From Skyscrapers to Summits: Why You Should Hike in Hong Kong (Even If You Think You Can’t)

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07 Jan 2026
13 mins
Out of Town Blog
Melo Villareal

Author: Melo Villareal

You’ll Never See Hong Kong the Same Way After Hiking These Trails For most Filipinos, Hong Kong is often synonymous with shopping sprees, Disneyland trips, and unforgettable food adventures. Hiking? That’s usually an afterthought—if it’s on the list at all. With the Philippines already blessed with dramatic mountains, powdery beaches, and scenic trails, it’s easy […]

Out of Town Blog

From Skyscrapers to Summits: Why You Should Hike in Hong Kong (Even If You Think You Can’t)

You’ll Never See Hong Kong the Same Way After Hiking These Trails

For most Filipinos, Hong Kong is often synonymous with shopping sprees, Disneyland trips, and unforgettable food adventures. Hiking? That’s usually an afterthought—if it’s on the list at all. With the Philippines already blessed with dramatic mountains, powdery beaches, and scenic trails, it’s easy to wonder: why fly out just to go on a trek?

But here’s the surprise: roughly 75% of Hong Kong is countryside. Beyond the glass towers and neon-lit streets lies a landscape of rolling hills, rugged coastlines, lush forests, and cliffside viewpoints that reveal the city and sea from an entirely new angle. Hidden in plain sight are some of Asia’s most breathtaking yet remarkably accessible trails.

You don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy them. A comfortable pair of sneakers, a bottle of water, and a bit of curiosity are more than enough. One moment you’re walking past apartment blocks and cha chaan tengs; a short bus ride later, you’re on a ridge trail with the wind in your hair, watching the sunlight dance on the water—or happily pushing on with the promise of a steaming bowl of noodles or dim sum feast at the end.

Even those who can’t survive a humid day without handheld fans and cooling powder end up falling in love with Hong Kong’s outdoors. Coastal paths come with a gentle sea breeze, forest trails offer pockets of cool shade, and hilltop viewpoints reward you with sweeping panoramas of islands, harbors, and skyscrapers below.

The beauty of hiking in Hong Kong is that you never have to choose between nature and comfort. By day, you’re out on scenic paths, tracing ancient routes and coastal curves; by night, you’re back in a cozy hotel room with hot showers, soft sheets, and the city’s bright lights just outside your window. It’s the best of both worlds—no compromises needed.

Hiking at High Island Reservoir East Dam

Hiking With Unexpected Company

For some, the word “hiking” brings back memories of steep inclines, muddy shoes, and existential crises halfway through. Hong Kong’s trails, however, are different. Most are surprisingly manageable and rewarding, with minimal risk of embarrassing yourself—especially if it’s your first time.

Take Sai Kung, for example. The route to its scenic beaches offers a gentle introduction to nature, without making you feel like you’ve accidentally signed up for a survival reality show. At some point, you might find yourself grabbing a questionable-looking branch for support, but the view from the top quickly makes you forget that you’re less than an hour away from the city. It’s a beautiful reminder that amid the hustle and bustle, Hong Kong still has pockets where time seems to stand still.

Along the way, you’ll encounter some unexpected locals: buffalo and cows roaming freely. These four-legged residents are believed to be descendants of former farm animals, now living rent-free, basking in the sun, and occasionally photobombing hikers like it’s their full-time job.

Where the Trees are the Tour Guides

Not a fan of cardio? No problem—Hong Kong’s Great Outdoors is as much about slowing down as it is about endurance.

At Tam O’Shan, forest bathing offers a mindful alternative to intense hikes. This Japanese practice focuses less on reaching the summit and more on connecting with nature. Guided by a trained forest therapy practitioner, you’ll try simple sensory exercises, such as noticing the scent of the trees or listening closely to rustling leaves.

A standout activity is “befriending” a tree. Picture walking into a party where you don’t know anyone and choosing which tree feels most approachable. It might sound unusual, but even skeptics often finish the session feeling remarkably calm. Some believe trees can absorb energy, and that hugging one helps ease stress and foster a sense of safety and support—like a reassuring hug.

To slow down further, you can walk uphill backward. Moving this way encourages a deliberate pace that keeps you present and invites you to let go of control over what lies ahead—both literally and metaphorically. As a bonus, it tends to leave fellow hikers pleasantly baffled.

The Best Post-Hike Reset

A good hike deserves an even better cool down—and Hong Kong delivers.

The Pavilion of Absolute Perfection at Nan Lian Garden

In the heart of the city, Nan Lian Garden offers a Zen retreat inspired by the Tang Dynasty. Every element is designed to soothe an overstimulated mind: rocks symbolize an unmoved heart, water represents generosity without expectation, trees embody vitality, and wooden buildings radiate warmth. The contrast is striking. One moment you’re wrapped in lush greenery; the next, you’re looking up at Hong Kong’s iconic skyline—a quiet reminder that peace and chaos can exist side by side.

If you struggle to switch off, Red Doors Studio offers sound healing with deep, resonant gong vibrations. Wrapped in a weighted blanket in a dimly lit room, you drift into theta—a state between sleep and wakefulness. The rest creeps up on you: one moment you’re skeptical, the next you’re so relaxed you forget where you are.

Many believe this practice also supports physical recovery. Martha Collard, a renowned gong master, discovered this firsthand when a session helped dissolve her kidney stones. Today, her sound baths are a go-to for deep restoration, whether in an intimate studio or at major festivals like Clockenflap. Some guests are so deeply relaxed they start snoring—a gentle reminder that rest doesn’t always come from silence, but from sound.

Why More Filipinos Are Adding Hiking to Their Hong Kong Itinerary

For many Filipinos, Hong Kong is a comfort zone – familiar, fast-paced, and easy to navigate. But as more millennials and Gen Zs embrace hiking and wellness travel after the pandemic, a different side of the city is starting to stand out.

Why add it to your itinerary? Hong Kong offers beginner-friendly trails that don’t require special gear or intense training, and most are easily accessible by public transportation. Worried about the heat? Plan your hikes from January to April, when the cooler weather makes long walks much more comfortable.

Hiking in Hong Kong may not yet be on every Filipino traveler’s radar, but it’s a natural next step for those already enjoying local hikes back home. It may not involve shopping bags or theme park queues, but it delivers something else: a sense of achievement, refreshing encounters with nature, and a guilt-free excuse to feast on dim sum afterward. More travelers are trying it – maybe it’s time you did, too.

To get started, visit Discover Hong Kong.