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If you have a few hours while in Hong Kong, it's worth your while to think outside the four walls of the many skyscrapers and explore some of the great outdoors at Dragon's Back. On my next-to-last day in Hong Kong I happened to see some hikers ascending the Dragon's Back. "That's a fun hike," my HK-dwelling friend mentioned. "Would we have time to do it tomorrow?" I asked. When she answered affirmatively, plans were promptly made. My last day on the island dawned clear and warm. We took a taxi to the trailhead and climbed what felt like 20 flights of stairs to begin the hike. The trail winds through an area with dense overhead foliage but a well-worn path before cresting on the spine of the "Dragon's Back". Bring your hat and your heavy-duty SPF because on a nice day you can get some serious rays at this spot. From the lookout points it's possible to get an amazing 360 view of the island. Sweeping from the skyscrapers peeking out to the north to the aquamarine South China Sea to the south, this is the best way to enjoy million-dollar views of the area for free. Definitely carve some time out of a packed schedule to traverse the Dragon's Back and you too might just find a new favorite place!
We finally did it this time around, we hiked the Dragon's Back! The hike itself starts in the Shek O area. To get there, go to the Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminal and look for Bus 9; you can also take the red minibus that says Shek O and get off the To Tei Wan stop. Bus 9 has more stops as opposed to the minibus, but it is cheaper and you can pay with the Octopus Tap Card whereas the minibus is cash only (exact amount only!). Once you arrive at the stop, you'll see a sign indicating the Hong Kong Trail Dragon's Back. And it's very likely you'll see lots of hikers too. There are toilets available at the beginning of the trail. The trail itself is mostly dirt road with some rocky locations. It also has some stairs that you'll need to climb up. There is very little shade so be prepared with sun protection. As you ascend the Dragon's Back, you'll have nice views of the bays, beaches, and harbors. There are also several viewing points along the way until you hit the top of Shek O Peak. Since this was our first time hiking this, we weren't sure what to expect. But as we hiked our way to the top, we noticed it was extremely windy. When we got to the peak, the gusts were so strong at times that we couldn't even stand straight! After the peak, it's mostly downhill until you hit Tai Tam Road. If you've been holding it in since you started the hike, you'll be happy to know that there are toilets here. From here, you can either catch the bus back or continue on hiking through Pottinger Gap and onwards to Tai Long Wan Village. There really wasn't anything there other than a small park and the Big Wave Bay Beach. Here, you can catch the bus or the red minibus to head back to the Bus Terminal at Shau Kei Wan. Overall, the Dragon's Back was a fun way to explore the nature side of Hong Kong. The hike itself was not difficult and the trail was very well maintained. It is very exposed so you'll get plenty of sunshine and strong winds. The hike can be done in less than 2 hours and a jacket is recommended to protect against the winds. Other than that, it's a nice hike with beautiful views of the water.
Wilderness is a construct: how we perceive the environment is largely dictated by arbitrary definitions of nature that render invisible traces of human intervention. So says scholarly research in the burgeoning field of environmental humanities. Even with the weight of this knowledge, I find it refreshing to return to the outdoors when I need a break from the weariness of urban life. The Dragon's Back offers a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong even as it is located only a few kilometers from the heart of the city. Specifically, the sweeping views of Tai Tam Bay and Shek O are stunning enough to make you forget about your problems. (See attached pictures for proof!) Because this is one of the more famous hikes in Hong Kong, I was worried about having to deal with massive crowds on the trail: I didn't want anyone with selfie sticks or loud music to ruin my introspective retreat. My brother and I lucked out insofar as there was nobody else on the trail when we arrived at 9:30AM on a sunny Monday morning. In retrospect, this would have been an ideal spot to watch the sunrise given the clear views of the surrounding areas. The route is clearly marked, partially paved, and well-maintained. The trail is moderately uphill, but shouldn't leave you winded if you do any form of exercise. Hiking shoes aren't necessary, but I'd still recommend wearing athletic shoes at the very least. Although the majority of the trail will take you up and down the forested hillsides of Shek O, you'll want to make sure to wear sun screen since the most famous portion of the trail is mostly exposed to the elements. Since the