Lion Rock Hiking Tour
Lion Rock Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong
Is it possible to walk along Hong Kong’s urban fringes? Yes! And this is one of the most spectacular stretches to experience it. Getting off the bus we’re surrounded by monkeys. Macaques, re-introduced to Hong Kong in the 1910’s to eat the poisonous fruits of a plant found around the Kowloon Water Reservoir. Since then a stable Macaque population has established itself in this area.
Once on the path our attention is soon with the beauty of the forest trail and the breathtaking vistas. We’re walking through forest for the entire hike but every now and then the view opens up to the urban jungle of the Kowloon Peninsula down below us. At first we look over stonecutters Island, the container harbor and huge volumes of industrial buildings then later, Nathan Road, the railway and more residential and office districts come into view. On clear days we see the skyline of Hong Kong Island. Half into the hike the former Kai Tak Airport, now fitted with a cruise terminal, stretches out below us. At the foot of Lion Rock we have the choice of either climbing over it or to bypass it on a more level path. Eventually the trail leads us into the road at Sha Tin Pass, from which we stroll down, leaving behind mountain and forest, forward into the business of the Wong Tai Sin district below.
Note: In the cooler winter months we can hike up to Lion Rock on a shorter but steeper path, coming up from the northern side, shortening the hike by one hour. Let us know if you’re interested to do this version.
Highlights: Monkeys, views over Kowloon peninsula, Lion Rock, Wong Tai Sin
