Sunset Peak Hike: The Best Sunset Viewpoint in All of Hong Kong

Kamal Mirwani

Published

October 04, 2024

Type: Nature/Wildlife

Type: Mountain Views

Type: Historical/Cultural

Difficulty: Hard

District: Lantau

Essential Information
Hike Highlights
Google Route Map and GPX
How to Get There
Quick Route Summary
Nam Shan Campsite to the Helipad
1 Hour of Stairs to the First Viewpoint
The Gorgeous Open Grassy Section
The Lin Fa Shan Detour
Airport Views
The Mysterious Chalets Near the Summit
Viewpoint Rock Detour
Final Ascent to the Summit
Sunset Peak Summit Views
Climbing Down the Mountain
Getting Back

Essential Sunset Peak Hike Details

District: Lantau
Duration: 4 hours in the summer and 3.5 hours in the winter (not including detours)
Distance: 7.8km with no detours
Highest Elevation: 869 meters
Difficulty: 4.5/5
Facilities: None. Stock up on food and water beforehand

Why Hike Sunset Peak?

Lap up wonderful coastal views across Lantau Island and toward the South China Sea

Not a concrete path in sight! Sunset Peak has natural, dirt trails for miles!

There are plenty of beautiful moths and butterflies to add vibrance to your hiking efforts!

Literally hike into the clouds!

Check out the mysterious and historic stone summer homes on the mountain

You can see across all of Hong Kong from near the top. Across the water is Tuen Mun and Castle Peak

And here is Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and even Lamma Island across the water!

Get your incredible sunset reward from the summit!

Sunset Peak is one of Hong Kong's tougher hikes, but it's also arguably the best sunset and sunrise viewpoint in the entire city! There's just something absolutely mesmerizing about being nearly 900 meters above sea level and having a 360-degree panoramic view across the city, airport and ocean!

While this hike is genuinely breathtaking, it should not be attempted by people who have limited hiking experience. The route to the top is challenging, and is comprised of thousands of stone steps. This is definitely a cardio blast that one should build up to by hiking a few shorter mountains first.

That being said, if you're feeling ready to tackle Sunset Peak, I'd advise avoiding all public holidays as the mountain is overcrowded with tourists. Hiking up Sunset Peak in the summer months is pretty tough, but it's also when the mountain is at its least crowded.

If you're purely after the most spectacular view, I'd recommend going around November when the silvergrass is in full bloom. It makes the entire landscape look just that much more magical, almost like it's been ripped straight from the pages of some epic fantasy novel!

Google Route Map and GPX

Sunset Peak GPX File

How to Get to the Sunset Peak Hike Start Point

Take Exit A from Tung Chung MTR Station

Head across the street to Fu Tung Plaza where you'll find a bus stop

You'll want to get the 3M bus

It's a big double decker, so it's easier to spot

3M bus route from Tung Chung to Mui Wo. You'll want to alight at Nam Shan Campsite

Some hiking guides recommend starting the hike from Wong Lung Hang because you can walk there directly from Tung Chung (about 2.5km). However, this route has a lot of traversing through concrete roads, which kills some of the joy of hiking, in my opinion.

I'd recommend starting the hike from the Nam Shan Barbecue Area and ending in Pak Kung Au.

Taking this route ensures that the majority of the incline up the mountain is shaded, which is a life saver on those brutal summer days. This route is also less popular because it takes a little longer to get to Nam Shan rather than Pak Kung Au, meaning you'll have the trail to yourself at the start.

Starting from Nam Shan Campsite also means that you'll end the hike at the best sunset point, which makes all your hard work worth it!

To get to the Nam Shan Barbecue Area, you can get the following buses:

From Tung Chung (The Route I took)

Get the 3M bus from Fu Tung Plaza and alight at the "Nam Shan Campsite" bus stop.

From Mui Wo

All buses from Mui Wo go past the "Nam Shan Campsite" bus stop.

Quick Route Summary

Sunset Peak Route Map

Take the 3M bus from Tung Chung or Mui Wo and get off at the Nam Shan Campsite bus stop
Head under the Lantau Trail Arch and follow the yellow sign pointing to "Pak Kung Au Via Sunset Peak"
Begin the "Nam Shan Tree Walk" section of the hike
Follow the tree walk trail for about 15 mins until you reach a helipad
The toughest uphill begins from this point. You will be going uphill continuously for between 45 mins to an hour (or longer) depending on your pace
Enjoy the viewpoint and the signs that point out all the landmarks below
Continue upward a short way until you see a pair of yellow signs, one pointing back to Nam Shan and the other pointing to Pak Kung Au.
If you want to take an optional detour up Lin Fa Shan, follow the trail behind the yellow signs and then return after you reach the summit
Follow the yellow sign pointing to Pak Kung Au
About 30 mins later, you will arrive at the historic stone huts near the top of Sunset Peak
Follow the trail past the huts and you will soon see another yellow sign pointing to Pak Kung Au. Follow it upward
You will then arrive at Sunset Peak Viewpoint number 2, as marked by a another sign that points out all the landmarks below
Keep following the trail and you will see some dirt paths leading up some rocks above. You can take any of those paths if you choose, or continue until you see Springboard Rock and head up from there
Once you climb up, you will see the trigonometrical point (black and white marker) for the Sunset Peak summit
Head to the summit and enjoy great views!
You will then need to backtrack down to Springboard Rock and follow the trail as it heads downward
There are no detours here, so just keep heading down all the way to Pak Kung Au
Take any bus to Tung Chung from across the road

