One of the great things about Hong Kong is the abundance of natural beauty and greenery surrounding the city. It makes getting a workout in nature easy! But with all the hiking trails you could explore, it's difficult to choose which one to do. Here's a list of 10 gorgeous hikes that I recommend in Hong Kong for a great workout!
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Whether you're living in Hong Kong or just visiting for a few days, I highly recommend hitting the trails. Hiking is a great way to get off-the-beaten path in Hong Kong in addition to getting a good workout!
Quick Notes about these Hikes
These 10 gorgeous Hong Kong hikes are listed in order of difficulty - starting with the easiest. My order and rankings are based on my own experience of hiking each trail and might be different for you.
How is Difficulty Determined?
As a rule, steep uphill sections in the hike tend to increase the "difficulty" rating for me. Alternatively, if the trail is paved and doesn't require scrambling over loose rocks or large boulders, it may receive an "easier" rating.
As I've hiked year-round in Hong Kong, I've found that the weather and the amount of shade on a trail makes a HUGE difference in how difficult the hike feels.
If it's a hot, humid, and sunny day, almost any hike makes me feel like I'm dying of heat exhaustion. I've tried to separate these factors from my ratings, but they might still play an unconscious part!
Need More Info on these Hikes?
Since I've written full hiking guides for the majority of these hikes, I've included links to the full articles below each hike listed.
Each hiking guide provides information on getting to the hike, a map with the route I took, and various other tips.
Tips to Keep in Mind for Hiking in Hong Kong
With almost any hike in Hong Kong, it's a good idea to bring lots of water, wear sunscreen and good sneakers, and expect a lot of stairs!
Tips for Avoiding Crowds while Hiking in Hong Kong
With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, gyms are closed again. This means more people out on the trails. Here are a couple tips for avoiding the crowds:
10 Gorgeous Hikes to Try in Hong Kong
Let's get started with these 10 gorgeous hikes in Hong Kong! Have you tried any of them? Let me know which ones are your favorites in the comments below!
1) Sai Wan Pavilion to Ham Tin Beach
Level of difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5.1 km / 3.2 mi
Total uphill climb: 90 m / 295 ft
Location: Sai Kung East Country Park, New Territories
Highlights:
Hiking to Ham Tin Beach from the Sai Wan Pavilion in Sai Kung's East Country Park is an easy and gorgeous hike in Hong Kong. With beautiful views and several beaches along the way, it's a great choice for a hot, summer day!
Views of High Island Reservoir last year - the water is so much higher than it is this year!
This hike begins along the northeastern side of the High Island Reservoir. You'll have views of the stunningly vibrant teal-colored water of the reservoir for the first part of the hike. Then as you crest the hill, you'll begin to see the shimmering sea ahead of you.
The first beaches you'll encounter are both at Sai Wan Village. For a shorter hike, you could stop your hike here. I recommend continuing on to Ham Tin Beach which is a larger and even more stunning beach.
Beautiful Ham Tin Beach
It's just a quick climb up the hill separating the beaches and you'll have lovely 360-degree views the entire way.
**Read the full hiking guide - Hiking to Ham Tin Beach in Sai Kung.
2) Dragon's Back to Big Wave Bay
Level of difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.6 km / 4.7 mi
Total uphill climb: 360 m / 1180 ft (gradual)
Location: Shek O Country Park, Hong Kong Island
Highlights:
Dragon's Back to Big Wave Bay is another perfect summer hike. This hike is extremely popular, in part because it's easier than many Hong Kong trails. It's also relatively convenient to many areas of Hong Kong. And the incredible 360-degree views don't hurt either!
The majority of this trail is flat with a couple gradual uphill sections. As you walk along the ridge - which looks like a Dragon's Back - you'll have gorgeous views on both sides of you. Sometimes you'll also see paragliders taking off from the ridge to sail across the sky.