Dragon's Back is only one section of the much longer Hong Kong Trail, you can extend your journey as much or as little as you like. We opted to continue hiking down to Big Wave Bay since we had conquered the Dragon's Back in approximately 1-1.5 hours. The downhill trail is less scenic with limited views of the city, but does make you forget that you're in a major metropolitan area. Big Wave Bay itself is fairly quiet with only a handful of people - mostly surfers - at the beach. There are some basic amenities at the beach including lifeguard, bathrooms, and snack shops. If you make it to the beach, you might as well check out the ancient rock carving, which the government has declared a monument. Since the bus doesn't (frequently) stop at Big Wave Bay, you'll have to walk back towards Shek O. It's a short, pleasant walk, so don't let that deter you from hiking down to the beaches. To get to Dragon's Back trailhead, take MTR Island Line to Shau Kei Wan and use Exit A to reach the bus terminus. Take bus 9 headed towards Shek O and disembark at To Tei Wan. Because there are so many trails in the area, the bus tends to be packed, but they run every ~15 minutes. The bus accepts Octopus cards. Stops are announced in both Chinese and English. There's an outhouse at the trailhead if you forgot to go before leaving the MTR station. P.S. On my totally subjective scale of butt-kicking hikes, this wouldn't rank very highly since it's fairly easy and short. It reminds me of the Lanikai Pillboxes in Oahu!
I loved this hike and the views were incredible! I got off bus 9 at the "Cape Collinson" stop and had no trouble finding the start of the trail. The first 60 minutes, however, had heavy vegetation on both sides with very limited (and usually no) views of the surrounding mountains in ocean. After this, however, I continued the hike to Tie Wan which had many beautiful views and ended right at another stop for the #9 bus. These were my best views of Hong Kong on my whole trip and made the previous 60 min hike totally worthwhile. Make sure you wear appropriate clothes (boots or old shoes, bring an umbrella if it's typhoon season, etc). This is an absolute MUST when visiting Hong Kong.
One of the best known trails in Hong Kong. The trail is suitable for beginner's, it's very scenic, and the trail ends in Big Wave Bay. You can rent surf boards and go surfing if hiking alone is not enough for you! Otherwise, you can just chill with some beer and enjoy yourself (or take a nap). Start early because there is no shade/cover for the first half of the walk. Wear a hat and put plenty of sunscreen on! Avoid going around Ching Ming (清明) and Chung Yeung (重陽) because there is a cemetery in that direction and the roads get crazy busy!
Our last day in Hong Kong consisted of me confirming my weak-sauce-as-all-heck fitness status because, Dragon's Back . . . Let me preface this by saying that I had been (arguably) diligently spinning every day prior to this excursion, so I was feeling pretty good about my cardio capabilities. My friend suggested we take on Dragon's Back as a rather leisurely beginner's level hike before sending us off back to the U.S. I thought sure, a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong! Time to get in touch with nature, as we had yet to do so during our trip. On this particular day, Dragon's Back seemed to be rather bustling. There were many instances during the hike where we had to halt and let other groups pass by us from either way, so don't approach this thinking it will be a quite isolating sort of rendezvous. We came across a rather diverse smattering of people - awkward first date, several groups of friends and families, and a healthy heaping of HK seniors. All of whom seemed to be happily galloping and strolling about the uneven steps and trails while I breathlessly prayed to not lose my footing. I mean WTF Ellen, get it together! Granted I was ill-dressed for the hike, in low tread casual kicks and a dress, but man! I was a bit aghast at how challenging I found certain segments of Dragon's Back. Nonetheless, despite perspiring a bucket of sweat and the fogginess obstructing the view of Shek-O and Hong Kong below, I was appreciative of the experience. The fluctuating topography will definitely get that heart beat going but do be wise to wear shoes with excellent tread. Note: I did see someone hiking around in flip flops and I was even more devastated about my shoddy physical capabilities. A fair amount of people were sharing all kinds of pastries and fruits atop one of the hills - wish I had thought of that. Additionally, do expect many overzealous selfie-takers and be patient in waiting for your photo perfect opportunity. Regrettably, there was a dude obnoxiously flying his rather loud remote control plane, which posed as an minor annoyance, as it disrupted the relative peace and frightened away many of the circling birds. Worth noting - there were no public restrooms as far as I could tell and the best way to transport to and fro seems to bus or cab.
