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Castle Peak Hike In Hong Kong: The Hiker’s Guide

Jackson Groves

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Categories HIKING, HONG KONG

Castle Peak Hike In Hong Kong: The Hiker’s Guide

The Castle Peak Hike in Hong Kong is a very steep 600-meter ascent to a radio tower that sits along the beautiful ridge overlooking the Tuen Mun region. There is a route that takes just 6-kilometers out and back from Tuen Mun MTR station or a longer 10-kilometer route that also includes a hike to Yuen Tau Shan. Watching the sunset from the radio tower atop the ridge was a pretty epic way to spend the evening!

a very tall tower on top of a mountain.

CASTLE PEAK HIKING GUIDE

In this blog post, I’ll share everything you need to know about the Castle Peak Hike including where it is, how to get there, and when it’s best to visit.

CASTLE PEAK HIKE DETAILS

  • Hike Distance: The hike to Castle Peak from the Tuen Mun MTR and return is 6.5km or the longer loop route is 10km.
  • Hike Duration: The hike up and down took me just over 2 hours but you need to add in the time spent at the summit, which should be at least 30-minutes to an hour. I would bargain 4 hours total including rest stops and time at the summit to enjoy the views.
  • Hike Difficulty: The hike was relatively safe and the only main degree of difficulty is the incline. In parts, it is very steep but there are steps in all of the steep parts. If you aren’t an experienced hiker, maybe avoid this one on a rainy day.
  • Hike Incline: The journey from Castle Peak from the Tuen Mun MTR and return involved 700m of incline and obviously 700m of decline on the return.

HOW TO GET TO THE CASTLE PEAK HIKE STARTING POINT

I was based in Tsim Sha Tsui and found that there were combinations of buses or trains to catch to the start point. I ended up catching the train to the Tuen Mun MTR, which is a good place to start the hike. It is about 800m from the real starting point of the hike once you get out of the neighborhood, so it’s pretty close really.

Once you arrive at the Tuen Mun MTR, you need to head to Heung Hoi Ming Shan Memorial Archway. This is one of the most formal markers on the trail and is found on google maps. Once you reach the archway, continue to follow the path, steps, and signs all the way up to the Castle Peak Radio Tower. I’ve attached my map below for your reference.

You NEED the Octopus Card

TRAVEL TIP: In Hong Kong you NEED the Octopus Card to use public transport and ferries, which is how everyone gets around. Pre-Book your Octopus Card with a Pre-Loaded balance of 50HKD so you can pick it up at the airport (very easy) and then catch public transport straight to your hotel.

  • Conveniently ride the MTR, bus, ferry, coach, and tram with just a tap of your Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card
  • Conveniently pick up your card with a preloaded credit of HKD50-100 at the Hong Kong International Airport

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE CASTLE PEAK HIKE IN HONG KONG

Like many hikes in Hong Kong, the journey begins in the urban jungle at the train station. From Tuen Mun MTR, we made our way up towards the Heung Hoi Ming Shan Memorial Archway and the Tsing Shan Monastery. I didn’t know quite what we were in for but when we looked up after leaving the train station, we could see the radio tower way up the top of the mountain. We were in for a steep hike.

The hike begins on a road that leads past some strange places on either side. Random houses, temples, and offerings out on the road as well as dumped rubbish all made it a very bizarre beginning to our adventure. 

The hike seemed to officially begin when we passed underneath the memorial archway, which was looking beautiful as the late afternoon sun streaked through the top of the arch.

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Up to this point, the road had already been steep but the adventure was about to get even steeper as the trail was about to turn into a series of relentless staircases that would wind us up the mountain. This is not a leisurely hike and you will feel your calves and quads burning from the get-go. As we climbed higher and higher, the views of Tuen Mun and beyond began to reveal themselves over the canopy of trees.

a woman walking up a set of stairs.
a set of stairs going up a steep hill.

Throughout the trek up to Castle Peak there are a number of little viewpoints, which are a great excuse for a breather and a drinks break. I make it a point on every hike to explore every little side trail because you never know what viewpoint you might miss if you pass up on all of the detours. It can be a hit or miss strategy but we hit a few winners on the hike up to Castle Peak.