If you want a short hike, you could just hike the ridge portion of the trail. But I recommend continuing on the trail through the forests of Skek O Country Park. Then, finish by climbing steeply downhill to Big Wave Bay Beach where you can cool off and relax.
**Read the full hiking guide - Dragon's Back to Big Wave Bay.
3) Lung Ha Wan Country Trail
Level of difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.4 km / 1.5 mi - one-way
Total uphill climb:
Location: Clearwater Bay Country Park, Hong Kong Island
Highlights:
The Lung Ha Wan Country Trail is a short and picturesque trail that runs the length of Clearwater Bay Country Park. It's another ridgeline trail with lovely, open views on all sides!
Although the trail itself is relatively short, if you take public transportation, you'll have to walk to the trailhead from the bus stop at Tai Au Mun. If you'd like a shorter hike, I suggest taking a taxi to Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre to start the hike. This means you'll only have to hike it one-way.
Hiking the trail from north to south will give you a gradual uphill climb, then a steep downhill climb back to the road. Alternatively, if you hike from south to north, you'll have a tough uphill climb to start so this direction (and if you hike it roundtrip) could be considered moderate.
Bit hazy on the day we hiked this trail so hard to make out the islands behind me!
After you hike this trail, you can make your way down to one of the two beaches at Clearwater Bay to relax and go for a swim. They're located on the southern end of Clearwater Bay Country Park.
**Full hiking guide coming... in the future.
4) Mount Davis Battery
Level of difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Distance: 6.6 km / 4.1 mi
Total uphill climb: 260 m / 853 ft
Location: Kennedy Town, Hong Kong Island
Highlights:
Since I've hiked up Mount Davis so many times for an outdoor workout, I decided to include it in this list. Because I live in Kennedy Town, it's an easy and convenient way for me to escape into nature!
Getting to the Mount Davis Path from the Kennedy Town MTR is an easy, gradual uphill walk on the sidewalk that runs along Victoria Road.
Once you reach the path, you'll gradually ascend on the heavily forested road. There are also several staircases that lead up to Mount Davis but many are overgrown so I tend to prefer the road.
Lamma Island viewpoint
As you climb, you'll begin to see old ruins of buildings which were part of the Mount Davis Battery - an important WWII artillery depot for the British armed forces. At the top, you'll find several buildings that are quite fun to explore.
Even though Mt. Davis Path is technically a road, most days you'll only have a few cars pass you. This tends to be a quieter section of Hong Kong and the wide road makes it easy to avoid getting to close to other hikers.
5) Mui Wo to Pui O Beach
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9.1 km / 5.7 mi
Total uphill climb: 290 m / 952 ft
Location: Mui Wo, Lantau South Country Park, Lantau Island
Highlights:
An easy 50-minute ferry ride from Central Hong Kong, Mui Wo is the jumping off point for this picturesque hike through the Lantau South Country Park.
The trail begins by hugging the coastline of Silver Mine Bay, then turns inland to head up into the mountains. Although much of the trail is flat, it's peppered with steep staircases which are intense climbs.
When you reach the helipad at the top of Tai Ngau Wu Peak, be sure to cross the field to reach the viewpoint. You'll have a magnificent view of Pui O town and the tall peaks across the valley.
View of Pui O town from Tai Ngau Wu Peak
From Tai Ngau Wu Peak, you'll have a steep downhill climb towards Pui O Beach. And though you can hike this trail in either direction, I recommend hiking from Mui Wo because the climb is more gradual in that direction.
**Read the full hiking guide - Mui Wo to Pui O Beach Hike.
6) Ling Kok Shan / Sok Kwu Wan Loop
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.3 km / 3.3 mi
Total uphill climb: 273 m / 896 ft
Location: Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island
Highlights:
The Sok Kwu Wan loop trail, or the Ling Kok Shan Hike, is a quite a workout. But as you climb the 1000+ steps to reach the top of Ling Kok Shan, you'll be awed by the views of Hong Kong Island and the South China Sea.
