Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Hong Kong, and as mentioned in this article, there is a wide variety of trails with different difficulty levels. In this post, I’ll introduce the four long-distance hiking routes known as Hong Kong’s “Big Four Trails.”

While experienced hikers and runners often complete these trails in one go, beginners can also take them on section by section. If you’ve started getting comfortable with shorter hikes, these are definitely worth trying next.

1. Hong Kong Trail (港島徑)

Overview

Distance: 50km
Elevation gain: 3,031m
Sections: 8
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

This trail runs across Hong Kong Island from west to east and is sometimes nicknamed “Cross Frog.” The name comes from the idea of “crossing” the island, which is said to resemble the shape of a frog.

Starting from The Peak, the route passes through five country parks—Lung Fu Shan, Pok Fu Lam, Aberdeen, Tai Tam, and Shek O—before finishing at Big Wave Bay. In total, it stretches 50km.

Compared to the other long trails, both the distance and elevation gain are relatively moderate, making it a great first long trail to try.

Another advantage is accessibility—since the trail intersects with major roads at several points, you can easily stop whenever you feel like you’ve had enough for the day.

It’s divided into 8 sections, so you can take it on one section at a time.

Sections

Section	Route	Distance (km)	Time (hr)	Difficulty	Marker
1	The Peak → Pok Fu Lam Reservoir	7.0	2.0	★★☆☆☆	H001-014
2	Pok Fu Lam Reservoir → Peel Rise	4.5	1.5	★★☆☆☆	H015-025
3	Peel Rise → Wan Chai Gap	6.5	1.75	★★☆☆☆	H026-037
4	Wan Chai Gap → Wong Nai Chung Gap Road	7.5	2.0	★★★☆☆	H038-050
5	Wong Nai Chung Gap Road → Mount Parker Road	4.0	1.5	★★★☆☆	H051-059
6	Mount Parker Road → Tai Tam Road	4.5	1.5	★★☆☆☆	H060-067
7	Tai Tam Road → To Tei Wan	7.5	2.0	★★☆☆☆	H068-83
8	To Tei Wan → Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay)	8.5	2.75	★★★☆☆	H084-100

Highlights

Aberdeen — Section 2

Jardine’s Lookout — Section 5

Tai Tam Reservoir — Section 6

Dragon’s Back & Big Wave Bay — Section 7

You’ll find that much of the trail is paved, and compared to other areas, there’s slightly less untouched nature. Still, it’s an approachable long trail and gives you a real sense of accomplishment once you complete it—especially if you’re starting to feel more confident with hiking.

2. Lantau Trail (鳳凰徑)

Overview

Distance: 50km
Elevation gain: 3,031m
Sections: 8
Difficulty: ★★★★☆

The second-longest trail in Hong Kong is the Lantau Trail, located on Lantau Island.

The trail is a loop that starts and finishes in Mui Wo.

The trail is slightly more challenging because it passes two of the second- and third-highest peaks in Hong Kong, Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak, both of which I also introduce here. Other than these sections, however, the trail is not particularly difficult, aside from a few longer sections.

The trail is divided into 12 sections, so you can choose how to split it up based on your experience and fitness level.

Sections

Section	Route	Distance (km)	Time (hr)	Difficulty	Marker
1	Mui Wo → Nam Shan	2.5	0.75	★☆☆☆☆	L000-004
2	Nam Shan → Pak Kung Au	6.5	2.75	★★★★☆	L005-017
3	Pak Kung Au → Ngong Ping 360	4.5	2.75	★★★★☆	L018-026
4	Ngong Ping 360 → Sham Wat Road	4.0	1.25	★★☆☆☆	L027-034
5	Sham Wat Road → Man Cheung Po	7.5	2.75	★★★☆☆	L035-049
6	Man Cheung Po → Tai O	2.5	1.0	★★☆☆☆	L050-054
7	Tai O → Kau Ling Chung	10.5	3.0	★★★☆☆	L055-075
8	Kau Ling Chung → Shek Pik	5.5	1.5	★★☆☆☆	L076-086
9	Shek Pik → Shui Hau	6.5	2.0	★★☆☆☆	L087-099
10	Shui Hau → Tung Chung Road	6.5	2.0	★★☆☆☆	L100-112
11	Tung Chung Road → Pui O	4.5	1.25	★★☆☆☆	L113-121
12	Pui O → Mui Wo	9.0	3.0	★★★☆☆	L122-140

Highlights

Sunset Peak (大東山) — Section 2

Lantau Peak (鳳凰山) — Section 3

Kau Ling Chung (狗嶺涌) — Section 8

Tai Ngau Wu Peak (大牛湖頂) — Section 12

The trail passes several beaches and campsites, so another option would be to complete it over several days while camping along the way.

Other than Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak, the trail is generally not too crowded, making it a great option if you want to enjoy hiking at a slower pace and get a more local feel than on Hong Kong Island.

