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In case you’re planning a visit to Hong Kong, you’re in all probability considering of dim sum, skyscrapers, and flashing neon lights. Positive, you’ll be able to see all that, however do you know that 75% of Hong Kong is open countryside, that means you’ll be able to get pleasure from an abundance of nature.
Climbing in Hong Kong is likely one of the most unforgettable actions, and is likely one of the hottest past-times for the native folks right here. You possibly can hike to see gorgeous Victoria Peak views, to pristine seashores, round distant islands, up rocky mountain-sides to misty mountain peaks – the varied number of nature settings means you can at all times expertise one thing totally different and distinctive on each hike.
Hong Kong’s hikes are additionally vastly totally different when it comes to problem and size – you could find brief, family-friendly hikes, or lengthy multi-day hikes.
However if you wish to escape the hustle and bustle of town, and also you’re unsure which hikes in Hong Kong are best for you, then right here we’ve listed our favorites!
The Finest Hikes in Hong Kong
The next hikes are organised from straightforward to most difficult.
Dragons’ Again, Hong Kong Island
- Distance: 4.7 km
- Elevation: 170 meters
- Time to finish: 1 hour half-hour
- Problem: straightforward
- Path head location: get a taxi or minibus to this location.
For hikers in search of one thing straightforward and family-friendly, then the Dragon’s Again Path is the one most locals will advocate to you.
Time journal as soon as named the Dragon’s Again climbing path as Asia’s finest city hike.
It’s straightforward to see why!
The path has scenic views of the southern facet of Hong Kong Island all through, and has a straightforward terrain.
The primary part of the hike is usually uphill, and from the highest it has a delicate up and down elevation. It will get its identify as a result of the path resembles the rocky again of a dragon.
You possibly can end your hike from both Shek O seaside of Large Wave Bay, the place you’ll be able to cool off with a swim, or get a minibus again to Causeway Bay.
Victoria Peak Loop, Hong Kong Island
- Distance: 3.7 km (2.2 miles)
- Elevation: 133 metres
- Time to finish: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Problem: straightforward
- Path head location: from this path close to The Peak
In case you’re in Hong Kong for a brief layover, or haven’t obtained a number of time for a hike, then the Victoria Peak loop is one of the best one to do.
Not solely do you get wonderful views throughout Victoria Harbour and of the Kowloon peninsula, however it’s also possible to admire views of the South China Sea to the south of the island.
The round path wraps across the base of Victoria Peak, the very best peak on Hong Kong Island, and presents coastal views all through.
It’s a straightforward hike with little elevation and a paved floor, and we’ve even seen folks pushing strollers alongside it.
10,000 Buddha Monastery (Man Fats Sze), New Territories
- Distance: 1.8km (1.1 miles)
- Elevation: roughly 217 meters
- Time to finish: 15 minute stroll, permit an hour to discover the monastery and do the hike
- Problem: straightforward
- Path head location: discover the trail from right here behind the Immigration Division constructing in Sha Tin.
The ten,000 Buddha Monastery is a pleasant discovery nested within the Po Fook Hill mountains in Sha Tin.
It’s composed of 1 primary temple corridor, a nine-story pagoda and several other shrines, halls and pavilions unfold over two primary ranges on the facet of the mountain.
The expertise begins with a steep climb up 420 steps lined with golden Buddhas in quite a lot of poses with quite a lot of expressions.
As we walked up, we took our time, pausing to catch our breath and admire the small print on the statues. We had by no means seen so many Buddhas earlier than. The overhanging bushes supplied welcome shade and reduction from the warmth.
We additionally held our baggage shut as Macaque monkeys stealthily adopted us alongside the leafy switchbacks of the hill, and they’re recognized to be artful and take issues out of your bag pockets!
On the prime, there’s a lavishly embellished temple. Inside are 1000’s of miniature Buddha states protecting the partitions.
Exterior within the grounds, there are two terraced ranges with colourful pavilions, shrines, temples and rock gardens.
Most placing was the 9 story Pagoda, which is tough to overlook. We spent a very long time exploring the grounds and absorbing the serenity and having a tea from the restaurant.
It’s a wonderful area and extra quieter and extra peaceable than different temples in Hong Kong or the Large Buddha on Lantau Island.
It was a type of journey experiences that I’ll at all times bear in mind as one thing so sudden and surprisingly good.
It’s a straightforward hike and not too removed from town – only a 40-minute practice journey from Central after which a ten min stroll from the station.
