitable spirit. Reaching the summit after 500 metres worth of steep steps will make you feel like you have an indomitable spirit that’s for sure.
Whilst it doesn’t cover a great distance, there is quite a lot of steep incline on this hike which puts it in the moderate category. A decent base level of fitness is recommended, as are suitable shoes as the path can get slippy.
However, the views certainly outweigh all the steps. From the top you can enjoy sweeping cityscapes of Kowloon, the New Territories, and HK island (on a clear day). If you’re comfortable finishing the walk at dusk, watching the sunset from the summit is very special. The easiest way to finish the hike is to go back the way you came and head back to the MTR station in Wong Tai Sin. If you’ve still got the energy, Wong Tai Sin temple is worth checking out afterwards.
Dragon’s Back
~8.5 km~3 hours
MTR to Shau Kei Wan station then take the number 9 bus or red minibus from Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to To Tei Wan on Shek O Road. Note: you will need to ask the minibus driver to stop at To Tei Wan road, whereas the names of the stop are shown on the big buses. You can return to Shau Kei Wan using the same buses.
Another iconic HK hike, the Dragon’s Back offers stunning coastal views of the southern part of HK island. Plus, it’s still easily accessible and not overly physically demanding. This route is especially popular with tourists looking to see a different side of the city without having to venture too far from their hotel.
There is a bit of incline to get up to the main ridge-line, but it’s not constant and it’s easy to take breaks as often as you need. However, bear in mind that the majority of the trail is exposed so if you’re going on a sunny day then remember your suncream and plenty of water. The trail ends near the stunning Big Wave Bay beach, so consider packing your swimsuit too for a post-hike dip. To get home, take the number 9 bus back to Shau Kei Wan and get on the MTR or taxi from there.
Tai Lon Wan
~3-12 km
~5-6 hours
MTR to Hang Hau (exit B1) then take the 101M green minibus to Sai Kung. From Sai Kung, take a shuttle bus (it’s labeled NR29, but it’s not a green or red minibus) to Sai Wan Pavilion. Or, take a taxi from Sai Kung town. Speedboats back to Sai Kung are available from Ham Tin Beach or Sai Wan Beach if you don’t feel like hiking back.
Sai Kung Country Park is filled with some of the most scenic trails across both the New Territories and HK island. Located inside the park, Tai Lon Wan Peninsula (aka the Maldives of HK) consists of four bays all with gorgeous white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Each beach can be accessed on foot, with some being easier to reach than others.
The most popular option is to start your walk at the Sai Wan Pavillion and walk over some ups and downs for about an hour to Sai Wan beach. Chill there for a bit, maybe get a snack from the restaurants before carrying on for around another 1.8 km to Ham Tin Beach. You can choose to end your hike here and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the pristine beach and either hike back the way you came or get the speed boat back to Sai Kung (boats leave roughly every hour depending on the day of the week and cost around HK$160.00 per person).
Alternatively, you can push yourself further and keep walking round to Tai Wan Beach and Tung Wan Beach. These beaches tend to be the least busy, even on a crowded day because they are harder to reach. However, there are no food or drinks available and the boats don’t pick up from there so you’d need to return to Ham Tin or Sai Wan after.
Challenging hikes in Hong Kong
The Twins / Violet Hill
~4.8 km~2.5 hours
MTR to Central (Exit A) take either the 6, or 66. From Causeway Bay MTR (Exit A) head to Matheson street near Times Square and take the number 76 bus. Alight at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park for both options. Walk around 10 minutes uphill from the bus stop to the start of the trail (same start point for the Jardine’s Lookout hike).
The Twins are a humbling experience, even for an experienced hiker. The overall hike itself is not too challenging and offers unobstructed views of Stanley Bay and the islands in the distance. It’s the relentless 1200 steps that put this one in the harder category.