3. Wilson Trail（衛奕信徑）

Overview

Distance: 81km
Elevation gain: 5,407m
Sections: 10
Difficulty: ★★★★★

The Wilson Trail runs north to south across Hong Kong, from Hong Kong Island through Kowloon and into the New Territories. Because it passes through these different areas, you can experience many different sides of Hong Kong along a single trail, making it a great way to get a bit of everything.

On Hong Kong Island, the trail passes The Twins and Violet Hill, which I also introduce here, as well as Jardine’s Lookout, where it intersects with the Hong Kong Trail.

In Kowloon, you can enjoy classic Hong Kong views from Devil’s Peak and Kowloon Peak, while the trail also takes you through five country parks, from Lion Rock in the south to Pat Sin Leng in the north, offering plenty of opportunities to experience Hong Kong’s natural side.

Sections

Section	Route	Distance (km)	Time (hr)	Difficulty	Marker
1	Stanley → Wong Nai Chung Gap	4.8	2.0	★★★★☆	W001-007
2	Wong Nai Chung Gap → Quarry Bay	6.6	2.5	★★★☆☆	W009–018
3	Devil’s Peak → Tseng Lan Shue	9.3	4.0	★★★★☆	W019-30
4	Tseng Lan Shue → Sha Tin Au	8.0	3.0	★★★★☆	W032-046
5	Sha Tin Au → Tai Po Road	7.4	2.5	★★☆☆☆	W047-059
6	Tai Po Road → Shing Mun Reservoir	5.3	2.5	★★☆☆☆	W061-069
7	Shing Mun Reservoir → Yuen Tun Ha	10.2	4.0	★★★☆☆	W070-088
8	Yuen Tun Ha → Cloudy Hill	9.0	4.0	★★★★☆	W089-105
9	Cloudy Hill → Pat Sin Leng	10.6	4.5	★★★★★	W106-125
10	Pat Sin Leng → Nam Chung	6.8	2.0	★★☆☆☆	W126-137

Highlights

The Twins & Violet Hill (孖崗山・紫羅蘭山) — Section 1

Kowloon Peak (飛鵝山) viewpoint — Section 4

Lion Rock (獅子山) — Section 5

Lion Rock Country Park is also home to wild monkeys.

Shing Mun Reservoir (城門水塘) — Section 6

Cloudy Hill (九龍坑山) & Pat Sin Leng (八仙嶺) — Sections 9 & 10

I divided the 10 sections into four areas when I hiked them: Hong Kong Island (Sections 1–2), Kowloon (Sections 3–5), southern New Territories (Sections 6–8), and northern New Territories (Sections 9–10).

I recommend splitting it this way because it makes getting to the starting points and back from the endpoints much easier.

4. MacLehose Trail (麥理浩徑)

Overview

Distance: 100km
Elevation gain: 6,189m
Sections: 10
Difficulty: ★★★★★

The MacLehose Trail is the longest—and also the most physically demanding—trail in Hong Kong.

The first half takes you through the nature-rich Sai Kung area, passing along both coastline and forested mountains. The second half heads west, crossing several peaks around Tai Mo Shan—the highest mountain in Hong Kong—before finishing in Tuen Mun.

It’s also used as the course for the HK100 Ultra Marathon, which explains why it’s popular among trail runners as well.

Sections

Section	Route	Distance (km)	Time (hr)	Difficulty	Marker
1	Pak Tam Chung → Long Ke	10.6	2.5	★★★☆☆	M000-020
2	Long Ke → Pak Tam Au	13.5	4.0	★★★★★	M021-048
3	Pak Tam Au → Kei Ling Ha	9	2.5	★★★★☆	M049-068
4	Kei Ling Ha → Tai Lo Shan	12.7	4.0	★★★★★	M069-093
5	Tai Lo Shan → Tai Po Road	10.6	2.5	★★★★☆	M094-115
6	Tai Po Road → Shing Mun	4.6	1.0	★★☆☆☆	M116-123
7	Shing Mun → Lead Mine Pass	6.2	2.5	★★★★☆	M124-136
8	Lead Mine Pass → Route Twisk	9.7	4.0	★★★★☆	M137-155
9	Route Twisk → Tin Fu Tsai	6.3	2.5	★★☆☆☆	M156-168
10	Tin Fu Tsai → Tuen Mun Town	15.6	4.0	★★★★☆	M169-200

Highlights

Long Ke — Sections 1–2

Sai Wan Beach — Section 2

Ma On Shan & Ngong Ping Viewing Point — Section 4

Lion Rock — Section 5

Needle Hill & Yin Ngan Peak — Sections 7–8

Reservoir Islands Viewpoint — Section 10

MacLehose Trail finish point

I also split this trail into four parts (Sections 1–3, 4–5, 6–8, and 9–10). No matter which section you choose, you’ll experience nature that feels far removed from the busy city life of Hong Kong. If you ever need a break from the noise, even tackling just a part of this trail is well worth it.

Summary

Each of these four trails varies in distance and difficulty, but all of them offer their own highlights and completely different landscapes.

Once you feel comfortable with hiking, why not aim to complete all four?