If you have read any of my reviews before you would understand how much of a city boy I am. Yup, I complain A LOT about the heat and let alone mosquitoes, so hold on to your seats, today I am writing reviews on a hiking trail - Dragon's Back. As I am not a keen hiker, I had no idea about how many hiking trails we had in Hong Kong and of course I would not look that up on the internet, so why did I go to the Dragon's Back. Thanks to my roommate when I was at the university, he is not an outdoorsy person but he was fairly intrigued by this specific hiking trail so as a caring and friendly roomy, I would not say no to him. (Well, I did struggle a lot the night before trying to come up with excuses not to go...) And we made it. (urghhh..) According to Time Magazine, it was once declared as the "Best Urban Hike in Asia" so I hoped it was really true as it was not easy at all (at least not to me) to get there (MTR and then minibus). The entire trek took us around 4 hours to finish and we did take a rest for several time (ok, my fault) especially the first part of the trail as it was rather steep (and I regretted a lot already). With the crazy humidity and the heat in Hong Kong, you would expect me nagging a lot along the way. However, the reward was much better afterwards with the scenic view and we ended up spending a night at Big Wave Bay (which I will be reviewing soon). I cannot think of anyone who dislikes outdoor as I do, however, since even I was very pleased and I made it surprisingly, it would be a rather easy and rewarding trip for you all. Please bring a lot of water and snacks (but not so much that you need to go to toilet every 10 minutes!)
If you have a full day or at least 6-8 hou4s in Hong Kong, this is doable hike. I booked a hiking tour with Wild Hong Kong via Tripadvisor. My flight arrived around 8 AM... Checked in to hotel and then took the MTR from airport to Hong Kong island transfer to Shau Kei Wan station. This took about 1 hour one way, costs about $120 HKD )or $12 USD). Met my tour guide Rory Mackay at the train station. From there, we took a bus to the hike. I probably would not find this hike by myself. The hike is about 10K or 6-7 miles, up and down hills... Not a difficult hike but when going up hill... It does take a breath out off me. It is very scenic with the view of the city at the peak. At the end of the dragon back before heading down to the big wave beach, there is a public bathroom. From there, another 1-2 mile or so down hill to the beach. There are no bathroom during the hike... So use bathroom before starting. It took us about 3 hours total... So, if you have 6 hour layover, this may cut close.if you have about 8 hour layover, this is doable. Things to bring: - water 1 L per peeson. It can get pretty hot! - sun block - I did not swim at the beach since it was very cloudy in November... But I supposed you could. - descent shoes - use bathroom before heading down to the beach since there is no bathroom for the next mile until you get to the beach.
My friends and I went on a guided hike on this trail through Hong Kong free tours. We started from the trailhead on Shek O Road and ended at Big Wave Bay. Both start and end were accessible by light bus. The trail was open both to mountain bikers and hikers, but we only saw hikers when we were there. The hardest part was at the beginning since there was a somewhat steep climb. Trail was well marked and easy to follow. The trail is manageable in sneakers, but I would recommend using hiking shoes if available since some parts are rocky and the extra grip from the hiking shoes helped. Views during the hike were gorgeous! There were several viewpoints of the bay, fishing villages, mountains and small surrounding islands. You can even spot a cemetery and reservoir if you know where to look. Ending the hike at Big Wave Bay was a good strategy since there was a beachfront restaurant there where you can get some food and drinks (including coconut juice served in a coconut and local beer).
Nice moderate hike with great views.the humidity made the hike harder but other than that, the rewarding views was well worth it. Bring a water bottle or your hydroflask bc youll need to take a drink here and there. Moderate hike with dirt, rocks, steps, and the occasional snake. Don't forget to bring your camera!
