Island's Hiking Highlights
· Hong Kong Trail: 50-kilometer (31-mile) island traversing walking path
· Victoria Peak: City overlooks, natural scenery, mall, convenient transportation
· Country Parks: five country parks, hiking trails, campgrounds, beaches, public park restrooms
It may seem strange, but Hong Kong Island that has one of the tallest skylines of any city region of the world also has good sized country parks with good hiking trails and some of Asia's best hiking scenery. You can walk up Victoria Peak to its Peak Tower mall or along the east coast to Big Wave Bay beach. The 80 square kilometer island is home for 1.5 million people, but most of the island is parkland where you can hike.
Three recommended hikes: There are numerous trails and hikes, but there are about the three best. If you like city park zoos and views of the city, then the Hong Kong Park to Victoria Peak hike is for you. For natural scenic hiking, Section 6 and Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail are good choices.
Hong Kong Park to Victoria Peak Walk (Moderately Strenuous)
· Location: Admiralty to Mid-levels of Central to Victoria Peak
· Route: From Hong Kong Park, walk over on Cotton Tree Drive to the zoo, then up Hornsey Road to Old Peak Road to the top of Victoria Peak.
· For: Casual walkers, families, and people who like to see zoos and scenery.
· Kinds of trail: roads or paved park paths all the way.
· Fame: The scenery from atop Victoria Peak is world famous. Instead of riding up, you can have a energizing hour walking up the mountain.
· Attractions: Hong Kong Park is known for the large tent aviary and the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. The Zoological and Botanical Gardens is world class. On top of Victoria Peak there are paths for 360 degree views and restaurants.
· Time: One hour to walk up from Hornsey Road at a moderate pace. Two hours to see the zoo and Hong Kong Park and walk between them.
· Difficulty: It is a moderately long and strenuous walk (3 hours). For people not used to the climate or to walking uphill, it might be exhausting. But fit individuals jog up from Hornsey Road in half an hour. The road is through shady woods on nicely paved road.
Walking Route from Hong Kong Park to the Primate Zoo
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Starting off, you can walk around Hong Kong Park. It is Hong Kong's best park, and it is free. Starting from the entrance near Queensway Drive, if you'd like, you can take a free look in the Flagstaff House Tea Ware Museum. The building itself is one of the oldest British colonial structures. Walk up the path to the aviary. After seeing the many species of birds, you can walk out the Sports Centre exit. The aviary is generally open 9 to 5 pm.
Then pass the Peak Tram Station and walk up Upper Albert Road about 150 meters until you reach the entrance for the Zoological and Botanical Garden. Many hundreds of people a day will take the Peak Tram up to the top, but depending on how busy the tram system is, walking up the mountain might actually prove faster. It is definitely more interesting.
You can enter and take a quick walking tour around the zoo. It is free too. It is recognized as having one of the best collection of primates in the world. Other than primates, there are few other animals. A good look at the critters would take about half an hour.
Walking Route from Zoo to Peak
Next, head out and find Old Peak Road. The roads are confusing in this area, so ask the people around where the Old Peak Road starts. If you walk on Robinson Road, missing Old Peak Road, don't despair. Just follow it several hundred meters eastwards to Hornsey Road, and walk up it to Old Peak Road.
Old Peak Road is a small road that winds up through a parkland of jungle and woods above the Mid-Levels skyscrapers. You'll likely see hikers or joggers going back and forth between the top of the Mid-Levels Escalator system and the entrance to this small side road. You can follow this road and get up to the top in a stroll of less than an hour. Some people jog the road quite quickly to the top.
Of course, instead of walking through the park and zoo, you could simply catch the Mid-Level Escalator, one of the longest in the world, to the top at Conduit Road, and walk eastwards to Hornsey Road.
Some people not used to uphill walks or the heat and humidity in Hong Kong might find this walk up exhausting. suggest take water and have sun protection for the first part of the walk around the park and zoo. But you'll find Old Peak Road nice and shady especially in the afternoon. You'll get great views of the city going up, good exercise, and a nice nature.
Try to get to the top before sunset to watch the sunset. It is beautiful on both the north and south sides. At 8 pm, the city is lit up most nights for the "Symphony of Lights" building fashion display and skyscraper choreography. Some of the world's tallest buildings take part.
Travel Essentials
Symphony of Lights
· Transport: You can take the MTR to Admiralty Station Exit C1. Or Bus No. 3B, 12, 12A, 23, 23B, 40, or 103. The park can be easily reached by walking through Pacific Place and using the escalator. Walk over to the park entrance near Queensway Drive.
· Snacks/picnic: It is a good idea to bring water and food with you to avoid having to pay more for these along the way. Make sure you have enough water and snacks by the time you reach Old Peak Road since there are no shops in the natural parkland.
· Conditions/clothing: There is little shade around noon in the first part of the walk in the urban area. You might find the sun and heat enervating. So have a head cover, sunglasses, etc. But the walk through the park above mid-levels is shady. People who are not in shape and not used to the climate might better avoid the strain.
Hong Kong Trail Section 8 Dragon's Back (Very Difficult)
· Location: eastern Hong Kong Island
· Route: To Di Wan to Shek O Peak to Dragon's Back to Tai Long Wan
· For: Fit hikers or healthy people
· Kinds of trail: mostly
