It’s Hong Kong’s favorite active outdoor craze, and you’ve been seeing the photos all over Instagram. But just which Hong Kong hiking trail boasts Insta-worthy snaps? We’ve rounded up the most scenic hiking trails right here, and ranked them by difficulty. Because no matter your fitness level, everyone deserves the opportunity for a good ‘gram.
Top tip: Whichever hike you choose, be sure to thoroughly research the route beforehand so you don’t get lost, and bring plenty of food and water. For some trails, proper hiking shoes are also recommended.
Garden Hill
More like a walk up the stairs than a hike, Garden Hill in Shek Kip Mei is one of the best – and free – vantage points to get a good look at old Hong Kong. Overlooking Sham Shui Po, the spot is perfect for night photography and as an escape from city life, even if it’s just a quick break.
How to get there: Take the MTR to Shek Kip Mei station (exit A) and walk to Mei Ho House along Barwick Street. There will be a path next to the building leading up to the stairs.
Duration: 10-20 minutes, and however long you’d like to stay.
Dragon’s Back
Though a well-trod path, Dragon’s Back remains one of the most well-loved hikes in Hong Kong for a reason. You have two options, one ending back where you started at the bus stop, or if you have more stamina, you can finish strong at Big Wave Bay for a beach day. Both options give you the scenic view over Shek O Beach some 20 minutes into the hike.
How to get there: From Shau Kei Wan MTR Station (exit A2), take bus 9 and alight at To Tei Wan, where the path begins.
Duration: 3-4 hours if you’re heading to Big Wave Bay, 2-3 if you’re ending at the bus stop.
Cape D’aguilar
Getting to the starting point of this hike is arguably a longer journey than actually navigating your way through the wilderness to the top of the small hill. Apart from being a great spot from which to watch the sunrise, there are also many natural rock formations in the area that you can admire and snap photos of.
How to get there: Take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR station and get off at Cape D’Aguilar road to start your hike. If you’re going in the middle of night, you can take a taxi straight up to Cape D’Aguilar radio station.
Duration: Around an hour and however long you’d like to stay.
Tung Chung Rescue Trail
If you’re up for a full day’s adventure, the Tung Chung Rescue Trail takes you away from the city and plants you straight in the woods – but without the need for hiking shoes. As the name suggests, the trail lies beneath the Ngong Ping 360 cable cars and is properly paved with cement and wooden stairs for safety reasons. It’s some steep steps and a long road, but it is also one of the more serene and less crowded trails in Hong Kong.
How to get there: Start from Ngong Ping Village (easier to find the path) and end at Yat Tung Estate or vice versa.
Duration: Three to four hours
Sunset Peak
If you’re not looking for greenery in your photo, Sunset Peak is the hike to conquer. Also known for an abundance of Silvergrass during autumn, Sunset Peak is the third highest peak in Hong Kong and the perfect place to appreciate the magic hour – hence the name.
How to get there: Start from anywhere on the Lantau Trail, the easiest being Pak Kung Au. Take bus 3M, 11 or 23 from Tung Chung.
Duration: Three to five hours, ending back at Pak Kung Au, or the other way to Pui O.
