<h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Tai Po Kau forest offers a range of beautiful circular routes that are all easy to hike with elevations between 100-400m. The native reserve is lush with wildlife, and the dense trees provide shade, making it a perfect hike for those with sensitive skin and short necks. Beware of monkeys 🐒 (especially near the brown and yellow walks) who may steal your lunch or taunt your dog, and bird watchers’ telephoto lens and expensive gear that may get in your way. The different paths are marked by distinct wooden signs throughout the trail that are difficult to miss.</p> <p><img src="/assets/Tai Po Kau Forest Hike-monkey.webp" alt="Tai Po Kau monkey" /></p> <p>The circular routes from shortest to longest:</p> <ul> <li><span style="color:red">Red walk</span> — 3km · <1h</li> <li><span style="color:blue">Blue walk</span> — 4km · 1h</li> <li><span style="color:brown">Brown walk</span> — 7km · 2.5h</li> <li><span style="color:goldenrod">Yellow walk</span> — 10km · 3.5h</li> </ul> <p><img src="/assets/Tai Po Kau Forest Hike-2.webp" alt="Trees everywhere in the Tai Po Kau forest hike" /></p> <h2 id="hike-elevation">Hike elevation</h2> <p>The walk up to …
<h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>The Cloudy Hill-Wong Leng-Pat Sin Leng hike is a 7-hour hike for the experienced and energetic hiker looking for a good workout. This undulating section of the Wilson Trail meanders through eight iconic hills named after immortals in Chinese Mythology, views of Shenzhen, and the beautiful Tai Mei Tuk reservoir.</p> <p>For a shorter 5-hour hike, opt for a starting route from Hok Tau. The path joins Wilson Trail past Hok Tau Reservoir.</p> <p><img src="/assets/Pat Sin Leng Hike-2.webp" alt="Steep cliffs along the ridge" /></p> <p>True to its namesake, the Pat Sin Leng hike elevates hikers to the harsh realms of the gods. Those who are willing to brave the biting winds and precipitous slope will discover a path through stunning v-shaped valleys, panoramic views of Tai Po, and a newfound appreciation of nature’s tranquility.</p> <p>Follow signs to Cloudy Hill, Pat Sin Leng, and Tai Mei Tuk. The path is quite bare and windy, so make sure to bring enough water and sunscreen. Prepare a jacket, hat and gloves for chilly days.</p> <h2 id="hike-elevation">Hike elevation</h2> <ul> <li>Cloudy Hill (440m) - the ascent towards the hilltop is moderately st…
<h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>The Twins and Violet Hill hike is one of the hardest hikes in Hong Kong. It’s perfect if you want a quick and intense workout. The hike is also known as “A Thousand Steps”, which refers to the number of steps between The Twins peak and Stanley.</p> <p>The trail starts from Parkview/Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, goes up Violet Hill, back down and then up The Twins, and finally down to Stanley Gap Road, where you can catch a bus or walk to Stanley and relax or grab some food.</p> <p><img src="/assets/The Twins Hike and Violet Hill-2.webp" alt="View of Parkview Heights and Island cityscape from the initial ascent to Violet Hill from Wong Nai Chung Reservoir" /></p> <h2 id="hike-elevation">Hike elevation</h2> <p>The bus stop at Wong Nai Chung Gap is around 200m above sea level. The first ascent to Violet Hill peak reaches 400m elevation, and then dips down to 140m at the valley parallel to Repulse Bay. The Twins peaks are roughly 340m and 360m. The trail ends at 100m in Stanley Gap Road. The steepness up and down both mountains are similar.</p> <p><img src="/assets/The Twins Hike and Violet Hill-3.webp" alt="Halfway through the hike, past Violet Hil…
<h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>The hike from Mui Wo to Pui O beach features views of the surrounding ocean southeast of Lantau Island. The moderate hike has a 260m elevation and is great for people who love nature and beaches.</p> <p>Make sure to bring plenty of water on a sunny day, as the hiking path is quite bare and there is few shaded resting spots.</p> <p><img src="/assets/Mui Wo to Pui O Beach Hike-2.webp" alt="View from Tai Ngau Wu Teng, the highest point of the hike" /></p> <h2 id="hike-elevation">Hike elevation</h2> <p>The maximum elevation of this hike is roughly 260m above sea level at Tai Ngau Wu Teng. The ascent and descent are moderate. Areas near the start and end of the hike are flat and easy to walk.</p> <p><img src="/assets/Mui Wo to Pui O Beach Hike-3.webp" alt="Rocky steps of the trail" /></p> <h2 id="trail-surface">Trail surface</h2> <p>The majority of the trail is dirt/clay with rock steps that is easy to walk in. However, there is a small section where the clay steps started to erode from the rock structures.</p> <h2 id="transport">Transport</h2> <h3 id="going-to-the-starting-point">Going to the starting point</h3> <p>Take the Mui Wo ferry from Cen…
