I've done this hike about 4 times - all in the space of a week. Not by choice, mind you, I was…read morehired to take photos of the Buddha, cable cars, and general area along the trail. I was walking with an extra ten kilos on my back, and suffering from minor food poisoning that effected the overall experience, but I still had a great time strangely enough. I started the hike at Ngong ping for one main reason. It meant as soon as I finished the hike I didn't need to wait for an hour or whatever it is for the bus to get back to Tung Chung. The trail begins fairly easily, flat or with a gradual incline. It goes on like this for about twenty minutes until you reach the stairs. Dam those stairs, and these are not even the bad stairs. A steep section of stairs lead to probably the highest point of the trail. All the while the cable cars are traveling overhead with people watching, and probably laughing at your struggles. At the top of this hill you're left with a glorious few of both sides, Ngong Ping, Tung Chung and also the Airport. From here I went off the trail a bit to get an even better view. It only took five minutes but it was well worth the effort. After snapping a few pics I continued along the trail... this is where the hell stairs begin. The mountains are structured like a twin camel's humps meaning you need to go down a long way then up again, then down and up and then finally down! most of this is done on a steep staircase. Let me tell you, the next day your legs will be stiff as wooden boards! The entire hike takes between 1,5 to 2 hours. It's a great trail for beginners wishing to push themselves a little and provides more than one place worth stopping at for the all-important selfie. Be sure to bring water and mosquito repellant!

Amazing views from a perspective few tourists would realise exists in HK. If you have more than a…read morefew days in HK, make the effort to hit the hills! Around 80% of Hong Kong is country park. The parks are accessible and developed with well marked trails and good cellular coverage. There are multiple online resources describing the trails and how to get to them using public transport. We followed the Old Village Path from behind our village (Mui Wo) towards Nam Shan campsite, then up the mountain to Sunset Peak. There was clear signage along the way, detailed topographic maps at rest stations and of course - stunning views. This is not a walk to be tackled in summer heat. There are small streams enroute, but otherwise there are no water sources along the way. The hike took 2 hours and covered 8km (5 miles). Total ascent was 770m (2500'). Worth the effort if you like a hike, and have a few hours to spare.

Sunset Peak is the third highest peak in Hong Kong (after Lantau Peak/Tai Mo San)…read more It's a great hike (lots of uphill as you can imagine), which I recommend hiking during the non-summer months! We started from Pak Kung Au, and headed to Mui Wo. I also recommend hiking the trail during daytime, unless you have experience in night hikes. The last thing you want to do is get trapped there at night with no food! Also, during our hike, we came across 3 people who got lost during their hike, who seemed really tired/dirty/water deprived. Apparently they got lost - so make sure you stick to the path! Pro tip: Bring sunscreen (you will be directly under the sun), mosquito repellent, lots of water & snacks!

"There is a lot of fun to be had when walking surrounded by nature's beauty." Said no one ever that…read morehiked in Hong Kong during the summer! Yet people still do it... I did it, don't as me why. Perhaps it had something to do with exploring the island I now resided on. Anyway, the hike I chose, a short one, led to not so secret waterfalls in Mui Wo. I say not so secret because there is another waterfall, further up the path that is called the secret waterfalls - we didn't make it that far. My friend I and started our journey at 9:30am. Error number one. We thought it would be cooler, and so it was, barely, but what we didn't plan for were the spiders that looked like they walked out of an Aliens movie. Some where as big as my hand, without exaggerating, and there were hundreds of them, without exaggerating once again. We were on the constant look out for the creepy crawlies, walking like dumb and dumber with sticks in our hands. There were times when we had to hunch over and pray while walking. So after making a twenty minute walk last forty minutes we finally made it to the waterfall. It has a small changing room and toilet nearby, and a pagoda for shade. We changed into our swimmers and walked in... except there wasn't really anywhere to swim. There are a few pools big enough to host a trio of people but no where to frolic. Anyway we cooled ourselves of in one of the pools and enjoyed the vision of the waterfall for about an hour. After the hour we explored the falls a bit, stood under the cascading water and forgot about the spiders. Apart from the waterfalls themselves there is a winding, shallow river that heads back to the beach, which I'd like to walk down one day. It turned out to be a fun, short hike, and we managed to build up an appetite for lunch.

Lantau Peak (aka Phoenix Peak) is the 2nd highest peak in HK at 934m, but it is the highest peak…read moreyou are able to directly access (the highest peak's terminus is otherwise on private property). There are various routes to reach the summit. We sought out Middle Dogs Teeth/ Kau Nga Ling for our ascent. The trailhead for this ridge trail begins just before Shek Pik Reservoir. There's a bus stop that goes to the reservoir, but we took a blue taxi from Tung Chung MTR Station for a faster, more direct service (~160 HKD). The trail is very well known and the uncle who drove us knew exactly where to take us when we said we wanted to go up Lantau Peak near the trailhead close to Shek Pik. He called the dogs teeth "crazy" - BAH! The trailhead was situated in a park where a bunch of happy cows roamed. It also had a super clutch and rather clean port-a-potty for getting the morning biz-ness taken care of before the AWESOME, on-all-fours, class 3 straight scramble up to Lantau Peak. Trail starts off pretty straight forward until you reach an off shoot leading into dense foliage and with a sign warning you not to proceed any further (due to a previous fatal accident). Which everyone ignored, of course, including the senior-aged uncles and aunties which was a signal to us of permission granted (because being led by example and all :)). We did a point-to-point from the trailhead near Shek Pik to Ngong Ping Village with the intention of taking the 360 cable car down. I tracked it at around 4mi/ 6km with 3,000 FG/ 970m. It took us about 3 hours to get to the top of Lantau with many breaks and chats with all the uncles and aunties along the way. The most dangerous section is what has been lovingly deemed the Lifeline, or One Line of Survivability. This section encircled a rocky mound which was passable only in one direction. There was a chain bolted into the rock which served as a hand hold when traversing the narrow section with a sheer drop on the other side. Honestly, I've seen scarier, but the riskiness is there especially for someone with a fear of heights, I am sure. It is still cause for a fun celebration when you successfully "survive" it. Loved the view as we made the final push up the Phoenix's "tail". It was foggy at the top, but the fog was very welcomed on this mostly exposed trail. The temperature was perfect and although a lot of work, it wasn't terrible, in the end. We doubled back to the junction just before the Phoenix's tail to descend to the Tian Tan Big Buddha, but one of the aunties was saying how we could have continued on past the peak to another trail which also descended to Tian Tan Village. Such a gratifying hike with phenomenal views at the top in what is suppose to be a 360 degree view of Lantau Island. We otherwise had fog which mattered not since the whole point-to-point journey eventually granted us views of all parts of Lautau. The decision to climb up Lantau depends on time and your energy because the ascent up Middle Dogs Teeth is one of the hardest hikes in HK. There are easier approaches via Pak Kung Au and even from Tian Tan Village itself. Regardless, seeing Lantau Island from the perspective of the peak is not be missed!

