8 Dog-friendly Hiking Trails in Hong Kong Your Pups Will Love!

Take your dog-walking to the next level by taking your furry tyke(s) beyond your neighborhood and outside the city!

Hong Kong has its fair share of scenic hiking trails, and some of them are friendly to your pal’s paws. Take your dog to these picturesque places and watch their eyes light up with awe and wonder as they wander around with you in areas they’ve never seen before. Here’s a list of eight of some of the best places that you can visit with your pet!

Along Hatton Road is a heritage trail that leads to the historic Pinewood Battery, an important military site in Lung Fu Shan Country Park. It’s quite the short hike to the top and along the way, you can enjoy a relaxing ascent on a sun-dappled path while you enjoy the peace of hearing birds chirping and the rustling of leaves.

Visiting this place will also allow you to immerse yourself in the war history of Hong Kong as you and your pal walk past the remains of bunkers and the like.

How to get there: Take Bus 13 and get down at Hatton Road. Pinewood Battery is a 1.5km walk uphill.

Tai Tam Reservoir is a complex of reservoirs in a country park of the same name and it has been standing since the early 1900s. Over the years, it transformed into an attraction of sorts—a half-manmade and half-natural site where people and their animal companions can enjoy walks along many old bridges and waterfront areas. It’s even a popular camping and picnic area.

Take the time to wander around with your dog, enjoy views of the dams and their shimmering waters as well as the mountains, plus learn about the history and importance of the dam from the placards that you can find at certain parts of the reservoir.

How to get there: Take Bus 14 or 314 and get down at Tai Tam Country Park’s bus stop.

Twin Peaks is within the area of Tai Tam Reservoir. Just a few steps at the start of the Reservoir Road, you’ll find the path that will take you to the Twins. If you and your dog still have the energy to explore, then you might want to take on the Twins’ hiking trail.

Do note that Twin Peaks is considered to be the most challenging hiking area in Hong Kong because you’ll have to traverse more than a thousand steps, so it’s recommended only when you and your best buddy are fully energized and have had experience going on long hikes. Once you reach the top, you can marvel at the likes of Stanley Peninsula, the Reservoir, and Repulse Bay.

How to get there: Take Bus 6, 63, or 66 and get down at Nai Chung Reservoir Park’s Sinopec Gas Station. Walk to Tai Tam Reservoir Road. There, you’ll find a trail that will lead to the Twin Peaks.

If you haven’t hiked in a long time or if you’ve only just started getting into it and want your doggy to get into the groove with you, then choosing a short hiking trail is the best choice. One of the shortest trails in Hong Kong is the Eagle’s Nest Nature Trail in Lion Rock Country Park.

The trail is shaded for the most part, so you don’t have to worry about taking a walk under the blazing sun. It’s a cool place filled with colorful flowers, birds, and even monkeys (so make sure to keep your pal on a leash just in case you walk close to one). Your reward for getting to the tippy top is a jaw-dropping view of Kowloon and the mountains of the New Territories.

How to get there: take Bus 72 or 81 and get down at the Shek Lei Pui Reservoir stop. The entrance is close to the stop.

Lamma Island is a famous tourist spot in Hong Kong. It’s a 30-minute journey by ferry from Central, so along the way, you get to enjoy views of the big blue sea.

Once you’re there, you can go on a leisurely stroll with your pup and make your way to scenic spots where you can marvel at the landscapes below the mountains and even the city. Passing by the island’s is recommended because it’s a good change of scenery away from the towering buildings of the city proper, and you’ll get the chance to see Hong Kong village life! There’s even a restaurant called The Peak Lookout, which has a dog-friendly outdoor dining session.

How to get there: Make your way to Central Pier 4 and hop on a ferry for a 30-minute ride to the island.

Sai Kung East Country Park is the home of the famous Tai Long Wan Hiking Trail. It’s one of the most picturesque areas in Hong Kong because if you follow the path starting from the Sai Wan Pavilion, you and your furry friend will be treated to breathtaking sights as you move along - like colorful flower beds, the sandy spots of the bay area, and the milky blue waters of the area’s estuaries.

How to get there: at Dundas Street in Mong Kok, ride the red minibus and alight at Sai Kung Town. Next, hop on Minibus 29R and get down at Sai Wan Pavilion.

Dragon’s Back, by popular vote, is one of Hong Kong’s easiest hiking trails. It’s an 8.5km hike and has quite the name, so walking along its path makes it more fun.

Throughout your walk, you’ll be able to enjoy the mountain breeze, and once you reach the summit, there’s a viewing platform where you can enjoy the view of Shek O Beach and the golf course. If you feel like it, you can walk down to Big Wave Bay Beach where you can run on soft white sand and even go for a refreshing swim with your pal.

How to get there: take the MTR to Sau Kei Wan Station and leave from Exit A3. From there, ride Bus 9 and get down at Tei Wan, Dragon’s Back.

If you want to explore an all-green area, then Aberdeen Country Park is one of the best choices to visit. It’s one of Hong Kong’s oldest parks and has several trails to choose from.

One leads into Wan Chai Gap’s verdant forests, which means you’ll have the opportunity to wander along sun-dappled spots while admiring the lush flora calling it home. Another one will lead you to Mount Cameron, where a war memorial can be found. Aside from being a hiking area, it’s also a popular picnic destination. If you need to take a break from walking, you can take a break at one of the picnic areas and even delight in a meal or some snacks with your dog.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Wan Chai Station and leave from Exit D. Make your way to Wan Chai Gap Road from Queen’s Road East.