The trail starts off nice and gradual up and over Violet Hill. Once you’re on your way down from that, you’ll notice a fairly daunting looking trail cutting up the middle of the mountain ahead of you. Unfortunately, that’s where you’re headed. Once the stairs start, they seem to never end. If you’re struggling, you won’t be the only one and plenty of people take breaks all the way up. One twin conquered, now you’ve got the next one! Don’t worry, it’s not as big as the first and once you’ve finished that, it’s all downhill for the rest of the hike.
The trail brings you out along the main road heading towards Stanley. If you’re broken and want to head straight home, cross the road to the bus stop and get on the 6, 6A, 6X, or 260 back towards Central. However, Stanley is worth a visit — there’s a nice beach, a market, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants to refuel at. It’s also well connected with buses and minibuses heading back towards Central, Causeway Bay, and Wan Chai.
Tai Mo Shan
~5 hours
MTR to Kam Sheung Road (Exit C) and take the number 64K bus (opposite the MTR exit) to Ng Tung Chai. Walk back 100 m to the trail entrance on the other side of the road.
One for the books, Tai Mo Shan is HKs highest peak with a total elevation of 957 meters. There are several different routes to get to the summit but one of the most enjoyable (and therefore popular) options is to include the Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls. This route will probably take you a little longer as there are four waterfalls to stop and admire along the way.
The mountain summit is also home to one of the HK Observatory’s weather radar stations, so there’s a paved road for vehicles which makes for an easier ascent. Whilst most of the hike involves walking uphill, it’s gradual. The pathways are easy to navigate too, so it’s more the overall distance that puts this hike in the harder category.
Of course, being that high up, there are mega views and lots of lush greenery. Bear in mind that if you’re hiking in spring time, the warmer weather brings big fog clouds (the mountain is often nicknamed “big misty mountain” in Chinese) which will obscure much of the views. To get back home, follow the paved road back down to the visitors center and nearby bus stop to get the number 51 bus to Tsuen Wan West MTR station.
Pat Sing Leng — the Eight Immortals
~12 km~5-6 hours
MTR to Tai Po Market Station (Exit A3) then either take a taxi to Plover Cove Country Park Tai Mei Tuk Management Centre (around HK$85.00) or the number 20R minibus and get off at the Shuen Wan Country Park Dtop (expect long queues on weekends and public holidays).
Everyone has their own opinion on which HK hike is the most challenging, but most agree that Pat Sin Leng is definitely the most epic. Translating to “Ridge of the Eight Immortals”, the 8 peaks that make up this range are named after eight legendary Xian (immortals) in Chinese mythology.
The elevation across all the peaks ranges from 489-590 metres and with each peak comes sweeping views of Plover Cove Reservoir, Tai Mo Shan, Ma On Shan, Tolo Harbour, and even Shenzhen on a clear day. The last peak brings you towards Fung Yuen, where you’ll find yourself on a road back down to the minibus stop. From here, you can get the 20R minibus back to Tai Po Market Station.
There’s no doubt that this is a challenging hike, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to see how hilly, lush, and breathtaking HK can be. If you’re staying on HK island, it is going to take you a while to get there and then get back home, so set aside a full day for this epic adventure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous hike in Hong Kong?
Most would agree that the Dragon’s Back is the most famous hike in Hong Kong. It’s easy to get to, it’s relatively easy to hike, and it’s a great way to see some gorgeous views. And that’s all without having to travel far from the main part of town.
When is the best time of year to hike in Hong Kong?
You could try hike in the months of May to September, but you’ll quickly experience why many local people don’t, thanks to the relentless heat and humidity. From October to January, both the heat and humidity drop and hiking conditions are almost perfect. January to April is nice too, but there tends to be more rain and fog as things start to warm back up again.
Is it safe to hike in Hong Kong?
Yes, hiking in Hong Kong is safe as long as you prepare adequately (water, snacks, suncream etc.). And of course always try to hike with someone else and follow the marked trails. The majority of trails are well maintained and clearly marked, and mobile phone network coverage is available across most of HK and the New Territories. Fatalities do occur, but it is usually when people have either gone out in difficult conditions without being suitably prepared, or when they stray off the trails. The HK hiking website created by the government is useful for finding out more information about specific details of each trail.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