Nam Shan Campsite to the Helipad

When you alight at Nam Shan Campsite, head toward the blue and red-roofed huts

Take the stairs behind the Lantau Trail sign

Keep a lookout for the yellow signs pointing to Sunset Peak, as they appear throughout the hike to point you in the right direction

There are like 3 signs pointing you to the hike start point in a really short distance

Final sign. The hike actually begins with you doing part of the Nam Shan Tree Walk

Final sign to the start point. The hike actually begins with you doing part of the Nam Shan Tree Walk

It's shaded, green and not too intense for now. Enjoy the flat sections while you can (ominous foreshadowing)

It's so flat and chill so far. Surely this hike can't be that tough

Behold! The first of many sets of stairs!

Would you look at that. More stairs

OOH! A shiny mushroom!

Ah. More stairs

Take a breather at the helipad. You're gonna need all your strength for the next bit of the hike

Getting to the helipad from the bus stop took me about 15 minutes. You'll be meandering through a forest path that's shaded and really beautiful.

Most of the way is pretty chill, which is why you should really take the time to enjoy this section. The hike earns its high difficulty rating in the next section.

1 Hour of Stairs to the First Viewpoint

Just near the helipad is a nice view across to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon

Walk through the trees past the helipad

Follow the yellow Sunset Peak sign up some stairs

Even the flat portion of this section has stairs!

Keep heading up

It was a pretty roasty day and the stairs seemed endless

So many stairs

The stairs are actually steeper than they look

There are legit almost no flat portions here

Eventually, you'll come across a nice view!

But don't get too comfortable. The stairs are back!

This section isn't as hard, but there are still stairs

Despite the stairs, the trail here is really cool!

That's Hei Ling Chau Island down there. It has a pretty messed up history

If you're gonna wreck your legs climbing an endless number of stairs, at least let it be for a sick view!

You know the drill by now

More stairs, but with a view at least

I saw a cute little snake on the way up! It was probably checking out the view as well!

Final stretch to the first viewpoint!

You've conquered arguably the toughest part of the hike. Well done!

This hour-long set of monstrous stairs will test even the most hardcore hiker - especially on a hot summer day. However, it's totally worth it when you arrive at the first viewpoint.

Still, I would recommend taking loads of breaks and making sure you stay hydrated as this section is pretty demanding.

The good thins is, it's really straightforward to follow with nowhere you can accidentally detour towards and get lost.

Enjoy the burn!

The Gorgeous Open Grassy Section

After checking out the view, it's time to head upward again

This portion of the hike is open, grassy and stunningly beautiful

About 10 mins later, you'll come across this yellow set of signs

If you're feeling brave, there's a detour right behind the signs. It's not easy, but the views are awesome!

Climb upward for ten minutes after the viewpoint before reaching a potential detour. This section of hiking is defined by the lush grass that grows all around you.

The Lin Fa Shan Detour

To reach Lin Fa Shan's summit, follow the dirt trail behind the yellow signs. It took me just under 20 mins one way

The trail slopes gently upward initially, lulling you into a false sense of security

It's hard to convey in photos, but the trail gets much steeper close to the summit

Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak, Hong Kong's third and second tallest mountains respectively, from the top of Lin Fa Shan

The view from Lin Fa Shan is pretty legendary

This is the other side of the 360-degree panorama from the top. Retrace your steps back when you're ready

The climb up to Lin Fa Shan takes about 20 mins each way. While it's certainly not as tough as other portions of the hike, it's completely unshaded and is pretty brutal in the summer.

If you're already tired, play it safe and continue onward to Sunset Peak instead.

Airport Views

Follow the Pak Kung Au sign at the base of Lin Fa Shan

This flat section offers hikers a really great view of Hong Kong International Airport

The views open up to reveal dramatic mountain landscapes and the airport below

Soon after, there's a really cool little forested section

When the trail opened up again, some clouds were rolling right past me!

The clouds made this a truly magical moment!

This section is actually mostly flat. One of the only predominantly easy parts of the whole hike. You'll be privy to some great views out across Hong Kong International Airport while also being spoilt by some stunning mountain scenery.

I was fortunate enough to even have some clouds rolling in to make everything look that much more spectacular and dramatic!

The Mysterious Chalets Near the Summit

You know the drill. Follow the yellow sign to Pak Kung Au

The cloud cover was beginning to thicken

Suddenly, the first mysterious chalet appeared before me!

The chalets were built by hand in the 1920s by local stone cutters as summer homes. They have 16-inch thick walls to withstand gale force winds!

