Don't Miss Out On These 5 Spectacular Hikes in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a hiking paradise. Even though the city only occupies an area of approximately 2.8km2 (which, in a list of countries and territories, makes it one of the smallest in the world), it boasts hundreds of kilometres of prime hiking and running trails.
Here is our list of 5 hikes in Hong Kong that everyone should do at least once in a lifetime!
Our List of the 5 Best Hikes in Hong Kong
Note that we did not pick the usual, beginner-friendly hikes that are frequently mentioned on other websites, such as Dragon's Back, Victoria Peak, or The Twins (which are all fantastic hikes in their own right). Our list is based on our experience of having lived in Hong Kong and having hiked (almost) everywhere.
Victoria Peak, The Twins, and Dragon's Back are great and very well-known hikes, but they also get very busy at times, especially on weekends. Our list contains more advanced hikes, which are less crowded and are not on Hong Kong Island.
So here we go: 5 Spectacular Hikes in Hong Kong That Everyone Should Do at Least Once!
___
1. Pat Sin Leng or The 8 Immortals
- Location: New Territories
- Start: Hok Tau Reservoir
- Finish: Tai Mei Tuk
- Distance: 11.7km
- Elevation Gain: 970 meters
- Difficulty: Medium
- What's along the way? Nothing! Bring plenty of water & food. There are no stores, vending machines, or refill points along the way.
Pat Sin Leng, or The 8 Immortals, is one of Hong Kong's most scenic hiking routes. It offers stunning views of the New Territories on one side and Shenzhen on the other.
___
Named after eight hills that hikers conquer as they walk along the mountain ridge, The 8 Immortals is a not-to-missed hike while in Hong Kong. It is also part of many popular trail running races in Hong Kong, such as the North Face 100, which leads along the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail.
Viewed from Tai Mei Tuk (at sea level), the 8 Immortals don't look very intimidating - but be prepared for an exhausting hike with a lot of up and down, and make sure to bring plenty of water! Once you're on Pat Sin Leng, you can only complete the hike by finishing it or returning to the start. There's no other way to go down from the mountain ridge.
For the full route, visit Pat Sin Leng - Hiking Trail HK
___
2. Sai Kung - Along the Beaches
- Location: Sai Kung
- Start: Long Ke
- Finish: Pak Tam Au
- Distance: 14.0km
- Elevation Gain: 900 meters
- Difficulty: Medium
- What's along the way? There are restaurants in Ham Tin and Sai Wan, that which offer food and drinks.
For short-term visitors to Hong Kong, Sai Kung Country Park is probably one of the best surprises of Hong Kong. Sai Kung has unspoilt beaches, beautiful hiking and running trails, and crystal-clear water to swim in.
___
There are many beautiful hikes in Sai Kung, but one of the best (and easiest to follow) takes hikers from Long Ke to Pak Tam Au. This hike is also part of the famous MacLehose Trail (Section 2), and there's signage along the way, making it very hard to get lost. Even better, there are restaurants along the way, at both Sai Wan and Ham Tin beach, which offer food and drinks.
For those who do not want to complete the entire hike, there's also the option to get a boat back from Ham Tin to Sai Kung. Note that boats do not run daily and that it is best to check in advance by calling one of the restaurants in Ham Tin, if this is your preferred choice.
One little detour worth taking is visiting Tai Wan Beach, Sai Kung's biggest and one of Hong Kong's most beautiful beaches. Pack swimming gear to go for a well-deserved dip along the way!
For the full route (without the detour to Tai Wan), visit our MacLehose Trail Section 2 blog post.
___
3. Sharp Peak
- Location: Sai Kung
- Start: Pak Tau Au
- Finish: Pak Tam Au
- Distance: 15.80km
- Elevation Gain: 1100 meters
- Difficulty: Difficult
- What's along the way? Nothing! Bring plenty of water & food. There are no stores, vending machines or refill points along the way.
Here's another great hike in Sai Kung. Unlike the second hike on this list, this one is considered a difficult hike, and it's not for the faint-hearted.
___
Sharp Peak is one of Hong Kong's most recognizable mountain peaks. Its name is a dead giveaway too: it is very sharp and steep!
At 468 meters, Sharp Peak is the highest mountain peak in Sai Kung. Do not attempt this hike, unless you're in good shape and ready to take on a challenge! The hike is very exposed and can get very hot on the way up. It is also quite rocky and steep, so make sure to be physically ready for a tough uphill and downhill.
Note that very fit hikers and trail runners who are looking for a longer run with a lot of elevation can start at Long Ke, follow the MacLehose Trail—Section 2, add Sharp Peak, and finish at Pak Tam Au. The total distance will easily exceed 25 kilometres, so do not attempt this unless you are a seasoned athlete!
For the full route, visit Sharp Peak - Hiking Trail HK
___
4. MacLehose Trail - Stage 4
- Location: Sai Kung & Kowloon
- Start: Kei Ling Ha
- Finish: Tai Lo Shan
- Distance: 12.60km
- Elevation Gain: 1000 meters
- Difficulty: Medium
- What's along the way? Nothing! Bring plenty of water & food. There are no stores, vending machines, or refill points along the way.
We are back on the MacLehose Trail. Stage 4 of the MacLehose Trail leads hikers away from Sai Kung and towards Kowloon. Along the way, hikers pass Ma On Shan which offers stunning vistas onto Sai Kung below.
___
For those who wish to finish in Sai Kung, exit the trail by taking a shortcut along the Ma On Shan Country Trail. The trail takes you straight down into the heart of Sai Kung, with plenty of great seafood restaurants as well as convenient public transport options.
If you wish to finish the entire hike, follow the signs of the MacLehose Trail. This will take you back into the forest and along a very runnable trail that leads to Kowloon. At the finish, you'll be rewarded with great views of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island from Kowloon Peak Viewing Point.
For the full route, visit our MacLehose Trail Section 4 blog post.
___
5. Lantau Island: Mui Wo to Big Buddha
- Location: Lantau Island
- Start: Nam Shan
- Finish: Ngong Ping / Big Buddha
- Distance: 12.40km
- Elevation Gain: 1000 meters
- Difficulty: Medium
- What's along the way? Not much. At Pak Kung Au (after Sunset Peak), there is a bus stop where hikers can exit if they do not wish to climb up Lantau Peak.
No visit to Hong Kong would be complete without a hike on Lantau Island, Hong Kong's "adventure playground" and home to Hong Kong's two highest, climbable peaks, Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak.
The View from Lantau Peak
___
This hike follows the famous Lantau Trail from its start in the small coastal town of Mui Wo, which is easily accessible by ferry from Hong Kong Island, all the way to the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping. For those who want to shorten the hike, consider starting at Nam Shan instead (this is our recommendation because the walk from Mui Wo to Nam Shan just follows a road).
The hike packs a lot of elevation as hikers first climb Sunset Peak and then Lantau Peak before climbing down towards the Big Buddha. At the Big Buddha, hikers and runners can find all the conveniences of modern-day life: a 7/11, Starbucks, restaurants, and great public transport options to Tung Chung, which has an MTR station.
For those who prefer hiking up only one mountain instead of two, our recommendation is to start at Pak Kung Au and go up Lantau Peak. This is a 4.2km hike with 630 meters of elevation, and the views are absolutely worth the many, many stairs on the way up!
___
The View from Lantau Peak
