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Header image courtesy of thepeak.com.hk
Feeling frugal but still want to have an eventful weekend? We would suggest hiking up Victoria Peak! Nothing beats fresh air from an elevation of 552 metres above ground level. Fear not if the idea seems daunting—we promise it’s not that challenging compared to other trails in Hong Kong. In fact, there are many routes that lead up to this famous sight-seeing spot. Here is our round-up of the best hiking trails to the Peak—use this guide to determine which starting point is most advantageous to your location and confidence level, or simply as a checklist for an avid hiker.
Note: Use the left-hand menu on the map to toggle and untoggle displays of different trails to the Peak.
Hard work pays off when hiking to the Peak through the Wan Chai Green Trail. After conquering the tough slope of Wan Chai Gap Road, the rest of the trek will be a breeze. Unless you are part of an active family, this route is not particularly family- nor pet-friendly. We recommend you get your warm-up and stretches in beforehand.
However, you will be generously rewarded after conquering this uphill battle. Although rest stops are sparse, this trail is generous with its views. At the intersection between Bowen Road and Wan Chai Gap Road, you’ll begin to see magnificent views of Wan Chai. Snap a couple of pics, catch your breath, and take a sip of water!
Distance: 3.4 kilometres approx.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Total ascent: 552 metres
Total time: 1.5 hours approx.
To get to the starting point of Wan Chai Green Trail, get to Kennedy Road. We recommend doing so via Hopewell Centre. From the main entrance of Hopewell Centre at Queen’s Road East, take the lift to the seventeenth floor and exit at Kennedy Road. Cross to the other side of Kennedy Road and walk left till you reach Wan Chai Gap Road. Once you’ve reached the intersection, continue onto Wan Chai Green Trail until you exit at Stubbs Road.
Look for a “Police Museum” signage and walk along Coombe Road. At the end of Coombe Road, continue along Peak Road and soon you should turn to Barker Road. From here, make your way to Findlay Road via Lloyd Path and Severn Road. You will find Lloyd Path after walking about 400 metres into Barker Road, and successively Severn Road. You will emerge out of Findlay Road at Lion’s Pavillion that leads to the Peak!
Hikers who take the Central Green Trail to the Peak almost always experience a leisurely and pleasant hike—and what’s unique about this path to the Peak is that you will be trekking alongside the Peak Tram. The Central Green Trail is an example of how fantastic trails can be found right in the middle of the concrete jungle.
Being amongst the slope-side high-rise buildings of Mid-Levels, you might come across colonial-style buildings and century-old trees, so be on the lookout for them. Even though the trail is manicured, make sure to plan your hike here when it’s nice and sunny out, because the floor gets quite slippery if wet. We recommend catching the Peak Tram one way and walk the other way for maximum sight-seeing opportunities!
Distance: 2.2 kilometres approx.
Difficulty: Beginner
Total ascent: 552 metres
Total time: 1.5 hours approx.
To get to the starting point of the Central Green Trail, make your way to Hong Kong Park Sports Centre via Garden Road. Begin walking along Tramway Path, where you should pass by Kennedy Road, Macdonnell Road, and end at Magazine Gap Road. Cross to the other side of the road and continue onto Brewin Path and Clovelly Path. Walk along May Road and make a sharp turn to Chatham Path, and soon you’ll be at Central Green Trail.
The trail ends at Barker Road. Walk along the road until you see Peak Tram Barker Road Station. Look for Findlay Path and you’ll be at the Peak Tower in no time! For those who don’t mind climbing stairs, hike your way up right next to the Peak Tram route—find the stairs along May Road.
This route allows hikers to kill two birds with one stone. Before heading to the Peak, there is a pitstop at Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. If you have paid a visit to this nature-filled landmark before, then you would probably just walk by, but for those that have not, you’re in for a treat.
You will be welcomed by lush greens and the sounds of nature. What Hong Kong accomplishes well is the yin-and-yang coexistence of garden landscaping and the city’s tall buildings—and in the heart of Hong Kong’s business district, too! With Hong Kong Zoological and Botanicals en route to The Peak, you’ll see how the gardens are a preview to Hong Kong’s beauty—one that can be appreciated from both ground level and in the skies.
Distance: 4 kilometres approx.
Difficulty: Beginner
Total ascent: 552 metres
Total time: 1.5 hours approx.
Starting off similar to the Central Green Trail from Central Station (Exit J2), this route will also pass through Garden Road, but will divert through Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens instead. Slip through the gardens, passing the Fountain Terrace Garden, and exit at Albany Road towards the direction of the Albany Road Public Toilet. Cross the road and continue onto Albany Road and Old Peak Road.
