These are the best mountain biking trails in Hong Kong

You might not think of Hong Kong, a city renowned for the hustle and bustle of its urban sprawl, as a cycling destination. But there’s a plethora to explore on two wheels. Hong Kong’s country parks account for around 40 per cent of its land, and despite being only minutes from the city, these areas feel a world away from the urban jungle. Add a unique topography, consisting of 579 named peaks, and you have the elements of a mountain biking paradise. 

People are catching on to Hong Kong’s cycling trails. Mountain biking legend Hans Rey once described the city as the home to Asia’s “most impressive trail network and mountain biking community” during his last visit in 2019. That said, it’s not quite as simple as grabbing your bike and heading for the nearest hills. 

What to know about mountain biking in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong SAR government has designated 15 official mountain biking trails in country parks. It’s important to note that outside of these sanctioned bike trails, it is illegal to bike on hiking trails, and riders will be liable for a fine if stopped by the police, which is not unheard of.

Among the official routes, several have been helpfully rated using the International Mountain Bicycling Association ratings system , adapted from the one used at ski resorts globally.

It runs from White Circle (easiest) to Double Black Diamond (extremely difficult) and defines the trail width, size of its natural obstacles, and technical features. Beginners should feel comfortable with White and Green Circle (easy) trails, while Blue Square (more difficult) and Black Diamond (very difficult) trails offer interesting challenges for intermediate and experienced riders.

In addition to basic biking skill, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) – which manages the official mountain bike trails – strongly suggests that you have a helmet that meets US safety standards and bike tyres with a width of at least 4.5cm.

Companies like Mountain Bike Hong Kong offer bike rental and guided rides. If you have your own bike, consider downloading the Gogo Van app to organise transport to and from the trails, instead of taking taxis or cycling all the way.

Finally, while everything is open year-round, November to March is the coolest, driest season. Watch out for summer heat and wet conditions during the rest of the year.

Hong Kong’s best mountain biking trails 

Ready to go? Here are our top 10 Hong Kong bike trails, for all levels of experience.

Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice Ground, Lantau South Country Park

Best for variety  

Lantau’s labyrinth of trails is the ideal place to get started – or get back into the sport. You can rent bikes from Mui Wo and cycle directly up to the newly built park to enjoy its 9km of practice routes, which range from White to Double Black Diamond. 
 

Pui O to Kau Ling Chung Mountain Bike Trail, Lantau South Country Park 

Best for a relaxed ride 

Rated as White, this trail is mostly flat and well-suited to beginners who want to stretch their legs. It’s a well-hiked route owing to the beautiful views it affords of Shek Pik Reservoir and the Lantau Channel. At 17.2km, it’s a satisfying distance without being overly challenging.

Hoi Ha to Wan Tsai Mountain Bike Trail, Sai Kung West Country Park and Sai Kung West Country Park (Wan Tsai Extension)

Best for a view of the Chinese Mainland 

As a Green trail and only 5km in length, this route is accessible to most riders and comes with the reward of sweeping views north from Sai Kung Peninsula, allowing you to take in the vastness of the Chinese Mainland.

Ho Pui Mountain Bike Trail, Tai Lam Country Park

Best for a technical challenge 

Both park and trail are very popular, with the latter comprising a mix of technical and cross-country trails which you can combine to get in some serious mileage. For an added challenge, tackle the 957m Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak. There are some steep drops on the Black Diamond Ho Pui trail, so be extra careful if it has rained recently.

Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Mountain Bike Trail, Tai Lam Country Park  

Best for social media 

Among the easiest of the trails in Tai Lam, this route offers spectacular views of the reservoir and plenty of Instagrammable photo opportunities. You can also extend this 8.8km Green to Blue trail into a 21km loop, if you’re seeking a longer adventure.  

Chi Ma Wan Mountain Bike Trail, Lantau South Country Park 

Best for kicking up some dirt 

The mostly dirt, up and down trail – well, two trails really, a Blue and a Black Diamond – offers speed and excitement for experienced riders, capped off with a fun downhill finish. The scenery is just as exhilarating, with a view of Pui O Beach, and at 14.3km – set to be extended to 18km in 2026 – it’s thirsty work. Weekends can get busy, so plan your visit accordingly. 

Dragon’s Back Mountain Bike Trail, Shek O Country Park 

Best for a quick getaway 

The only official mountain biking trail on Hong Kong Island is best for a midweek excursion, as it often gets busy on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. That said, this “must-ride” Blue trail is short and sweet. It can be done in reverse to double up the 5.2km length – or even more if you want to hit the roads to Stanley and beyond. 

Lamma Island trails

Best for scenesters 

The car-free, carefree vibe of Lamma is why the local mountain biking community has long been drawn to it. As Lamma is not a country park, note that there are no official AFCD-managed or rated trails here. Rather, the island’s welcoming residents have put together a variety of challenging routes which have since become well-established, playing host to numerous competitions over the years. If you’re not ready, you can ease into gear by cycling around the island.