Last Updated: January 18, 2024
When you think of Hong Kong, a big hustle bustle city made up of islands with a huge harbour and towering sky scrapers usually comes to mind (or at least it did for us).
But one of things that surprised us in Hong Kong was just how many amazing hikes there are. With lots of them easily reachable from the city centre.
One of these is the Dragon’s Back, a great hike for individuals, couples or families and one that our eldest chose to do for his 10th birthday.
The Dragon’s Back, so named due to the way it looks like the spine of a dragon with it’s scales and spikes bumping along the skyline, is a great family hike with kids of all ages.
And it really does look like a dragon’s back! So this added some magic if you’re going wit kids (or even if you’re not!).
Kids Quote: “Be quiet or we might wake the dragon up!”
Aden, Age 3
Best Time for Hiking the Dragon’s Back
The Dragon’s Back can be done all year round due to it being a mild hike, with the exception of extreme weather.
But once you get to the top there is not much shade, so it’s best to avoid very hot days or hot times of the day.
We made this mistake due to getting delayed before we left and ended up getting there around mid morning in the blistering sun! So, we would advise getting there early morning or in the evening when it is cooler, otherwise it can be very warm indeed!
Getting to the Dragon’s Back from Central Hong Kong (and back)
The Dragon’s Back is located in the Shek O Country Park, towards the south east corner of Hong Kong Island.
You can get a taxi all the way to the starting point if you wish as it’s just off a main road.
But as taxis aren’t the cheapest and the public transport option is very easy and convenient we would advise the latter.
To get there via public transport, first, take the metro to Shau Kei Wan MTR Station and then leave via exit A3.
You will then immediately see Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminal. Look for bus number 9 and hop on.
The cost for the bus is around 10HKD (£1). You can pay cash or, if you have an Octopus Card, you can just swipe on.
If you don’t know what an Octopus Card is, it’s basically a top-up card that can be used to swipe your way trough public transport (amongst other things).
It’s super handy so we would advise getting one if you’re in Hong Kong for while.
The bus runs about every 20 minutes and and takes about 30 minutes to get to the Dragon’s Back trail entrance.
The stop is named To Tei Wan – Dragon’s Back. The fact that they’ve added the ‘Dragon’s Back’ bit to the stop name makes it nearly impossible to miss, just keep an eye on the board on the bus for the stop.
Once you alight the bus the trail is right there, so a very easy way to get there.
Coming back will depend if you do the long route or the short/medium route. If you do the short/medium route you come back to the same stop. Just cross over to the opposite side of the road and jump on the same bus as it comes past to get back to the MTR.
If you do the long route you will finish at Big Wave Bay. From here you can instead get one of the red minibus’ from the station back to the MTR.
Hiking the Dragon’s Back
For the hike you have a few options of small, medium or long hikes. It’s a good hike for kids as you can gage their form as you go and tailor it appropriately.
The trail is very well signposted and easy to navigate. The hike is on Section 8 of the larger Hong Kong Trail, so you will see signs for this also as you go.
It’s a pretty easy hike for all ages, providing you have a reasonable level of fitness.
At the start there are numerous steps up to the top, but there are lots of resting and viewing points along the way for tired little (or big) legs.
Once you get to the top the walk is pretty mild, bobbing up and down as you walk across the dragon’s spikes!
Short Hike (around 3km)
The short hike basically means going as far as you want then turning back. If you’re after a target, it is good to walk to Shek O Peak, the highest point of the Dragon’s Back.
But just a little further along is also the Dragon’s Back Viewing Point just another 5 minutes ahead.
Once you have reached the lookout spots you can then turn round and walk back the way you came.
You’re looking at under a couple of hours for this, even with kids and if you go on a hot day (like us!)
Medium Hike (around 5km)
If you want a slightly longer hike and a different path back you can walk a little further past the lookout points until you reach the three way cross section.
Here you go left and will then loop back round (follow the sign for Shek O Road at the 3 way intersection).
This won’t add too much more hiking, so at most an extra hour of walking, but gives you a different path back for some change of scenery.
Long Hike (around 8km)
If you want to go further still and finish at a completely different point altogether you can keep walking to Big Wave Bay.
Stay on the Hong Kong Trail Section 8 and follow it to the bay, which is well signposted.
This is around double the distance of the loop route, but as the remainder is mainly flat or downhill it shouldn’t add more than an hour to the route.
Doing the long route means you can take your swimwear and cool off and chill on the beach at the end of your hike before you head back.
Enjoy!