Finding Stillness on the Trails: Hiking Hong Kong’s Lantau Island Escapes
Hiking in Hong Kong
Hong Kong often gets pegged as a concrete jungle, but my hikes on Lantau Island revealed its wild, soul-soothing side. From Sunset Peak (the iconic third-highest point at 869m) to the coastal path toward Shek Pik and even Sharp Peak, these trails became my moving meditation. Sweaty climbs rewarded with panoramic views, sea breezes, and that rare feeling of spaciousness amid one of Asia’s busiest cities.
I approached these hikes the Santai way—no summit-or-bust mentality, just steady steps and pauses to breathe. Sunrise or sunset hikes turned ordinary days into profound ones. Lantau’s mix of forested paths, reservoirs, and ocean vistas reminded me why nature is the ultimate reset for gentle souls.
Practical vegan explorer notes for Hong Kong hikes:
• Pack portable plant-based snacks (nuts, dried fruit, or supermarket onigiri-style rice balls).
• Time your starts early to beat crowds and heat.
• Pair hikes with recovery: a quiet cafe stop afterward for matcha or coconut water.
Hong Kong taught me that adventure doesn’t require remoteness—just the willingness to step off the main path. Whether you’re a first-time hiker or seasoned trekker, Lantau delivers accessible wilderness with built-in calm. Lace up, go slow, and let the peaks do the talking.
Sunset Peak
One of the more crowded hiking trails. It is worth seeing and doing. To beat the hustle and bustle of the crowds leave early. If you are up for a bigger adventure, you can follow the trail to Mui Wo. At the back end of this trail there will be less crowds, just the casual hiking looking for the quieter side of Hong Kong.
Shek Pik
Perhaps one of the less crowded hiking trails it boasts some of the most scenic trails in all of Lantau. That is saying something, because Lantau has some amazing hiking trails. There is a surprise waiting for you if you do this trail. I won’t give anything away, but it blew me away. In part because of how beautiful it was, but also in part because I wasn’t expecting it.
Chi Ma Wan Country Trail
This trail is not for the faint hearted. It is one of the more difficult trails that I did. It was not so much the height that made it challenging, it was more the distance. There are paths you can take that will cut your trail size down drastically. But if I had of done that I would have missed out on an amazing trail that hugged the coast. It was breathtaking and I am so glad that I did the bigger trail.
Note, on these trails there is no water. So make sure you pack enough water and snacks. In hindsight I did not pack enough water for the Chi Ma Wan Country Trail.