When I first walked up to the sign that said, Lantau Peak 3.5km ~2.5hr I was flabbergasted. I'm no…read moreexpert hiker, but I can definitely hike 3.5km faster than that! I dragged my mom on the paved path cheerfully preparing for our journey up the mountain. When we hit the first set of stairs, I was like hey! We got this! It'll level out soon... nope. This hike is actually just under 2km of straight stone steps. Imagine a never ending stairmaster! The hike is challenging, but never too dangerous. There are some great clear lookout spots (aka resting points) of the Buddha. The last .5km may seem like a stretch but definitely worth it. There is railing in some spots but I never felt like I was going to fall off the mountain or anything. I was pretty disappointed in the overcast skies but still a beautiful view. This is a must do hike! Take lots of breaks on both the incline and decline since the stairs are just as hard coming down. We came to the trail head by way of the 23 bus at the end of the orange line on the MTR. You can also see the Buddha while you're at it. Alternatives are to take the gondola up, or hike the Lantau Trail but I'm not 100% sure where that starts.

This trail, not to be confused with Lion's Head/Rock is a short yet strenuous hike ideal for those…read morethat have just begun their transition from doing not much exercise to wanting to try a few trails out. Well, that's how I started anyway, not that it did me any good as I despise hiking now as much as I did then. I'll still go on one very now and then, however, just not in the summer! Of all the trails, in all the cities, in all the world, this one is by far one of the most rewarding for a non-hiker wanting to prove his/her hiking worth. Why? Because it's only an hour and it's pretty tough towards the end (instantly giving you credibility amongst other hikers), but you don't need to be a veteran mountain-walker to complete it. Just a bit of grit and determination! The trail starts at the foot of the road leading up to the Golf Club in Discovery Bay. From there it follows the road all the way up to the 'look-out point', a point where one... looks out, obviously. It provides a view of most of the community and on a clear day even Hong Kong and Kowloon are visible. It's a great place to take the first break before the final, and hardest part. Walking up the road should take around thirty minutes, it's a friendly incline with no loose rocks to slip on... that all changes from here onwards! From the lookout point to the summit looks like it shouldn't take any longer than 15 or 20 minutes. Wrong! It will take 30 to 40 gut-busting minutes so make sure you have enough water and perhaps a sherpa to help you along the way. One step at a time, is my mantra. The only good part being that you can actually see you destination, instead of one of those "It's behind the next hill..." The path turns into something out of the Lord of the Rings. There's barely a trail never mind a civilized walking area, but it does add to the adventure and feeling of achievement at the end. At some points I've been on all fours clambering up. Worry not, any tumbles and the most you'll fall is a couple of feet. After three almost-heart attacks I've reached the top! It takes me about 5 minutes to catch my breath before I can think properly but after those five minutes, and I'm staring, to one side, at nothing by rolling mountains, and to the other side Discovery bay it almost feels worth it. Almost!

A lot of you readers out there probably already have your minds made up about Discovery Bay. DB,…read moreDogs and Babies. Living in the small community for over twenty years I can say with some certainty that you are bang on the money. Babies crying and dogs barking everywhere! However, a small hike from the ferry pier, or bus terminal, you can rid yourself of those sounds. Somewhat. I visit the rock pools frequently during the hot months of Hong Kong's dominating season, summer, and I am constantly awed by its beauty. Except on a Sunday or public holiday - on those days I'm awed for a split second, the awe is then shattered by the shrill, high-pitched cry of a very small, very young human being. After a fifteen-minute walk up the road towards the golf club there is a small trail that leads into a valley of rocks and cascading water. From here you have you choice of about three to four pools. The easiest one to get to is directly below the trail and by far one of the most fun. However, being the easiest and most fun means it is generally more populated than the others. On a good day I'll find it empty and manage a few cannonball jumps from the ten-foot cliff above the pool before relaxing in its refreshing waters. Further up the valley is a larger pool, I call it the family pool, you can guess why. There's a shallow swimming area, a deeper part and two waterfalls to jump from. You may spot a few beer cans and plastic bottles wedged between the rocks but I've been told they scare away the snakes. Just kidding! I've only ever seen one snake in those parts and it was a baby. There is another hundred meters of the valley to comb over for those adventurous types with some isolated pools, too far for those young humans to crawl to. Bring a cold drink, some mosquito repellant then lie back and enjoy the day.