I have to say this hike was one of the greatest adventures I’ve had in Southeast Asia, but read this before you approach the unreal Kowloon Peak hike. The panoramic view of the city and the cliff itself hanging above Hong Kong is breathtaking! Suicide Cliff is a place off this planet. If you are into hiking, this trail is a must – BUT you need to know few things before approaching this route.
The trail is relatively short but seriously challenging. I have just accomplished it and I’m dropping plenty of useful information that will definitely help you out ahead of this adventure. Here is a detailed description of the Kowloon Peak hike, known as the Suicide Cliff over Hong Kong.
The Kowloon Peak hike.
First of all, there is a huge confusion between the mountain peak & Suicide Cliff, and Kowloon Peak itself. The real Kowloon Peak is located 3 hours of hiking from the Suicide Cliff and the TV Station located at the top. However, most hikers consider the TV Station peak as the main one, but it is NOT the Kowloon Peak.
Many hiking trails lead to the Kowloon Peak. The one considered relatively safe and definitely the shortest is the southern one – which I chose (thankfully!!), knowing nothing before the hike, I went completely unprepared and uninformed.
Kowloon Peak hiking trail.
Approaching Kowloon Peak hike from the South Side.
- Get off at the Subway Dimond Hill station.
- Walk toward Diamond Hill Railway Bus Terminal and take bus no 91, 92 or 96R. The bus station is located in Plaza Hollywood Shopping Centre – 20 metres from the subway entrance.
- Get off at Anderson Road and walk 8 minutes to reach the beginning of the Kowloon Peak trail – which is totally inconspicuous! I had to ask a random girl to make sure this is the starting point for the Kowloon Peak hike.
Starting point for the Kolwoon Peak hike and the Suicide Cliff.
THE STARTING POINT FOR KOWLOON PEAK HIKE is a narrow, dusty path, which looks more like a sewage pipe rather than a hiking route.
Hiking Kowloon Peak and Suicide Cliff.
Hiking Kowloon Peak (also known as Fei Ngo Shan) is a popular outdoor activity for nature enthusiasts and hikers in Hong Kong. Kowloon Peak is 602 m (1,975 ft) high – it sounds short but the mountain is very demanding.
I met many hikers on the top, but along the trail I had a feeling I was the loneliest person in this huge metropolis. Not to mention I had one heart attack on the way, when a huge bird took off from the bushes literally one metre ahead of me..!
Don’t be as ignorant as me and read some information before approaching the Kowloon Peak hike. I honestly thought it’s going to be a piece of cake for a regular hiker and a small climber. NO – it is NOT! Now, when I think about it, I was really lucky it all ended up safely and that I found myself on the south trail. After 40 minutes of hiking, you will be rewarded with stunning city views.
How to prepare for Kowloon Peak hike?
First of all, read some information before departing on this hike. Wear sturdy hiking boots and carry enough water and snacks to keep your energy up. There is nothing on the mountain, so you have to be self-sufficient.
How long does it take to hike Kowloon Peak?
From the bottom of the southern trail, it takes about 1-1.15h to reach the top with the TV Station. The Suicide Cliff is on the way to the top, but if you are taking the trail more to the right, you will pass the cliff on your left. Once you reach the TV Station with helicopter landing the views are already making all the efforts up!
But lets start from the beginning – for the most of the trail there is a rope which helps you climb the steep sections. The hike to Suicide Cliff is considered challenging and is suitable for experienced hikers with good physical fitness.
There are steep uphill sections and some scrambling involved, so it is important to be prepared and wear appropriate hiking gear such as solid shoes for a good grip. Take caution and proceed carefully during the more technical parts of the trail, it is really not a place to make a mistake – especially going down.
Hiking advice for Kowloon Peak.
- If you have no hiking experience or you are afraid of heights, this trail is not for you. You will not enjoy it!
- You should not approach this trail alone like me. The route is really challenging, and you should have a company in case of any slip.
- Take plenty of water – it is a demanding trail and even in cold months, you will need nutrition.
- Check the weather forecast before you go – do not hike this route in rainy conditions!
- I would not recommend approaching the Kowloon Peak trail at night, even well prepared with a headlight.
The Suicide Cliff in Hong Kong.
For most of the time this looks like a jungle trail. It is steep and rocky, which for me was great fun, even going back down.
I think it is impossible to hike the trail in wet conditions. So check the weather before approaching the trail.
From the bottom of the asphalt road, there are a few starting points. I took the one on the right, which leads toward the TV Station, not through the Suicide Cliff. But that’s ok, you can take the road down along the cliff.
After an hour of tough hiking up, the TV Station was very much visible, and once I reached the ridge, the views on the other side blew my mind! From there, take the stairs right direction, leading to the top of the mountain with a helicopter landing.
Kowloon Peak hike via Elephant Rock.
From this point, you will be able to see a long hiking road toward Elephant Rock and the actual Kowloon Peak viewing point.
From the TV Station, it takes about 3 hours to reach Kowloon Peak – but be aware, this is a very challenging trail! The trail leads through Elephant Hill and from there to Kowloon Peak. Fatal accidents have occurred on this trail, so think twice before you decide to follow.
From Kowloon Peak, there is an asphalt road, so it is almost possible to reach it by car.
Suicide Cliff viewing point!
From the top of the mountain with the TV Station, it takes 10 minutes to reach Suicide Rock. Be careful getting close to the edge, as the rocks are steep. Once you walk down a little bit more, you will see on your right the perfect rock hanging above Hong Kong.
I was lucky to meet the lovely girls, who agreed to wait for me to get to the rock to take photos. The feeling is indescribable! But again, you need to be aware that deadly accidents have happened on this spot after falling off a steep cliff – so be careful walking along the cliff!
Get your Hong Kong travel kit – esentials for easy travel:
- OCTOPUS CARD – travel card for subway, bus, ferry, coach, tram and even used for purchases in convenience stores, supermarkets with just a tap. Just pick up your card at Hong Kong International Airport upon landing.
- Hong Kong Explorer Pass – you may want to get your explorer pass, which gets you an easy access to number of biggest city attractions.
- HK Night Treats Voucher from the HK Tourism Board Stand (at the airport or HK harbour).
Reaching the viewpoint at Kowloon Peak is undoubtedly the highlight of the hike. Standing at the edge of the cliff offers one of the most dramatic views in Hong Kong.
On clear days, you can see the breathtaking skyline of the city juxtaposed against the azure waters of Victoria Harbour. It’s the perfect spot to pause, take a deep breath, and soak in the natural beauty. This was honestly one of the best moments I have ever experienced in my beloved Asia, during years of traveling.
Kowloon Peak best viewing point.
Coming down from the top (the TV Station) you will first reach the rocky viewing point. Going a little bit down, here is where you’ll find the famous cliff, incredible, scary, fascinating, mind blowing around sunset hours. A tiny path will lead you to step on the cliff, be careful here and even more while walking the cliff. This is no safe but doable.
Safety tips for Kowloon Peak trail.
- While hiking towards the cliff, keep safety in mind.
- Always stay on designated paths, avoid loose rocks and steep drops.
- Don’t venture too close to the edge for the Instagram-worthy shot!
- Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains – check forecasts beforehand.
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