Whenever someone talks about hikes in Hong Kong, they immediately point you toward a peak: Lantau Peak, Sunset Peak, Suicide Cliff, Ma On Shan! The city is littered with hills of all shapes and sizes that beg to be conquered, especially during the cooler months. And look, I’m not going to argue with that! There’s nothing quite like standing on a summit and watching the whole city unfold beneath you.

But sometimes, you don’t want to climb a mountain. And given that Hong Kong is also right on the sea, sometimes you just want to hike or walk along the coast.

That’s where coastal hikes come in. Unlike their peak-conquering counterparts, these trails run along the shoreline, keeping the sea in view for pretty much the entire journey. They usually pass a beach or two along the way, (sometimes several) and often end with your toes in the sand. Bliss!

For me, a coastal hike or walk = trail along the coast, beaches on the way or at the end, gorgeous sea views, no hills to conquer, and that blissful sea breeze that makes Hong Kong’s humidity just a little more bearable. And just to be clear, none of these trails involve any coasteering.

So, if you’re after something a little gentler (though not always easier, we’ll get to that), here are five of my favourite coastal walks and hikes in Hong Kong.

1. Tai Tan Country Trail, Sai Kung

The Tai Tan Country Trail is a beautiful coastal hike between Hoi Ha Wan and Tai Tan, running along the coast of Sai Kung’s Long Harbour. It’s a mix of easy walking and moderate climbing, and it’s suitable for the summer months and even for kids. Though don’t let that fool you, there is some climbing involved.

Quick snapshot

• Length: 6.8 km
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
• Starting point: Tai Tan bus stop on Pak Tam Road (accessible via bus 94, 96R, or 289R)
• Ending point: Hoi Ha Wan
• Difficulty: Easy coastal walking overall, with one short but steep climb in the middle section

We like to think of this trail in three parts: an easy, scenic 2.8 km coastal walk that ends at a secluded beach. Followed by a more challenging 2.5 km hike that involves boulders and a proper climb (up to trail’s highest point) before ending at a second secluded beach near Wan Tsai South Campsite. And finally, a relatively easy 1.5 km stretch into Hoi Ha Wan.

Highlights

Highlights along the way include views of Wong Shek Pier, Sharp Peak, and Grass Island (Tap Mun), two genuinely secluded beaches (the trail actually cuts straight across the first one!), the Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre, and an old abandoned lime kiln just before the trail ends.

What makes it special is exactly what you’d hope for from a coastal trail. Those two hidden beaches feel wonderfully cut off from civilization, and the payoff of finishing in Hoi Ha Wan, one of Hong Kong’s best marine parks, is hard to beat!

Full details

Read the full step-by-step guide to the Tai Tan Country Trail, Sai Kung for more details. 👇

2. Lantau Trail Section 9 — Shui Hau Village to Shek Pik Reservoir

This hike, along Lantau Trail Section 9, is a relatively easy coastal walk that involves minimal climbing. It connects Shui Hau Village with Shek Pik Reservoir and passes two campsite beaches along the way.

Quick snapshot

• Length: 5.6 km end to end (or 6.3 km if you add the detour to the ancient rock carving)
• Duration: Around 2 hours
• Starting point: Shui Hau Village (or Shek Pik Reservoir, if hiking in reverse)
• Ending point: Shek Pik Reservoir
• Difficulty: Easy. Flat or undulating for most of the middle section, with steps or slopes only at the start and end

The Lantau Trail Section 9 trail is best described as flat and undulating in the middle, with the toughest bit being a series of steps between Lo Kei Wan and Shek Lam Chau, and even that’s only difficult “relatively speaking.”

Highlights

Highlights along the way include Lo Kei Wan Beach and campsite (a completely secluded spot, perfect for an early break). There are also incredible, and uninterrupted coastal views along the plateau section, and can even take the Shek Lam Chau Campsite detour, if you fancy discovering another beach. And finally on offer is the Shek Pik Rock Carving, an ancient geometric carving believed to be around 3,000 years old, tucked behind Shek Pik Prison.

What makes it special is the sheer calm of the area around Shek Pik Reservoir at the end. With the Big Buddha and Lantau Peak in the background and the massive reservoir in front, it’s one of the most beautiful and secluded corners of Lantau Island.

Full details

Read the full step-by-step guide to the Lantau Trail Section 9 for more details. 👇

3. Coastal Village Path, Tai Tam Harbour

The Coastal Village Path connects two bays, Lan Nai Wan and To Tei Wan, via five small villages, running along Tai Tam Harbour, parallel to Hong Kong Trail Section 7, beneath Shek O Country Park.

Quick snapshot

• Length: Approximately 2 km between Lan Nai Wan and To Tei Wan, plus another 1 km for the steps connecting it to Shek O Road (roughly 3 km total round trip from Shek O Road)
• Duration: About 1.5 hours
• Starting point: Lan Nai Wan (accessed via steps from the Lin Hok Sin Koon bus stop on Shek O Road. Take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR Station)
• Ending point: To Tei Wan
• Difficulty: Easy and flat for almost the entire walk. The only real challenge is the climb back up to Shek O Road at the end

This coastal walk runs through five villages in total: Lan Nai Wan Tsuen, Tung Ah Tsuen, Tung Ah Pui Tsuen, Ngan Hang Tsuen, and To Tei Wan Tsuen. The trail runs below the famous Dragon’s Back, facing the Tai Tam Harbour.

