What better way to enjoy the best Hong Kong has to offer – the great outdoors – than by immersing yourself in it? You don’t have to go far to find a beautiful hiking trail; roughly 75% of our territory is green space, including numerous country parks. Hong Kong is home to some truly amazing hiking trails with stunning views, and they range from easy hikes that are perfect to do with kids, to extremely challenging climbs. Here are our picks of the best family-friendly hikes in Hong Kong.
Step out your front door and check out the nearest trail or go further afield to explore an entirely new place. Your kids will love the adventure either way.
Cheung Chau
For something a little different and for an adventurous day out, head over to Cheung Chau on the ferry and take to the trails. From the ferry dock, make a left at McDonalds and follow the coastal path to the end where you’ll then go right. From there, meander around, investigate lookouts and beaches along the way and end the day with a local meal. It’s a wonderful day out!
Lamma Island
Known for its seafood restaurants and super cool villages, take a ferry to Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan and take to the trails. The ferry from Central takes you to Yung Shue Wan where you can wander through the village and keep following the path to a lovely little beach. For a longer family-friendly hike in Hong Kong, try the Lamma Island Family Trail which crosses through the island diagonally from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwo Wan. If you start from Sok Kwu Wan (accessible by Central or Aberdeen ferries), you will enjoy a walk through a small fishing village and will end up at Yung Shue Wan, the largest village on the island. As you cross the island, take in the scenic views in both directions. The walk can be done in either direction, depending on what you have in mind for the end of your adventure.
The Peak
There are many ways to access The Peak, whether you’re in the city or well away. You can start at the bottom for a nice uphill walk, explore a nature trail part of the way up or you can make your way to the top in a bus or taxi and walk around the beautiful loop which starts near the Peak Galleria. If you are in Pokfulam, you can start at the reservoir and do a loop that takes you on a beautiful trail with bridges and waterfalls; this option doesn’t take you to the top of The Peak but is part of that trail system. You can also start from a trail near West Island School, cross Pokfulam Road and walk on the new steps adjacent to Queen Mary Hospital. From Central, there are many options for accessing Peak trails.
From the top you can access other trails which take you to the tip top of Victoria Peak, too. My kids usually ask if there’s gelato on offer if we opt to start from the bottom. The views from The Peak are incredible and well worth the effort. Take your time and bring plenty of water and a few snacks. The walk from the bottom will take about 45 minutes without too much dawdling.
Mount High West
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This is a quieter alternative to The Peak, with panoramic views of the city. Hike here with older kids, as the hike is known for its steep incline and the many stairs to get to the summit. You can get there the same way you get to The Peak, but when you get to the playground, head past the pavilion and to the left side, you will see a narrow set of steps leading to a path to the bottom of the steps to ascend Mount High West.
Deep Water Bay to Repulse Bay
Not exactly a hike, but certainly a winner in our family. This fully-paved walking track takes you along the seaside for some lovely views of sailboats, yachts, kayakers and SUP-ers. If you go from Deep Water Bay to Repulse Bay you can play at the beach or stop in at The Pulse for refreshments. Going the opposite way lands you at Coconuts Thai restaurant where you can make a pitstop for some chilled coconut juice or a snack. The walk is roughly 20 minutes each way but there’s a lot to see, so give yourself a bit more time to slow down and take in the sights.
Dragon’s Back
By far one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong, Dragon’s Back is a must do, and it’s family-friendly. It’s possible to hike a small portion of the trail and still access incredible views and some stunning nature paths. If you go right to the end of the hike, you’ll end up in the beautiful Big Wave Bay. The starting point of this hike is located on Shek O Road. If you park at Shek O, take Bus 9 and tell the driver you’re going to Dragon’s Back and you’ll be dropped at the right spot.
Trails From Parkview
Starting at Parkview, there are a host of wonderful hiking trails. If your kids are keen hikers, start near Parkview on the Wilson Trail. Follow the trail towards Tai Tam Country Park and stay on the path until you reach the high point, which is Violet Hill. Violet Hill is a 3.1-kilometre trail and can be done out and back or in a (almost) loop taking you back to the road where you started but a bit further up or down, depending on where you started. This trail is suitable for dogs, too!
For an easy family walk, follow the road just beyond the entrance to Parkview and on to Tai Tam Reservoir Road. Head down that path and you’ll end up at a reservoir area that is lovely to walk around. Follow the directions to Wong Nai Gap Road and cross the dam. You can do an out-and-back, a loop or hop on to the Tai Tam Family walk for a longer adventure. It’s all pretty much downhill to start so you know what that means for the way back.
Black’s Link
This is another trail off Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. You can start at the bottom of Black’s Link or to skip a bit of the hill, start up a way. The paved trail provides some great views of Happy Valley and Ocean Park. The trail takes you 3.5km from one end to the other. You can do an out-and-back to catch the views on the way back.
Discovery Bay
Here’s an easy walk with something for everyone. From the Discovery Bay ferry/plaza, walk to the right and around to the beach path. There’s a lovely 3km walk where you can stop to play at the beach, check out the playgrounds along the way, or carry on and when you are back at the plaza, indulge in some refreshments.
Cape D’Aguilar
This is an absolutely beautiful spot on Hong Kong Island. The walk is easy for the whole family and pretty stroller-friendly too. Take in the breathtaking scenery as you make your way to the lighthouse and marine reserve at the southeastern most tip of the cape. On the way to the reserve, you will see the skeleton of a whale, which will be pretty impressive for kids. To get there, start on Cape D’Aguilar Road where it is nearly 5km down to the reserve. It’s a mild decline most of the way and is an easy walk. Just allow yourself some time to enjoy it.
We hope that this list of the most family-friendly hikes in Hong Kong has inspired you to get the family out in the fresh air and enjoy the best scenery that Hong Kong has to offer!
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