Mini Nice Wall Hike, Cheung Chau
- Distance: 7.49 km (4.6 miles)
- Elevation: 160 metres
- Time to finish: 2.5 hours
- Problem: straightforward
- Path head location: the beginning of the Mini Nice Wall part begins from right here, however we advocate ranging from Tung Wan Seaside
We needed so as to add somewhat extra leisure to our couple’s getaway, so we jumped on a ferry to Cheung Chau, an outlying island solely 40 minutes boat journey from Central in Hong Kong.
It’s solely a small island, however with seashores, temples, and a loop hike across the whole island, there may be loads to do for the day.
Getting round is by foot or bicycles as motorized automobiles are usually not allowed!
We walked straight over to the alternative facet of the island to Tun Wan Seaside earlier than setting out on a path alongside the Southern facet of the island.
The path, generally known as the Mini Nice Wall, snakes the hilly facet of the coast, and takes you around the southern tip and again to the village.
There are lookout pavilions and gorgeous views of the ocean and outer islands.
We barely noticed one other individual on the path. It was unimaginable to have come from rubbing shoulders with 1000’s in Hong Kong to all this area and serenity to ourselves. Even within the harbour we noticed few vacationers.
We didn’t make it to the Cheung Po Tsai Cave, which is a well-liked spot tucked into the southwest nook of the island and has a historical past of pirates and hidden treasures.
We turned again on the finish of the Little Nice Wall with views of the wild southeast coast. Persevering with will take you to via bamboo forests and lovely seashores and rocky headlands.
I wanted we saved going, however we needed to get again to the harbour to feast on scrumptious seafood at one of many eating places alongside the waterfront promenade earlier than heading again to central Hong Kong.
Of all of the thrilling and enjoyable issues we did in Hong Kong, our day journey to Cheung Chau is what we speak about probably the most.
It was quiet and fairly and an sudden treasure of Hong Kong and made us wish to return to find extra hidden treasures amongst its pure magnificence.
Tai O to Kau Ling Chung, Lantau Path Part 7
Tai O, a village on the island of Lantau, retains a wealth of eco-cultural treasures, together with stilt homes, salt discipline relics and Chinese language Pink Dolphins, which reside within the waters surrounding the realm.
On this Hong Kong hike it’s also possible to expertise farming on the close by village of Yi O, the place terraced rice paddies can nonetheless be discovered, earlier than persevering with alongside a path that hugs the coast till it reaches the western facet of the island.
This path known as the Lantau Path part 7. The Lantau Path is a big, 70 kilometres hike that wraps round the entire island. Because it’s not potential to do that a lot climbing in a single journey, we advocate doing one part of it.
We selected part 7 as a result of it incorporates Hong Kong’s rural villages, dense forests, distant seashores, and unspoiled pure magnificence.
Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo, New Territories
- Distance: 11.6 km
- Elevation: 332 meters
- Time to finish: 3 hours
- Problem: reasonable
- Path head location: the distant village of Wu Kau Tang
400 years in the past, Lai Chi Wo was as soon as among the many most prosperous villages within the Northeastern New Territories. The homes and the woods behind the village stay effectively preserved.
The village can also be extremely distant, and solely accessible by a 5 km path that’s solely giant sufficient to hike – you’ll be able to’t even drive there!
The path passes via a densely forested space, earlier than reaching the spectacular reddish shoreline to the biggest mattress of Coastal Heritiera (Heritiera littoralis) in Hong Kong.
Look out for the White-flower Derris, which varieties a ‘pure swing’ alongside the mangroves.
Sharp Island, Sai Kung
- Distance: 4.8 km
- Elevation: 219 meters
- Time to finish: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Problem: reasonable
- Path head location: get the ferry from Sai Kung Pier
In Sai Kung, there’s a caldera, which is the results of a volcanic eruption.
This space is filled with tiny, distant islands and rocky formations, which you’ll be able to see not removed from Sai Kung City.
Take a brief ferry over to Sharp Island, the place you’ll be able to hike over this distant, uninhabited island and admire the fascinating geological formations.
Don’t skip the seaside at first and search for aged rocks specimens, minerals, fossils and proof of tidal influences.
Stroll over a naturally occurring 250-metre-long tombolo from Sharp Island to achieve Kiu Tau, earlier than heading again to Sai Kung Pier.
