Hikes & Outdoor Activities In Hong Kong

The tiny island of Ap Chau and its larger neighbour, Kat O, located in Double Haven, have changed little in decades. They form part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. Visitors can relax as they learn about the history, culture and lives of the islands’ fisherfolk. Explore Ap Chau — best known for its spectacular, Instagram-friendly ochre-coloured rock formations, including one shaped like a duck’s head with a sea arch forming its ‘eye’ — and take an enticing hike across Kat O, offering spectacular hilltop views of Double Haven — one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful stretches of ocean.

BOOTS - HONG KONG WOMEN'S WALKING GROUP. Men are also welcome. Suitable walks for all fitness levels. Very social, non-competitive group. We hike in HK about 2-3 times per week. We also organize hiking holidays in Nepal, Mongolia, Malaysia, China. Contact: 2575-1339 Bossy Boots (JOANE BUNKER)

Explore the New Territories’ rich cultural history while marvelling at the area’s breathtaking scenery as you cycle along the Tuen Mun to Sha Tin 55 km cycle track. The region of wetlands, parks and mountains enjoys a diverse cultural history and the track, which takes about 6 hours to complete, provides safe access for visiting its many ancient temples, historic buildings and monuments while enjoying spectacular views of the Pat Sin Leng mountain range and Tolo Harbour.

"Heliservices" has operated helicopters in Hong Kong for more than 20 years and offers charter flights around Hong Kong. Flights depart from the waterfront on the old Tamar site opposite Admiralty. Free parking and waiting room etc on site. The helicopter is a 6 seat, air conditioned, twin engine Squirrel. All our pilots and engineers are ex-pats. We also fly to and from the roof of the Peninsula Hotel. Minimum booking 15 minutes. You choose the route or we will suggest a standard flight.

High Island Geo Trail lies beside the beautiful High Island Reservoir — created after two large dams blocked a narrow channel between High Island and the eastern side of Sai Kung Peninsula. The area, situated within Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, is home to breathtaking rock landscapes of international geological importance formed when a supervolcano erupted 140 million years ago. Signs dotting the leisurely trail offer insights into Instagram-friendly delights including towering cliff faces lined with hexagonal rock columns, mysterious caves and sea stacks and — atop Biu Tsim Kok hill — stunning coastal scenery, such as picturesque Long Ke Wan. Visit Hong Kong Tourism Board for more information: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/great-outdoor/wellness/high-island-geo-trail.html

Unwind in the enchanting historic Hakka village of Lai Chi Wo, flanked by the lush ‘fung shui’ wood and mangrove forest near the New Territories’ northeast coast. The walled village of more than 200 picturesque hillside homes — auspiciously arranged in rows when built more than 300 years ago — is one of Hong Kong’s oldest, largest and best-preserved rural settlements. The village won UNESCO’s prestigious 2020 Special Recognition for Sustainable Development award for promoting cultural heritage conservation. Stroll along tree-shrouded Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail, home to many species of mammals and butterflies, and take selfies beside a dramatic mangrove forest and stunning coastal scenery. To learn more, visit Hong Kong Tourism Board's website: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/great-outdoor/wellness/lai-chi-wo.html

Hong Kong’s diverse 1,108 sq km landscape — almost three-quarters of which is countryside, including 24 country parks covered by a criss-crossing network of dedicated hiking routes — provides a unique trail-running setting. Many road runners have shifted to trail running along the city’s many trails, which offer them an opportunity to enjoy exhilarating open running only a short distance from where they live in the city centre. The trails pass through areas of outstanding natural beauty they may not have seen before, including beaches, rocky coastlines, dense woodland and rolling mountains rising nearly 1,000 metres. The easily accessible running trails follow long stretches of the city’s four long-distance hiking routes, which stretch over a combined 298 km: MacLehose Trail (100 km) from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung to Tuen Mun in the New Territories; Wilson Trail (78 km) from Tai Long Wan on Hong Kong Island to Nam Chung in the New Territories; Hong Kong Trail (50 km) from The Peak to Tai Long Wan on Hong Kong Island; and Lantau Trail (70 km), a loop course which starts and ends in Mui Wo. All of the trails can be accessed using public transport. Hong Kong’s countryside trails are a safe environment in which to run, with relatively gentle slopes without dramatic changes in elevation. All of them are well maintained, and easy to follow thanks to regular signposts and distance markers along the routes, with stations for making emergency calls. Trail running first attracted attention in Hong Kong with the 1986 launch of the annual Oxfam Trailwalker charity team event along the MacLehose Trail, which has grown in prominence and remains the city’s biggest trail event. Interest in the sport has grown rapidly, and many other regular prestigious trail-running events are staged in the city — many of which are qualifying races for the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc), the world's most prestigious trail races, and places often fill up quickly. Many overseas competitors are keen to take part in Hong Kong’s events, not only to pick up points for entering UTMB races, but to savour the city’s memorable countryside.