<h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>The hiking trail begins at Shek Pik Reservoir, and heads southwest towards Fan Lau, then north to end at Tai O. There’s minimal elevation in this hike and the surface is 90% concrete. Few views of Lantau west coast beaches and rocks.</p> <p>This trail is done in reverse to make it easier to get on a bus on the return trip back to Tung Chung. Getting on a bus from Shek Pik is difficult if the buses are full already.</p> <p>The start of the trail begins next to the Shek Pik Reservoir and Shek Pik Prison, and heads southwest with a few views of Tai Long Wan beach and the ocean to the south. The entirety of Section 8 has a concrete surface.</p> <p><img src="/assets/Shek Pik, Fun Lau, Tai O Hike-2.webp" alt="Concrete surface" /></p> <p>Thankfully, the trail enters a dirt path into Fan Lau (分流)—the southwest tip of Lantau Island, home to a fort, temple, and several relics. Enjoy the most beautiful part of the trail here: open views of Fan Lau east and west coast beaches.</p> <p>There’s a couple of food stalls and a public toilet in Fan Lau village.</p> <p>Past Fun Lau, head north towards Tsin Yue Wan and Tai O. In Tsin Yue Wan, the trail runs off …
Tai Mo Shan Hike Medium · 4h · 9.7km · Maclehose Trail Section 8 · New Territories (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Tai Mo Shan is Hong Kong’s highest mountain, with a peak elevation of 957m. Its nickname in Chinese is 大霧山—Big Mist Mountain (which is also pronounced Tai Mo Shan) because it’s always covered by clouds (especially during March and April). Tai Mo Shan is also one of the only places in Hong Kong that falls below freezing point (0°C) during winter. Every year, frost chasers walk up the mountain in hope of finding frost and ice. The mountain stretches through the middle of New Territories, with views of surrounding towns like Tai Po, West New Territories, and even the Shen Zhen’s cityscape on a clear day. The trail itself is not that difficult compared to others like Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak, due to the gradual ascent and car-road S-curved descent. ⚠ The starting point of this hike is around 1-2 hours walk away from the closest public transport at San Uk Ka (a 5-minute minibus ride from Tai Po Market MTR station). Hike elevation The hike begins at San Uk Ka, located in South of Tai Po and approximately 120m above sea level. The 1-2 hou…
Keung Shan and Ling Wui Shan Hike Medium · 3h · 7.5km · Lantau Trail Section 5 · Lantau (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Lantau Trail Section 5 begins at Keng Shan Road by the Sham Wat Road bus stop and goes through three mountains: Kwun Yam Shan, Keung Shan (459m) and Ling Wui Shan (490m.) Enjoy scenic views of surrounding southwest-Lantau mountains and oceans at the peaks of each mountain. The trail ends at Lung Tsai Ng Yuen, a private dilapidated park with ponds, bridges, and houses. Hike elevation The hike starts at 260m elevation. The trail moderately climbs to the first peak Kwun Yam Shan at 434m. It descends gradually to a ridge at 320m and then ascends to Keung Shan at 459m. Past Keung Shan, the trail drops and rises in a low gradient towards Ling Wui Shan at 490m. The initial descent from Ling Wui Shan is steep and difficult. The trail continues downhill towards Man Cheung Po / Tai O and ends at Lung Tsai Ng Yuen at 220m. Trail surface Section 5’s trail surface makes it enjoyable to hike. Mixed regular and irregular rock steps make up the majority of ascents and descents. Along the gentler slopes and plateaus are dirt paths. Overall the tr…
Jardine’s Lookout and Mount Butler Hike Hard · 1.5h · 4km · Hong Kong Trail Section 5 · Hong Kong Island (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Hong Kong Trail Section 5 begins at Wong Nai Chung Road and passes through Jardine’s Lookout (433m) and Mount Butler (436m.) Throughout parts of the hike, enjoy views of the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (if the skies are clear) cityscape to the north, and Tai Tam Reservoir and surrounding mountains to the south. Although this section is fairly short, the ascents and sharp descents make it a fairly difficult hike. ⚠ The closest transportation from the endpoint is in Quarry Bay, an additional one-hour walk down Mount Parker Road. Alternatively, continue to Section 6, where there is transportation to Sai Wan Ho at the end. Hike elevation Section 5 begins at roughly 200m above sea level and moderately ascends to Jardine’s Lookout at 433m. The trail descends rapidly with plenty of steep stairs. It plateaus momentarily at 300m and then climbs to Mount Butler peak at 436m. The ending point is at 320m elevation. Trail surface The majority of the hike is flat, hard steps. The steps during the descent from Jardine’s Lookou…
Pyramid Hill Hike Hard · 5h · 12.7km · Maclehose Trail Section 4 · New Territories (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Maclehose Trail Section 4 is one of the hardest sections. The hike is 12.7km and takes around 5 hours to complete. It begins at Kei Ling Ha, where Sai Kung West Country Park meets Ma On Shan Country Park. The trail goes through several climbs through Ma On Shan, the highest point being 540m above sea level along the ridges near Pyramid Hill. At the plateau, enjoy panoramic views of the Sai Kung Islands to the East, and Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, and Tai Po to the West. The trail ends at Tai Lo Shan in the middle of the mountains with no public transport nearby. Make sure to plan ahead and account for extra time and water to get down the mountains. The walk down to Ho Chung, Siu Lek Yuen, or Diamond Hill takes an additional 1-2 hours. Hike elevation The initial one-hour climb from Kei Ling Ha is moderate. The walk starts at 160m above sea level and reaches 220m before gradually plateauing around 200-220m. The trail ascends to 540m near Ma On Shan and drops to 400m past the ridge and at Ngong Ping viewing point. The trail continues along the …
