Category: Best Hikes in Hong Kong

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Suicide Cliff 自殺崖 – the Dangerously Beautiful Hike

The best spot for watching sunset!

Suicide Cliff 自殺崖, located on the Kowloon Peak, is one of the most popular spots for hiking, and also the most talked about place as injuries and fatalities had happened to hikers before. No doubt, it is the best spot for watching sunset in my opinion. Standing on the cliff, you have the whole Hong Kong city view right in front of you, as you watch the setting sun like an orange egg yolk. It is beyond captivating! Even though I have been there a couple of times, I am still blown away by the view up there every single time.

If you haven’t been there before, please go with experienced hikers. Remember, safety always come first. Even though it is a fantastic spot for getting a good shot, please do not attempt to go to the cliff if you don’t feel comfortable. If you do, be extremely careful. We always know our limit, just don’t cross the line!

Isn’t it mind-blowing?
Feeling like on top of the world!

My Trail: 

” Choi Hung MTR > Jat’s Incline 扎山道 > Kowloon Peak 飛鵝山 (602M) > SUICIDE CLIFF 自殺崖 > Chau Liu Au 茶寮坳> Fei Ngo Shan Road ”




Distance: 5.5 KM
Duration: 3 hours
Elevation Gain: 592 M
Difficulty: 4.5/5
View: 5/5

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR Kwun Tong Line to Choi Hung 彩虹 station, then take exit C2.

2. From exit C2, turn right and follow the stairs up to Wing Ting Road, then turn left. After a few minutes walk on Wing Ting Road, take your first right turn into On Ting Road, the road will lead you to Ping Ting Road. Keep going straight and pay attention to your right, you will see the stairs almost at the end of Ping Ting Road, take the stairs and go all the way to Jat’s Incline.

3. Follow Jat’s Incline for a few minutes walk and turn right into the rocky path, and hike all the way to Kowloon Peak.

4. From Kowloon Peak, walk pass the radio station, follow the path and then you will have to descent before you arrive at Suicide Cliff.

5. You’ll finish at Fei Ngo Shan Road, walk to Clear Water Bay Road and follow the road until you see the bus stop, you can get on any bus to Choi Hung MTR station.


Hike Overview:

First 2 kilometers of this trail after turning in from Ping Ting Road is mainly stairs, you’ll be walking under the shade, be prepared for hundreds of stairs ascending until you get to Jat’s Incline. Once you get to the road, pay attention to your right after less than 100M walk, you’ll see the path going up the mountain. That’s the shortcut to Kowloon Peak, it takes about 40-50 minutes of ascent. This path is very steep, I’d recommend that you bring your gloves as you’ll have to hold on the rocks to help you going up. It is safe though.

You’ll find two beautiful spots for taking pictures along the way, you can take a break and enjoy the view. You’ll see big rocks with an open view of the city, you won’t miss them.

1st picture spot.
2nd picture spot.

When you see the radio station, that’s where you are heading. You’ll finally arrive at the helipad, and that’s Kowloon Peak. On the other side, you’ll see Sai Kung and Ma On Shan Country Park, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

To go on to Suicide Cliff, go up to the radio station and walk pass it. You will see some stairs and a path going further. You won’t get lost as there are always hikers and photographers, and the path is pretty obvious. From now on, you have to be very careful, watch every step you make because accident can happen if you do not stay focus on the path. If you are there for sunset, it is a MUST that you bring a headlamp or a torch with you, you need it for the steep descent to avoid accident and getting lost.

“ Conquering your fear brings you to new heights, and a whole new perspective. ”

– Raynard Jackle

Here are some nice sunset shots I have taken:


To go down from Suicide Cliff, there are two ways:

(i) A shorter path is steeper, the descent will be scary for those who has acrophobia, it takes only 45 minutes to the main road. Take the path going down from Suicide Cliff, at some parts you’ll have to sit on the rocks to aid your descent. You’re gonna lose the sunlight completely if you are going down after watching sunset, therefore having a headlamp is a must so you don’t lose your way down.

(ii) Another path you have to go back to Kowloon Peak, after passing the helipad, take the stairs on your right, it will lead you to Fei Ngo Shan Road. Follow the road all the way down, until you reach Clear Water Bay Road. This way takes at least 1.5 hours.

I hope you’re going to enjoy the hike as much as I do and get some great shots. One last reminder, safety always comes first!

Aerial view of Kowloon Peak and Sai Kung on the right.
You can see the radio station and the path leading to Suicide Cliff, also the path going down the mountain.

Please check out my Lion Rock Hike, Sunset Peak Hike & Temple Crag Hike, if you like watching sunset on top of the mountain! 

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Cape D’Aguilar 鶴咀 – the Holiday Trail

 

Crab Cave at Cape D’Aguilar           

Cape D’Aguilar, or Hok Tsui 鶴咀, is a cape in the south of Shek O and D’Aguilar Peak on southeastern Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. The peninsula, where the cape is on its southeastern side, is also known as Cape D’Aguilar. This place is extremely beautiful and more importantly, it’s very easy to reach. Therefore, it has become a popular attraction among the tourists and locals. 

