Hong Kong’s hiking trails offer hidden gems beyond shopping and dining ... if you know where to look
Hiking season is here, and convenient public transport to the countryside, coupled with great views, could make the activity the next big tourist thing
Amid the weakening economy, the Hong Kong Tourism Board wants to position the city as a top destination for hiking, in a bid to diversify from the long-running image of a beacon for shopping and dining.
Mason Hung, a general manager from the board’s event and product development division , said there was no better time than now – the return of the hiking season between November and March – for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities and discover the hidden beauty of the countryside.
The board has published a guide booklet with detailed information of seven recommended hiking trails and two cycling routes, which are being distributed in hotels and at its information centres.
“Hong Kong has a lot to offer as a travel destination other than shopping,” Hung said, adding a more diversified city was good for luring high quality tourists in the long term.
Among the highlights is the MacLehose Trail, a 100km route spanning Sai Kung and Tuen Mun, which was recently named one of the best hikes in the world by the National Geographic Society.
Another route is the 50km Hong Kong Trail, where section 1 – between The Peak and Pok Fu Lam reservoir – is highly recommended, offering a bird’s eye view of the woodland oases hugged by the concrete jungles on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
