Lantau Peak Hike

You'll know there are some spectacular and challenging walks in Hong Kong. This is something you would not expect when you're presented with the bright lights of Hong Kong Island or the neon of Nathan Road, Kowloon.

This post covers the Lantau Peak hike I did. The drive behind doing was that it is the second biggest peak in Hong Kong and presented a challenge that my body was looking for on a weekend. I think anyone reasonably fit can do the walk.

Getting there

When living on Hong Kong Island the key challenge is getting there or anywhere on Lantau apart from the airport. I took the train to Tung Chung and then a bus (M3) to Pak Kung Au. The stop is not easy for the first timer to pick out but the bus ascends over a hill about half way up there is a stop and that where you get off. Follow it on some mapping software if you're unsure.

The Pak Kung Au stop spoils you for choice you can take Lantau Trail Stage 3 : Pak Kung Au over Lantau Peak to Ngong Ping or you can take Trail 2 going backwards up Sunset peak. I went on a clear day and the views would be spectacular from both.

Ascent to Lantau Peak

There is a clear sign telling you which way to go. The signs on this route are easy to follow and you're basically walking from marker 18 on the Lantau Trail up to Marker 26. You can pick out the trail see below. It was being guarded by some fairly fierce looking animals. I had to be careful.

Guardians of the Lantau Trail

Spoit for choice : Sunset peak or Lantau Peak. Lantau Peak today

The ascent starts straight away and its thankless stair climbing exercise for the next 90 minutes. The stairs are big (some knee high) so pace yourself as its like this for most of the way to the top.

Stair at the start of the ascent, its list this all the way

Thankfully alongside the constant steps that you're negotiating you will see some spectacular scenery. So stop and take your time to admire the beauty.

This is the target : Lantau Peak from the bottom

Looking back at Sunset Peak

The view down to Tung Cheung on the right

As you go higher the vistas open up even further and you can see towards Pui O and the villages below. And further out are islands floating in the South China Sea.

Vista looking back at Sunset Peak and out to the South China Sea

Some of the vegetation along the way

Its a long haul to the top, it never gets close enough

Keep going and at the top you'll be rewarded with this.

Looking down from Lantau Peak, towards Shui Hau Village

Looking down to Shek Pik Reservoir from the top.

Then once over Lantau Peak the Buddha comes into view and its an interesting climb down with some really steep steps.

Zoomed in view of the Buddha and Ngong Ping Village

The trail winds it way down and ends at the wisdom path in Ngong Ping Village. Here are some shots of the the wisdom path.

Wisdom Path Ngong Ping Village

What better way then to have some vegetarian food at the Giant Buddha restaurant. The entire walk should take about 2.5 hours. I took about 3.5 as I was taking a lot of pictures as it was a great day.

Information on the trail 

I found the link below quite useful Lantau Trail Map. There is a lot of information out there on google. Most a lot better than mine.