Flat hikes to do in summer in Hong Kong – get outdoors in the heat without the steep climbs
- Still enjoy Hong Kong’s Country Parks this summer, but avoid the exposed steep climbs in the heat by heading out on flat hikes
- Flat undulating hikes still offer great rewarding views without the extreme sweat and effort
But there are flat hikes, with undulating, small hills that have great views and end in stunning locations for you to enjoy while you wait for the balmy temperatures of Autumn to return.
Mui Wo to Pui O – 6km
Get the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo. Turn left out of the ferry and follow the coast round. You will pass McDonalds, a bike shop and a right turn, and then a left turn. Just where the buildings and building sites end, there is a sharp right turn up some steps into the trees.
You will find yourself on a trail – follow it, as it undulates in the shade of trees, with the sea to your left. Keep going straight, even if there is a right hand turn that is signposted to Pui O, ignore it. Eventually you will reach a wide flat grassy area. Turn right and walk across the grass towards the couple of buildings at the back of the open area.
You may pass some cows. They are harmless so long as you do not annoy them!
Hong Kong hikes that finish where you can swim
After the buildings, you will find a concrete road. Turn right here. It begins a short climb, the steepest of this flat hike. Head down the other side and follow it all the way through to Pui O village. You can then relax on the beach, dip in the sea and have some food or drinks in the restaurants on the beach.
Tung Chung to Tai O – 15km
Take the MTR to Tung Chung and start the hike from there, or take and taxi or bus (39M, B6, E21A, or E31 to Mun Tung Estate Mun Wo House). The taxi or bus will cut 30 minutes off your walk.
There is a public toilet in Mun Tung Estate, turn left here and you will find the trail head. Although 15km is far, it is fairly easy to navigate the whole way to Tai O, without much chance of getting lost. Keep the sea on your right and the land on your left. You will see the airport and the bridge to Macau.
You will start on a paved concrete path, which eventually turns into a trail. During the hike you will be treated to little villages, shrines, small beaches and mangroves.
The hike finishes in Tai O. You can treat yourself to any number of restaurants in Tai O, and take in the historic houses on stilts that make the Hakka village so famous. You can also pay to go on one of the boats to spot a pink dolphin, if you are lucky.
MacLehose section six – 5km
Take the MTR to Sham Shui Po, then take a short walk to the 81 bus. Get off the bus near Monkey Mountain Public Toilet. MacLehose section six starts a little further along from the pedestrian bridge. Turn left down the hill. There may be a car barrier.
At the bottom of the hill, you will cross dams. The tranquil reservoirs can be a stunning sight in the sun. After the dams you will begin a gentle, but relatively long hill. This is the only climb of the hike and never gets steep.
You will almost certainly see monkeys. In fact, you will probably see dozens of them. It can feel intimidating as they wander all around, sometimes screeching.
At the top of the hill, the road snakes to the right then left down a hill. Follow the path downhill. Ignore the first right hand turn, that is the Wilson Trail.
The next right hand turn is the MacLehose Trail. The concrete path turns into a trail here. After some steps, you will begin a flat, then eventually downhill walk to Shing Mun Reservoir.
The trail ends under an arch marking the start of section seven. Go across the picnic area and turn right if you want to continue to section seven (which is very steep with a lot of hills) – or turn left and walk for about 2km to find transport back to town.
Stanley to Tai Tam – 6km
Take the 31 Bus from Central to Stanley Gap Road and get out at the bus stop at the start of the Twins, where the Wilson Trail begins. Do not worry, you will not be going over the notorious Twins.
After a short climb up the stairs, there is a junction. Turn left and you can follow the contours all the way around the twins on a flat catch water. On the other side, you come to a small bridge. Ignore the bridge and go straight, you will soon descend into Tai Tam.
A reservoir will appear on your left. Keep going straight until you hit a T-junction. Turn left, make a short climb up the road, then go right onto the Hong Kong Trail. The trail is covered by trees, and undulates as it tracks down towards Tai Tam Road, where you can get a taxi or bus back to civilisation.
