Hiking in Hong Kong: easy and beautiful hiking trails

Although Hong Kong is a big, bustling city, it’s an excellent place to be outdoors!

With ~ 70% of the land in Hong Kong covered by green spaces and landscaped parks, hiking is a popular activity for both locals and expats. Often times the trails have great views and lead to some spectacular destinations.

On your next Hong Kong trip, I highly recommend taking a walking tour to experience Hong Kong’s nature and see the beautiful nature.

Here are three easy, yet beautiful trails to get you started!

1. Quarry Bay Tree Walk

Distance: 3.2 km

The Quarry Bay Tree Walk is an easy trail through the woods behind the Quarry Bay neighborhood on the eastern island of Hong Kong. Start at Taikoo MTR Station (Exit B), then walk west on King’s Road. Turn onto Greig Road and walk up until you reach Tree Walk.

The path is mostly paved and has a slight difference in altitude (124 m). Along the way, you’ll encounter remnants of wartime communal kitchens (listed on Google as wartime ovens). These kitchens were used as an influx of refugees in Hong Kong during World War II after the fall of the canton led to an increase in food needs.

Follow the Quarry Bay Tree Walk to Mount Parker Road. At this point, you can turn and head back towards Quarry Bay or choose another trail for a longer hike.

2. Dragon back hike

Distance: 5.4 km

The Dragon’s Back hike is a winding high-altitude trail in Shek O Country Park on southeast Hong Kong Island. Since the trail is on a ridge, you have spectacular views of the ocean and the south side of Hong Kong while hiking.

To get there, take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station (exit A3) and take bus number 9 to the trailhead. The first part of the hike is a gradual ascent to the ridge. Once you get to the ridge, you can see Shek O Beach on the right and Tai Tam Bay on the left. The path leads about 2 km over the “Dragon Ridge” and offers a breathtaking view. On some days you will find paragliders set up for the flight on the slope.

Once you get to the ridge, descend into a forest and take a flat and shady walk for the rest of the trail. At the end of the path, turn left to return to the street and catch the bus.

If you want a longer hike, turn right and continue to Big Wave Bay (about 2 km more). The descent to Big Wave Bay is quite steep and mostly consists of stairs.

3. Sai Wan Pavilion to Ham Tin Beach in Sai Kung

Distance: 5.1 km

While this hike is a little difficult to get to, the views and secluded beaches along this hike make it well worth the effort!

The hike from Sai Wan Pavilion to Ham Tin Beach is in Sai Kung East Country Park in New Territories. To get there you need to take a combination of MTR and bus to Sai Kung City. Once in town, you can take a taxi to the Sai Wan Pavilion.

The trail begins at the breathtaking turquoise High Island Reservoir. Even on a cloudy day, the color of this water keeps surprising me. Most of the first part of the trail is flat or downhill until you reach Sai Wan Beach – the first of four beautiful beaches in Sai Kung East Country Park.

At this point you can stop your hike. I prefer to continue to Ham Tin Beach – the second beach – which is bigger and even more beautiful. Both beaches have restaurants, toilets, beach equipment to rent, and places to buy boat tickets to return to Sai Kung town.