Dragon's Back is considered Asia's best urban walk. It is located in Shek O Country Park on the east side of Hong Kong Island. I thought the hike was completely overrated. Once I reached the top of the ridge, it was like rolling hills and looked like a dragon's back hence the name. The views are not bad. I was at the top of the ridge of a mountain range with beach and ocean views. However, the novelty wore off for me quickly. The views did not nearly justify some of the nuisances I experienced. First, it was very windy. Depending on the temperature, it can be very cold so have a light jacket handy. Next, it was not even much of a workout. I hiked three long hikes consecutively the preceding three days and Dragon's Back did not even make me break a sweat or feel my tired legs. The most difficult part of the hike was avoiding all the stones on the north part of the trail. Moreover, there was nothing to see there but trees. You know you have reached the beginning of nothing when you descend down from the mountain ridge. As such, it may make sense to turn around and go back to where you came from instead of heading north. Finally, the most annoying part of the hike was because derived from it being is very easy. For this reason, there were a lot more tourists in my way. Naturally, they had no hiker's etiquette at all. They would walk in lines to block more serious hikers from passing and randomly stopped to take pictures of nothing. Consequently, you can skip this hike if you are a serious hiker. The hike is easy to get to via the MTR. You take it to Shau Kei Wan station. There is a large bus depot under the highway overpass. From there, take the 9 bus to the To Tei Wan stop, where the beginning of the trailhead is located. The trail is Hong Kong Trail Sec. 8. Follow the signs to Shek O Peak and continue north from there. If you make it all the way north, you can continue on the Hong Kong Trail to reach Big Wave Bay Beach. Although it is popular, I saw it from the top of the ridge and was too disappointed from the hike to keep on going. I took the exit to Collision Road instead. From that exit point, you have three ways to get back to Shau Kei Wan station. The first is the taxis that are dropping off tourists. Another option is the minibus. It costs 10 HKD and is cash only. The cheapest option is to catch the 9 bus again. However, you will probably have to wait and see the other two options first unless you get lucky and arrive at the bus station just as the bus arrives. If you are visiting and planning a trip to Hong Kong and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me for my itinerary. You can also find the electronic copy through the link my profile.
Awesome view for an easy hike not far from the city. We went in the early morning around 9AM (and since HK is not an early city the trail was not busy). We were back in the city by 11AM in time for some brunch. The trail says it takes about 1 hour each way but it took us 20 mins with stops for pictures. You can bring a snack and enjoy the view on the benches up top. You can always go down the trail the other way and end up on the same road you came in. Be sure to wear at least sneakers and watch out for mountain bikers.
Ah, can't wait to hike it again. Joined a tour to check out the Dragon's Back trail. Booked on Pelago as you get double Krisflyer miles per dollar spent. It started mid morning 10a.m. Met the tour guide outside the metro station, grabbed a local bus up the mountain and started the trek 128m from the summit. It's chockers full of people so go earlier !. We set a crazy pace up the massive steps, stones and earth. Stopped only to catch a view and a quick breath. Everyone was out there but it was absolutely lovely and shady. The views of course were well worth it!. We diverted to walk down steps after the reservoir to get to Big Wave Bay where local surfers hang out. Ended the hike in 2.5 hours ( give yourself 4 to 5 hours, our guide was fast). Spent the next 45 minutes by the beach watching the waves and cooling down. Best time is winter for cool weather. Best time for wildlife is July! read more
This is a great Medium difficulty hike with spectacular views of the beaches and bays on either side of the island. Take a bus to drop you off at the trailhead and start your hike up the mountain. Total time to hike the trail took about 2 hours at a brisk pace. If you're taking a leisurely stroll it will take much longer. I would recommend doing the hike that leads to Big Wave Bay where you can grab a bite to eat by the beach while watching the surfers catch some waves. read more
This is definitely the designated tourist hike of Hong Kong. It's easy, short, and the trail is easy to find. It is located in Shek O and there's a cute Beach town you can check out while ending at big wave bay. You can also end at another town and take the bus to the metro station at Shau kei wan. This requires exact change and is cash only. There are plenty of hikers and the trail is clearly marked. There is not a lot of cover for shade and it can be windy so wear sunscreen and bring a windbreaker. It's named because it looks like a dragon's back from afar. The views are nice but it doesn't really change as you progress but you get the panoramic view consistently of the town, harbors, and island. I would say the Wilson trail/the twins is much more challenging and has better overall views if you're looking for something a bit different. However, definitely exponentially more difficult! read more