At this point, I was worried I'd have no view at the summit

Things were looking pretty ominous as I continued upward past more stone chalets

Miraculously, the clouds started to thin out as I kept climbing

The sun suddenly came through to evaporate the clouds

Don't forget to look back as you continue upward

Another incredible view with Hei Ling Chau on the left with the ship shelter

Weave around the mountain and climb a few stairs

The next yellow sign presents with it a sneaky detour for adventurous souls

This next section of the hike takes about 20 minutes. You'll continue climbing up into one of the most unique mountain landscapes Hong Kong has to offer.

All around you will be a series of curious stone chalets. These eclectic structures were built in the 1920s by local Hong Kong stonecutters who wished to use them as summer homes. The walls are super thick as they have to withstand gale-force winds on the regular.

Today, they're part of Sunset Peak's history and are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

As you make your way to the next portion of the hike, decide if you have it in you for a short little detour.

Viewpoint Rock Detour

This detour isn't a long one, but it's technical

If you're sure-footed and experienced, you can make your way to this cluster of rocks for great views!

Behold! The views from the rock are rather enticing

The ocean views are also stellar!

You can see Tuen Mun and Castle Peak just across the water. Behind Tuen Mun is Hong Kong Island and Kowloon!

While this detour isn't long, it's a bit technical and challenging. You'll have to navigate through long grass and be very surefooted when climbing the rocky outcropping.

The views are amazing but if you're tired or uncomfortable, DO NOT risk it.

Final Ascent to the Summit

Follow the sign to Pak Kung Au. There's a viewpoint just up ahead

A bit more uphill before the views

These views make the effort totally worth it!

The clouds made things look so much more impressive!

This sign explains what you can see from this particular viewpoint

Follow the trail beyond the sign

Hiking doesn't really get much better than this

To get to the summit of Sunset Peak, you'll need to ascend a bit more. I chose this wild little path. The easiest ascent point is Springboard Rock

This is Springboard Rock. It's a few minutes further along the trail

The path I chose was steep and overgrown but I like challenges like these

That's Lantau Peak in the distance. And luckily for me, it was almost time for sunset!

A bit more climbing and I was treated to this brilliant vista

I found it hard to stop staring at the endless sea of islands. But I had to press to the summit before sunset

That little marker in the distance is the real summit of Sunset Peak

As per usual, I took some weird overgrown path to the summit. I reiterate, Springboard Rock is much easier

Eventually, I managed to reach the summit

At the top!

It's actually pretty easy to completely miss the real summit of Sunset Peak. If you keep following the trail after the viewpoint, you will reach Springboard Rock and the way down from the mountain.

Make sure to head up one of the wild paths or from just behind Springboard Rock to get to the real summit. That also happens to be where the best sunset views are enjoyed from!

The easiest route to the top is definitely from Springboard Rock, but it's also the same way you'll descend from. So I decided to take a wilder route up.

Sunset Peak Summit Views

I'm pretty glad the clouds vanished! This view is from August, 2024

This was from November, 2021. The famous silvergrass is usually out in full bloom in the winter months

The view out to the airport is also pretty cool

The view out to Lantau Peak is arguably one of the most iconic sunset spots in all of Hong Kong. The way the sun sets right beside the city's second-tallest peak is truly magnificent.

If you would like to have this spot to yourself, I'd recommend coming in the summer when the hike is MUCH TOUGHER but also much emptier. Alternatively, choose a weekday when tourists won't be around.

If you come in the winter on a weekend, expect to be bottled in by tourists and local hikers who will all be trying to get shots of the sunset and the silvergrass.

Climbing Down the Mountain

There's a clear path down from the top. This is the same path that leads to Springboard Rock

Keep heading downward on the same path

It's quite steep down and slippery at times. Proceed with caution

You will eventually arrive at some rocks

Including Springboard Rock

It's overgrown and steep from this point. Watch your step!

Soon, you'll reach a path that takes you in the direction of Lantau Peak

It'll slope downward to let you know you're heading in the right direction

Keep heading downward

You'll be following this staircase all the way down to Pak Kung Au

It takes quite a while to descend. Just follow the stairs and make sure to have a light handy for when it gets dark

You'll see a pavilion at the bottom of the stairs. Stairs behind the pavilion lead to the road

Cross to the other side of the street (just below the pavilion) and take any bus. They'll all be heading to Tung Chung MTR

Getting to the road from the summit of Sunset Peak took me nearly an hour. Initially, you'll be following a steep and overgrown path all the way down to Springboard Rock. From there, there's a little more tricky terrain to navigate before you reach a set of stone stairs.

Once you reach the stairs, you can switch your brain off and just follow them all the way down to the road. This section will likely turn your knees to dust. Enjoy!

Once at the road, cross to the other side and grab any bus to get to Tung Chung. If you don't cross the road, you'll end up in some far-flung corner of Lantau. So make sure to cross the street before getting the bus!

Getting Back

Once you arrive in Tung Chung, take the MTR or any bus back to the city.