At first sight, Hong Kong with its narrow and congested roads may not appear to be the best place for cycling. However, if you look a little deeper, you’ll quickly discover that Hong Kong is not all about hustle. With the development of new trails, cycling here has become more popular. Hong Kong’s breathtaking scenery along with great cycling routes will shortly make you want to hop on a bike. In our guide, we’ll walk you through the best season, top routes, bike rentals, and food places on Hong Kong Island.
The Best Season for Cycling in Hong Kong
Summer can be quite uncomfortable due to the hot weather and humid climate. Fall rains result in slippery roads. Winter, on the other hand, is dry and warm, offering mild temperatures and thereby making a comfortable season for cycling.
To avoid too much crowd, try to go on a weekday. It’s best to start early to avoid traffic.
5 Great Cycling Routes around Hong Kong
Hong Kong offers three primary regions for road cycling: Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, and the New Territories.
Hong Kong Island offers diverse cycling routes, including a popular 60 km trip to Shek O beach, boasting scenic coastal views and breakfast spots like “LuLu’s” and Ming’s Café. For a challenging climb, cyclists often tackle Victoria Peak, rewarded with stunning vistas from Mt Austin.
Lantau Island features a flat 60 km loop around Tung Chung, Disney, and the Airport, as well as hilly routes to Tai O and Ngong Ping. Families and beginners enjoy cycling around Inspiration Lake near Disneyland.
In the New Territories, cyclists explore hills like Tai Mo Shan and embark on long rides through forested areas around Bride’s Pool. The MTR subway system facilitates travel, and ferries provide access to Lantau Island.
Sha Tin to Tai Mei Tuk
Distance: 48.4 km with 339 m elevation gain
The route starts off near the Shing Mun River and takes you along the beautiful coastline of the Tolo Harbor to Tai Mei Tuk, situated near the Plover Cove Reservoir and Dam. In late May or June, you can see dragon boat races held on the Shing Mun River during the Dragon Boat Festival. The track is one of the oldest and most popular in Hong Kong, with various sites to see, such as the Hong Kong Science Park, the famous Twin bridge, the Pak Shek Kok Promenade, and the Taipo Waterfront Park.
Places to Eat along the Way:
Food Lab: S031, G/F, Building 8W, 8 Science Park West Avenue Website | Instagram
Kushiro: Shop BW1, BW3 & BW5, B1/F The Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Website | Instagram
The Coffee Academics: G/F, HKU Main Library (Old Wing), Pok Fu Lam Website | Instagram
Mayse Artisan Bakery: G/F No, 64 Sam Wo Rd, Tai Mei Tuk Tsuen Website | Instagram
From Tuen Mun to Sha Tin
Distance: 69.3 km with 700 m elevation gain
Explore the New Territories, cycling along the Tuen Mun to Sha Tin. This area with rich history will take you along ancient temples, parks, wetlands, and the scenic Pat Sin Leng mountain range and Tolo Harbour.
Places to Eat along the Way:
COMEBUYTEA: Mong Kok, Nathan Rd, 700號G03號舖 700 Nathan Road, T.O.P Shopping Mall Website
Another Hound Café: Shop 103A, Level 1, Phase 1, New Town Plaza, Shatin, N.T. Website
Butlery: Shop 479A, 4/F, New Town Plaza, Phase 1, Sha Tin Website | Instagram
The Peak to Shek O
Distance: 74.4 km with 2565 m elevation gain
This route combines road and mountain biking. It starts at the roads of Wan Chai and Repulse Bay and goes primarily along the rocky Dragon’s Back in the Southeastern part of the island between Wam Cham Shan and Shel O Peak. In Shek O Village, enjoy the beautiful sea landscape and beaches a few meters away.
Places to Eat along the Way:
Cocobanana: G/F, Shek O Beach Building, Shek O Beach, 2812 2226 Website | Instagram
Happy Garden: 786 Shek O Village
Lu Lu’s Coffee Shop: No.742 Shek O Road, Shek O Website
Lantau Loop
Distance: 45.5 km with 1524 m elevation gain
This quieter and less crowded route takes you on a journey around Lantau, Hong Kong’s second-largest island. Starting and finishing at Mui Wo ferry pier, the route is a loop along the longest beach of the city, the Lantau Trail, and the Shek Pik Reservoir dam.
Starting from Mui Wo ferry pier, cycle along South Lantau Road to reach Cheung Sha Beach. Take Keng Shan Road to cross Shek Pik Reservoir dam, offering panoramic views of Lantau Peak. Join the Lantau Trail via Wang Pui Road. After doubling back to the reservoir, cycle on Lantau Trail catchwater road. Return to South Lantau Road via Tung Chung Road and head towards Pui O, enjoying scenic views along Chi Ma Wan Road. A final ride leads to Chi Ma Wan pier for a ferry back to Mui Wo or Cheung Chau.
Places to Eat along the Way:
Po Lin Monastery Vegetarian Restaurant: Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping Road, Ngong Ping Website
The Gallery: 26 Tong Fuk Village, Lantau Island Website
PizzaBird: 9B Sheung Ling Pei, Lantau Website | Instagram
Tung Chung to Sunny Bay
Distance: 12.8 km with 218 m elevation gain
This serene coastal journey provides breathtaking views of the South China Sea and is perfect for a leisurely day ride. Tung Chung, once a rural fishing village, is now a lively new town within Hong Kong situated near Tung Chung Bay, alongside the delta and lower stretches of both Tung Chung River and Ma Wan Chung along Lantau Island’s northwest coast. Sunny Bay is close to Disneyland and always full of tourists. By turning right at the intersection leading to the ‘Disneyland Resort,’ you can cycle directly to Inspiration Lake, showcasing stunning waterfalls, fountains, and aquatic flora.
Places to Eat along the Way:
Enchanted Garden Restaurant: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island Website
Dragon Wind: Disney Explorers Lodge, Lantau Island Website
Where to Stay
Hotel COZi Resort Tuen Mun: No.4 Kin Fung Circuit, Tuen Mun Website | Instagram
Silvermine Beach Resort: D.D.2 Lot 648, Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo Lantau Isd Website | Instagram
Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong: 167 Connaught Road West Sai Ying Pun Website | Instagram
Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung: 9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, Tuen Mun District Website | Instagram
Where to Rent a Bike:
Lung Kee Bicycle Shop: University Station, Tai Po Hot Food Center Website | Instagram
Wu Shan Recreation Playground Bike Kiosk: Wu Shan Rd, Tuen Mun
Sky Blue Bikes: Orlins Court, 419R Queen’s Rd West Website | Instagram
Friendly Bicycle Shop: Shop 3, G/F, Riverwalk, 6 Ngan Kwong Wan Road Mui Wo, Lantau Island Website
Sunny Bike Shop: NO 110, Ma Wan Chung Village, Tung Chung Website
If you know any other great routes in Hong Kong and want to share your experience, feel free to contact us in our WhatsApp community. Happy cycling in Hong Kong!
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