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Lion Rock Hike In Hong Kong: The Hiker’s Guide

Lion Rock Hike In Hong Kong: The Hiker’s Guide

The Lion Rock hike in Hong Kong is one of the most popular trails in the region with an epic viewpoint over Kowloon all the way to Hong Kong Central. The lion-head shaped rock at the summit is the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the city from the forest.

two people sitting on a rock overlooking a city.

LION ROCK HIKING GUIDE

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

LION ROCK HIKE IN HONG KONG DETAILS

  • Hike Distance: The Lion Rock Hong Kong Hike was 6.9km for the loop trail, but there are ways to make it shorter. We began and finished on Chuk Yuen Road and completed a full loop but you can shorten the trail by starting at Chuk Yuen Road and doing an out and back to Lion Rock. I’ll share more about that in the directions below so you can peak the right hiking route for you.
  • Hike Duration: The total duration for the hike was 2-3 hours depending on how long you spend at the summit. It is quite steep so it will slow you down a little bit in parts but you can definitely make it to the summit in just over an hour if you are rushing up.
  • Hike Difficulty: The hike was a mid-range difficulty for the average tourist I would say. The incline was very steep in some sections, often with a staircase at a ridiculous angle. It was a quad and calf-burner at times. The trail was dirt and a bit slippery but pretty safe for the most part. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness will be fine but anyone a bit out of shape will surely be hurling some curse words to their friends who convinced them to come.
  • Hike Incline: The Lion Rock Hike had 540m of incline when hiking the loop route.

HOW TO GET TO LION ROCK IN HONG KONG

  • Step 1: It is quite simple to reach the starting point of the Lion Rock Hike in Hong Kong. From wherever you are based, catch the MTR (train/subway) on the green line to Wong Tai Sin MTR Station. You can begin the walk from the MTR station but it is just a 20-minute walk along the streets of the neighborhood and quite steep so if you want a workout, go for it but for many, they will prefer to grab a taxi just outside the MTR Station for the short journey up the hill.
  • Step 2: If you do catch a taxi, tell the driver to drop you at Fat Jong Temple, which is the furthest point the taxi can reach along the road ascending to the hike entrance. I took a taxi from the MTR and despite the driver getting lost it cost us $34 HKD, which is less than $5 split between two of us, so hardly an expensive time and energy-saving tactic.
  • Step 3: Now that you have arrived at Fat Jong Temple, you will continue walking up the steep, paved Shatin Pass road to Road for 20-minutes. Even from this road, you will have great views down over Kowloon but it’s nothing compared to what you will see from the summit. You are almost at the entrance gate to the Lion Rock Hike.
  • Step 4: Enter through the Lion Rock archway entrance gate and then just follow the signs from that point on to Lion Rock on the well-defined and heavily trafficked trail.

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 HIKING THE TRAIL TO LION ROCK PEAK IN HONG KONG

The Lion Rock hike can begin at the Wong Tai Sin MTR Station for some but for us, it began after being dropped by the taxi at Fat Jong Temple. We saved ourselves a short walk up the hill but we still had a way to go, trudging up Shatin Road to reach the start of the trek. Along Shatin Road, we caught a few glimpses out to our left of the city as we peered through the forest.

I was glad to finally reach the entrance arch and veer off of the road and onto the trail. It only feels like a hike once you have dirt beneath your feet and you have left the paved roads behind. The Lion Peak Rock trail begins with an immediate ascent of steps, which sets the tone for the numerous staircases throughout the route.

From the very first moment of the trek, you are immersed in the forest. The gaps in the foliage offer views back towards the city, which allows you the perspective of how far up you are climbing. I thought this trail was one of the most well-defined in Hong Kong but also very natural and in parts, the forest seemed to engulf as on all sides.

After about 45-minutes, we reached a sign that pointed up towards the Lion Rock summit. It indicated there was 500m left before we would reach the top.

However, what the sign forgot to mention was that it was almost 500m of stairs! This was the hardest part of the hike with an incredibly steep set of stairs to navigate before you are rewarded with the views at the summit. If you make it through these stairs, you deserve the epic scenery at the top!

The summit blew me away from the very first moment I emerged from the stairs. We had views all the way out over Kowloon and even towards Hong Kong Central. The summit is actually a long ridge and depending on which route you take, you will likely come up on the opposite end of the ridge to the Lion’s Head. If you are on the ridge, the head of the Lion is actually not very recognizable and is easier to see from the drone or even from other peaks or hikes in the area.

We reached the top during the golden hour and snapped a few photos but decided to continue our way along the ridge to visit the other viewpoints as well.

The second viewpoint had a huge stone ledge. It was the perfect sunset viewing platform. There is a huge, deadly drop-off if you were to have a fall so don’t take this ridge or stone viewpoints lightly. Be careful, be mindful and stay where you are comfortable and can enjoy the experience. I grabbed a photo of this couple enjoying the view, what a moment!

The next viewpoint was one of my favorites because as the sun goes down it leaks light off of the edge of the rock on top of the summit. With a few trees on top, I thought it would be the perfect spot for a silhouette photo with the backdrop of the city buildings. The photo after this one is the view from on top of the summit pictured.