10 years ago
If you have a few hours while in Hong Kong, it's worth your while to think outside the four walls of the many skyscrapers and explore some of the great outdoors at Dragon's Back. On my next-to-last day in Hong Kong I happened to see some hikers ascending the Dragon's Back. "That's a fun hike," my HK-dwelling friend mentioned. "Would we have time to do it tomorrow?" I asked. When she answered affirmatively, plans were promptly made. My last day on the island dawned clear and warm. We took a taxi to the trailhead and climbed what felt like 20 flights of stairs to begin the hike. The trail winds through an area with dense overhead foliage but a well-worn path before cresting on the spine of the "Dragon's Back". Bring your hat and your heavy-duty SPF because on a nice day you can get some serious rays at this spot. From the lookout points it's possible to get an amazing 360 view of the island. Sweeping from the skyscrapers peeking out to the north to the aquamarine South China Sea to the south, this is the best way to enjoy million-dollar views of the area for free. Definitely carve some time out of a packed schedule to traverse the Dragon's Back and you too might just find a new favorite place! read more
We finally did it this time around, we hiked the Dragon's Back! The hike itself starts in the Shek O area. To get there, go to the Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminal and look for Bus 9; you can also take the red minibus that says Shek O and get off the To Tei Wan stop. Bus 9 has more stops as opposed to the minibus, but it is cheaper and you can pay with the Octopus Tap Card whereas the minibus is cash only (exact amount only!). Once you arrive at the stop, you'll see a sign indicating the Hong Kong Trail Dragon's Back. And it's very likely you'll see lots of hikers too. There are toilets available at the beginning of the trail. The trail itself is mostly dirt road with some rocky locations. It also has some stairs that you'll need to climb up. There is very little shade so be prepared with sun protection. As you ascend the Dragon's Back, you'll have nice views of the bays, beaches, and harbors. There are also several viewing points along the way until you hit the top of Shek O Peak. Since this was our first time hiking this, we weren't sure what to expect. But as we hiked our way to the top, we noticed it was extremely windy. When we got to the peak, the gusts were so strong at times that we couldn't even stand straight! After the peak, it's mostly downhill until you hit Tai Tam Road. If you've been holding it in since you started the hike, you'll be happy to know that there are toilets here. From here, you can either catch the bus back or continue on hiking through Pottinger Gap and onwards to Tai Long Wan Village. There really wasn't anything there other than a small park and the Big Wave Bay Beach. Here, you can catch the bus or the red minibus to head back to the Bus Terminal at Shau Kei Wan. Overall, the Dragon's Back was a fun way to explore the nature side of Hong Kong. The hike itself was not difficult and the trail was very well maintained. It is very exposed so you'll get plenty of sunshine and strong winds. The hike can be done in less than 2 hours and a jacket is recommended to protect against the winds. Other than that, it's a nice hike with beautiful views of the water. read more
Wilderness is a construct: how we perceive the environment is largely dictated by arbitrary definitions of nature that render invisible traces of human intervention. So says scholarly research in the burgeoning field of environmental humanities. Even with the weight of this knowledge, I find it refreshing to return to the outdoors when I need a break from the weariness of urban life. The Dragon's Back offers a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong even as it is located only a few kilometers from the heart of the city. Specifically, the sweeping views of Tai Tam Bay and Shek O are stunning enough to make you forget about your problems. (See attached pictures for proof!) Because this is one of the more famous hikes in Hong Kong, I was worried about having to deal with massive crowds on the trail: I didn't want anyone with selfie sticks or loud music to ruin my introspective retreat. My brother and I lucked out insofar as there was nobody else on the trail when we arrived at 9:30AM on a sunny Monday morning. In retrospect, this would have been an ideal spot to watch the sunrise given the clear views of the surrounding areas. The route is clearly marked, partially paved, and well-maintained. The trail is moderately uphill, but shouldn't leave you winded if you do any form of exercise. Hiking