Looking for one of the best, Instagram worthy views of Hong Kong’s skyline? Do the hike that starts at Sha Tin Pass Road and ends at the Kowloon Reservoir.

The trail follows the Unicorn Ridge, past Lion Rock, Beacon Hill and Eagle’s Nest to end on the northern vista of Victoria Harbour. If you’ve lucked out and hiked on a clear day, you’ll get a view that stretches all the way to Victoria Harbour.

Look out your airplane window as you fly into Hong Kong and you can’t help but be wowed by the density of development and the sheer number of skyscrapers packed into a space the size of six Washington, DC’s. But what most people don’t realize is that Hong Kong is more than a big city. It’s an archipelago of 236 islands and islets – and a hiker and nature lover’s paradise.

While locals are very keen hikers, tourists are largely unaware of the sheer number of hiking trails covering Hong Kong, including Dragon’s Back Mountain, an 8.5 km section of the 50 km Hong Kong Trail described by Lonely Planet as the world’s best urban hiking trail.

Geopark Hiking

If you’re new to Hong Kong and are keen to get out into a less populated, pristine area, sign up for the inexpensive yet professionally guided Geopark hike offered in three languages including English.

Get a pickup on the bustling sidewalks of downtown Hong Kong – saving you the hassle of taking a taxi or a bus. Drive to Sai Kung East Dam, the starting point for the day’s hike. Marvel at the High Island Reservoir overlooking the South China Sea.

Visit a geological formation considered to be one of the world’s best examples of hexagonal columnar jointing; it’s also one of twelve sites that make up Hong Kong’s UNESCO Global Geopark and the only one accessible on foot.

Over the course of the day’s hike enjoy views of the coastline at Sai Kung along with the nearby islands and rock formations. Finish the hike at the Sheng Yiu Hakka Village Museum where you’ll get a sense of what a village looked like long ago.

This hike is labeled moderate though in my books I’d call it easy.

Lantau Peak

As the second highest peak in Hong Kong, the hike up Lantau Peak is a popular one especially at sunrise. Allow two hours one way.

There is a hostel if you want to spend the night as you’ll need to be on the trail by 4 AM to catch the golden hour. Go between December and February for the best sunrise as that’s when Hong Kong is drier and less hazy. The hike can be accessed via public transit.

Lai Chi Wo Hiking Tour

If you’re a history and nature buff sign up for the Lai Chi Wo guided hiking tour. Some of the highlights on this easy hike include a stop at one of the few remaining 400 year old Hakka villages (a walled village designed to be easily defended) and a visit to one of the oldest Feng Shui woods, home to camphor, autumn maples and incense trees.

You’ll see the largest bed of Coastal Heritera – a mangrove with a very interesting texture. Keep your binoculars handy with so many birds and butterflies around. And as you hike along the coastline marvel at what 400 million years of oxidation does to the rocks – cue the deep red colour.

Sha Tin Pass Road to Kowloon Reservoir Hiking Trail

Looking for one of the best, Instagram worthy views of Hong Kong’s skyline? Do the hike that starts at Sha Tin Pass Road and ends at the Kowloon Reservoir.

The trail follows the Unicorn Ridge, past Lion Rock, Beacon Hill and Eagle’s Nest to end on the northern vista of Victoria Harbour. If you’ve lucked out and hiked on a clear day, you’ll get a view that stretches all the way to Victoria Harbour.