View of Kau Pei Chau from the rocky bay at Cape D’Aguilar

A little tip for you, try to avoid visiting Cape D’Aguilar 鶴咀 during the weekend, be there as early as you can, preferably before 9am. Visitors & hikers start to flood in before late morning, and it will be hard to take nice pictures at such a beautiful place when it is over-crowded. 

My Trail: 

” Cape D’Aguilar Road > CAPE D’AGUILAR 鶴咀 > D’Aguilar Peak (325M) > Shek O Beach ”
*Alternatively, you can take the same path to return to where you started, take the minibus #9 to return to Shau Kei Wan MTR!


Distance: 11 KM
Duration: 4.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 494 M
Difficulty: 3.5/5
View: 5/5

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR Island Line to Shau Kei Wan 筲箕灣 station.

2. Take Exit A, go to bus terminal and look for the minibus #9 to Shek O via Dragon’s Back.  Make sure the bus is making a detour to Cape D’Aguilar (Hok Tsui), you can check with the bus driver.

3. Get off at the Cape D’Aguilar Road bus stop.

4. Begin your fun and pleasant hike along the road to Cape D’Aguilar.

5. You’ll finish at Shek O Beach, from there you will take the same minibus #9 back to Shau Kei Wan MTR.



Hike Overview:

The first 4 kms from where you get off the bus to Cape D’Aguilar is flat and very scenic, you feel very different vibe, as if you are on vacation somewhere out of Hong Kong. At the end of Cape D’Aguilar road, you’ll come across a radio station, there’s a sign stating no trespassing. Take a look at your left, next to the radio station, there’s a small path, follow the path around the station and go on until the end of the road. You’ll arrive at the Cape D’Aguilar Marine Reserve.

the “Thunder Sea Cave 雷音洞“!

First of all, go check out the “Thunder Sea Cave 雷音洞”, take the little stairs down on the left of the road. You’ll be stunned by the beauty of it, it’s a big sea cave with raging waves crashing in, forming a great phenomena. It’s definitely one of the best things I have seen. I was there for a while admiring it.

the Crab Cave, spectacular!

You’ll understand what I mean now when you can take pictures with the spectacular “Crab Cave” without anybody in the frame. Beside this picturesque spot, you can walk around the area and you will enjoy yourself a lot, it is very relaxing with the sea breeze and the sound of waves.

Bones of Miss Willy

The Bones of Miss Willy is just very close to the Crab Cave, you can say hi to her before continuing your hike to Shek O.

Next stop is D’Aguilar Peak (325M), take the same path back, and after Hok Tsui Village, you will see a road on your right. Follow the road and you are heading to D’Aguilar Peak.


You are going to see 2 satellite stations up there, pay attention to your left and you will find a small path leading you all the way to Shek O. Along the way, keep looking for ribbons to ensure you are on the right track, this part will become a little bit of an adventure. I’ll call it a “Ribbon Game”!!! Be very careful especially when you are descending down the rocks! You are going to find many spots that you can take great pictures with Shek O beach just behind you.

“ I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. ”

– John Burroughs

This is the final part of descending, go very slow and steady, keep your eyes open and look for the ribbons. It will lead you to Shek O beach!

Shek O beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong. There are plenty of restaurant choices, go eat something and then relax at the beach, enjoy your sunbath and swimming!

Happy Holiday!!!

the two little cuties I met on the beach
walking through Shek O village and go to the end you’ll find this beautiful spot, enjoy your sunset watching there!
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Sharp Peak 蚺蛇尖 to Big Wave Bay 大浪灣 – the Most Scenic Hike in Hong Kong

Sharp Peak and Big Wave Bay (Tai Long Wan)

Sharp Peak or Nam She Tsim 蚺蛇尖, is a well-known hill in Sai Kung East Country Park with the altitude of 468 meters. It is one of the most popular hiking spots in Hong Kong, the most scenic hiking trail in my opinion. The scenery along the way is mind blowing, you’ll be amazed discovering this gem in Hong Kong. 

The Three Sharp Peaks of Hong Kong (香港三尖) are a collection of three peaks that Hong Kong hikers deem as very challenging to summit because of high altitude, loose rocks and steep inclination. Beside Sharp Peak (468M) in Sai Kung, the other two are Castle Peak (583M) in Tuen Mun and High Junk Peak (344M) located in Clear Water Bay. The three peaks are scattered in different regions in Hong Kong. 



My Trail:

” Pak Tam Au 北潭凹 > Chek Kang 赤徑 > Tai Long Au 大浪坳 > Nam She Au 蚺蛇坳 > SHARP PEAK 蚺蛇尖 (468M) > Mai Fan Teng 米粉頂 (363M) > Tung Wan Shan 東灣山 (298M) > CHEUNG TSUI 長咀 > Tung Wan 東灣 > Tai Wan 大灣 > Ham Tin Beach 鹹田灣 ”
*Alternatively, you can go straight to Tai Wan, then Ham Tin Beach directly from Sharp Peak if you would like to do a shorter hike! It is still a breathtaking trail to do!