shoes aren't necessary, but I'd still recommend wearing athletic shoes at the very least. Although the majority of the trail will take you up and down the forested hillsides of Shek O, you'll want to make sure to wear sun screen since the most famous portion of the trail is mostly exposed to the elements. Since the Dragon's Back is only one section of the much longer Hong Kong Trail, you can extend your journey as much or as little as you like. We opted to continue hiking down to Big Wave Bay since we had conquered the Dragon's Back in approximately 1-1.5 hours. The downhill trail is less scenic with limited views of the city, but does make you forget that you're in a major metropolitan area. Big Wave Bay itself is fairly quiet with only a handful of people - mostly surfers - at the beach. There are some basic amenities at the beach including lifeguard, bathrooms, and snack shops. If you make it to the beach, you might as well check out the ancient rock carving, which the government has declared a monument. Since the bus doesn't (frequently) stop at Big Wave Bay, you'll have to walk back towards Shek O. It's a short, pleasant walk, so don't let that deter you from hiking down to the beaches. To get to Dragon's Back trailhead, take MTR Island Line to Shau Kei Wan and use Exit A to reach the bus terminus. Take bus 9 headed towards Shek O and disembark at To Tei Wan. Because there are so many trails in the area, the bus tends to be packed, but they run every ~15 minutes. The bus accepts Octopus cards. Stops are announced in both Chinese and English. There's an outhouse at the trailhead if you forgot to go before leaving the MTR station. P.S. On my totally subjective scale of butt-kicking hikes, this wouldn't rank very highly since it's fairly easy and short. It reminds me of the Lanikai Pillboxes in Oahu! read more
I loved this hike and the views were incredible! I got off bus 9 at the "Cape Collinson" stop and had no trouble finding the start of the trail. The first 60 minutes, however, had heavy vegetation on both sides with very limited (and usually no) views of the surrounding mountains in ocean. After this, however, I continued the hike to Tie Wan which had many beautiful views and ended right at another stop for the #9 bus. These were my best views of Hong Kong on my whole trip and made the previous 60 min hike totally worthwhile. Make sure you wear appropriate clothes (boots or old shoes, bring an umbrella if it's typhoon season, etc). This is an absolute MUST when visiting Hong Kong. read more
11 years ago
One of the best known trails in Hong Kong. The trail is suitable for beginner's, it's very scenic, and the trail ends in Big Wave Bay. You can rent surf boards and go surfing if hiking alone is not enough for you! Otherwise, you can just chill with some beer and enjoy yourself (or take a nap). Start early because there is no shade/cover for the first half of the walk. Wear a hat and put plenty of sunscreen on! Avoid going around Ching Ming (清明) and Chung Yeung (重陽) because there is a cemetery in that direction and the roads get crazy busy! read more
Our last day in Hong Kong consisted of me confirming my weak-sauce-as-all-heck fitness status because, Dragon's Back . . . Let me preface this by saying that I had been (arguably) diligently spinning every day prior to this excursion, so I was feeling pretty good about my cardio capabilities. My friend suggested we take on Dragon's Back as a rather leisurely beginner's level hike before sending us off back to the U.S. I thought sure, a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong! Time to get in touch with nature, as we had yet to do so during our trip. On this particular day, Dragon's Back seemed to be rather bustling. There were many instances during the hike where we had to halt and let other groups pass by us from either way, so don't approach this thinking it will be a quite isolating sort of rendezvous. We came across a rather diverse smattering of people - awkward first date, several groups of friends and families, and a healthy heaping of HK seniors. All of whom seemed to be happily galloping and strolling about the uneven steps and trails while I breathlessly prayed to not lose my footing. I mean WTF Ellen, get it together! Granted I was ill-dressed for the hike, in low tread casual kicks and a dress, but man! I was a bit aghast at how challenging I found certain segments of Dragon's Back. Nonetheless, despite perspiring a bucket of sweat and the fogginess obstructing the view of Shek-O and Hong Kong below, I was appreciative of the experience. The fluctuating topography will definitely get that heart beat going but do be wise to wear shoes with excellent tread. Note: I did see someone hiking around in flip flops and I was even more devastated about my shoddy physical capabilities. A fair amount of people were sharing all kinds of pastries and fruits atop one of the hills - wish I had thought of that. Additionally, do expect many overzealous selfie-takers and be patient in waiting for your photo perfect opportunity. Regrettably, there was a dude obnoxiously flying his rather loud remote control plane, which posed as an minor annoyance, as it disrupted the relative peace and frightened away many of the circling birds. Worth noting - there were no public restrooms as far as I could tell and the best way to transport to and fro seems to bus or cab. read more