Walk towards the end of Old Peak Road and you should be at the Peak! If you wish not to go to Lugard Lookout, you can shave off one kilometre—about 15 minutes—from the distance and time stated above.
If you decide to take this route to The Peak, you will realise that, apart from The Peak, the trail also points hikers to High West and Pok Fu Lam Country Park. If you think can handle the elevation and the hike after tackling the climb up to the Peak, why not make plans to explore the other paths that the trail has to offer?
The Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail is also along the path of the Lung Fu Shan Morning Trail. Pinewood Battery is one of Hong’s highest coast defence fortifications during the Second World War. Now, it’s in a state of disuse, but is still well-maintained with a gun battery, various magazines, and the observational post intact.
Distance: 4.6 kilometres approx.
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
Total ascent: 552 metres
Total time: 1.5 hours approx.
Getting to the starting point of Lung Fu Shan Morning Trail, we recommend you begin at the Mid-Levels escalators. Note that from 6 am to 10 am, the escalator goes downhill. After 10 am, the direction switches to uphill. You should plan to start your hike after 10 am unless you don’t mind walking up the stairs all the way.
Once you’ve reached the top at Conduit Road, facing the road, turn right and walk 15 minutes to the starting point at Hatton Road. After a while of walking on the trail, you should see Pinewood Battery, continue walking along until you a gondola—this will be your sign that you are close to Victoria Peak. The quick way to the Peak is by taking the stairs at the intersection. Follow that path and Victoria Peak will be waiting for you at the end.
Alternatively, you can get to the starting point of Lung Fu Shan Morning Trail via HKU. From HKU Station (Exit A2), walk through the university. Upon entry walk forward and turn left. Continue forward and take the next right turn. In front of you, you will see the HKU Graduate House. Walk along the slightly inclined path and the steps up until you see a sign for “Lung Fu Shan Environment Education Centre.” Cross the road and the trail begins. Get onto Hatton Road and connect to Lung Fu Shan Morning Trail.
With the government considering the Pok Fu Lam Country Park an official Site of Special Scientific Interest,” this area and its hiking trail is perfect for the whole family. We know that Hong Kong balances the busyness of the business district with nature trails such as this one, and you can pretty much find beautiful natural scenery from all corners of Hong Kong. Although the hike is a loop, there are other hiking trails you can get into such as towards The Peak and the neighbouring sections of the Hong Kong trail—perfect for adventurous hikers!
Distance: 3.3 kilometres approx.
Difficulty: Beginner
Total ascent: 552 metres
Total time: 1 hour approx.
Getting to the starting point of Pok Fu Lam Family Walk, take bus 4 from Central to Wah Fu or bus 71 from Central to Wong Chuk Hang and get off at Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road. Walk along Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road, and once you see the Former Watchman’s Cottage on our left, you’ll have made it to the starting point.
From there, make a left at the first turn to get on the Hong Kong Trail Section 1. At the end of the trail, you’ll see an intersection with Lugard Road, and a gondola on your right. Continue onto the path with stairs at the Harlech Road Fitness Trail and trek along—you will soon arrive at Victoria Peak!
Calling out all those who live on the southern side of Hong Kong Island—there is, in fact, a way for you to reach the Peak without circling around Pok Fu Lam. With only two roads to hike along—Peel Rise and Peak Road—this trail is simple and easy to follow. Even though this trail does not cover any technical terrain, the uphill hike requires stamina, so these are not grounds for beginners. But of course, if you’re up for a challenge, why not?
Distance: 2.3 kilometres approx.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Total ascent: 221 metres
Total time: 40 minutes approx.
Getting to the starting point at Peel Rise, take minibus 58 from Kennedy Town Bus Station to Aberdeen Centre. After alighting, walk along Nam Ning Street, turn left onto Chengtu Road, turn right onto Lok Yeung Street, then turn left onto Aberdeen Reservoir Road. Continue along until you see Peel Rise.
Once you’re on track, trek until you see Hong Kong Trail Section 3 on the right. Peel Rise continues until you see residential buildings on the left. From there, continue onto Gough Hill Path, then Peak Road, and finally Findlay Road. At the end of Findlay Road, you will arrive at The Peak Tower.
Strumming a few tunes on the guitar or trying to connect her Spotify playlist to the sound system is what you’ll find Gabrielle doing in most social situations. She is a homebody and the way to her heart is good food and good company. Apart from music, she spends her time watching and reading up on all there is to know about pop culture.
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