Hong Kong 3-Hour Hiking Trail Recommendations: Enjoy Nature Easily, Even Beginners Can Conquer!

Hiking not only relieves stress and promotes physical and mental health, but also allows you to escape the city's hustle and bustle and enjoy the tranquility of nature. Hong Kong boasts unique natural beauty and hiking trails suitable for short explorations. These are perfect for city dwellers to utilize their weekends and enjoy a relaxing and pleasant hiking experience. Especially 3-hour hiking trails are not only suitable for beginners but also easy for busy urbanites to manage, allowing them to fully enjoy the fun of nature.

1. Why choose 3-hour hiking trails?

3-hour hiking trails are moderately timed, don't take up the whole day, and are easy to arrange. Different route designs cater to various physical demands, so even hiking beginners can easily experience the joy of hiking and build confidence. 3-hour hiking trails allow urbanites to quickly release work pressure and regain vitality, allowing their body and mind to fully relax and recharge, making them an ideal choice for the busy life in Hong Kong.

2. Hong Kong 3-Hour Hiking Trail Recommendations

● Tai Tam to Tai Koo (Tai Tam Reservoir Section) Country Park

Tai Tam Country Park has many different species of flora and fauna. Along the way, you'll pass the nearly century-old dam stone bridge of Tai Tam Upper Reservoir, which offers pleasant scenery and is a great spot for photos. There are also the "Tai Koo Sanatorium" built in the 1900s, the remains of a steam-powered mountain funicular, and "Type A" pillbox battlements built during World War II. The historical landscape is quite rich. The route ends at the Red House, a Grade II historic building, which has now been revitalized into the Shing Mun Biodiversity Education Centre. After hiking, you can visit the Red House to learn about valuable natural resources and the importance of conservation.

● Route: Starting from Parkview, passing Tai Tam Upper Reservoir, the former wartime pillbox ruins of Tai Koo Sanatorium, and the tree-lined Mount Parker Road, you'll reach the Shing Mun Biodiversity Education Centre. The total length is 6.2 km, taking approximately 3 hours.
● Difficulty: Easy, suitable for beginners and families.
● Transportation: You can take bus routes A17, 1M, 6, 41A, 63, 66, and 76 or public light bus route 5 to the vicinity of "Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park" bus stop, then proceed to Tai Tam Reservoir Road.

● Tai Lam Country Park

Tsing Tam Reservoir is located within Tai Lam Country Park, divided into Upper and Lower Reservoirs. The scenery along the way is picturesque, with views of Kai Kung Leng and Yuen Long Plain. The walking paths are quite shaded, and the breeze is cool, making it suitable for hiking beginners. The route passes through the large dam separating the Upper and Lower Reservoirs. The Upper Reservoir is surrounded by mountains and forests, while the Lower Reservoir is hidden by trees, offering very beautiful scenery. Every April to May, you can also enjoy white tung blossoms, which is very pleasant.

● Route: Starting from Route Twisk, passing through Shek Kong BBQ Area, you can overlook Kai Kung Leng, Tai To Yan, Kwun Yam Shan, and Yuen Long Plain. Then you'll reach Tsing Tam Upper Irrigation Reservoir, and then return to the starting point on Route Twisk. The total length is 6.3 km, taking approximately 3 hours.
● Difficulty: Moderate. Although there is dense shade, there are also many uphill and downhill sections, requiring a certain level of physical fitness.
● Transportation: You can take bus route 51 to "Lui Kung Tin Tsuen" bus stop.

● Ping Chau Island Nature Trail

Tung Ping Chau is composed of sedimentary rocks. The surrounding waters preserve various species of coral communities and have been designated as a Marine Park. In addition to corals, you can also appreciate the spectacular sedimentary rock landforms on the island, which have been listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Walking around Tung Ping Chau along the coastline, you can see two giant sea stacks on the eastern coast, 7-8 meters high. In the sea, there is also a sedimentary rock band over a hundred meters long, with the rock edges eroded into a jagged shape, looking like a dragon's back, thus named "Lung Lok Shui" (Dragon Descending into Water). The scenery is magnificent and satisfies both hikers and photography enthusiasts.

● Route: Starting from Tung Ping Chau Wong Ye Kok Pier, passing through Tai Tong Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Pak Lap Wan, Cham Keng Chau, Lung Lok Shui, Keng Lui Shek, Ma Kok Tsui, A Ma Wan, and Wong Ye Kok, finally returning to the pier. The total length is 6 km, taking approximately 3 hours.
● Difficulty: Easy, suitable for photography enthusiasts and family activities.
● Transportation: Take a ferry from Ma Liu Shui Pier to Tung Ping Chau Wong Ye Kok Pier. Ferries depart from Ma Liu Shui only on Saturdays at 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM, and Sundays at 9:00 AM. Return ferries from Tung Ping Chau depart only on Saturdays and Sundays at 5:15 PM.

● High Junk Peak Country Trail

Located in Sai Kung District, High Junk Peak is the highest peak on Clear Water Bay Peninsula, at 344 meters high. It enjoys the reputation of being one of the "Three Sharp Peaks of Sai Kung". It is said to be named after its resemblance to a fisherman in a straw cape and hat sitting alone by the sea when viewed from the foot of the mountain. This country trail passes through multiple bays, offering distant views of Clear Water Bay, Port Shelter, Tung Lung Chau, Fei Ngo Shan, etc.. The scenery is expansive, with blue skies and clear waters reflecting each other. The High Junk Peak Country Trail, surrounding mountains and sea views, is deeply loved by hiking enthusiasts.

● Route: Starting from Ng Fai Tin, proceeding from north to south through Sheung Yeung Shan, Ha Yeung Shan, Tin Ha Shan, and ending at Tai Miu Au.
● Difficulty: Moderate, suitable for hikers who enjoy natural scenery.
● Transportation: You can take bus route 91 or public light bus routes 16, 103, 103M to the parking lot near Ng Fai Tin on Clear Water Bay Road.

3. Hiking Precautions and Tips

Prepare well before hiking. In addition to wearing comfortable hiking shoes, also carry enough water and light food to replenish fluids and energy. Also pay attention to safety. Check the weather forecast beforehand to avoid hiking in bad weather, and bring a sun hat, sunscreen, or warm clothing depending on the weather. Before planning your route and itinerary, understand the difficulty of the route and proceed within your capabilities. When hiking, try to follow path markers to avoid getting lost. At the same time, pay attention to your physical condition. If you feel unwell, do not continue, but rest in a shaded area. It is recommended to go with companions so you can seek help if you feel unwell. When visiting the countryside, remember to keep the environment clean and leave no trash. Bring your own trash bags and protect nature.

Hong Kong's 3-hour hiking trails are full of charm. Whether it's natural scenery or historical culture, they are ideal choices for busy urbanites, hiking beginners, and family activities. Seeing beautiful scenery can release stress and exercise the body. On weekends, why not pick a route and invite friends and family to enjoy the fun of hiking together?