Cape Collinson Battery is a beautiful World War II relic in Hong Kong hidden from plain sight. Located on the far east corner of Hong Kong Island, this coastal defence battery is can be a bit tricky to get to. After all, there are no signs or maintained trails and it is technically located in a restricted area.

So, if you want to learn how to hike to get to Cape Collinson Battery, read on.

Cape Collinson Battery Hike

The hike to the Cape Collinson Battery is relatively easy except for the last section which requires you to go off-trail, in a manner of speaking. A large portion of the hike is on a paved road and it’s only the final section that requires you to jump over a fence and follow an unmarked path down to the coast.

Cape Collinson Battery Hike map and elevation profile

Here’s a quick video for your reference

Now, with that out of the way, let’s start the Cape Collinson Battery Hike.

Starting Point – Siu Sai Wan

To start the Cape Collinson Battery Hike, make your way to the Siu Sai Wan Promenade, next to Island Resort. You can use Google Maps to guide you here via bus, as the MTR terminates at Chai Wan. Some of the buses that stop close by are 8H, 8P, 8X, 19, 82, 82M, 82S, 82X, 85P, 88X, 682, 788, and 789.

Once you arrive at the promenade, find the public toilets next to the playground. Next to the public toilets are steps that go up to the Leaping Dragon Walk.

Walk up these steps to begin the hike.

Leaping Dragon Walk

The Leaping Dragon Walk is a moderately easy family trail that runs up a short hill (I assume it’s called Leaping Dragon Mountain).

The path continues uphill at a gentle incline and is completely paved. Although it’s not completed shaded, it does have trees on either side. If it’s a really hot and sunny day, it might help to carry an umbrella.

Continue on the Leaping Dragon Walk till it meets Cape Collinson Road running adjacent to it.

Cape Collison Road

Once you arrive at Cape Collinson Road, there’s a nice seating area with views of Tung Lung Chau and Clearwater Bay.

The view from the Cape Collinson sitting area

On Cape Collinson Road, turn left and walk downhill towards the Cape Collinson Correctional Institution. You should cross another not so scenic seating area.

You’ll arrive at a gate that prohibits the entry of unauthorised vehicles. Don’t worry, it doesn’t apply to you. Walk past it.

Shortly after the sign, you’ll notice a cemented path on your left, over the side-railing. Climb over the railing and jump onto the other side without stepping on the pipes. From here on out, walk down this unmarked path. And soon you’ll arrive at the coast, and at Cape Collinson Battery.

Cape Collinson Battery, Hong Kong

The Cape Collinson Battery (two of them) was constructed in 1938 as a defence point for Hong Kong Island’s east coast. It was armed with 2, 2 x 6″ BL guns and operated by the 36th Coast Battery, and the 8th Coast Regiment Royal Artillery, which was part of Eastern Fire Command. However, on 19th December 1941, the battery was ordered to be destroyed, and the regiment relocated to Stanley.

The Cape Collinson Battery consists of two searchlight batteries, North and South.

Today, the two batteries are completely abandoned and lie in their derelict condition. One battery is more demolished than the other. Most hikers come here for the beautiful views and to take pictures of these war relics. You can step inside the batteries to get a feel of what it must have been like to man these batteries.

Behind the batteries is an area that is used for rock climbing. You can learn more about rock climbing next to the Cape Collinson Battery on this website.

Hong Kong Island’s Eastern Fire Command

Cape Collinson Battery was Hong Kong Island’s Eastern Fire Command during World War 2. On the other side of the island lies Mount Davis, which was the island’s Western Fire Command. Both war relics, like all war relics in Hong Kong, lie in ruins and are overrun by nature.

If you enjoyed visiting Cape Collinson Battery, I would also recommend a visit to Cape Collinson itself. It’s slightly north of the battery and also offers amazing views of the sea. It’s also the location for an ancient rock carving that was recently discovered in Hong Kong.

That’s us at Cape Collinson, Hong Kong

Cape Collinson Battery is one of the many relics from WWII in Hong Kong. Feel free to browse through the war relics that we’ve already uncovered so far in this magnificent city.