Tung Lung Chau
- Distance: 8.2 km
- Elevation: 452 meters
- Time to finish: 3 hours
- Problem: reasonable
- Path head location: from the pier on Tung Lung Chau, head in a westerly path
Most individuals assume probably the most distant and exquisite a part of Hong Kong is the Sai Kung shoreline, however these folks haven’t been to Tung Lung Chau.
This distant, uninhabited island sits on the far west of Hong Kong and is barely accessible by a small, native boat, referred to as a kaito ferry, leaving from Sam Ka Tsuen in Kowloon, and one other from Sai Wan Ho on Hong Kong Island.
Each routes function solely at weekends and on public holidays.
This hilly island is thought for its open, bush wacking path with unimaginable coastal views from all sides.
Head to the navy/broadcast station to see probably the most windswept and thrilling views. There may be additionally a novel rock carving on the east facet of the island, not removed from the ferry pier, value trying out.
Ap Lei Chau
- Distance: 3.7 km
- Elevation: 315 metres
- Time to finish: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Problem: reasonable
- Path head location: the trailhead is positioned right here behind the Lei Tung Property
The Ap Lei Chau hike isn’t a very lengthy, nor excessive, hike, and so many individuals assume it’s straightforward.
It’s to not be underestimated. This hike takes you up the Ap Lei Chau mountain peak, generally known as Mount Johnson, earlier than descending the opposite facet to a spit, connecting it to its smaller island, Ap Lei Pai.
This descent is the difficult bit. It’s steep, rocky, and sandy, and might be treacherous in the event you’re not cautious.
Fortuitously there’s a rope to carry on to in the event you’re not assured in your ft. We’ve additionally seen some folks sliding down on their bum!
It’s value it although, because the distant, windswept Ap Lei Pai is beautiful, and in the event you make it to the decrease west facet of the island, you’ll discover a pure swimming gap to chill off in.
This can be a level to level path, so you should return the way in which you got here.
The MacLehose Path (Part 2)
The MacLehose Path is a demanding 100-kilometre route throughout the New Territories, ranging from Sai Kung within the East and increasing throughout the complete nation, and ending on Lantau Island within the West.
It was chosen as one of many world’s 20 “dream trails” by Nationwide Geographic, and it’s straightforward to see why.
It encompasses one of the best of Hong Kong, and actually exhibits how a lot and the way numerous the nation’s nature actually is.
Whereas most individuals don’t have time to hike the complete 100km, those that wish to hike a brief part of it could actually achieve this because it’s conveniently break up up into 16 sections.
Probably the most stunning sections, which most individuals will agree, is part 2, which passes alongside the shoreline in Sai Kung. Part 1 is principally up a highway and boring, so we advocate skipping it and getting a taxi to part 2 on the UESCO International Geopark.
This part hugs the coast the complete approach earlier than chopping into the forest and passes via the distant village of Sai Wan, earlier than traversing onto the pristine seashores of Lengthy Ke Wan and Ham Tin.
The official path cuts into the mountains right here, however in the event you needed extra seashores, you could possibly stroll on from Ham Tin to Tai Wan Seaside, a few 15-20 minute stroll from right here, whic his our favourite seaside in Hong Kong.
It’s so wild and distant, and untouched, you’ll overlook that Hong Kong even has skyscrapers. You possibly can add extra problem to your hike by climbing up the close by Sharp Peak, or save that one for one more day.
Lion’s Rock
- Distance: 7.2 km
- Elevation: 552 metres
- Time to finish: 3 hours
- Problem: reasonably difficult
- Path head location: the trailhead is on the finish of the highway behind the Tsz Wan Kok Temple
Anybody who has already been climbing in Hong Kong was in all probability questioning once they began studying this information when Lion’s Rock Nation Park would come up.
It’s arguably probably the most well-known hike in Hong Kong, recognized for its views over Kowloon, Victoria Harbour, and Victoria Peak within the distance, in addition to the limestone rock formation which from the bottom degree trying up, resembles a lion’s head.
The Lion Rock hike isn’t the prettiest hike to start with. A lot of the path follows a highway which winds up the steep mountain facet for a lot of the approach, earlier than the path cuts into the dense, untamed brush.
You may make this hike simpler by taking a taxi up this highway, however the place’s the enjoyable in that?
While you get off the highway the path turns into unfastened underfoot, steep, and has some rocky sections. There are areas that require scrambling, and in the event you’re not cautious, you could possibly take a incorrect flip and find yourself on the fringe of a steep cliff.
The views from the highest are well worth the effort although. It’s notably good at sundown, simply carry a torch that can assist you in your approach down and follow the trail.
