Lantau Peak 鳳凰山 is located on Lantau Island, it literally means “Phoenix Mountain” in Chinese, is the highest mountain on Lantau Island, second-highest summit at 934 metres in Hong Kong. Tai Mo Shan at 957 metres is the highest mountain in the city.
There are several trails you can choose to hike to the the top, the most common and easiest route would be from (1) Pak Kung Ngau 伯公坳, the trail is very straight forward and you should be summiting Lantau Peak in slightly over 2 hours. The next route would be from (2) Ngong Ping Wisdom Path 昂坪心經簡林, it should take about 1.5 hours or less to the top. It is a straight forward trail but do expect steep steps while ascending. Both of the above-mentioned routes’ starting point are already above 300 metres, therefore your ascending is just over 600 metres to Lantau Peak 鳳凰山.
If you are challenging yourself for a trail starting from the ground, you should consider Dog’s Teeth Range 狗牙嶺, not only you are attempting one of the hardest hiking trails in Hong Kong, you are also up for one of the most astonishing scenery in Hong Kong.
There are three primary ridge hikes on Dog’s Teeth Range 狗牙嶺 leading to the summit of Lantau Peak 鳳凰山, namely West Dog’s Teeth 西狗牙嶺, Middle Dog’s Teeth 中狗牙嶺 and East Dog’s Teeth 東狗牙嶺. All three routes are technically and physically demanding, as hikers need to deal with jagged clusters of rocks, while ascending over 900 metres under exposed conditions, it is not advisable to do this in the Summer months to avoid heat stroke.
“West Dog’s Teeth 西狗牙嶺“ might have been dubbed the hardest hike in Hong Kong, but do not be frightened by the title given to this fun, adventurous and scenic trail. It is definitely not the easy paved trail and to do this, some basic hiking experiences and fitness trainings are needed and be prepared for some scramblings. Also, you must not be afraid of heights.
If you are a mountain addict like me, this one has to be in your bucket list! The trail I am sharing is a long trail of about 14 km but it covers a lot of spectacular photo spots, and hiking on the ridge of West Dog’s Teeth, you’ll enjoy the sweeping view of the ocean & some islands, on another side, Lantau Peak is standing tall waiting for you to conquer. If you are lucky, you will see some beautiful clouds movement flowing through the top of the mountain. It is magical!
My Trail:
” Shek Pik Reservoir 石壁水塘 > Shek Pik Country Trail 石壁郊遊徑 > West Dog’s Teeth Ridge 西狗牙嶺 > Lifeline 一線生機 > Hades’ Wall 閻王壁 > THE BIRD ROCK 小鳥回頭 > SKYLIGHT ROCK 天窗石 > LANTAU PEAK 鳳凰山 (934M) > LO HAN TOWER 羅漢塔 (767M) > ONE TREE CAVE 一樹洞 > Phoenix Rock 鳳鳥石 > Ancient Trail 法門古道 > Shek Mun Kap 石門甲 ”
Distance: 14 KM
Duration: 9 hours
Elevation Gain: 1184 M
Difficulty: 4.5/5
View: 5/5
How to get there & return:
1. Take MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung 東涌 station, take exit B and walk to the main bus terminus.
2. Take the New Lantau Bus #11 going to Tai O, then get off at Shek Pik Police Stand 石壁警崗, first stop of Shek Pik Reservoir.
3. If you are going from Mui Wo 梅窩 Pier, take the New Lantau Bus #1 going to Tai O, then get off at Shek Pik Police Stand 石壁警崗, first stop of Shek Pik Reservoir.
4. Your adventure begins there!
5. You will finish your hike at Shek Mun Kap 石門甲, walk to the main road and get on any bus and go to Tung Chung 東涌 MTR station.
Hike Overview:
From the starting point at Shek Pik Police Stand 石壁警崗, follow the main road towards the direction where you are coming from (Tung Chung/ Mui Wo).
In a few hundreds metres and you will arrive at the barbecue park, cross over the catchwater and you are on the Shek Pik Country Trail 石壁郊遊徑.
In slightly under 3 km on Shek Pik Country Trail 石壁郊遊徑 and you will get to the entrance of West Dog’s Teeth Ridge 西狗牙嶺, there’s a big rock with the name in Chinese that is impossible to miss.
