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13 December 2018

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Hiking Season: Trails to Try

Now the weather’s cooled down, Hong Kong’s hiking trails are heating up. There are hundreds to choose from, so to help you narrow down your options (sans the ones you probably know already – cue Dragon’s Back, The Twins and the more popular parts of the Maclehose Trail), we round up five of our favourite walking routes across a range of levels.

Tai Tan Country Trail is perfect for those looking for coastal scenery. Flickr/bluebulgaria

1. Tai Tan Country Trail

A coastal hike that passes scenery including the Tai Tan Channel and Ko Lau Wan and an abandoned lime kiln before Hoi Ha Village – a famous relic filled with oyster shells and coral skeletons that has been there since the 1800s. There are a few uphill sprints, but enough downhill sections to catch your breath.

Distance: 6.7 km

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Starting point: Hau Tong Kai

Finishing point: Hoi Ha Village

Stage 3 West Sai Kung Peninsula features three grueling 400 metre peaks. Flickr/cyalex

2. West Sai Kung Peninsula

Stage 3 of the Maclehose is a serious workout. You’ll need to prepare yourself for strenuous climbs over three mountains, each almost 400 metres high. Memorable views in almost every direction (including west to Tai Po and south to Ma On Shan) will help keep you distracted and add to the reward.

Distance: 10 km

Duration: 4 hours

Starting Point: Pak Tam Au

Finishing Point: Kei Ling Ha

Difficulty: Very difficult

If you get up early enough, a legendary sunrise view awaits you at the peak of Section 3 of the Lantau Trail. Unsplash/Ryan Chia

3. Section 3, Lantau Trail

The highest point on Lantau Island makes for arguably the best sunrise scenery in Hong Kong. Be prepared to reach the hike’s most gruelling part, the ‘ladder’ – knee-high steep steps that climb the mountainside.

Distance: 4.5 km

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Starting point: Pak Kung Au

Finishing Point: Ngong Ping

Difficulty: Difficult

You’ll find scenic serenity in the greenery-filled Kap Lung Ancient Trail. Flickr/danchanym

4. Kap Lung Ancient Trail

Wind through plantations, hill streams and old rural communities on a path lined with towering old trees within Tai Lam Country Park. An abundance of wild animals and forest birds add to the trail’s serenity.

Distance: 2 km

Duration: 1 hour

Start point: Tsuen Kam Au

Finishing point: Lui Kung Tin

Difficulty: Easy

Look down on impressive ocean views from the top of the High Junk Peak Country Trail. Wikimedia Commons

5. High Junk Peak Country Trail

This lengthy hike offers a long stretch of trail reaching a peak 344 meters above sea level. It’s ideal for intermediate hikers looking for ocean views – you’ll be able to spot Port Shelter, Hong Kong Island, Clearwater Bay and Basalt Island while on your trek.

Distance: 6.4 km

Duration: 3 hours

Start point: Ng Fai Tin

Finishing point: Tai Miu Au

Difficulty: Intermediate