#852Basics: 5 hiking trails in Kowloon under three hours

Since you’re already going to be out and about, you might as well make your hike a bit educational as well. Devil’s Peak is actually an area of historical interest in Hong Kong. Once occupied by pirates during the Ming dynasty—the most famous of whom was Cheng Lin Cheong—this tactical and practical selection by the pirates commanded a favourable view over the Lei Yue Mun straits, classified as one of the 16 major sea passages during the time.

For the same strategic reasons, the British later commandeered the area and built military stations, including two gun batteries named Gough and Pottinger. Devil’s Peak became part of the Gin Drinkers’ Line, a defensive line across Hong Kong’s natural geological ridges against the Japanese invasion. The ruins of Pottinger Battery have mostly been reclaimed by vegetation, but Gough Battery, a smaller outpost, and a redoubt on the summit of Devil’s Peak are still visible today.

The terrain on Devil’s Peak is very easy, so this is a family-friendly hike. At Yau Tong MTR station, head towards the Lei Yue Mun Estate, then go uphill towards the Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery. The entrance to the Wilson Trail will be to your left, and from there it’s a simple matter of following signs up to Devil’s Peak.

About 350 metres in, you’ll want to go off-trail to the right and follow the signs for Devil’s Peak Fortifications, which will bring you up to the ruins of Gough Battery. When you’re done pretending to be Indiana Jones, head back down the same way and rejoin the Wilson Trail, heading right to continue on to the peak.

The redoubt at the top offers great views of Junk Bay, Lohas Park, and across Victoria Harbour to the Hong Kong skyline. To end the hike, you can return the way you came, or head across the fortification to a little ladder that will lead you to a muddy dirt path downhill. When you get to a platform level, simply follow directions back to Yau Tong.

The whole hike should take just about two hours to complete, depending on how long you decide to spend exploring the ruins. You’ll want to take pictures so make sure you pack a portable battery for this hike!

Click here for our full guide to hiking Devil’s Peak.

Lion Rock holds a dear place in the hearts of Hongkongers for being a symbol of hard-working perseverance in the face of difficulty. We’ve even had a hit song and a TVB drama series written with the Lion Rock Spirit in mind. Take heart during these trying times and develop some Lion Rock attitude as well with this hike!

Though considered a quick hike, Lion Rock is not really a very easy one, with a lot of steep uphill sections and stairs to tackle, but the views and the feeling of tackling this iconic landmark will be worth it. From Wong Tai Sin MTR station, make your way to Fat Jong Temple on Sha Tin Pass Road. You could start the hike by walking there, but it’s a 20-minute steep incline, so we prefer cabbing to the temple or taking minibus 18M from Exit E to Sha Tin Pass Estate, across the temple. Don’t worry, you’re not cheating because the incline continues—this is simply the furthest that public transport will take you.

Continue along Sha Tin Pass Road as it winds uphill, and contemplate the Lion Rock spirit of endurance as you persevere until you reach the entrance of Lion Rock Country Park, which is technically the trailhead of the hike. If you’re breaking down at this point because you’re already out of breath and the hike has only just started, take a break here and hang in there. As you go up the stairs in the Country Park, you’ll be treated to lovely views of Kowloon which should distract you from the burn in your legs.

Despite its frankly terrifying name, Suicide Cliff is so named not because there have been many suicide cases here, but because of a dramatic outcrop with a steep drop that has famously been pictured in an award-winning photo for the National Geographic photography competition.

From Exit D1 of Kwun Tong MTR station, take minibus 47 to its final stop of Lee Hang House. Make your way to Clear Water Bay Road, then cross at a V-junction and head onto Fei Ngo Shan Road. If you’d rather not walk it, minibus 1A from Choi Hung MTR station will take you to Fei Ngo Shan Road as well. The trailhead is hidden in plain sight after the first left, as a rocky path of uneven stairs—if you see a residential building and start getting confused, you’re in the right place, as the trail starts right before its entrance.

You’ll need to get through some vegetation and scramble among the rocks a little, and there will be ropes along the way to help haul yourself up the ascent. Gloves will be a useful addition on this hike. Once you’re out in the open without trees for shade, you’ll see city views below; it might be a good idea to pick out a nice spot here and have some refreshments before continuing up.

Suicide Cliff is to the left of the main trail and pretty hard to miss. Feel free to make your way out to the rock platform for the famous photo, but be aware that there are probably a bunch of people also awaiting their turn. Pro tip: Shots look the best when you’ve got a tripod set up on the trail, aiming out onto the outcrop. Be careful if you do clamber out onto Suicide Cliff; although the rock is wide, it’s also sloped so, for the love of God, no crazy poses here!

You can end the hike going back the way you came, or continue on to Kowloon Peak. The full hike will take two hours, not including the time you’ll no doubt spend taking photos. It’ll be roughly an extra 20 minutes if you decide to continue on to Kowloon Peak before turning back, though we’ve classed that as a hike all its own: see below.

Click here for our full guide to hiking Suicide Cliff.

For those of you who have been scrolling through this list and wincing all the way at the thought of strenuous activity (“Devils? Lions? Scrambling? Suicide?”), Garden Hill is a great way for you to get out and about without breaking a sweat. This is really more of an urban walk, popular with school kids on their dates and night photographers capturing the glittering city.

Take Exit D2 at Sham Shui Po MTR station and walk along Kweilin Street towards Mei Ho House. Garden Hill is behind this building and takes its name from the Garden Bakery at the foot of the hill. Towards the back of the building near Mei Ho House, there are stairs that will take you up Garden Hill.

The ascent is only about a 10-minute walk, and you will arrive at a large landing perfect for admiring the view below and taking photos. If you go at night, you’ll have a great view of the brightly lit Yen Chow Street extending into the distance; the best view for this is from the left side of the platform.

You must expect to share the space with photography enthusiasts, but that’s a small price to pay for having such an easily accessible place to escape to with great views of Kowloon. We’d recommend timing it so you can see the sunset, and then enjoy the night views of the city lights as well.