Hong Kong
Description
Hong Kong was a British colony for many years. No surprise, hiking trails have been established here over the decades. And the Hong Kong citizens themselves do enjoy walking, so the tradition lives on. Good news for us!
If your image of Hong Kong is one of skyscrapers only, you're biased. The fact is that, among the densely populated financial centers of Asia, Hong Kong stands out in nature. Main asset of Hong Kong, from our point of view of course, are the Country Parks. These safe havens for nature were established in the seventies by Murray MacLehose, the governor who fought corruption and obstructed democracy. Four main trails, and more smaller trails, explore these Country Parks.
You are never faraway from the large population areas, and still, nature will present itself from the wild side: “hills” up till 1000 meter, beautiful coast line with sea inlets and quiet beaches, forests and shrub lands. Attractive also are the exotic small villages (yes, not far from towering skyscrapers) where you often can find a place to sleep. Hong Kong partially consists of islands, the best known is Hong Kong Island itself, and the largest of them is Lantau.
The four main trails are the Hong Kong Trail (50 km), the MacLehose Trail (100 km), the Wilson Trail (78 km) and the Lantau Trail (70 km). Often, it is possible to divide your trail in neat portions return to your hotel and the bustling city life at night, have a good sleep, and turn back, tidy and well fed, to your last evening's trailhead by public transport. Alternatively, you might enjoy camping in the outdoor. Most villages offer some kind of overnight staying, including temples.
There are many more smaller trails, indicated on the maps. Check out Roz's website (see links section below), if you want to find out more.
Hiking is possible year round, but during the hot season - June till September - you will sweat your bones out, if not washed away already in one of those plunge sessions. Dry weather or pouring rain, do carry lots of water on your hike.
We can recommend Pete Spurrier's guide to the four main trails: “The Serious Hiker's Guide to Hong Kong”, available in the English bookshops. Maps can be purchased from the Map Publication Centers. Best are the excellent Countryside Series, showing the main trails and smaller trails. In the field, the waymarking is up to date.
So, unpack at the airport, jump on the Star Ferry, and take a break halfway your business trip. And if you liked it, pray for the survival of the Country Parks.
Trails
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2018
- The 25 Best Day Walks in Hong Kong
- A new series of pocket-sized travel guides aimed at first-time travellers featuring an extended introduction to the natural history of the destination. In three parts, the first section describes the major highlights. The second section looks at the significant locations with information for each on plants and animals, cultural sites,... Read more

United Kingdom
2014
- Walking Home From Mongolia
- Ten Million Steps Through China, From the Gobi Desert to the South China Sea Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2014
- Reisverhaal Walking Home From Mongolia | Hodder & Stoughton
- Ten Million Steps Through China, from the Gobi Desert to the South China Sea Read more

United Kingdom
2022
- Hiking in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong, Lantau, MacLehose and Wilson Trails and 21 day walks Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2022
- Wandelgids Hiking in Hong Kong | Cicerone
- Hong Kong, Lantau, MacLehose and Wilson Trails and 21 day walks Read more

United Kingdom
- Hong Kong Step by Step Insight Guide SUPERCEDED
- Take a fresh approach to Hong Kong with this ”Step by Step” guide, part of a brand new, stylishly designed series from Insight Guides. Lavishly illustrated in full colour, this book features 18 irresistible self-guided walks and tours, written by a local expert and packed with great insider tips. Whether you are new to the city or a repeat... Read more

United Kingdom
- Insight Guides Explore Shanghai (Travel Guide with Free eBook)
- INSIGHT GUIDES EXPLORE SHANGHAI Let us guide you on every step of your travels...Focused travel guides featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.Discover the best of Shanghai with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don`t miss out on must-see, top... Read more

United Kingdom
- Hong Kong Insight City Guide SUPERCEDED
- This brand new edition Insight Guide to Hong Kong features a wealth of inspiring full-colour photography and detailed street atlases. Expert local writers ensure this guide is an inspiring background read, serves as an invaluable, on-the-spot companion and is a superb, visual souvenir of your visit. Hong Kong`s top attractions are identified to... Read more

United Kingdom
- Beijing Walks - Exploring the Heritage
- Beijing Walks in the Odyssey Guides series; aimed at travellers particularly interested in the culture and history of their destination; the guides focus on the atmosphere, customs, and distinctive character of a country, region or city. As the only English language publisher based in China, Odyssey Guides specialize in Asian destinations,... Read more

United Kingdom
- The Monocle Travel Guide to Hong Kong (Updated Version)
- A procession through Hong Kong`s outposts of good food, design, retail, and more, this definitive travel guide will make you feel like a local no matter where you are from. Vertigo-inducing skyscrapers that cling to mountainous slopes and busy fishing villages that proudly hold on to their cultural heritage: Hong Kong is more diverse than you`d... Read more

Netherlands
- Guide To Hiking China's Old Road To Shu
- This is the first guidebook specifically written for people who speak no Chinese but would like to go hiking on their own in China off the beaten track. The hikes are through the beautiful Qinling and Daba Mountains in Sichuan and Shaanxi Province along the few remaining stretches of one of China's old imperial roads known as the Road to Shu.... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Guide To Hiking China's Old Road To Shu
- This is the first guidebook specifically written for people who speak no Chinese but would like to go hiking on their own in China off the beaten track. The hikes are through the beautiful Qinling and Daba Mountains in Sichuan and Shaanxi Province along the few remaining stretches of one of China's old imperial roads known as the Road to Shu.... Read more