Because the majority of this hike is a relatively easy walk through the villages of Lamma Island with one steep climb, I've rated this hike as moderate. But the climb up to the summit is intense due to all the steps - especially coming from Mo Tat Wan.
Once you're at the top, spend time admiring the rock formations as there are several unique ones to see. I missed photographing a few of them on my first time hiking up Ling Kok Shan, so I'll have to go back!
**Read the full hiking guide - Ling Kok Shan Hike on Lamma Island.
7) Mount High West
Level of difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Distance: 6.7 km / 4.2 mi
Total uphill climb: 490 m / 1,607 ft
Location: Lung Fu Shan & Pok Fu Lam Country Parks, Hong Kong Island
Highlights:
Mount High West is one of the tallest peaks on Hong Kong Island and is a short, yet steep climb from Kennedy Town where I live. So if it's a clear day and I'm looking for a challenging outdoor workout - I climb Mt. High West.
You can reach Mount High West starting from many locations in Central & Western Hong Kong, but I like to start in Lung Fu Shan Country Park. There's plenty of shade and occasional views of Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island.
Once you reach the peak, you'll have incredible 360-degree views that are tough to beat! Generally, the temperature at the top of the peak will be much cooler than below and if it's a windy day, you'll have to hang on tight to your camera!
Heading down from Mt. High West, check out some of the other trails in Pok Fu Lam Country Park. Some fun places to explore are the old Pinewood Battery and the Hill Above Belcher's Falls. Only visit the falls if it's been raining recently though as they tend to dry up during dry spells.
**Read the full hiking guide - A Complete Guide to Hiking Mt. High West.
8) High Island Reservoir East Dam to Sai Wan Beach
Level of difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Distance: 6.6 km / 3.2 mi
Total uphill climb: 350 m / 1,148 ft
Location: Sai Kung East Country Park, New Territories
Highlights:
The hike from High Island Reservoir East Dam to Sai Wan Beach in Sai Kung is one of the most beautiful hikes I've done in Hong Kong. The trail is full of unobstructed views of the lush green mountains and blue-green sea water.
Due to its remoteness, this is one of the most difficult hikes to get to from Central Hong Kong. You'll have to leave early to allow enough time to get to the trailhead, enjoy the hike, and leave time for relaxing at the beach.
Starting at the High Island Reservoir East Dam, admire the unique hexagonal rock formations and the stunning teal-colored reservoir as you climb the first hill.
You'll reach the first beach - Long Ke - shortly after you start. If you're hot, take a dip to cool off before beginning the steep climb to Sai Wan Shan - the steepest point of the hike (314 m / 1,030 ft). As you climb, you'll be rewarded with stunning views, but little shade.
After reaching Sai Wan Shan, you'll gradually descend as you head towards the bay - Tai Long Wan - which has four incredibly lovely beaches.
Hard to beat the view of the beaches in Tai Long Wan
Depending on how tired you are, you could hike to any one of those beaches. When we hiked on a hot summer day, I only had enough energy to make it to the first one - Sai Wan Beach.
**Read the full hiking guide - High Island Reservoir East Dam to Sai Wan Beach Hike.
9) Chi Ma Wan Peninsula Loop
Level of difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 6.5 km / 4.0 mi
(9.5 km / 6 mi incl. walk from town)
Total uphill climb: 340 m / 1,115 ft
Location: Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island
Highlights:
The Chi Ma Wan Peninsula on Lantau Island has roughly 18 km (11 mi) of hiking trails covering it. This loop trail is nice way to begin exploring the peninsula and includes spectacular views from two separate peaks.
Since this is a loop hike, you could go in either direction. Because I prefer a more gradual uphill climb, we started on the eastern side of the trail which meant we ended at the Temple Crag. If you're taking public transportation to the hike, you'll also have to get to the trailhead from either Pui O town or Chi Ma Wan Pier.
Pro Tip: Be sure to stay on the hiking trails on the peninsula as there are several mountain bike trails that run through this area as well. These are often wider, have no steps, and are less shady. A wrong turn can add a lot of distance and sun to your hike!
