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Sunset Peak Hike On Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Sunset Peak Hike On Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Sunset Peak hike on Lantau Island is an epic stairway climbing challenge to one of the best viewpoints in Hong Kong. As the name suggests, it is an excellent spot to watch the sunset over the peninsula below.Discover the enchanting beauty of Hong Kong’s natural landscapes with the Sunset Peak hike. This captivating adventure takes you on a journey to one of the city’s highest summits, offering breathtaking panoramic views and a memorable experience. As you ascend the well-defined trail from Pak Kung Au, prepare to be mesmerized by the majestic mountains, verdant valleys, and the shimmering South China Sea. 

a person standing on top of a large rock.

SUNSET PEAK HIKING GUIDE

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

SUNSET PEAK ON LANTAU ISLAND, HONG KONG HIKE DETAILS

  • Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike for me was 8.64km because I began the journey directly from the train station. I did a through-hike beginning at Tung Chung Station but there are ways to make the hike quite short and even less than 5km to the peak. However, the best route is to do a through-hike, which will be 5-9km depending on if you use the bus from the MTR station or now.
  • Hike Duration: The total duration for the hike was 2.5-hours of walking time but with all the time at viewpoints and waiting at the summit for the city lights to come on it was more like 4 hours.
  • Hike Difficulty: The hike was quite simple to follow the whole way and was highly trafficked as it is one of the more popular hikes in Hong Kong. The part that makes this trail difficult is the 900+ meters of incline. The stair climb of more than 400-meters in a row at the start of the hike was pretty brutal.
  • Hike Incline: The total incline of the hike was 932-meters but can be shortened slightly as I mentioned above.

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.

HOW TO GET TO THE SUNSET PEAK HIKE  ON LANTAU ISLAND, HONG KONG

If you plan on doing the through-hike like me these are the directions you will need. The first thing you need to do is to arrive at Tung Chung Railway Station, which is about 45-minutes transit from Hong Kong Central Station.

From the Tung Chung Railway Station, you can either walk to the trailhead like I did or take a local minibus. The walk was just 2.5km. The place where the trail starts is on Google Maps and is listed as the Wong Lung Hang Picnic Site. Plug this into Google Maps and then follow it all the way there.

Once you arrive at the Wong Lung Hang Picnic Site, you will see the entrance to the hike just shortly after marked by the signs I’m displaying in the photos below. From there you can follow the signs on the trail or put ‘Sunset Peak’ into your Google Maps for reference.

I’ve added my Sunset Peak hiking map for your reference and if you want to download it for your smart-watch or device you can Click Here to download.

SUNSET PEAK HIKING MAP

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 SUNSET PEAK HIKE AT LANTAU ISLAND

After the journey from Central Station took about 45-minutes, I arrived at Tung Chung MTR Station. Google Maps suggested a mini-bus but with just 2.5km to the trailhead, I decided to walk. Through the city, we went heading towards the Wong Lung Hang Picnic Site. Shortly after the picnic site is the entrance to the hike.

We saw a few trail-runners and weary-looking hikers sat at the entrance, obviously having hiked through in the opposite direction. Stairs will do that to you. 

The Sunset Peak hike has a brutal start. It will break a few people early. The first 2.5-kilometers of the trail is purely stairs. In fact, you will climb non-stop up the stairs for 30-60-minutes depending on your pace.

There aren’t many views, just you and the stairs in a tense battle. Once you make it through this section, there are more stairs but no sections with this level of intensity and longevity.

The trail then opens up a lot, the sun now searing down on us as we can look around and begin to appreciate the ridges that wind through Lantau Island. It’s a beautiful, natural landscape, with no cities in view for the most part. We hustle forward through more stairs, this time they are a little less brutal and surrounded by a stunning forest scene. Along the trail were some incredible, bent trees, which were my favorite part of the early stages on the Sunset Peak hike.

With the sun beginning to drop, we made it up the clearing where we found the mysterious stone cabins. The golden grassy plains up on this ridge line swayed wildly as fierce winds hit us as soon as we made it out of the forest. The stone cabins up on the ridge are a bit of a mystery because, despite their 90-year+ existence, there isn’t too much information regarding their purpose. It’s mentioned that the houses were built by British missionaries for camping purposes, which seems like a pretty bizarre story to me!

There are quite a number of rocky outcrops here, which make for great photos. The strong winds kept most away from the edges or rocks but we braved the gale to sit atop the rocks overlooking Pui O beach down below. The smog ruined the view a bit but even with poor visibility, it was a nice view.

The trail continues on along the ridge, climbing a little bit,  but now on a dirt path without stairs. More rocks and viewpoints can be found scattered along the final moments of the route before you make the short climb to the summit.

As the sun began to set, the clouds would come and go in waves creating some strange moments up at Sunset Peak. At times we had the entire sky beaming and glowing and at other times the smog and clouds rolled in making the sun so faint it almost appeared to be the moon! There are lots of peaks right alongside Sunset Peak and they all connect with small paths off of the official path so the best thing to do is to explore all of the spots, enjoy finding different angles and have some fun while hoping for some sunset glow.

The walk down in the dark was quite tough as it was a heavy decline with lots of stairs. You will need a lot to be able to see your footing. The glow on Lantau Peak was superb during these moments, but a little dark to photograph. It’s only a short 2-kilometers or so to get down this side so it’s a quick and easy escape to the nearest bus stop. 

At the end of the trail, you will end up at the main road at Pak Kung Au and the bus stop is directly in front of you. You can catch either the 3M, 11, 23 buses back to Tung Chung MTR station to begin your journey home.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUNSET PEAK HIKE

  1. Trail Difficulty: The Sunset Peak hike is considered moderately challenging, with steep sections and uneven terrain. Hikers should be prepared for a gradual ascent and descent, requiring a moderate level of fitness.
  2. Spectacular Views: As you ascend to the summit of Sunset Peak, be prepared to be awe-struck by the breathtaking panoramic views. The hike offers stunning vistas of Hong Kong’s mountains, lush valleys, and the glistening waters of the South China Sea.
  3. Hiking Duration: The average time to complete the Sunset Peak hike is approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on your pace and the time spent enjoying the scenery. It’s recommended to allocate sufficient time to reach the summit and fully soak in the picturesque sunset.
  4. Access to Starting Point: To access the starting point at Pak Kung Au, you can take the MTR to Tung Chung Station and then continue by bus or taxi to Lantau Island. From there, follow the signs leading to Pak Kung Au, where the trail begins.
  5. Preparation Tips: It’s important to wear appropriate hiking gear, including sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Carry enough water, snacks, sunscreen, and a hat to protect against the sun. Check the weather forecast before your hike and dress accordingly.

By keeping these key points in mind, you can fully enjoy the Sunset Peak hike in Hong Kong, immersing yourself in the natural beauty, capturing stunning views, and embarking on a memorable adventure in this captivating region.

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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.

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

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