12 years ago
If you have read any of my reviews before you would understand how much of a city boy I am. Yup, I complain A LOT about the heat and let alone mosquitoes, so hold on to your seats, today I am writing reviews on a hiking trail - Dragon's Back. As I am not a keen hiker, I had no idea about how many hiking trails we had in Hong Kong and of course I would not look that up on the internet, so why did I go to the Dragon's Back. Thanks to my roommate when I was at the university, he is not an outdoorsy person but he was fairly intrigued by this specific hiking trail so as a caring and friendly roomy, I would not say no to him. (Well, I did struggle a lot the night before trying to come up with excuses not to go...) And we made it. (urghhh..) According to Time Magazine, it was once declared as the "Best Urban Hike in Asia" so I hoped it was really true as it was not easy at all (at least not to me) to get there (MTR and then minibus). The entire trek took us around 4 hours to finish and we did take a rest for several time (ok, my fault) especially the first part of the trail as it was rather steep (and I regretted a lot already). With the crazy humidity and the heat in Hong Kong, you would expect me nagging a lot along the way. However, the reward was much better afterwards with the scenic view and we ended up spending a night at Big Wave Bay (which I will be reviewing soon). I cannot think of anyone who dislikes outdoor as I do, however, since even I was very pleased and I made it surprisingly, it would be a rather easy and rewarding trip for you all. Please bring a lot of water and snacks (but not so much that you need to go to toilet every 10 minutes!) read more
If you have a full day or at least 6-8 hou4s in Hong Kong, this is doable hike. I booked a hiking tour with Wild Hong Kong via Tripadvisor. My flight arrived around 8 AM... Checked in to hotel and then took the MTR from airport to Hong Kong island transfer to Shau Kei Wan station. This took about 1 hour one way, costs about $120 HKD )or $12 USD). Met my tour guide Rory Mackay at the train station. From there, we took a bus to the hike. I probably would not find this hike by myself. The hike is about 10K or 6-7 miles, up and down hills... Not a difficult hike but when going up hill... It does take a breath out off me. It is very scenic with the view of the city at the peak. At the end of the dragon back before heading down to the big wave beach, there is a public bathroom. From there, another 1-2 mile or so down hill to the beach. There are no bathroom during the hike... So use bathroom before starting. It took us about 3 hours total... So, if you have 6 hour layover, this may cut close.if you have about 8 hour layover, this is doable. Things to bring: - water 1 L per peeson. It can get pretty hot! - sun block - I did not swim at the beach since it was very cloudy in November... But I supposed you could. - descent shoes - use bathroom before heading down to the beach since there is no bathroom for the next mile until you get to the beach. read more
My friends and I went on a guided hike on this trail through Hong Kong free tours. We started from the trailhead on Shek O Road and ended at Big Wave Bay. Both start and end were accessible by light bus. The trail was open both to mountain bikers and hikers, but we only saw hikers when we were there. The hardest part was at the beginning since there was a somewhat steep climb. Trail was well marked and easy to follow. The trail is manageable in sneakers, but I would recommend using hiking shoes if available since some parts are rocky and the extra grip from the hiking shoes helped. Views during the hike were gorgeous! There were several viewpoints of the bay, fishing villages, mountains and small surrounding islands. You can even spot a cemetery and reservoir if you know where to look. Ending the hike at Big Wave Bay was a good strategy since there was a beachfront restaurant there where you can get some food and drinks (including coconut juice served in a coconut and local beer). read more
Nice moderate hike with great views.the humidity made the hike harder but other than that, the rewarding views was well worth it. Bring a water bottle or your hydroflask bc youll need to take a drink here and there. Moderate hike with dirt, rocks, steps, and the occasional snake. Don't forget to bring your camera! read more
8 years ago