The first part of this hike is on a nice forested trail which leads to a peaceful irrigation reservoir. Once you reach the Lung Mei statue, you'll begin climbing the first peak - Lo Yan Shan - which is the steepest point on Chi Ma Wan Peninsula. There's not much shade once you start climbing so I recommend wearing sunscreen!
Shap Long Irrigation Reservoir
After reaching the top of Lo Yan Shan, you'll descend about 70 m (230 ft), then head right back up to reach the Temple Crag. In my opinion, the views at the Temple Crag are the best of the entire hike!
View of Pui O Beach from Temple Crag
**Read the full hiking guide - Chi Ma Wan Peninsula Hike on Lantau Island.
10) Wong Nai Chung Reservoir to Stanley
Level of difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 5.2 km / 3.3 mi
Total uphill climb: 480 m / 1,575 ft
Location: Tai Tam Country Park, Hong Kong Island
Highlights:
The hike from Wong Nai Chung Reservoir to Stanley is one of the more difficult hikes on Hong Kong Island, in my opinion. With three peaks in a relatively short distance, this is an intense outdoor workout!
Starting at the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, the first part of the trail is a rather gradual ascent to Violet Hill. As you climb, be sure to look behind you for views of Wan Chai and Kowloon.
Once you crest the hill, you'll be able to see the beautiful greenery of Tai Tam Country Park and the Tai Tam Reservoir as you descend towards Repulse Bay.
After crossing Tze Kong Bridge - just above Repulse Bay - you'll begin the steepest part of the hike up to the Twins (221 m up in 650 m / 725 ft up in 0.4 mi). It's a tough climb. At the top, you won't find the best views because too many trees are in the way.
So many steps!
However, after you pass the second peak, you'll understand why this is such a gorgeous hike. The unobstructed views of Stanley and Tai Tam Bay make up for the lack of views at the top.
If you hike this trail from north to south as we did, you'll be able to admire these incredible views the entire steep climb down into Stanley.
**Read the full hiking guide - The Twins Hike: Wong Nai Chung Reservoir to Stanley.
Ready to Choose a Hike?
Hong Kong has so many gorgeous hikes which offer locals and visitors alike a great workout in nature! Hopefully these 10 hikes show you the range of incredible hiking opportunities available and get you started hiking in Hong Kong!
Happy hiking!
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Hi! Is this safe for solo traveller/hiker?
Great question! Hong Kong in general is quite safe. I would also consider any of the hikes I’ve listed in this article as safe for solo hikers. In fact, I’ve hiked several of them solo. These hikes aren’t overly difficult terrain-wise and are close to civilization so you should have cell service and other people on the trail with you in case of emergency. Just be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, a fully charged cell phone with an offline map, and wear good hiking shoes and you should be good to go. 🙂
I had no idea Hong Kong had so many amazing hikes to choose from and of course those spectacular views! Wish I’d known when I visited there as I would have definitely checked one out. I’m sure they are being well used these days 😀
Now you’ll just have to come back to Hong Kong, Linda! 😉 The trails are certainly popular these days – for those who can withstand the heat – since no one is traveling. Hiking is a great way to “get away” from the city, even though you’re really not that far away!
Love that you write about these quieter parts of Hong Kong. The summary box for each hike is so useful too. Really want to get back there again and hit a couple of these trails.
Thanks for checking out my post, Steven! I’m glad you enjoyed reading about the hikes and found the quick summaries helpful! I hope that one day you’ll be able to come visit and try some of these hikes. Maybe I’ll have even more Hong Kong hikes up by then!
Hard to put my finger on which one I like best. Perhaps the Sak Kwa Wan (did I spell that right) has the finest of the views. And big rocks. That’s always a draw.
Completely understand the difficulty in picking a favorite, John! I’ve hiked them all and can’t choose either. Though I loved them all, the location often determines which ones I hike multiple times. And in the summer, how much shade there is! 🙂