 
 
The stairs now turned into a rocky path but still very, very steep. The total incline for the hike was almost 700-meters, which is a pretty solid workout. One man arrived at the top, covered in sweat and said he had powered up in 50-minutes. 
 

After just over an hour, we reached the summit. At the top of the ridge are three trigonometric points, which are basically those white columns you see everywhere in Hong Kong. There is one at either end of the ridge and one in the middle at the large radio tower. It’s good to explore each of them as all three viewpoints offer something different. 

In case the climb up wasn’t a workout enough, there is also an outdoor gym at the top. It’s super random but actually had home-made dumbells, parallel bars, and two chin-up bars. There aren’t too many gyms in the world with a better view than this one!

The terrain on the far side of the ridge is quite incredible with very sharp ridges running in all directions. It was really quite enjoyable to fly the drone around over these ridges as I admired the natural formations that have happened over thousands of years

We spent the sunset up at the radio tower of Castle Peak. There are lots of little viewpoints up here near the main trigonometric point and we had a great time exploring down on the rocks. If you do go down here, mind your step as it is quite overgrown. On the day we went, the smog was covering much of the view but on a clear day, you can see all the way to Hong Kong Island. The best bet would be to wait for a clear day then head up for sunset!

The way back down was quite simple as we just returned the same way we came. However, there is another route in this region that looks like fun if you are up for something longer. It’s a 10km loop route that takes you up and over the Castle Peak ridge and down into the valley on the other side. I will attach that map here in case you are interested in the longer route that still has you visiting Castle Peak.

By keeping these key points in mind, you can make the most of your Castle Peak hike, appreciating the scenic beauty, immersing yourself in history, and creating lasting memories in the natural and cultural wonders of Hong Kong.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CASTLE PEAK HIKE

  1. Scenic Views: The Castle Peak hike offers breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s beautiful landscapes, including panoramic vistas of the city skyline, lush green hills, and the shimmering waters of the Tuen Mun coastline. It’s a feast for the eyes and a perfect opportunity for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
  2. Trail Difficulty: The Castle Peak hike is considered moderately challenging, with sections of steep inclines and rugged terrain. Hikers should have a reasonable level of fitness and be prepared for a moderate physical exertion.
  3. Historical Significance: Castle Peak is steeped in history and cultural heritage. As you hike, you’ll pass by historical relics and landmarks, such as the Tsing Shan Monastery and the old Hakka village of Shan Pui Tsuen, providing a glimpse into the region’s rich past.
  4. Hiking Duration: The average time to complete the Castle Peak hike is approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on your pace and the time spent enjoying the views and exploring the historical sites. It’s recommended to allocate sufficient time and start early to avoid the midday heat.
  5. Access and Transportation: To access the starting point of the Castle Peak hike, you can take public transportation to Tsuen Wan MTR Station and then continue by bus or taxi to Tsing Shan Monastery or Shan Pui Tsuen. From there, follow the signs leading to the hiking trailhead. Public transportation options are available for convenience.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN HONG KONG

  • Best Value Hotel: Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay – 4-star hotel for less than $100
  • Best Value Luxury Hotel: Hotel ICON – $150 for a 5-star hotel with an epic pool
  • Best Hiking/Adventure Base: Hotel Stage –  Located in Kowloon and right next to lots of epic hikes.

Check out my full guide here: BEST AREAS TO STAY HONG KONG

a large swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

HAVE YOU READ MY OTHER HONG KONG ARTICLES?

a person standing on top of a cliff overlooking a city.

MY 4 FAVORITE HONG KONG TOURS

Click the orange button below to view all of the top-rated tours on Klook

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5 BEST HIKES IN HONG KONG

I wrote a massive guide about the 21 Best Hikes in Hong Kong, but if you are only in Hong Kong for a week or less here are the five most epic routes.

a man standing on top of a large rock.

Mac

Thursday 14th of January 2021

Great tips! I am a local but never tried this hike LOL

Jackson

Saturday 16th of January 2021

Go for it! good sunset spot

fuckuk

Tuesday 24th of March 2020

ugly nerdy white guy there

Bigwilly

Thursday 11th of February 2021

chip on the shoulder? did the girls go - I don't want no sdm