1. Lion Rock

Lion Rock gets its name because it resembles a lion's head. When you reach the top of this mountain hike, you have an amazing view of Kowloon in Hong Kong. The hike is moderately difficult and has many steps on a steep slope that get you to the top, but the view is worth it!

The hike starts pretty easy with a straightforward trail and a few stop points for water and pictures but at the end of the hike, the toughest bit of stairs starts to get steeper and steeper and you wonder if you will ever reach the top. There isn’t much shade and there can be big crowds of people so it's recommended to go early in the morning so that it will be a bit chillier because you don't have the afternoon sun and you can still see the view from the peak in the morning.

Time: 2-3 hours

Distance: 6 km

Difficulty level: 3 out of 5

2. Dragon’s Back

The Dragon's Back hike is based on the name itself -, there are a few bumps here and there, just like a literal dragon’s back, and there is a lot of rock climbing. It ends at Big Wave Bay so you can be rewarded at the end with a nice dip in the ocean. It gives you a stunning view of the southern coastline and it does not offer much shade along the way so make sure to pack extra water and a lot of sunscreens. But most of the time, you have a flat surface.

My family and I at the start of Dragon's Back hike, My dad, Rivera my sister, and I on the hiking trail

Time: 3 hours

Distance: 8.5km

Difficulty level: 2 out of 5

2. Dragon’s Back

The Dragon's Back hike is based on the name itself -, there are a few bumps here and there, just like a literal dragon’s back, and there is a lot of rock climbing. It ends at Big Wave Bay so you can be rewarded at the end with a nice dip in the ocean. It gives you a stunning view of the southern coastline and it does not offer much shade along the way so make sure to pack extra water and a lot of sunscreens. But most of the time, you have a flat surface.

My family and I at the start of Dragon's Back hike, My dad, Rivera my sister, and I on the hiking trail

Time: 3 hours

Distance: 8.5km

Difficulty level: 2 out of 5

3. The Peak

The hike to Victoria Peak is nice and simple as it is easily accessible. It is a nice simple walk up to the famous Peak Galleria and can be a nice break from your day. It is the way up the trail and can get pretty steep at points but it is all worth it for the most beautiful view there is to see: Victoria Harbour and the whole city itself. It starts at 23 Old Peak Road in Mid-levels and finishes at the top of the mountain. There are many shops and restaurants at the top of the peak, including a nice gelato parlor for a treat after your walk. The Peak does not offer much shade and is about a one-hour walk in total. The fun thing about this hike is that once at the top, there are many other trails you can take to go higher or to come down, giving you a full sense of Hong Kong from the highest peak.

Time: 1 hour

Distance: 3.5 km

Difficulty level: 1 out of 5

4. Ap Lei Chau to Ap Lei Pai Hike via Mount Johnson

In my opinion, this hike is amazing. It has beautiful views from up above and there is a lot of rock and rope climbing uphill as well as downhill. One thing to know about this hike is that it has a connecting beach. Once you finish the first part of the hike, you get to a little sand bar out in the open that is connected to the other part of the hike. This is a nice spot to stop and catch your breath or maybe even have a little snack. After you reach the sandbar, the hike is similar to the start with up and down rope and rock climbing along the way. At the end of the hike, you reach a beautiful rockscape with a white lighthouse. One thing to know is that at the end of this hike, you will have to take a sampan back to a dock in Aberdeen. The sampan takes many people at a time and comes every 10 to 15 minutes. Each sampan ride costs about HK$10 to HK$20 per person.

Time: 1 - 2 hours

Distance: 5.5 km

Difficulty level: 3 out of 5

5. Che Pau - Rhino Rock

Rhino rock is a fun hike, with a beautiful view waiting at the end of it. It gets its name because, at the end of the hike, there is a huge rock that looks like a rhino's head. During the hike, there are parts of the hike that are steep and some flat parts. Sometimes you will need to climb but keep in mind that there is no rope and so you need to be careful. At the end of the hike, you reach the huge rhino's head. If you are brave enough, you can climb up to the rhino's head and down to the nose, where there is a little slant that you can sit on to pose for a photo. But keep in mind that it is hard to climb up to it because it is high and steep, so be careful!

Time: 2-3 hours

Distance: 11.3 km

Difficulty level: 2 out of 5

In the end, all these hikes are worth the walk so I hope that you might try any of them any time of the year and tell me for yourself how you would rate them!