Highlights

Highlights along the way include the Lin Hook Sin Koon Taoist temple complex, complete with garden and pond. Discover an old, abandoned military pillboxes at Tung Ah Tsuen (and another hidden one at To Tei Wan). The surprising sight of large villas with manicured gardens at Tung Ah Pui Tsuen, multiple small beaches and a beautiful soft-sand beach at To Tei Wan, popular for kayaking and sailing, are all on display here.

What makes it special is how many hidden gems are packed into such a short, easy walk: a temple, pillboxes, abandoned homes reclaimed by nature, and a genuinely lovely beach, all with views of Redhill Peninsula and Stanley across the water throughout.

Full details

Read the full step-by-step guide to the Coastal Village Path, Tai Tam Harbour for more details. 👇

4. Ma Shi Chau, Tolo Harbour, Tai Po

Ma Shi Chau, located in Tolo Harbour between Tai Mei Tuk and Ma On Shan, is a geological wonder and a designated special area within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. The rocks here are over 280 million years old, from the Permian period, the second oldest in all of Hong Kong!

Quick snapshot

• Length: Approximately 1.5 km to reach the start of the trail, plus the 1.5 km Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail itself (a full round trip back to the bus stop is around 6 km)
• Duration: Budget a couple of hours to properly explore
• Starting point: Sam Mun Tsai New Village (reached via Green Minibus 20K from Tai Po Market Station, Exit A3)
• Ending point: The Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail loops back, ending near the Plover Cove Reservoir before returning to Sam Mun Tsai Village
• Difficulty: Easy. The hike to the tombolo is shaded and short, and the nature trail itself is completely flat.

From the bus stop, it’s a short, easy 1.5 km walk through Sam Mun Tsai Village. Walk up past a cemetery, with views of Tai Mei Tuk and Ma On Shan Peak opening up along the way, before you reach the tombolo, the thin strip of land connecting the village to the island. The coastal walk begins from the tombolo and runs all the way along Ma Shi Chau island.

Highlights

Highlights along the way include the tombolo crossing itself, the 1.5 km Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail, which runs along the southeast shore and passes multiple geological attractions. Along the trail, witness a Shell Beach and an area of colourful mudstones, and fascinating rock formations showing layers, folds, faults, and displaced rock mass. Honestly, it’s a proper open-air geology lesson!

What makes it special is that it doesn’t feel like a typical hike at all. It’s flat, shaded, and easy, but the geological history on display (some of the oldest rocks in Hong Kong!) makes it endlessly interesting, even if rocks aren’t usually your thing. You can even hike back or, on weekends, hire a sampan from the tombolo to Tai Mei Tuk instead.

Full details

Read the full step-by-step guide to Ma Shi Chau for more details. 👇

5. Deep Water Bay to Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Island

This coastal walk needs no introduction. Unlike the other coastal hikes in this guide, this is quite literally a coastal walk on a paved trail in the middle of an urban area.

The easiest starting point for this walk is the Ocean Park MTR Station. Exit the station onto Wong Chuk Hang Road, and remember to get off Island Road and on to Mills & Chung Path before Deep Water Bay. After Deep Water Bay Beach, follow the Seaview Promenade after. Google Map direction can be found here.

Quick snapshot

• Length: Approximately 3 km, from the start of Deep Water Bay to The Pulse on Repulse Bay Beach. Add another 700 metres if walking from Ocean Park MTR.
• Duration: 1 hour
• Starting point: Deep Water Bay. But you might need to walk from the Ocean Park MTR to get here.
• Ending point: Repulse Bay Beach
• Difficulty: Extremely easy. The walkway is paved throughout, and absolutely flat.

This walk is a go-to summer walk for me. The trail is flat, the views of Ocean Park, Deep Water Bay, and Repulse Bay look stunning on a clear sunny day. And it’s always a pleasure to grab lunch or dinner at Repulse Bay after the walk.

Highlights

Highlights along the way include Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach. There are also plenty of cafés and restaurants on the two beaches. Fancy a quick beer at Deep Water Bay Beach before walking the rest of the walk? Or why not end the walk with a drink or a meal at The Pulse at Repulse Bay Beach?

Not to mention the beautiful views of the Deep Water Bay, and Repulse Bay on a sunny day are absolutely amazing. And if you’re lucky, you can admire the sailing boats, and kayaks at Middle Island.

This coastal walk between Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay is one of my go to coastal walk in the summer months. I even enjoy it on cloudy and rainy days!

Honourable Mentions

Shortlisting my 5 favourite coastal trails, was a tough choice given how many worthy contenders almost made it to the list. Unfortunately, they didn’t meet some or all of my criteria for a coastal hike/walk, and outlying islands have an unfair advantage when it comes to such trails.

But nonetheless, I thought I’d mention some of those runner-ups here.

1. Peng Yu Path Walk, Peng Chau 
2. Ping Chau Country Trail
3. Lung Ha Wan Country Trail
4. Lamma Island Family Walk
5. Cape D’Aguilar

Coastal Trails In Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s mountains might get all the glory, but these coastline hikes and walks are perfect for the summer months.

These five hikes prove you don’t need to scale a peak to have a memorable day out, sometimes all you need is a trail that hugs the shore. So, next time you’re planning a hike in Hong Kong, why not swap the summit for the coastline?

And if you’re looking for more things to do during the summer months, check out our guide to five unique tours in Hong Kong or our favourite summer hikes.

If you found this guide helpful, remember to share it with your friends or any social media platform. And we always appreciate your comments if you’ve used this guide and want to share your experience.