1 MacLehose Path
Problem: Difficult
Length: 100 kilometres
Time: 5 to 7 days
The longest and most well-known walking on the list is the MacLehose Path, which covers 100 kilometres from Sai Kung to Tuen Mun. Named after Hong Kong’s longest-serving guv and devoted hiker Murray MacLehose (who notoriously developed Hong Kong’s country parks) this path was named among 20 “dream walkings” by National Geographic.
Years before it was formally opened to the public, Gurkhas– elite Nepalese soldiers who served in the colonial army– would walk the path in 24 hours as part of their training routine; the exercise would later motivate the Oxfam Trailwalker event. The good news is, the MacLehose Path is a little easier to manage nowadays with stone actions and range markers every 500 metres to help you along.
The path has 10 areas of varying length and difficulty, with Sections 3 and 4 (Pak Tam Au to Kei Ling Au and Kei Ling Au to Tai Lo Shan) being the hardest. One of the MacLehose Trail’s defining functions is its variety– from start to finish, you’ll see everything from lush mountains to pristine beaches, volcanic rock developments, and urban spreads.
There are treat kiosks and vending devices offered in Areas 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8, but you need to guarantee you bring sufficient food and water for the remainder of the trip, as the MacLehose Trail can take up to a week to finish (depending on your pace and physical fitness level). Click here for our full guide on treking Section 1 (Pak Tam Chung to Long Ke Wan).
If you have actually currently examined all the significant hikes off your list (and checked out some more under-the-radar options to boot), it may be time to press yourself further by trying the very best thru-hikes in Hong Kong.