The area behind the Braemar Hill neighbourhood is a beautiful maze of trails and hills. The most popular hill in this area is the Red Incense Burner Summit (紅香爐峰 or Hung Heung Lo Fung). The hill offers the best view-to-effort ratio of any hike in Hong Kong. For just 10 minutes of hiking, you can experience some of the best views in Hong Kong.

However, other hills in the area also provide incredible views with a similar level of effort. One such spot is the Braemar Hill Lookout.

Situated to the east of Red Incense Burner Summit, the Braemar Hill Lookout lies adjacent to the actual Braemar Hill Peak. Since, Braemar Hill Peak offers limited views, hikers typically prefer to climb to the Braemar Hill Lookout for the views.

The Braemar Hill Lookout is the highest point on the Po Luen Path, which is the route to take to reach the top. However, I prefer to combine it with Sir Cecil’s Ride, to make the hike between Braemar Hill and Quarry Bay more enjoyable.

Braemar Hill Lookout has become my go-to hike for a quick outing. Its proximity (to me), ease, scenic beauty (streams and waterfalls), and overall enjoyment have led me to return countless times, and that’s why I wanted to share it with you.

About the Braemar Hill Lookout Hike

Let me first clarify the location of the three hills behind Braemar Hill (neighbourhood) with this map. This guide will focus on Braemar Hill Lookout, indicated on the map below. If you’re looking for the Red Incense Burner Summit, view this guide. Braemar Hill Peak doesn’t offer much in terms of views.

The Braemar Hill Lookout is a hill adjacent to Braemar Hill Peak, and is roughly the same height. However, the key difference between the two lies in their respective views.

As its name suggests, Braemar Hill Lookout offers incredible 180-degree views of Victoria Harbour and beyond from its observation deck. While not as dramatic as those from Red Incense Burner Summit, the views are still spectacular.

Braemar Hill Lookout is situated on the Po Luen Path, one of the many trails in the Tai Tam Country Park Extension behind Braemar Hill neighbourhood. Although it is possible to reach the lookout by simply following the Po Luen Path, I prefer to approach it via Sir Cecil’s Ride (another trail in the Tai Tam Country Park Extension).

Sir Cecil’s Ride is a 9.2 km flat trail connecting Mount Butler and Quarry Bay. The section between Braemar Hill and Quarry Bay is approximately 4.2 km long. Combining this section with a visit to the Braemar Hill Lookout makes for a more enjoyable and scenic hike.

Another reason why I like this hike so much is the network of trails, which allows you to take multiple shortcuts and adjust the distance of the hike at three different points. I’ll highlight those shortcuts below.

With that, let’s begin exploring the Braemar Hill to Quarry Bay Hike via the Braemar Hill Lookout.

Starting point

The best spot to start this hike is from the Upper Braemar Hill Bus Terminus. You can arrive here on minibus 25 from Causeway Bay or minibus 49M from Tin Hau MTR. There are several other Citybus and KMB buses on this route to that you can check on Google Maps.

Once you arrive at the bus terminus, locate the lane besides the boundary wall of the St. Joan of Arc Secondary School. This lane is the starting point.

To The Siu Ma Stream Bridge

Follow the lane as it goes around the boundary wall of the St. Joan of Arc Secondary School. Once it reaches the back, you’ll encounter a long flight of steps.

After the steps, an uphill slope begins its short winding journey. Just past the second bend on the slope, notice the steps on the left. Take these steps to emerge on Sir Cecil’s Ride.

Once you’re on Sir Cecil’s Ride, the hike begins. Sir Cecil’s Ride is one of the simpler trails on Hong Kong Island, flat and shaded, with a mix of paved and dirt trails.

In terms of views, don’t expect much as you begin your journey. But occasionally, you may get a glimpse of the city through the trees.

The trail maintains a flat profile as it navigates on the side of the hills. Stay on course and keep walking for about 700–800 metres till you arrive at the Siu Ma Stream Bridge.

Depending on the season, the stream may be a trickle or gushing downhill.

You can admire the Siu Ma Stream from on top of the bridge, or step down to the stream. Wear good hiking shoes and be careful not to slip.

To the start of Po Luen Path

On the other side of the Siu Ma Stream Bridge, the trail splits in two. To stay on Sir Cecil’s Ride, take the path on the left and continue your journey.

You can expect more of what you’ve just covered: a flat and easy terrain that’s mostly shaded. The trail remains a dirt track during this section, and there aren’t any views either.

After approximately 550 metres from the bridge, you’ll arrive at the steps from where Po Luen Path meets Sir Cecil’s Ride. From this point onwards, Po Luen Path overlaps with Sir Cecil’s Ride.

To The Base of Braemar Hill Lookout

Continue walking along Po Luen Path/Sir Cecil’s Ride for another 150 metres. You’ll then reach a flight of steps on your right with a signpost towards Mount Parker Road. This is the first of three shortcuts on the Braemar Hill Lookout Hike.

Let’s call this Shortcut A. Taking it will bring you close to the end of the trail, shortening your hike by approximately 2 kilometres. I’ll point out the other end of Shortcut A later, but for now, continue straight on Sir Cecil’s Ride.

After another 110 metres, the trail splits. Sir Cecil’s Ride veers left, but instead of following it, leave the path and walk 10 metres ahead on the ramp/steps. You’ll see a flight of steps leading uphill on your left, marked with a sign for the View Compass. These steps lead to Braemar Hill Lookout.