We were now at the second last viewpoint and with just one more viewpoint to go and the light quickly fading, I decided to throw up the drone on the way to the final viewpoint to catch the last light. The aerial view from the drone allowed me to gain a new perspective of the ridge and to find a good angle of the Lion’s Head. These are my favorite captures from the air.

As the fiery red ball lowered itself out of the picture, most of the crowds left. However, in Hong Kong, there is always the idea to wait and see how the scene will look once the city lights up. It was a warm night and we weren’t in a rush so we stuck around to see the city lights slowly switch on.

I advise always carrying a little tripod up on hikes for this very situation so you can catch a long exposure nightscape shot. I’m not too great at them but captured one on my wide-angle nonetheless. I advise bringing a tighter lens maybe 100mm+ to really zoom in on some of the details as the scene was a bit flat on my 35mm from Lion Rock on this night. There were some night photography gurus up on the summit who were getting some night tighter-in photos so it seems to be a great vantage point for night shots.

After the night shots, we made our way back down the trail taking a different route back down from the way up. We headed directly down from Lion’s Head to complete the loop and make our way back to civilization and catch a train home to cap off an epic Hong Kong adventure. I hope you get a great sunset and enjoy looking out over the city on one of the best hikes in Hong Kong.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LION ROCK

  1. Iconic Landmark: Lion Rock is one of Hong Kong’s most iconic natural landmarks, known for its distinctive shape resembling a crouching lion. It holds cultural significance and symbolizes the resilience and spirit of the people of Hong Kong.
  2. Trail Difficulty: The hike to Lion Rock is considered moderately challenging, with steep ascents and rocky sections. Hikers should have a reasonable level of fitness and be prepared for a moderate physical exertion. Proper hiking gear and footwear are recommended.
  3. Spectacular Views: Reaching the summit of Lion Rock rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of Hong Kong’s skyline, including the city’s towering skyscrapers, Victoria Harbour, and the surrounding natural landscapes. It’s a perfect spot for photography and appreciating the city’s beauty from above.
  4. Historical Significance: Lion Rock holds historical significance as a symbol of unity and determination during challenging times in Hong Kong’s history. It became a powerful emblem of the city’s spirit during the 1970s when a popular TV series featured the song “Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies” and showcased the iconic rock.
  5. Access and Transportation: Lion Rock can be accessed from different starting points, such as Wong Tai Sin or Sha Tin. Public transportation options, including buses and taxis, can take you close to these starting points. It’s advisable to check the bus schedules and plan your transportation in advance.

By keeping these key points in mind, you can embark on a memorable hike to Lion Rock, appreciate its cultural significance, enjoy the stunning views, and experience the resilience and spirit that it represents in the heart of Hong Kong.

BEST TIME TO HIKE LION ROCK PEAK IN HONG KONG

The best time of day to hike the trail up to Lion Rock Peak is about an hour or two before sunset in my opinion. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, you will avoid the hottest period of the day by leaving it till later in the afternoon. The trail is quite steep in parts and isn’t completely in the shade so going later in the day will help. The second reason why I suggest late afternoon as the best time to hike Lion Rock Peak is that you will be up at the summit for the sunset.

The sun will set out over the ocean and we could actually see the fiery, orange ball slowly lowering itself down (through the smog) to the horizon.

It’s a pretty simple and safe trail to get back down in the dark after the sunset but make sure to bring a headtorch or at least your phone light if you do stay at the summit for sunset. I’ve not done this hike for sunrise but it could be great also at golden hour on either end of the day.

I did the hike in December and had beautiful conditions as you can see from the photos with a nice sunny day.

HAVE YOU READ MY OTHER HONG KONG ARTICLES?

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

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN HONG KONG

  • Best Value Hotel: Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay4-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.

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.

MY 4 FAVORITE HONG KONG TOURS

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

Klook.com

Steve Howden

Wednesday 17th of July 2024

Thanks for making this beautiful hike known to us. I did the hike a couple of weeks ago when I was in Hong Kong, and it was as awesome as you describe. I escape the southern Australian winters each year by going to Hong Kong, I will definitely be trying out some more of your hiking suggestions there. Thanks heaps!

Michelle Cha

Wednesday 6th of October 2021

Dear Editor,

I am writing on behalf of the Department of History, HKBU. We are going to publish a book about our interviews with alumni in commemoration of the establishment of the History Alumni Association. The photos taken by you are breath-taking! Is it possible to grant us the right to include one lion rock mountain photo on the cover page? More details can be discussed. Please contact me when you are available. Thanks in advance and i look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards, Michelle

Crystal Chiu

Wednesday 3rd of March 2021

Hello, Jackson. I am Crystal from the Student Publication Team 2020-2021, City University of Hong Kong. Our team is looking for a nice cover photo of Lion Rock Mountain. We are impressed by your outstanding photography skills and would like to seek approval from you if we can take one of the photos (the 20th photo of this blog) as our cover picture of this year's Halfway Home XI Publication booklet. We are looking forward to receiving your reply very soon!

Wallacebug

Monday 5th of October 2020

чувствительный сайт вулкан россия зеркало

antonio.carlos.nomada

Tuesday 17th of December 2019

Always a pleasure reading your postos and dreaming with your photos :) regards form Portugal

Jackson

Tuesday 17th of December 2019

Thanks so much Antonio!