For The RepsBlog
SearchGet the app

Outdoors

Dragon's Back Trail Hike

You climb from Shek O Road to a viewpoint over Tai Tam Bay, then follow the up-and-down Dragon's Back ridge over Shek O Peak (284 m) with views of Shek O, Stanley and Tung Lung Chau. The second half is gentler, through the woods of Wan Cham Shan and along Mount Collinson, before you descend to the beach at Big Wave Bay.

For The Reps · Updated

hike scenery for Dragon's Back Trail near Hong Kong Island
Photo: Dragons-Back-Northwards by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Hong Kong Island
Distance
8.5 km one way
Time
About 2 hours 45 minutes
Difficulty
Moderate

The route

Hong Kong Trail Stage 8: To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay over Dragon's Back.

Take Citybus 9 or the Shau Kei Wan to Shek O minibus to the To Tei Wan stop on Shek O Road; Stage 8 starts next to the stop. At the end, Citybus 9 and the red minibus to Shau Kei Wan leave from Big Wave Bay.

Before you go

  • For a shorter walk, AFCD's 'Dragon's Back' route (4.8 km, about 2.5 hours) leaves the ridge towards Tai Tam Gap and ends at the Cape Collinson bus stop.
  • Bring all your water and snacks; there is nowhere to buy or refill on the way.
  • Country parks have no litter bins, so take your rubbish home.
  • Wear proper walking shoes rather than sandals for the rocky and stepped sections.

What to bring

  • Shoes with grip that you have already worn in
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Food you will actually want to eat
  • A warm or waterproof layer
  • The route, saved offline
  • Sun cream and a hat

Getting ready for it

If your longest walk lately is under two hours, do a few longer walks first, ideally with some climbing and the pack you will carry.

Step-ups and lunges twice a week make the descents much easier on your knees.

Staying safe

  • The ridge has little shade, so heat and sun are the main risk; AFCD links its heatstroke advice from the trail pages.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
  • Turn around if the weather turns or the footing gets sketchy. The trail will still be there.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against hiking.gov.hk, hiking.gov.hk, afcd.gov.hk and en.wikipedia.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.