Exploring Beyond the Skyscrapers: Hiking in Hong Kong

When people think about Hong Kong, they often picture a megalopolis with endless skyscrapers. When I think of Hong Kong, I picture something totally different—nature!

On a recent trip to the island, I learned that the Hong Kong is a true hiker’s paradise, with four major hiking trails and many other ones, too. The four major trails are The Hong Kong Trail (31 mi/50 km, 8 sections), the Maclehose Trail (62 mi/100 km, 10 sections), the Lantau Trail (43 mi/70 km, 12 sections), and the Wilson Trail (48 mi/78 km, 10 sections).

After hiking over 70 miles/110 km on these trails, my favorite hike of all was section 3 of the Lantau Trail. On this hike, you climb Hong Kong’s second highest peak, Lantau Peak (3,065 feet/934 meters). You then descend into the village of Ngong Ping, where you can see the Tian Tian giant Buddha (34 meters or 111 feet tall) and visit the Po Lin Monastery.

For people wanting to hike a little closer to the city center, Victoria Peak is another great option. You can climb a paved trail to the top of the peak and look down on the city from above. If you don’t feel like hiking back down, there’s a tram to take you back to the start!

Next time you visit Hong Kong, don’t overlook the natural areas. These are just as much a part of Hong Kong as its signature skyscrapers.