Take a break as the fun part is about to begin once you get on the ridge scrambling your way up.
Wearing a glove is necessary from now on, it helps you to hold onto the rocks for your ascent, you will get a better grip and also to protect your hands from scratches. Remember, always look for the ribbons to navigate your way up, at some parts, the trail might not be that obvious. Therefore, spotting the ribbons on the branches is the only way you know if you are on the right track. Of course, you can also track yourself in the Hiking Trail HK App.
Hiking on the West Dog’s Teeth Ridge for about 1.5 kms and you will get to “Lifeline 一線生機”, a nice spot for picture but also a dangerous one as many fatal accidents had happened here.
If you are coming from West Dog’s Teeth Ridge, you do not need to cross “Lifeline 一線生機”, you will walk pass it, you can go there for taking pictures.
However, if you are coming from East Dog’s Teeth 東狗牙嶺 and Middle Dog’s Teeth 中狗牙嶺, you have to cross “Lifeline 一線生機” in order to get to Hades’ Wall 閻王壁. So be extremely careful while crossing it.
After this, you will face the Hades’ Wall 閻王壁, a wall of very steep incline which you need to ascend before getting to The Bird Rock 小鳥回頭. There are ropes to help your ascent, so take your time to slowly hike up.
Once you get to The Bird Rock 小鳥回頭, enjoy your break and spend some time to take pictures at this popular spot, immerse yourself in the peaceful nature surrounding you.
“ Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you are climbing it. ”
– Andy Rooney
There are two ways to summit Lantau Peak 鳳凰山 from here, you can either (1) follow the main trail going up and you will get to the top in about half an hour, or you can (2) try South Phoenix Trail 鳳冠南巖, an adventurous and fun trail, it will take you 1.5-2 hours before you get to Lantau Peak. This trail takes longer but trust me, it is very scenic and you are going to love it.
The trailhead of South Phoenix Trail 鳳冠南巖/南巖棧道 is right behind The Bird Rock 小鳥回頭.
As you can see from the picture above, go down behind The Bird Rock 小鳥回頭, it is a very steep descent, make sure you take all your time and hold onto both side of the rocks and slowly go down. Once you get down, follow the trail and check for the ribbons along the way and enjoy this fun South Phoenix Trail 鳳冠南巖/南巖棧道.
You will find a few scenic spots for taking amazing pictures. On a clear sunny day, the scenery you are going to get is breathtaking.
From the picture above, you can see the Dog’s Teeth Ridge on the left, and on the top right, that is The Bird Rock, where you started the South Phoenix Trail 鳳冠南巖/南巖棧道.
In about half a kilometre, you will arrive at the Split Rock, it has the shape of a Chimpanzee Head. Walk pass the narrow path to continue on.
Soon you will come across a bed of River Rock, cross over and continue the trail under the shade and you will arrive at the Skylight Rock 天窗石.
After Skylight Rock 天窗石, take the trail behind it, that’s Skylight Ridge and get up to Lantau Trail Section 3, turn left and then hike your way up to Lantau Peak 鳳凰山.
Right now, you are on the highest point on Lantau Island. You will see the altitude post, wooden shelter and the Lantau Peak sign up there.
Next, begin your descent by making your way to Lantau Subpeak, at 918 metres.
Continue on to Lo Han Tower 羅漢塔, it is a peculiar rock tower where you can spot from far, go around the rock tower and you can actually climb to the top.
Located very close to Lo Han Tower 羅漢塔, there is a beautiful small cave with the name One Tree Cave 一樹洞. Go check it out! Don’t be surprised that on weekend, this spot is full of hikers queuing to take pictures.
From inside the cave, get out and take your left and go on the trail and then take your first right, you will be on Fung Niu Shek Ridge 鳳鳥石脊.
Make your descent for about half a kilometre and you will see a Phoenix Rock 鳳鳥石.
Keep descending and soon you will get to the Ancient Trail 法門古道, it is a concrete path, turn right and you have your final 4 km to the finishing point, Shek Mun Kap 石門甲.
This 14 km Grand Phoenix Trail is an adventurous trail that you start your ascent from one side and descend to the other side, hiking over the highest point of Lantau Island, and throughout the whole trail you will find plenty of gorgeous photo spots and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking! At the end of the day, you also achieve a great fitness workout.