Dragon's Back is considered Asia's best urban walk. It is located in Shek O Country Park on the east side of Hong Kong Island. I thought the hike was completely overrated. Once I reached the top of the ridge, it was like rolling hills and looked like a dragon's back hence the name. The views are not bad. I was at the top of the ridge of a mountain range with beach and ocean views. However, the novelty wore off for me quickly. The views did not nearly justify some of the nuisances I experienced. First, it was very windy. Depending on the temperature, it can be very cold so have a light jacket handy. Next, it was not even much of a workout. I hiked three long hikes consecutively the preceding three days and Dragon's Back did not even make me break a sweat or feel my tired legs. The most difficult part of the hike was avoiding all the stones on the north part of the trail. Moreover, there was nothing to see there but trees. You know you have reached the beginning of nothing when you descend down from the mountain ridge. As such, it may make sense to turn around and go back to where you came from instead of heading north. Finally, the most annoying part of the hike was because derived from it being is very easy. For this reason, there were a lot more tourists in my way. Naturally, they had no hiker's etiquette at all. They would walk in lines to block more serious hikers from passing and randomly stopped to take pictures of nothing. Consequently, you can skip this hike if you are a serious hiker. The hike is easy to get to via the MTR. You take it to Shau Kei Wan station. There is a large bus depot under the highway overpass. From there, take the 9 bus to the To Tei Wan stop, where the beginning of the trailhead is located. The trail is Hong Kong Trail Sec. 8. Follow the signs to Shek O Peak and continue north from there. If you make it all the way north, you can continue on the Hong Kong Trail to reach Big Wave Bay Beach. Although it is popular, I saw it from the top of the ridge and was too disappointed from the hike to keep on going. I took the exit to Collision Road instead. From that exit point, you have three ways to get back to Shau Kei Wan station. The first is the taxis that are dropping off tourists. Another option is the minibus. It costs 10 HKD and is cash only. The cheapest option is to catch the 9 bus again. However, you will probably have to wait and see the other two options first unless you get lucky and arrive at the bus station just as the bus arrives. If you are visiting and planning a trip to Hong Kong and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me for my itinerary. You can also find the electronic copy through the link my profile. read more
8 years ago
12 years ago
Awesome view for an easy hike not far from the city. We went in the early morning around 9AM (and since HK is not an early city the trail was not busy). We were back in the city by 11AM in time for some brunch. The trail says it takes about 1 hour each way but it took us 20 mins with stops for pictures. You can bring a snack and enjoy the view on the benches up top. You can always go down the trail the other way and end up on the same road you came in. Be sure to wear at least sneakers and watch out for mountain bikers. read more
10 years ago
Nice hike and great work out. It is all paved and you get a great view of the city and an awesome beach access reward at the end! Well worth it and grab your self a snack and a beer before turning around for the hike back up. This hike is good for beginners and intermediate levels. read more
12 years ago
Going to Dragon's Back and hiking it probably the best thing I have done in Hong Kong - and I am not really a nature person. Coming from Mong Kok, we took the MTR and then a bus up the mountain before starting the hike. The hike was incredibly easy, especially after hiking the mountains in New Hampshire. There are already built staircases and clear paths that made the hike really easy - so easy I had to improvise to make it a big more challenging. The best feeling was running up the mountain with the amazing breeze. Along the way, there are several stops that had breathtaking views. I personally did not care for it because I knew the top would be the gold mine of views. I went on the hike with a bunch of people, but went off on my own because it felt so good to be alone with nature. At the top, I found the perfect spot to sit down that is hidden within the bushes. I will never forget that spot because it was honestly the most peaceful moment ever. After reaching the top, my next mission was to find the beach that my cousin told me about. There are many split roads afterwards, so be sure you know which to take. The hike at the end was easy too but the pathways get narrow at times. At last, we found the beach AND shop that sold fresh coconuts! Not even a fan of coconuts, but that was the most refreshing drink I ever had and it was delicious. The beach was amazing and there was a couple taking wedding pictures, so that made it even more serene. Being at the beach makes me realize how great of a city Hong Kong is. It has a lot of different terrains - the mountains, the beaches, the urban life, the harbor, etc. It definitely made me appreciate it even more and glad there is a peaceful place like the beach to escape to if I were ever to be back. read more
8 years ago
10 years ago
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龍脊 - hiking - Updated August 2026
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