Hiking the Ridge: Dragon's Back, Hong Kong

Simple walking trail with many beautiful overlooking views of Hong Kong. The paths provide city views, beach views, and mountain views. Most people could probably accomplish this walk with relative ease. A pretty far walk, but not many steep or slippery areas to worry about.

STOP following the "official" route! Do it this way instead (100m less climbing) ​Most travel guides tell you to start at To Tei Wan. DON'T. It starts with a brutal, steep staircase that will ruin your mood before you see any views. ​The "Smart Hiker" Route: ​Take Bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR station. Instead of riding all the way to To Tei Wan, get off a few stops earlier at the "Cape Collinson" stop. 2. Start your hike from here towards the Dragon's Back. ​The Math: Cape Collinson is ~175m above sea level, while To Tei Wan is only ~95m. By starting at Cape Collinson, you save nearly 100m of vertical climbing. ​The Experience: The path is much flatter and gentler. You walk through a nice shaded area first, and the views get progressively more stunning. You get the exact same iconic photos at the peak, but the build-up to the "Grand Finale" on the ridge is incredibly rewarding rather than exhausting. ​Finish by descending the stairs to the To Tei Wan bus stop. It’s a quick 15-minute downhill burst to end the hike. ​Estimated Time Breakdown: ​Bus from Shau Kei Wan MTR to Cape Collinson: ~20 minutes. ​The Hike (Cape Collinson to To Tei Wan): ~1.5 to 2 hours (at a relaxed pace with photo stops). ​Bus back to Shau Kei Wan MTR: ~20 minutes (excluding wait time). ​Budget less than three hours for the entire round trip from the MTR station, and easily move on to your next spot for the day. Stop blindly following the official line! Walking in the opposite direction saves half the effort and makes the experience much better! Nine out of ten online guides and travel books recommend starting from "Land Bay," but this is actually very physically demanding! You'll have to climb a long, steep stone staircase as soon as you get off the bus, and you'll be sweating profusely before you even see the scenery. Smarter Route: Take bus number 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR station. Don't go all the way to Land Bay; get off a few stops earlier at "Cape Collinson." From there, start your ascent towards Dragon's Back. Data Comparison: The starting point at Cape Collinson is approximately 175 meters above sea level, significantly higher than Land Bay (only 95 meters). Starting from here effectively saves you nearly 100 meters of vertical ascent. Actual Experience: The trail begins as a very gentle, shaded path, making for a very comfortable walk. The scenery gradually opens up as you progress. You can take the same iconic photos from the summit, but the journey to the ridgeline's "grand finale" view is filled with anticipation and surprise, rather than exhaustion. Quick Finish: Finally, quickly descend the steps back to the "Land Bay" bus stop. The 15-minute downhill walk easily concludes the trip. Estimated Time Reference: From Shau Kei Wan MTR Station to Cape Collinson by bus: Approximately 20 minutes. Walking time (Cape Collinson to Land Bay): Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours (including a leisurely pace with photo opportunities and breaks). Bus journey from Land Bay back to Shau Kei Wan MTR station: Approximately 20 minutes (excluding waiting time). The total round-trip time from the MTR station can be kept under three hours.

The most famous hiking trail on Hong Kong Island This time, I walked from To Tei Wan to Collinson Point, which took about two hours. It started with a bit of an uphill climb, but then it was almost entirely flat. The trail was very well-maintained and the scenery was quite nice. No wonder it's so popular even on weekdays.

Beautiful hike with great views. Easily accessible by public transport.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.