Easy Hong Kong hikes

About 40 per cent of Hong Kong’s land is conserved within 25 country parks. This is not lost on the locals, many of whom spend their weekends hiking, at least in the cooler months. But visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the rugged mountains, gorgeous beaches and sub-tropical forest, full of thriving wildlife (some of it endemic) and 390 native tree species.

Even the remotest parts of the territory are within reach, thanks to the city’s efficient public transport system. Whether you’re a hiking novice, bringing the kids along or simply looking to enjoy a short break, these Hong Kong hikes provide an easy urban escape.

The Peak Circle Walk, Hong Kong Island

3.5 kilometres, 1.25 hours

A wonderful walk along Lugard and Harlech Roads that showcases the two sides of Hong Kong – urban core and mountains. Cars on these narrow paths are rare; the only drivers are the very few residents. The circuit starts and ends at the Peak Tram station and is a welcome respite from the crowds there. After a few hundred metres, the path opens up and provides jaw-dropping views of the skyscrapers of Central and Western districts, with Kowloon in the distance. Information boards scattered along the trail give clues about The Peak’s varied flora, such as camphor and scarlet sterculia trees.

Highlights: a magnificent India rubber tree, about halfway through the walk, with multiple stems and roots reaching across the path.

How to get there: Peak Tram or No 15 bus.

Pok Fu Lam Family Walk, Hong Kong Island

3.5 kilometres, 1 hour

Mountain tallow, schima and Hong Kong gordonia trees are notable examples of the rich biodiversity that has earned part of Pok Fu Lam Country Park  the government designation, Site of Special Scientific Interest. This flat path loops through such woodland and follows the curve of Hong Kong’s first reservoir, opened here in 1863. It starts and finishes at the same point, unless you decide to continue to The Peak by following Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road east and then north.

Highlights: the former watchman’s cottage at the beginning of the trail; views to the west towards Lamma Island from the higher sections of the trail.

How to get there: numerous buses go to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road, including the No 4 between Central and Wah Fu, and the No 71 from Central to Wong Chuk Hang.

Shek Pik Country Trail, Lantau Island

6 kilometres, 2 hours

This enchanting walk  takes you through a rugged part of Lantau, Hong Kong’s largest island, from its famous Big Buddha down to the south coast. The best approach is to take the scenic cable car up from Tung Chung. After paying your respects to the Big Buddha at Po Lin Monastery, breeze through kitschy Ngong Ping Village to reach the Wisdom Path. Its tree trunks are adorned with inscriptions calling for virtue. From here, the trail is clearly marked, and zig-zags down the western flanks of Lantau Peak, following the contours of steep ravines as you move from shrub-land in its upper reaches to scented pine forest lower down. The trail ends at the main Lantau catchwater; head west and down the road to the bus stop by the dam.

Highlights: sweeping views across the South China Sea; birds of prey over the peaks.

How to get there: take MTR to Tung Chung Station and hop on the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. Buses operated by New Lantao Bus go from the reservoir to Tai O, Mui Wo, Tung Chung or back to Ngong Ping.

Lamma Island Family Trail

4 kilometres, 1.5 hours

Lamma Island features a series of gently undulating hills, one big one (Mount Stenhouse, 350 metres) and some truly lovely beaches. It’s also known for seafood restaurants and a boho atmosphere – both of which are part of this section of the family trail. Take the 30-minute ferry ride from Central to Yung Shue Wan and head through the village on the path to Power Station Beach and from there on to Lo So Shing village. Continue around the coast to the many seafood restaurants of Sok Kwu Wan.

Highlights: the chance for a quiet swim at Lo So Shing Beach, just to the west of this trail; on weekdays, you may have it all to yourself.

How to get there: ferry from Central Pier 4.