Note: Sir Cecil’s Ride loops around Braemar Hill Lookout, and the other end of the loop is just ahead of these steps. You’ll return to this point after visiting the lookout. If you prefer not to climb to Braemar Hill Lookout, you can cross the steps and rejoin Sir Cecil’s Ride on the other side of the ramp. This is Shortcut B.

To Braemar Hill Lookout

This is the only section of the hike that involves some climbing, but it’s not particularly challenging.

The steps are short and not very steep. At the top, you’ll reach a resting area with benches.

The trees surrounding the area limit views at this point, so continue walking as the path winds between trees and thickets.

Continue until you reach a clearing with some more benches and a view of the city below.

This is Braemar Hill Lookout, offering a 180-degree panoramic vista.

From the observation deck, you can see Victoria Harbour, from east to west, with Kowloon Hills Range (Kowloon Peak, Tate’s Cairn, Temple Hill, Lion Rock, and Beacon Hill) and Kowloon City directly across the harbour.

And to the east, Quarry Bay is a stone’s throw away.

The lookout features benches and a foot stone massage. Take a break and enjoy the scenery.

Return to Sir Cecil’s Ride and Finish The Loop

Once you’ve finished enjoying the views from Braemar Hill Lookout, begin descending.

The views remain visible at first, but soon disappear as the trail falls below the tree line. Continue downhill until the steps meet Sir Cecil’s Ride. This is the path that loops around Braemar Hill Lookout. To continue the hike, turn right onto Sir Cecil’s Ride; Po Luen Path continues downhill.

The next section is a long, winding trail that skirts the base of Braemar Hill Lookout. Thankfully, this section is mostly shaded and flat.

You may encounter runners, as this loop is a very popular trail running track.

Although this half of the loop is roughly 500 metres, its winding nature makes it feel longer. When it ends, you’ll be back where you started – right next to the steps at Shortcut B.

Sir Cecil’s Ride Along Quarry Bay

At the end of the Braemar Hill Lookout loop, turn left to stay on Sir Cecil’s Ride.

The next section of the hike runs along the western side of Quarry Bay, but the initial part remains shaded and without views.

After approximately 450 metres, you’ll get your first views of Quarry Bay and the valley between Mount Parker and Mount Butler.

The trail continues to meander above the valley, offering changing perspectives between Kornhill below and Mount Parker above.

After one final glimpse of Quarry Bay, the views disappear as the trail enters a canopy of trees.

Stay on the trail until it reaches a flight of steps heading downhill on the left. These steps exit at Mount Parker Road, which this hike is eventually headed towards.

If you choose to take these steps – let’s call this Shortcut C – I’ll show where they rejoin the main trail later.

To the Waterfall Lookout Point

If you skipped the steps and continued on Sir Cecil’s Ride, walk another 200 metres to a trail junction.

This is where Shortcut A exits directly ahead, but to continue on your journey, turn left and follow the signs for Sir Cecil’s Ride.

The trail now runs on the opposite side of the gorge, traversing along another long, winding path.

After another 600 metres of following Sir Cecil’s Ride, you’ll reach a stairway leading to Siu Ma Shan, another great hike on Hong Kong Island. To continue, go straight and follow the signs for Tai Fung Au (Quarry Bay Gap).

Less than 100 metres ahead is a viewing platform offering limited views of Quarry Bay and the eastern harbour. Depending on the season, you may notice a trickle or a gushing waterfall behind the lookout point.

To Mount Parker Road

From the lookout point, you’re now on the final section of this hike.

Sir Cecil’s Ride continues, frequently switching between a dirt track and a paved path.

After another 400 metres, you’ll get your first glimpse of Mount Parker Road below, which soon connects with Sir Cecil’s Ride, bringing this easy hike almost to an end.

Walk down Mount Parker Road

Mount Parker Road is a heavily trafficked route for hikers, offering access to the Quarry Bay Tree Walk, Hong Pak Country Trail, Mount Parker, Mount Butler, Tai Tam Reservoir, and Boa Vista, all nearby.

If you’re looking to end your hike, turn left onto Mount Parker Road and begin walking downhill.

The road is paved and mostly shaded all the way to the end, with plenty of seating areas, barbecue pits, and toilets along the way.

After approximately 800 metres, you’ll notice a sign for Sir Cecil’s Ride on the left – this is where Shortcut C exits.

Another 200 metres ahead, you’ll see one more sign for Sir Cecil’s Ride – this is the second exit for Shortcut C. If you had taken Shortcut C earlier, you would have exited at one of these two points.

Stay on Mount Parker Road, and continue walking past all the seating areas and the Woodside Biodiversity Education Centre until you arrive at King’s Road in Quarry Bay.

Braemar Hill To Quarry Bay via Braemar Hill Lookout

I hope you enjoyed this guide to Braemar Hill Lookout, and learned a little about the trails behind Braemar Hill (the neighbourhood).

This is one of those hikes I embark upon if I’m too lazy to plan a new hike. It’s peaceful and offers lovely scenery, including a stream, a waterfall, and even views of the city. It’s kid-friendly, and summer-friendly. And it offers multiple shortcuts to let you customize the length of your hike.

If you’re near Braemar Hill, don’t miss the chance to climb Red Incense Burner Summit for some of the best views in Hong Kong. Alternatively, you could hike from Braemar Hill to Tai Tam Reservoir.

We’d love to hear about your experience if you try this hike! Please share your comments below and feel free to share this guide with anyone who might enjoy it, or on your preferred social media platform.

If you enjoy our work, come join us on Instagram and YouTube 🙂

---

---