Lamma Island Family Walk Trail – Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan

The Lamma Island Family Walk Trail is a 5 km trail that connects Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan, the two major piers on the island. The trail is easy, scenic, suitable for everyone as it involves minimal climbing.

Along the Lamma Island Family Walk, one can admire the major attractions of Lamma Island, its beaches and coastline, villages, and even a cave from WWII!

And while on the hike, it is possible to add detours along the way to discover even more parts of Lamma Island.

About the Lamma Island Family Walk

As mentioned, the Lamma Island Family Walk Trail, between the ferry piers on Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, is approximately 5 km. Let’s refer to this as the base distance.

However, there are a couple of detours that you can add to your hike that would definitely increase the distance. Some common detours include Lamma Winds, Lo So Shing, Beach, and Power Station Beach.

Start from Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan?

The most common question for the Lamma Island Family Walk Trail is whether you should start it from Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan. Personally, I recommend starting from Sok Kwu Wan, for the following reasons:

1. The frequency of ferries from Yung Shue Wan to Central is higher than that from Sok Kwu Wan. This means you don’t have to rush to end your hike to catch a ferry.
2. Yung Shue Wan and its neighbouring villages have more attractions. This means that you can spend more time here after you’ve ended the hike.

Although the hike is relatively easy, I would always advise you to carry ample water, and sun protection. With that out of the way, let’s start the Lamma Island Hike from Sok Kwu Wan Pier to Yung Shue Wan.

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So, assuming that you’re following this guide, to start the Lamma Island Family Walk make your way to the Sok Kwu Wan Ferry Pier. The ferry timetable can be found on the operator’s website (Central to Sok Kwu Wan | Aberdeen to Sok Kwu Wan).

Sok Kwu Wan to the Kamikaze Cave

Once you arrive at Sok Kwu Wan, exit the ferry pier and turn right onto Sok Kwu Wan First Street.

The narrow street passes in front of all the seafood restaurants on this side of the island, the most famous of them is Rainbow Seafood Restaurant.

After all the restaurants, the street exits into an open space where the Tin Hau Temple is located. This beautiful temple overlooks the Sok Kwu Wan bay.

At this point, follow the path straight and after the first house, turn right at the sign for Yung Shue Wan.

As the trail turns right, it crosses a bridge and then meanders past a few more houses before reaching a short coastal walk.

The coastal walk is quite picturesque and offers much better views of the Sok Kwu Wan bay.

The coastal section soon arrives at a small unnamed beach. And right behind the beach is the famous Kamikaze Cave.

About the Kamikaze Cave

The Kamikaze Cave (or Kamikaze Grotto) is said to have been built by the Japanese during WWII when the Japanese took over Lo So Shing Beach. Apparently, there are a few grottos located along the coast of Sok Kwu Wan.

The grottos were supposed to hide speedboats which would launch a suicidal attack on Allies’ warships if they passed by.

Unfortunately, the war ended before the work had been completed.

To Lo So Shing Village

After the Kamikaze Cave, continue walking on the Lamma Island Family Trail towards Lo So Shing Village.

After the final few houses, the path splits into two. If you want to skip Lo So Shing Beach and also take a shortcut, take the path on the right.

However, to stay on the Lamma Island Family Trail and also perhaps visit Lo So Shing Beach, turn left.

Approximately, 100 metres after turning left, the trail passes the abandoned structure of Lo So Shing School. The school was shutdown in 2004 due to a lack of students.

Keep walking on the narrow trail as it passes by a few more houses and wilderness before reaching a sharp turn on a ramp.

Now, just as you walk up the ramp, there is a flight of steps to another path going in the opposite direction. Take this detour if you’d like to visit Lo So Shing Beach. Otherwise, keep walking straight ahead.

A short distance after the detour, the trail reaches Lo So Shing Village.

Lo So is the name of the pandanus plant in Chinese, which lends its name to the village as it was once abundant in this area. And Shing means city or town.

The village is more than 300 years old and shares the same ancestors as the Tai Wan Tsuen village on the other side of the island.

And for those curious, the shortcut from the Kamikaze Cave joins the Lamma Island Family Trail at the end of Lo So Shing Village. And the shortcut path is the Lo So Store, a quaint souvenir shop.

To the Sok Kwu Wan Lookout Pavilion

The next section of the Lamma Island Family Walk Trail is the only section of the entire hike that involves any climbing.