West Sai Kung Hike Hard · 4h · 10.2km · Maclehose Trail Section 3 · New Territories (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Maclehose Trail Section 3 is a difficult hiking trail in West Sai Kung that climbs over three mountains between Pak Tam Au and Kei Ling Ha. The trail heads straight into nature, surrounded by greenery and mountains from all directions. To the west, the direction of the trail, are views of Ma On Shan and Tai Po past Tolo Harbour. Looking back throughout the trail are views of East Sai Kung, and South China Sea beyond the mountains. The elevation gains—especially the last climb to Kai Kung Shan, and mixture of flat steps and rocky surface make this hike difficult to climb. The trail experience is perfect for those who want a challenge. Make sure you carry plenty of water, especially in the summer and on sunny days, as the majority of the trail is without shade. Hike elevation The trail begins at 180m above sea level and ascends to Ngau Yi Shek Shan (Cow Ear Rock Mountain) / Ngam Tau Shan (Rock Head Mountain) at 400m through a series of moderate rock steps. Beautiful views of mountains all around Sai Kung stretch to the horizon line. Pa…
Ngong Ping Hike Medium · 1h · 2.5km · Lantau Trail Section 4 · Lantau (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Lantau Trail Section 3 is a short hike around the north side of Ngong Ping. The trail offers views of the Ngong Ping village, including Tian Tan Buddha, from a high vantage point. Make sure to also check out the Wisdom Path at the ending point of Section 3 and the beginning point of Section 4. The path is lined with 38 wooden monuments inscribed with the Heart Sutra prayer and created by Professor Jao Tsung-I. The columns are arranged in a figure-of-eight formation to symbolize infinity. Past the village, the trail heads southwest along Ngong Ping Road. By the road is Shek Pik Viewing Point, a windy spot situated right above two cliffs. The trail continues down the road and ends at Sham Wat Road. Hike elevation Section 3 starts at the base of Fung Wong Shan at 460m above sea level. The beginning section ascends to 530m and maintains that altitude along the north side of the village while heading westbound. The trail descends back to 440m at Ngong Ping Piazza. Upon leaving Ngong Ping, the trail descends though the gentle slopes of Ngong Ping Road a…
Needle Hill and Grassy Hill Hike Medium · 2.5h · 6.2km · Maclehose Trail Section 7 · New Territories (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Maclehose Trail Section 7 is a hike along the ridges in Shing Mun Country Park. It begins at Shing Mun Reservoir and ends at Lead Mine Pass, through Needle Hill and Grassy Hill. ⚠ The ending point’s closest transport options are 1-2 hours walk away (Tai Po or Fo Tan marked in map.) The hike offers serene views of Shing Mun Reservoir and the mountain ridges. On a clear day, views of West Kowloon and New Territories (from Tsuen Wan to Cheung Sha Wan,) and even the Ting Kau Bridge are visible from the climb to Needle Hill (532m.) On the opposite side, facing east, are views of Tai Wai and Sha Tin with a backdrop of mountains from earlier Maclehose sections, including Lion Rock. Past Needle Hill, the trail continues north towards Grassy Hill at 647m. The climb to Grassy Hill is more gradual compared to Needle Hill. As the name suggests, Grassy Hill is quite grassy, and is home to plenty of cows. At higher elevations, enjoy the views of Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui, and Lo Wu. Hike elevation The hike begins at 200m above …
Kowloon Reservoirs Hike Easy · 1.5h · 4.6km · Maclehose Trail Section 6 · New Territories (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Map Description Maclehose Trail Section 6 begins at Tai Po Road, by Shek Lei Pui Reservoir, just north of Cheung Sha Wan. The hike heads north and passes through Kam Shan, with views of the Kowloon Reservoirs and the West Kowloon/New Territories cityscape. Trenches and tunnels, part of the Shing Mun War Relics, surround the path near the end of the trail. 🐒 Monkeys roam around Kam Shan and Tai Po Road. Make sure you’re not carrying any food in an open bag. Sneaky monkies know how to pickpocket! Hike elevation The starting point at Golden Hill Road is 160m above sea level. Past the first dam between Kowloon Baywash and Kowloon Reservoir, the trail gradually ascends to Kam Shan at 280m elevation. From Kam Shan, the trail descends to 220m. Upon leaving Golden Hill Road, the trail rises steadily to 260m through a series of rock steps. The city view of Kwai Chung covers the west side of the trail, and the Lower Shing Mun Reservoir to the right. The trail comes to an end at 200m in the Shing Mun BBQ area, a popular site for locals and tourists. Tra…