Hong Kong Hiking Guide: My Favorite Trails & Views
TRAVELHIKING
Most people picture skyscrapers when they think of Hong Kong, but not mountains. That contrast is one of the things I love most about the city. You can go from busy streets and skyscrapers to peaceful hiking trails in no time, with incredible viewpoints overlooking the city, islands, and harbour.
Around three-quarters of Hong Kong is actually green space, and some of the best trails start just minutes from an MTR station. I was surprised by how easy it was to escape the city and get into nature, and the views were some of my favourite parts of Hong Kong.
Whether you're looking for an easy walk or a more challenging hike, there are trails for every level. Here is my Hong Kong Hiking Guide: Best Trails & Views to help you find the best routes for your trip.
Quick Answer: Best Hong Kong Hiking Trails
Easiest, best for everyone: Victoria Peak Loop, flat, paved, and still one of the best views in the city
The classic: Dragon's Back, Hong Kong's most famous hike for good reason. I'd start here myself if I only had one morning.
Best for skyline views: Lion Rock, a steep final scramble that pays off with 360 degrees over Kowloon
Best sunset hike: Sunset Peak on Lantau Island, silver grass slopes and genuinely dramatic light
Best for serious hikers: MacLehose Trail Section 2, or Sharp Peak if you want a real challenge
Easy: Victoria Peak Loop
The Victoria Peak Loop is proof that you don't need to suffer for a good view in Hong Kong. It's a flat, paved circular walk along Lugard Road and Harlech Road, and it delivers uninterrupted views over Victoria Harbour, Central, and Kowloon without a single steep climb. It's ideal for families, casual walkers, or anyone short on time who still wants the postcard shot. If you want more of a challenge, the trail connects to Mount High West through Pok Fu Lam Country Park, ending in a rockier scramble to a second, higher viewpoint.
Moderate: The Classics
Dragon's Back
Dragon's Back is Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail, and it's the hike most visitors do first, for good reason. It runs 8.5 kilometres through Shek O Country Park, climbing up to Shek O Peak before dropping down to the sand at Big Wave Bay. Expect 2 to 5 hours depending on your pace, with genuinely good coastal views the whole way. There are no shops along the route, so bring water and snacks before you start.
Lion Rock
Lion Rock is the hike for skyline views specifically. It's a 5.5-kilometre, moderate trail starting from Wong Tai Sin or Lion Rock Park, climbing through forest before a steep, exposed scramble over boulders near the top. You'll likely pass long-tailed macaques on the way up. The summit gives you a 360-degree view over the entire Kowloon peninsula and across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island.
If you don't want to tackle the hike alone, this hike is also offered as a group tour, which is a great way to enjoy the trail with other travellers.
Jardine's Lookout
Jardine's Lookout is short but genuinely worth it if you're pressed for time. Starting near Tai Hang, it climbs 433 metres through shaded woodland to a rocky summit looking down over Causeway Bay, Happy Valley Racecourse, and Victoria Harbour. Many hikers pair it with nearby Mount Butler for a longer route, and it's especially good at sunrise or sunset.
Sunset Peak
True to its name, Sunset Peak on Lantau Island is reputed to be one of the best places in Hong Kong to watch the sun go down. The trek starts at Pak Kung Au and climbs steadily through grassy slopes that shimmer silver in the wind, past stone huts built by missionaries in the 1920s, up to golden views over the South China Sea.
Challenging: For Serious Hikers
MacLehose Trail, Section 2
The full MacLehose Trail runs 100 kilometres across the New Territories and is listed among National Geographic's dream trails, but Section 2, from Pak Tam Au to the High Island Reservoir, is the stretch most hikers single out. It combines lush mountain scenery with pristine coastline, ending near the reservoir's striking hexagonal volcanic rock columns.
Sharp Peak
Sharp Peak isn't Hong Kong's highest mountain, but it's the most precipitous, and it earns its name. The round trip runs about 14.5 kilometres, and it's often done at sunrise or sunset for panoramic views over the Sai Kung coastline. This one is genuinely demanding, save it for when you're properly warmed up on Hong Kong's easier trails first.
Practical Tips
What to Pack
Bring more water than you think you need. Several of these trails, Dragon's Back especially, have no shops along the route. Sturdy shoes matter more here than on most city hikes, since the final sections of Lion Rock, Sharp Peak, and Mount High West all involve rocky scrambling rather than a maintained path.
Best Time to Hike
Early morning is the best window most of the year, both for cooler temperatures and clearer light. Sunset Peak and Sharp Peak are the two exceptions, genuinely built around timing your summit for late afternoon rather than avoiding the heat.
Getting to the Trailheads
Hong Kong's trailheads are unusually well connected for a hiking destination. Most, including Dragon's Back, Lion Rock, and Jardine's Lookout, are reachable directly by MTR and a short walk or bus ride, without needing a car or an organised tour.
My Recommendations
If you only have one morning, do Dragon's Back. It's the trail that made me fall for hiking in Hong Kong in the first place, and it's short enough to fit around the rest of a packed itinerary. If you've got a full day and want something quieter, Sunset Peak is worth the trip out to Lantau on its own. For me, this is genuinely the reason Hong Kong beats most other Asian cities as a destination: nowhere else gives you mountains this dramatic sitting this close to a skyline.
FAQs
Is Hong Kong good for hiking? Absolutely! Hong Kong is surprisingly good for hiking, with mountains, coastal trails, lush greenery, and incredible viewpoints just a short MTR ride from the city. Whether you want an easy walk or a challenging climb, there are plenty of trails to choose from.
What is the most beautiful hike in Hong Kong? Dragon’s Back is often considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Hong Kong, with sweeping views of the coastline, mountains, and surrounding islands. For iconic city and skyline views, however, Lion Rock is hard to beat.
Is hiking in Hong Kong safe for beginners? Yes, especially trails like the Victoria Peak Loop and Dragon's Back, which are well-marked and don't require technical experience. Trails like Sharp Peak and Lion Rock's final scramble are better suited to hikers with some experience.
Do I need a guide to hike in Hong Kong? No. Most of the popular trails are well-signposted and reachable by public transport, so a guide isn't necessary for the trails covered here.
What is the best hike in Hong Kong for sunset? Sunset Peak on Lantau Island is the trail most associated with sunset specifically, though Jardine's Lookout and Sharp Peak are also popular for evening light.
How long is the MacLehose Trail? The full trail runs 100 kilometres across the New Territories, divided into ten sections. Most visitors hike a single section, commonly Section 2, rather than the entire route.
Final Thoughts
Hiking was honestly one of the things that surprised me most about Hong Kong. Being able to leave the busy streets behind and find yourself surrounded by mountains, greenery, and incredible views within minutes makes the city feel completely different.
I hope my Hong Kong Hiking Guide: Best Trails & Views helps you discover this side of Hong Kong and find a trail that suits your trip. Whether you choose Lion Rock for the skyline or Dragon’s Back for the coastal views, make sure you leave some time in your itinerary to get out and explore.
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