Dragon Back Trail on Hong Kong Island

We selected the Dragon's Back Trail for our first activity at Hong Kong during our visit there in August.

It is a mountain ridge trail in southeastern Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. We hiked there on Saturday, August 16th, a beautiful sunny day.

Get to the trailhead

From MTR Shau Kei Wan Station Exit A2, walk to the Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus. Take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to To Tei Wan, Dragon’s Back stop on Shek O Road.

The bus got into the mountain shortly after leaving the bus terminus, and we were pleasantly surprised by the steep mountain slope and greenery, as well as the Tai Tam Bay.

Tai Tam Bay - view from Bus

Tai Tam Bay

When we got off the bus at To Tei Wan, the Dragon Back Trail head at Shek O, we went downhill to Tai Tam Bay first, to To Tei Wan Beach, instead of hiking on the trail.

The decent from the Trailhead to the beach is steep - 120 meter vertical drop in 300 meters!

The trail was well shaded with the breeze from the ocean, the chirps of birds, the greenery and the blue water - it was a pleasant jog!

There were canoes and row boats in the bay. 

To Wei Wan Beach is great - in addition to the view of the Bay, surrounding mountains, there is a patch of rocky beach with giant boulders. 

We spent 1 hour there before starting on Dragon Back Trail

Dragon's Back Trail

After 1 hour detour, we were back on Dragon's Back trail.

There was a large group of people just arrived at the trailhead, when we got there from To Tei Wan beach. We left there quickly trying to a keep distance from the large group.

Sign at the trailhead

Dragon's back trail

The dragon's back portion of the trail is on the ridge of Shek O peak. We had great views of both sides of the mountain - the Tai Tam Bay and the Big Wave Bay. 

The views were spectacular under the bright sunshine.

The ridge also leads to less shade. We were under direct UV attack at the more beautiful section of the trail. Interestingly we encountered quite a few butterflies, which kept popping up in front of us  

Tai Tam Bay

Big Wave Bay

Trail leading to the Shek O peak summit

trail to heaven?

near Summit

the summit marker

The last several kilometers of the trail was at half height of the mountain, and in the woods. We were on the Tai Tam Bay side. There were many birds and creeks along the way.

Looking back, we saw the upstream of the rushing creek at To Tei Wan beach - which is visible despite being a couple kilometers away. 

The creek in the mountain that flows into Tai Tam Bay at To Tei Wan beach

another rushing creek on Shek O peak

The Big Wave Bay

We ended our hike at the big wave bay, which by itself a good place to visit. We stopped so frequently to take pictures and enjoy the vista,  It took us total 4 hour 15 minutes to complete the 10km hike. 

It was lunch time. The only restaurant that accepts credit card there happened to be a good one. We had lunch by the big wave bay. 

The beach at Big Wave Bay

It is a great trail, moderate difficulty, marvelous views. 

Highly recommended if you go to HK for vacation.

Notes

1. Public transportation is convenient for going there from city, return trip may need some effort - either wait for connecting bus or walk 1km to bus route 9 stop.

2. Due to high exposure to UV, apply sufficient sunscreen even if wearing light sun blocking cloth.