Distance: 18 KM
Duration: 8 hours
Elevation Gain: 1238 M
Difficulty: 5/5
View: 5/5

View of Sharp Peak from Tai Long Au!

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR Kwun Tong Line to Choi Hung 彩虹 station.

2. From MTR Choi Hung station, proceed to the C2 exit. Take the green minibus #1A to Sai Kung.

3. From Sai Kung Pier bus terminal, take KMB bus #94 heading to Wong Shek Pier, get off at Pak Tam Au 北潭凹.

4. Your fun hike begins there! (there is a public toilet)

5. After the hike, you’ll finish at Ham Tin Beach 鹹田灣. There are 2 ways for you to return to Sai Kung:

( i ) Book a speedboat at the store when you arrive at Ham Tin Beach, it takes you all the way to Sai Kung in about 45 minutes (price HKD150). This is my favorite way because you’ll get to admire the beauty of Sai Kung from the sea, there are islands that you’ll only get to see from the speedboat. Plus, it’s very fun way to end the day after the long day of hike. Kindly take note of the time as the last departure of speedboat is 1830 during weekdays (more frequencies during weekend), so you might want to be there on time if you would like to take this option.

( ii ) From Ham Tin Beach, you can either walk all the way back to Pak Tam Au, where you started the hike and take the KMB #94 bus back to Sai Kung, or you can walk to Sai Wan Pavilion, and call for taxi. Both ways will require about 1.5 hours more.

6. From Sai Kung pier, you can then get on KMB bus #92 to go to MTR Choi Hung & Diamond Hill station, OR the green minibus #1A to go to MTR Choi Hung station. 
 

Hike Overview:

First part of the trail from Pak Tam Au is definitely a warming up, walking on concrete path for about 4.5 kms and you’ll arrive at Tai Long Au, here’s when you need to make a left turn. You won’t miss it! If you keep walking straight on the concrete path, you are heading to Ham Tin Beach.



Soon after Tai Long Au, you will be totally exposed, make sure you put on sunscreen. Here comes the best and fun part, you will see Sharp Peak right in front of you as you walk and on your right, there lies the famous Big Wave Bay (Tai Long Wan), consisting of 4 beautiful beaches, namely Sai Wan, Ham Tin, Tai Wan & Tung Wan. You’ll see all of them as you get higher, heading to Sharp Peak.

It is recommended that you bring gloves with you as you will need to put it on for some ‘climbings’. Don’t worry, it is doable for everybody. Maybe I should say it’s more like the hands’ support holding on the rocks to help your ascending/descending. Just go slow and steady, and watch out for loose rocks. Trust me, you will soon arrive on top of Sharp Peak. It is going to be your reward, definitely worth your effort!

The steepest part of the trail, use your hands to support your ascending/descending!
The rocky path to Sharp Peak, with a bird’s eye view of the entire Big Wave Bay (Tai Long Wan)!

“ The best view comes after the hardest climb! ”

– Raynard Jackle

Overlooking Nam She Wan 蚺蛇灣 from the top of Sharp Peak, simply breathtaking!

This is definitely the most scenic hike I have done in Hong Kong! It is hard to believe you’ll find this breathtaking & tranquil place in the concrete jungle of Hong Kong.

Sharp Peak and the 4 beaches of Big Wave Bay!

Here’s where you’ll decide if you continue on to Cheung Tsui 長咀, which I highly recommend, if time permits. Otherwise, you can easily see the path heading to the beach, that is Tai Wan, just walk slowly and be careful as going down from Sharp Peak is challenging because of the slippery rocks.

Tung Wan Shan 東灣山 , Cheung Tsui 長咀 & Tung Wan 東灣!

The path to Cheung Tsui 長咀 requires you to hike across 2 more mountains; Mai Fan Teng 米粉頂 (363M) & Tung Wan Shan 東灣山 (298M), after that keep walking until the end and you are going to see this:

Cheung Tsui Chau 長咀洲
Overlooking the beautiful sea sitting at the end of Cheung Tsui!

If you make it to Cheung Tsui, congratulations!!! You will not regret it! Spend some time to enjoy the view there and get rejuvenated.

Just remember there are still 4 kms away from your finishing point, Ham Tin Beach. So, keep track of your time!

Peaceful Ham Tin before sunset!

I hope you choose to take the speedboat to return to Sai Kung pier, it is a faster option and you’ll get to enjoy the sunset, and the beauty of Sai Kung from a different perspective.


Enjoy the hike and the captivating scenery!!!

Please check out my Cape D’Aguilar Hike, if you enjoy hiking with sea view and finishing at the beach!

On the speedboat returning to Sai Kung pier while watching sunset!