Netherlands
- The Mental Preparation of Fencers and Others
- Here is an extraordinary book that every serious fencer needs to read over and over, because each reading will bring new insights. It delivers what it promises - a path toward preparation for competition and ultimately for life itself. Dr. Kogler combines the best of a wide variety of disciplines ancient and modern. His insights range back... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- The Mental Preparation of Fencers and Others
- Here is an extraordinary book that every serious fencer needs to read over and over, because each reading will bring new insights. It delivers what it promises - a path toward preparation for competition and ultimately for life itself. Dr. Kogler combines the best of a wide variety of disciplines ancient and modern. His insights range back... Read more

Netherlands
- Die Ich-Identitat Chinesischer Frauen Seit Der Reformperiode in Partnerschaft, Liebe Und Sexualitat
- Magisterarbeit aus dem Jahr 2012 im Fachbereich Orientalistik / Sinologie - Chinesisch / China, Note: 1,7, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main (Institut fur Orientalische und Ostasiatische Philologien), Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: Die Volksrepublik China befindet sich seit 1978 in einem tiefgreifenden Modernisierungs- und... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Die Ich-Identitat Chinesischer Frauen Seit Der Reformperiode in Partnerschaft, Liebe Und Sexualitat
- Magisterarbeit aus dem Jahr 2012 im Fachbereich Orientalistik / Sinologie - Chinesisch / China, Note: 1,7, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main (Institut fur Orientalische und Ostasiatische Philologien), Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: Die Volksrepublik China befindet sich seit 1978 in einem tiefgreifenden Modernisierungs- und... Read more

Netherlands
- Lonely Planet China
- "Antique yet up-to-the-minute, familiar yet unrecognizable, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, conservative yet path-breaking.. China is a land of mesmerizing and eye-opening contradictions." - Damian Harper, Lonely Planet Writer- 11 intrepid authors- 198 maps- 76 temples & monasteries- 100s of noodle spots- Inspirational photos-... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Lonely Planet China
- "Antique yet up-to-the-minute, familiar yet unrecognizable, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, conservative yet path-breaking.. China is a land of mesmerizing and eye-opening contradictions." - Damian Harper, Lonely Planet Writer- 11 intrepid authors- 198 maps- 76 temples & monasteries- 100s of noodle spots- Inspirational photos-... Read more

Netherlands
2000
- Merian live! 12 - Hongkong
- Hongkong werd door koningin Victoria's minister van buitenlandse zaken afgedaan als 'kaal eiland'. Tegenwoordig is deze wereldstad de ontmoetingsplaats van oost en west. Hongkong leeft van haar haven, die zowel de sfeer als de economie bepaalt. Niet alleen Hongkong, maar heel Zuid-China wordt door deze haven verbonden met - en om historische... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2000
- Merian live! 12 - Hongkong
- Hongkong werd door koningin Victoria's minister van buitenlandse zaken afgedaan als 'kaal eiland'. Tegenwoordig is deze wereldstad de ontmoetingsplaats van oost en west. Hongkong leeft van haar haven, die zowel de sfeer als de economie bepaalt. Niet alleen Hongkong, maar heel Zuid-China wordt door deze haven verbonden met - en om historische... Read more
Maps

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 04 China Noordwest - Northwest China | Gizi Map
- China Northwest (4) Geographical Map 1 : 2 000 000 ab 11.95 EURO Northwest - Xinjiang Uygur Autonomic Region Gizi Map Map Series China. new edition Read more

Netherlands
- Lonely Planet Hong Kong / Macau
- Discover Hong Kong & Macauclass="default_listitem"Spot your hotel room from the twinkling heights of the PeakHang out in a maze-like walled village, where prostitution and gambling once thrivedEscape from the skyscrapers to the trees as you hike the region's mountain, coast and jungle trailsSavor the finest Portuguese egg-custard tarts in... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Lonely Planet Hong Kong / Macau
- Discover Hong Kong & Macauclass="default_listitem"Spot your hotel room from the twinkling heights of the PeakHang out in a maze-like walled village, where prostitution and gambling once thrivedEscape from the skyscrapers to the trees as you hike the region's mountain, coast and jungle trailsSavor the finest Portuguese egg-custard tarts in... Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart China eastern half - Oost China | ITMB
- China East Half 1 : 3 000 000 ab 10.5 EURO Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 3 China centraal | Nelles Verlag
- Nelles Map China: Central 1:1 750 000 ab 9.9 EURO strapazierfähig, wasser- und reißfest Nelles Map. 2., veränderte Neuaufl Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart China Administrative Map | Gizi Map
- China Reference Map Politisch 1 : 6 500 000 ab 11.95 EURO Basic Reference Gizi Map. new edition Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart China | Marco Polo
- MARCO POLO Kontinentalkarte China, Mongolei, Bhutan 1:4 000 000 ab 11.99 EURO Marco Polo Karte. 5. Auflage Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart China | Gizi Map
- China Geographical Map 1 : 4 750 000 ab 11.95 EURO new edition Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 4 China - Zuid South | Nelles Verlag
- Nelles Map China: South 1:1 750 000 ab 9.9 EURO strapazierfähig, wasser- und reißfest Nelles Map. veränderte Neuaufl Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 02 Centraal China | Gizi Map
- China Central (2) Geographical Map 1 : 4 000 000 ab 11.95 EURO Map for Businessmen & Tourists. With Index. Relief with elevation tints Gizi Map Map Series China Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 1 China northeast - noordoost | Nelles Verlag
- Carte routière et touristique en couleur utile pour les voyageurs. Textes en anglais uniquement. Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart Silk Road to China through Central Asia - Zijderoute | Reise Know-How Verlag
- Reise Know-How Landkarte Seidenstraße (1:2.000.000): Durch Zentralasien nach China ab 9.95 EURO world mapping project World Mapping Project Reise Know-How. 1. Auflage Read more