Walking & Hiking in Hong Kong
Who needs to walk in Hong Kong when the city offers one of the world's most cheap, efficient, and safe public transport systems?
Use an Octopus Card to whizz around the region on the MTR, city buses, and the Peak Tram. Hong Kong Island's double-decker trams, the ferries to outlying islands, and the Star Ferry, not to mention Hong Kong's ubiquitous taxis, usually preclude the need for the visitor to stretch his or her legs for long.
The summer weather of Hong Kong's hot and sticky summers can mean even the shortest stroll leaves your shirt or blouse soaked in sweat. However, if you can navigate the dense, human traffic on Nathan Road in Kowloon and the packed alleys off Connaught Road in Central, distances are short and you'll get to experience the enticing sights, sounds and scents of Hong Kong at first hand if you decide to trust to your feet and just walk.
The Escalator
An interesting "walk" is riding The Escalator - a 792 meter-long human conveyor stretching between Des Voeux Road Central, Soho and Conduit Road at Mid-Levels. The longest covered outdoor escalator in the world has great views, handy cafe and bar stops (especially in Soho) and offers a peek into the lives of Hong Kongers living in close proximity to your free ride. The escalators, which opened in 1994, go down in the morning (6 am-10 am) and up in the evening (10:30 am to midnight) - after that it's a long metallic climb.
Fortunately, Hong Kong is not all about tramping the sweltering, downtown asphalt. There are numerous footpaths that allow the visitor or resident to escape the urban sprawl and enjoy some of Hong Kong's spectacular scenery.
Hong Kong Island
The Peak
There are some great walking trials with breath-taking views on Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island. The Governor's Walk leads from Victoria Peak Garden to Harlech Road. The Old Peak Road winds down to Central and the Peak Circuit is a fairly level 3 km walk that has views of Aberdeen, Victoria Harbour and Lamma. Walk south on Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road through pleasant woods to the reservoir and Pok Fu Lam Road for the bus #7 back to town.
Hong Kong Trail
The 50 km long Hong Kong Trail starts from The Peak and continues through the mountains to Big Wave Bay near Shek O in eight stages, ranging from easy to very difficult, with some strenuous slopes to climb en route.
Wilson Trail
The 78 km-long Wilson Trail, named after another Governor of Hong Kong, David Wilson, actually runs on both sides of Victoria Harbour. The north-south route, which is divided into ten stages, starts from Stanley, in the south of Hong Kong Island and runs to Nam Chung, in the north east of the New Territories.
Victoria Harbour Walkway
Hong Kong's first "barrier free" waterfront zone has opened around the Victoria Harbour area and stretches from Causeway Bay all the way down to Central near the Star Ferry.
A further section extends from Western Wholesale Food Market at Shek Tong Tsui to the Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
The pedestrian zone is part of an initiative to help allow more access to greater areas of space around Hong Kong harbour, and to use space wisely. The new zone is filled with iconic Hong Kong images depicted on a series of cartoons.
New Territories
MacLehose Trail
The MacLehose Trail - named after the 25th Governor, Crawford Murray MacLehose - is one of Hong Kong's most famous hiking routes. Stretching around 100 km east-west across the center of the New Territories, the route is sub-divided into 10 easier stages from Tuen Mun in the west to the Sai Kung Peninsula in the east. The hilly and twisting trail includes Hong Kong's highest peak, Tai Mo Shan, and the beaches of Tai Long Wan. Some of the views and coastal stretches along the way are stunningly beautiful.
Take plenty of liquids with you and a map available from the Map Publications Centre (Tel: 2537 1910) at 382 Nathan Road. The Oxfam Annual Trailwalker Charity Race takes place on the trail in November and is a serious event for endurance enthusiasts.
Lantau Trail
The Lantau Trail is a 120 stage footpath that traverses the twin peaks of Lantau Peak (934 meters) and Sunset Peak (869 meters) on Lantau Island. The circular path starts and ends in Mui Wo on the east coast of the island, from where there is a ferry to Central.
Peng Chau
Peng Chau is a small island off Lantau with gentle walks in a peaceful atmosphere to the top of Finger Hill at 95 meters. There are great views from the summit.
Books on Hiking in HK
Rambles in Hong Kong (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks)
Hong Kong & Macau (City Guide)
Stay in Hong Kong
Book Hotels in Hong Kong - Booking.com
Hotels in Hong Kong - Agoda
Find Hotels in Kowloon - Booking.com
Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong
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Venetian Macau Resort Hotel
Budget Hotels in Hong Kong - Booking.com