Take a Hike: How to hike to Sunset Peak on Lantau Island

Overview & fast facts

As thrilling as Hong Kong can be, sometimes you just need a break from the city. Good news then that we have beautiful natural landscapes painted in emerald and azure, fringed with a beautiful gold—and no skyscrapers in sight! Some of the hiking websites in Hong Kong will say that Sunset Peak is a difficult hike, but as so often the case is, the majority of it involves more of a trek up some stairs rather than a hike.

With almost 300 kilometres of hiking trails and countless smaller tracks, the range of hiking options in Hong Kong is so wide that it can be hard to choose which to tackle. But looping around the south of Lantau Island, the 70-kilometre-long Lantau Trail offers stunning panoramic views of the offshore islands, not to mention a beautiful and romantic sunset at the peak—so don’t forget to bring your camera!

Luckily, you will not have to tackle all 70 kilometres of this challenging trek. The easiest—and fastest—option is probably to start from Pak Lung Au, climb up to the peak, then hike back down to the starting point.

Distance: 2 kilometres

Difficulty: Moderate

Total ascent: 869 metres

How to get there

The Lantau Trail is 70 kilometres long, so there are plenty of options to hike to Sunset Peak, depending on your level of fitness, your time, and your motivation. The easiest option is probably to start from Pak Kung Au, climb up to the peak, then hike back down to the starting point. There are two ways to get to Pak Kung Au. 

From Central:

• Take the ferry to Mui Wo from Central Ferry Pier 6.
• Hop on bus 3M to Tung Chung Station Bus Terminus.
• Alight at Pak Kung Au.

From Tung Chung:

• From Tung Chung Station Bus Terminus, hop on bus 3M, 11, or 23 to Mui Wo Ferry Pier.
• Alight at Pak Kung Au.

The hike

The Pak Kung Au bus stop is on the ridge between the northern and southern side of the mountains at about 340-metre altitude. The trail starts at a camping site with picnic tables, and you might want to fuel up here before starting, as the hike begins with a steep climb. This might feel like a challenge, but don’t forget—it’s worth it, because less than half an hour later, you will already be able to enjoy some stunning views.

Hong Kong has this incredible ability to surprise you—even when you’ve been living here forever. Once you arrive at the plateau, you will discover a different kind of vegetation composed mainly of silvergrass, which contrasts with the brambles and bamboo. Right here, with a beautiful view over the sea, you could almost think you were in Hawaii... or in Scotland—depending on the weather.

Further ahead is a windswept ridge dotted with little stone huts. These were built in the period between the First World War and Second World War as a holiday retreat for missionaries. From afar, you could think they look a bit like the shepherd’s houses in the French Alps. Don’t go in this direction—instead, follow the path on the other side, up to Sunset Peak. 

You’re almost there! When you finally reach the summit of Sunset Peak (after about two hours), all you have to do is wait for the golden hour and get ready for spectacular views over one of the busiest airports in the world, the stately Lantau Peak, and the offshore islands.

The walk down

Warning: Once the sun sets below the sea line, it gets dark within just a few minutes, so don’t forget to pack torches—this is an absolute must. This is also why it is not advised to hike at dusk when the path is wet, so pick your time frame wisely. From Pak Tung Au, you can catch bus 3M to Mui Wo to enjoy your well-deserved dinner at The Turkish or The Kitchen, which serves excellent pizzas.

Helpful tips

1. If you hike here in the summer, then stay on the trails—don’t forget that Lantau Island means the island of snakes!
2. Don’t forget to pack mosquito repellent, your camera, and a jacket as it gets cold once the sun goes down.
3. Drink, drink, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration—as usual when you go hiking in Hong Kong.

Still have energy left?

If you start in the morning and still have energy and time after the descent from Sunset Peak, continue towards Lantau Peak along Stage 3 of the Lantau Trail, which skirts the summit and ends at the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha—here’s how.