Follow the sign for Yung Shue Wan at the end of Lo So Shing Village. The signs are placed right at the start of the incline.

To be completely honest, the incline is not at all steep and is quite easy.

For the most part, it’s shaded. So, even if you attempted this hike in the summer months, it shouldn’t pose any problem.

After only 350 metres of uphill walking, the incline ends next to the Sok Kwu Wan Lookout Pavilion.

Take the steps down to the pavilion to enjoy perhaps the most panoramic views of Sok Kwu Wan. And not to mention, the final views of Sok Kwu Wan before the trail moves away from the bay.

To the stone-paved path

After the pavilion, continue walking on the Lamma Island Family Walk Trail as it remains mostly flat.

A couple of hundred metres ahead is another lookout pavilion that offers views of the western coast of Lamma Island. A lookout point is a short detour from the trail.

From here on out, the trail remains fairly uneventful with occasional glimpses of the right on the right where the Lamma Youth Camp is located.

The detour for the youth camp is located another 150 metres from the lookout pavilion.

When the trail splits in two, take the path on the left to stay on the Lamma Island Family Walk Trail as the path on the right runs up to the Lamma Youth Camp.

To The Yung Shue Wan/Sok Kwu Wan Rainshelter

The next section of the trail is by far the most scenic.

As the trail transforms into a stone-paved path, the coastal views return, along with the first views of the Lamma Power Station.

On a clear day, the unobstructed views provide an opportunity to admire the clear blue waters and unreachable beaches along the coast of Lamma Island.

And if it’s not too hazy, Lantau Island with its towering Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak are also on display behind the chimneys of the power station.

As the path advances ahead, it also uncovers the views of the south. Turn around and you’ll be able to admire Mount Stenhouse, the tallest peak on Lamma Island.

Keep walking till you reach the resting area next to the Yung Shue Wan/Sok Kwu Wan Rainshelter.

There is usually someone selling refreshments next to the pavilion. But the real treat is the viewpoint behind the pavilion that offers a vantage point to enjoy the scenery.

To Hung Shing Yeh Beach

The next section of the Lamma Island Family Walk Trail is not only scenic but also very easy.

After the Yung Shue Wan/Sok Kwu Wan Rainshelter, the trail begins to gently descend towards Hung Shing Yeh Beach, all the while keeping views of the coast and the power station.

Up ahead there is another path that heads up to Lamma Youth Camp. Remember to stay on the left path and follow the signs to the Yung Shue Wan.

As the trail descends further, it loses some of the coastal views. And before you know it, you’re back in the shade with no more views.

Shortly into the shade, the trail reaches one of Lamma Island’s nicest beaches, Hung Shing Yeh Beach.

Although the power station is visible from the beach, the views of the empty bay ahead (Kat Tsui Wan) more than makeup for it.

The beach also has a really quaint staycation motel, Concerto Inn. Come back here whenever you feel like going on a quick vacation!

Through the Villages, to Yung Shue Wan

The Lamma Island Family Walk Trail continues from beside Concerto Inn.

From here on out, the trail remains flat all the way to Yung Shue Wan.

200 metres after Concerto Inn, the trail arrives at a 4-point crossing with two more detour options.

However, if you’re not interested in either detour, continue walking straight ahead.

After a short lonely section, the trail begins to wind down through the scattering of villages on this side of Lamma Island.

And each village offers an interesting insight into life on Lamma Island. Whether it’s the free library or Kin Hing’s tofu dessert in Wang Long Village or all the boutique shops and restaurants in Tai Yuen or Sha Po villages.

By the time you reach Yung Shue Wan, you would have walked through at least six villages!

Yung Shue Wan

One of the reasons I recommend ending in Yung Shue Wan is that you can spend some time exploring the shops and restaurants at your own pace.

You can read more about our restaurant and shop recommendations in our guide to Lamma Island.

However, if you just feel like returning, the frequency of ferries from Yung Shue Wan is also usually higher.

Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan Hike

I hope you found this post on the Lamma Island Family Trail resourceful.

Lamma is one of our favourite islands and there are plenty of other hikes and beaches to discover. Personally, I really like the Ling Kok Shan Circular Hike around Sok Kwu Wan. I also love Shek Pai Wan Beach and Sham Wan Beach (the turtle-nesting beach) on Lamma Island.

You can read about all the attractions on our Complete Guide to Lamma Island.

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