Hiking Adventures

In order to let the residents to tour the mountains and plains safely, and also manage these outskirts park systemically, the government has set up several quite famous Hiking Trails, passing through the main sierra in Hong Kong. Hereunder are three of the most popular routes for self-guided Hong Kong walking tour.

1. MacLehose Trail (Pak Tam Chung to Long Ke):
This Trail is located in the New Territories, spanning about 100 kilometers. It is divided into ten sections, with 5 to 16 kilometers long different from each section. The first section (Sai Kung section) is the most popular one as its impressive collection of many nature's works of art - sea caves, sea stacks, hexagonal columns and dykes. It starts from Pak Tam Chung, ends at Long Ke. Clear signs along the trail guide you on the way.

To reach the starting point, you may take MTR and get off at Diamond Hill Station Exit C2, take bus 92 to Sai Kung Town. Then transfer to bus no. 94 and alight at Pak Tam Chung. On Sundays and public holidays, you can take bus 96R from MTR Diamond Hill Station to Pak Tam Chung directly.

This is a moderate hiking trail with some uphill and downhill sections. There is no replenishing station along the way, so it is best to stock up in Sai Kung Town. Here is the hiking information of this section.

	Distance	Average Hiking Time
From Pak Tam Chung to East Dam	10 km	2.5 hours
From East Dam to sea cave	1 km	15 minutes
From East Dam to Long Ke	1.5 km	0.5 hours

After finishing up, you may call for a taxi from the East Dam to Pak Tam Chung or Sai Kung Town.

2. Wilson Trail (Hong Kong Parkview to Stanley Gap Road):
Spanning 78 kilometers, Wilson Trail is the second long hiking route in Hong Kong. This Trail was named after the former governor Knight Wilson, who was deeply in love with the scenery and hike activity in Hong Kong. The Trail is divided into ten sections, passing through eight suburban parks. The section from Hong Kong Parkview to Stanley Gap Road is an arduous part. You will climb up and down The Twins and Violet Hill, encounter with some extraordinary wildlife, and have a panorama view of Stanley Village and Repulse Bay. This part of Trail is 4.8 kilometers long and the average hiking time is approximate 3 hours. This hike is physically demanding, and there are no replenishment stops on the way, so you would better to stock up before the trip.

To reach the starting point - Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, you could take MTR and get off at Causeway Bay Station Exit D, then take minibus 5 at the crossroad of Jaffe Road and Cannon Street to the starting point. From the ending point - Stanley Gap Road, you could take bus no. 6, 6A or 260 from the opposite side of the road to Wan Chai, Admiralty and Central.

3. Lantau Trail: 
The Lantau Trail is located in Lantau Island stretching across south the entire island. It came into use officially in December 4, 1984. This hiking route, spanning 70 kilometers and divided into twelve sections, has linked up the Lantau Island and 10 suburban parks. The length of each section is 2 kilometers to 10 kilometers differently. Each section has its own features. Among them, the Lantau Peak is a prized spot to catch the sunrise, which is the second highest summit in Hong Kong. You may start from the Lantau Peak Sunrise portal near the Wisdom Path, and follow the instructions on the signs up to the peak. The climb takes around two hours, so you would stay overnight in Ngong Ping and set off at about 04:00am to catch the sunrise.

To reach the starting point, you may take MTR and get off at Tung Chung Station, Exit B. Take the Ngong Ping Cable Car to the Ngong Ping terminal. Then follow the signs and walk along the Lantau Trail for approximately 25 minutes.