Mui Wo to Pui O Hike via Lantau Trail Section 12

The Mui Wo to Pui O hike is a great way to add a workout to your beach day. At over 8 km, Section 12 of the Lantau Trail connects Mui Wo to Pui O. With varying levels of difficulty, the hike can get challenging in parts but overall it’s relatively easy.

Mui Wo to Pui O Hike

For the record, there are two routes to hike between Mui Wo and Pui O. One via Lantau Trail Section 12 and the other on a coastal trail along Chi Ma Wan bay. In this guide, we’ll focus on the route via Lantau Trail Section 12.

The official length of this hike is 9 km. At least that’s what the signs tell you. But it’s only 9 km if you finish at South Lantau Road at Pui O Village. From Mui Wo, Ferry Pier to Pui O Beach is only 8 km.

Click here to open the map of the hike in Google Maps.

Although the hike is easy for most parts, the climb to Tai Ngau Wu Peak is the only challenging section.

To give you a better idea of what the hike looks like, here is our video tour of the Mui Wo to Pui O hike, along with all the major highlights.

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Starting Point

To get to the starting point for this hike, make your way to Mui Wo Ferry Pier. The easiest way to get here is by ferry from Central (Pier No. 6) to Mui Wo. The ferry timetable can be found on the operator’s website.

Alternatively, if you’re starting from Tung Chung, catch buses 3 or 3M to Mui Wo Ferry Pier.

Once you arrive at the ferry pier, walk towards McDonald’s, along the pier, till you see China Bear restaurant.

From China Bear, walk along the main road as it bends around the small bay with the kayaks. Just around the bend is the entrance to Section 12 of Lantau Trail – the start of this hike.

The Initial Coastal Walk

This initial part of the hike (the first 2 km) can best be described as an easy coastal walk.

After the first couple of steps, the trail runs along the coastline of Lantau Island. And on a clear day, you can see the Hong Kong skyline and the ferries that come from the city alongside the trail.

The paved cement way soon gives way to a natural, dirt trail. I would say that this initial part of the trail is equally shaded and open. It’s also perhaps the most scenic and easiest section of the hike.

At the end of this coastal walk, you’ll arrive at an intersection of trails. The signs for Pui O point right. From here on out, Lantau Trail no longer runs along the coastline and moves inland.

The Undulating Section

The next 1.2 km of the hike is slightly tougher. There’s some incline and climbing involved than what you’ve just encountered.

After the first few steps there’s a pavilion, from where on a clear day, you get nice views of the Hong Kong skyline. We took a quick breather here before continuing ahead.

From here on, the next 20 minutes are fairly undulating till you arrive at the next junction – a cemented path.

The Short, Paved Path

It’s only once you step onto this smooth, cemented path after a long undulating natural trail, do you truly appreciate its evenness. This short section of the hike connects a cemetery to the main South Lantau Road.

Turn right and walk along the cemented path for a couple of minutes till you see the dirt trail on your left. It’s a sharp left turn, so keep an eye out. Many hikers miss this turn and continue walking along the cemented path.

To the Barbecue Sitting Area

The next 5-10 minutes of the hike are quite easy. The trail remains more or less flat, and uneventful. Just remember to follow the signs to Pui O. Some of them are quite hard to miss.

Soon you’ll arrive at a barbecue sitting area for the Pak Fu Tin campsite. Fuel up because the next section of the hike gets quite steep.

To Tai Ngau Wu Peak

At 275 metres, Tai Ngau Wu Peak is the highest point on the Mui Wo to Pui O hike.

From the Pak Fu Tin campsite area to Tai Ngau Wu Peak is a constant incline. Although it’s mostly a gentle slope, there are two long sections of steep steps.

This is the toughest part of the hike. Take it easy and go slow, ration your energy. Although this part of the hike is just over 1 km, it certainly feels like an eternity!

You’ll know you’ve arrived at Tai Ngau Wu Peak when you see a radio station next to a helipad.

To continue along Lantau Trail Section 12 towards Pui O, take the trail on the left. The best news is that it’s all downhill from here!

Tai Ngau Wu Peak to Chi Ma Wan Road

As you begin your descent from Tai Ngau Wu Peak, you can catch beautiful glimpses of Pui O Beach on the right and Lamma Island on the left.

The initial part of the descent is quite easy – beautiful views and lots of shade. The shade was a life-saver by this time as the sun was beating down on us.

However, the second half of this decline does get a bit jarring on the knees as the gentle decline becomes a bit rough. You’ll know you’re close to the end when you see the beautiful, lonely village of Shap Long to your left.

And before you know it, the dirt trail ends on Chi Ma Wan Road, right in front of the entrance to Chi Ma Wan Country Trail.

Chi Ma Wan Road to Pui O Beach

From here, turn right and stay on the main road. The road twists and turns, oftentimes revealing the beautiful waters of Pui O, as it makes its way towards the end.

10 minutes later, you’ll arrive at the northern end of Pui O Beach, in front of the Tin Hau Temple.

The Tin Hau Temple on Pui O Beach is about 7.7 km from the start of the hike. If you continue along Chi Ma Wan Road to South Lantau Road, that’s another 1.5 km or another 1 km to the main Pui O town. But you don’t want to do that.

On the side of the Tin Hau Temple is a gap between two rocks from where you can step onto the sand. If the tide is low, you can walk right across to Pui O Beach. However, if the tide is high, don’t worry, the water isn’t that deep. Take off your shoes, and socks, roll up your pants/shorts (or not) and walk through the water.

Trust me, this will save you an additional 10-15 minutes worth of walking! You don’t want to walk around the beach along the main road.

Pui O Beach

The beach is a popular destination for hikers, campers and beach-goers alike. The Pui O Beach Camping Site is located right on the beach and offers campers beautiful sunset views. And from here, you can always hike around the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula.

Fun fact about Pui O Beach – because of the surrounding rocks in the area, the sand on the beach is black and yellow. It may not look that impressive on the ground, but it does make for a spectacular aerial photo.

There are a couple of eating joints at the main entrance of Pui O Beach, the most popular among them is Treasure Island. The food here is alright, but the views more than makeup for it. Chill out here or relax on the beach after completing your hike. You’ve earned it!

Also, keep in mind that this part of Lantau Island has plenty of amazing restaurants. You can walk along the South Lantau Island at Pui O Village and step into any restaurant that catches your fancy. Or you could take a bus or taxi to Cheung Sha Beach, Tong Fuk, or back to Silvermine Beach near Mui Wo.

Hike from Mui Wo To Pui O

We hope you enjoyed our guide to the Mui Wo to Pui O hike. Of course, you can also do this hike in reverse and finish at the Mui Wo Ferry Pier.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Mui Wo, check out our post on Mui Wo and Silvermine Bay. There’s also the hike from Mui Wo to Discovery Bay that you can explore.

Alternatively, you can explore the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula next to Pui O Beach. The Chi Ma Wan Country Trail is the longest country trail in Hong Kong!

And finally, if you’re looking for an easy and scenic hike to another beach on Lantau Island, we recommend the hike from Pui O to Cheung Sha Beach on Lantau Trail Section 11.

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