Ng Tung Chai to Tai Mo Shan
- Distance: 9.5 km
- Elevation: 849 metres
- Time to finish: 4 hours (although in the event you’re swimming within the waterfalls, permit at the least 6 hours)
- Problem: reasonably difficult
- Path head location: begin from the village of Ng Tung Chai right here
Tai Mo Shan is Hong Kong’s highest peak, and it actually interprets to Large Misty Mountain – the rationale for that turns into clear if you attain the highest, as I’ve not often seen it on a transparent day!
The path to the highest of Tai Mo Shan is steep and difficult, and requires a great deal of bodily exercise to do it.
The principle path principally follows a highway, so we advocate taking the Ng Tung Chai path which passes three stunning waterfalls that you just swim in on the way in which up.
Though you’re unlikely to get unimaginable views from the highest, with the ability to say you reached the very best level in Hong Kong is nothing to be modest about.
That is one path the place the journey is healthier than the vacation spot.
Twin Peaks / Wilson Path Part 1
- Distance:
- Elevation:
- Time to finish:
- Problem: reasonably difficult
- Path head location: begin from this highway and head south (backwards on the Wilson Path)
Whereas the MacLehose path goes from East to West, the Wilson Path goes from South to North.
The entire path extends for 81 km (50 miles) and passes via Hong Kong’s countryside and concrete landscapes.
The primary part is on Hong Kong island, and is usually known as Twin Peaks. It is because the path requires you to hike up two excessive peaks, earlier than descending the opposite facet.
I’d additionally advocate doing this hike backwards, from the north heading south. That is so that there’s much less of an upward climb to do (thank me later).
It’s also possible to prolong this hike to incorporate Violet Hill.
Though this hike isn’t probably the most difficult of the hikes, there’s a part that requires you to hike up round 1,200 stairs – and belief me, your thighs will really feel it the following day!
West Canine’s Enamel Hike
- Distance: 8.5 km
- Elevation: 930 meters
- Time to finish: 3-4 hours
- Problem: difficult
- Path head location: begin from right here, and comply with the Shek Pik Nation Path till you see an indication for West Canines Enamel in your proper. It would appear to be a steep boulder…sure, that’s the way in which up!
That is probably the most difficult hike I’ve performed in Hong Kong, and there have been moments the place I genuinely was scared to proceed.
Different folks will disagree although, and say it’s not that unhealthy. Nonetheless, that is my opinion, and I don’t assume it’s best to deal with this one except you’re an skilled hiker.
The path requires a number of scrambling over rocks and boulders, and it’s steep a lot of the approach. It will get its identify from the path resembling sharp, pointy canine enamel…you get the concept then!
This can be a very rugged, unmaintained path as much as Lantau Peak, and can even incorporate Sundown Peak too if you wish to prolong it.
The views are unimaginable, positively a few of the finest I’ve ever seen. And in the event you do make it to the height at Sundown – you’ll perceive why there’s a mountain referred to as Sundown Peak if you see it.
Remaining Ideas
So there you’ve it, these are a few of the finest hikes in Hong Kong. As you’ll be able to see, there are stunning seashores, marshes, wetlands teeming with life, and loads of out of doors adventures available in Hong Kong’s nature spots.
We couldn’t characteristic all the hikes in Hong Kong, there are over 520 of them, however we really feel these hikes are one of the best in Hong Kong’s 1,108 sq. kilometers of countryside.
Climbing is one thing I had by no means thought of about Hong Kong till our expat good friend informed us that was the place the sweetness lay.
Hong Kong isn’t just town, however a area comprised of over 200 offshore islands and greater than 330 hills!! That opens up a complete world of climbing experiences for you.
We don’t need you visiting Hong Kong considering it’s only a metropolis filled with skyscrapers like we did.
As nature lovers, and out of doors adventurers, we made a plan and left the skyscrapers behind. Do you assume we made the fitting alternative? Tell us what you assume within the feedback.
Hong Kong Climbing Excursions
In case you’re not snug climbing by yourself, you may like to hitch one of many following climbing excursions. To be taught extra about these hikes and how one can be a part of one, please remember to go to this website detailing the unimaginable adventures obtainable via June.
Extra Hong Kong and China Journey Ideas
Planning on visiting Hong Kong or China? Listed here are another guides which may be helpful…
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Do you know there was a lot nature in Hong Kong? Which of those Hong Kong hikes would you love to do? Tell us within the feedback.