Kam Shan Family Walk, New Territories

1 kilometre, half an hour or more

Kam Shan is known as Monkey Mountain for good reason: most of Hong Kong’s 2,000 or so primates live here. Though they are generally accustomed to people, visitors should not feed or approach them. From the Shek Lei Pui Reservoir bus stop on the Tai Po Road, walk over the dam, continue for half a kilometre and set out on the Kam Shan Family Walk . The official walk is brief – it loops back along Golden Hill Road – but there are plenty of options to extend it. For instance, you could continue along the well-marked MacLehose Trail to the dam of Shing Mun Reservoir and back, an additional four kilometres.

Highlights: among the many rhesus macaques are another species – long-tailed macaques (the clue’s in the name). Also look out for turtles in the reservoirs.

How to get there: No 72 bus (Cheung Sha Wan to Tai Wo) or No 81 (Jordan to Sha Tin).

Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, New Territories

4 kilometres, 1.5 hours

There’s a good reason that this is a popular area for birdwatchers and nature lovers: the 460-hectare sub-tropical forest is home to 100 different species of trees, which support a diverse array of wildlife such as spotted doves and the Chinese bulbul. There are four colour-coded trails  cutting through tranquil, shady woodlands and past streams and pools. The blue trail is four kilometres long and goes through a lush part of the forest, much of the path adjacent to a stream, where you’re likely to spy lots of woodland critters. The red path is slightly shorter at three kilometres.

Highlights: birdlife – scarlet minivets are particularly striking.

How to get there: take bus No 72A from Tai Wai MTR Station and get off at the Chung Tsai Yuen stop.

Bride's Pool Nature Trail, New Territories

1 kilometre, 1 hour

Hidden within the lush woodland of Plover Cove Country Park, Bride's Pool Nature Trail is one of Hong Kong's most scenic and accessible walks. This gentle, shaded trail follows a stream past cascading waterfalls, tranquil pools and the historic Bride's Pool Stone Bridge, which was built in 1906. The route continues to Mirror Pool, where water tumbles down a rocky cliff into a peaceful forest setting. Easy to follow and suitable for families, it offers a refreshing escape into nature without requiring a strenuous hike.

Highlights: the picturesque Bride's Pool waterfall, Mirror Pool and the century-old stone bridge.

How to get there: from Tai Po Market MTR Station, take minibus 20R or bus 275R (Sundays and public holidays) to Bride's Pool.

Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail, Hong Kong Island

3 kilometres, 1.5 hours

One of Hong Kong's most rewarding easy walks, the Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail combines history, scenery and gentle exercise. Following broad reservoir paths through Tai Tam Country Park, the route passes historic dams, aqueducts and masonry bridges that once formed part of Hong Kong's early water supply system. Surrounded by forested hills and peaceful waters, the trail offers a glimpse into the city's engineering heritage while remaining accessible to families and casual walkers.

Highlights: the elegant masonry arch bridges, historic reservoirs and sweeping views across the water.

How to get there: take bus 14 or 314 and alight at Tai Tam Country Park on Tai Tam Road.

Hiking dos and don’ts

Before you go

• Pack snacks and plenty of water, no matter the time of year
• Bring a fully charged phone, but bear in mind not all areas have coverage
• Download the Enjoy Hiking mobile app (created by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) and the Hiking Trail HK app

Stay safe

• Hike with a companion whenever possible
• If hiking alone, tell someone exactly where you’re going and don’t forget to tell them when you finished
• Take a small torch in case you’re out after dark

Respect nature

• Take your litter home with you, as many trails do not have rubbish bins
• Don’t damage or pick plants
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife and never feed wild animals

Best time to hike in Hong Kong

• October to March generally offers the most comfortable hiking conditions
• Air quality is often better during the summer
• Summer hikes can still be enjoyable, particularly in the morning or late afternoon
• Avoid the hottest part of the day (noon to 3pm) and carry extra water during warmer months

Find more hiking information at hiking.gov.hk .

This article was first published in February 2019 and updated in August 2026.