Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China on the southern coast, made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands. It pairs one of the world's densest skylines with country parks, beaches and fishing villages, all linked by an efficient metro and ferry network.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Dragon's Back (Hong Kong Trail Section 8)
A ridge trail through Shek O Country Park with 360-degree views over Tai Tam Bay, Stanley, Shek O and the South China Sea. It ends at Big Wave Bay beach or Shek O village for a swim and a meal.
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2
Lion Rock Peak
The rocky lion-head summit that overlooks Kowloon and Victoria Harbour, and a symbol of Hong Kong's resilience. A steep, partly rocky ascent from the Kowloon side with the city skyline below. Rhesus macaques live on the lower slopes.
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3
Lantau Peak (Fung Wong Shan)
Hong Kong's second-highest peak at 934 m, reached by the steep stairs of Lantau Trail Section 3 from Pak Kung Au to the summit, then down to Ngong Ping and the Big Buddha. The dawn view above a sea of cloud is a classic. Much of the climb is exposed with no shade.
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4
MacLehose Trail Section 1 (Pak Tam Chung to Long Ke)
The first stage of the 100 km MacLehose Trail passes the High Island Reservoir East Dam with its hexagonal Geopark rock columns, then follows the Long Ke Wan coast to the pale sand of Long Ke beach. Wide, well-signed and mostly unshaded.
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5
MacLehose Trail Section 2 to Tai Long Wan (Long Ke to Pak Tam Au)
Often rated the best stretch of the MacLehose, passing Sai Wan and Ham Tin (Tai Long Wan) beaches, the sand arcs loved by surfers, with a hard climb over Sai Wan Shan and views to Sharp Peak. Small cafes and shops at Ham Tin operate mainly at weekends and holidays.
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6
Sharp Peak (Nam She Tsim)
Hong Kong's most photogenic and demanding peak: a narrow pyramid rising 468 m almost straight from the sea, with a steep loose final ascent and a scramble. For experienced hikers with good shoes only; a fall here can be fatal. The summit view covers the entire Sai Kung coast.
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7
Victoria Peak Circular Walk (Lugard Road and Harlech Road)
A near-flat, paved 3.5 km loop with the most famous view in Hong Kong. Lugard Road hugs the hillside with panoramic views of the harbour and Central skyline, while Harlech Road looks over Pok Fu Lam and the southern islands. Suitable for families with lookouts and benches throughout.
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8
Tai Mo Shan (957 m)
Hong Kong's highest mountain at 957 m. The final ascent follows a paved service road to the summit and the Observatory weather radar; the wilder alternative is MacLehose Trail Section 8 from Route Twisk. The summit is often in cloud, but on clear days it gives a view from the airport to Shenzhen.
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9
Lamma Island Family Trail (Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan)
An easy, mostly paved 4 km walk across Lamma Island, passing Hung Shing Yeh beach, the Kamikaze Caves and hillside pavilions before dropping to the seafood restaurants of Sok Kwu Wan. There are no cars on the island, and it suits beginners.
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10
Kowloon Peak (Fei Ngo Shan)
A 602 m summit with dramatic scrambles, including the exposed Suicide Cliff viewpoint, overlooking the whole harbour. The stairs are steep and hot and the last rock section needs hands. Not recommended in wet weather.
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11
Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls Trail
A shaded stream-side walk with four waterfalls: Bottom, Middle, Main and Scatter Falls. Main Fall drops about 30 m. Stone steps are slippery after rain, and visitors should stay off the rocks around the falls. Mosquitoes are common in summer.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Hong Kong.
- Spring
- March-May: humid, foggy and unpredictable, with thunderstorms building by afternoon. Azaleas and wild orchids bloom. Start early and check the Observatory warning before leaving.
- Summer
- June-September: 30-35 C with 80-95 percent humidity, typhoons and black rainstorms. Hike only at dawn on shaded or coastal trails and turn back by 10:30.
- Autumn
- October-November: the best hiking window, with clear skies, low humidity and daytime temperatures of 22-28 C. Weekends are busy on Dragon's Back and Lantau Peak.
- Winter
- December-February: cool and dry (10-20 C), excellent visibility, cold wind on summits. Mornings can be foggy on Tai Mo Shan. A windproof layer is needed.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Heat and humidity: heat exhaustion is the top cause of rescues; drink about 500 ml per hour in summer
Hazard: Typhoons and black rainstorm warnings: leave the hills immediately when signals rise
Hazard: Lightning on exposed ridges (Lion Rock, Lantau Peak, Tai Mo Shan) from April to September
Hazard: Wild boar and macaques near Kam Shan and Lion Rock: never feed them; keep food sealed in bags
Hazard: Snakes (including bamboo pit viper and king cobra) and hornets: stay on the path, do not reach into vegetation
Hazard: Free-roaming cattle on Lantau and Sai Kung: keep distance, especially cows with calves
Hazard: Slippery stone steps and streambeds after rain (Ng Tung Chai, Sai Kung streams)
Hazard: Sharp Peak, Kowloon Peak and Lion Rock have scrambles with fatal-fall exposure: turn back in wet or windy conditions
Hazard: Mosquitoes and ticks: use repellent and check clothing after grass sections
Hazard: Unofficial paths lead to steep cliffs: use signed routes only