Jardine's Lookout Hike: Hong Kong Guide
Jardine’s Lookout is a great short hike to get to what is probably the best view of central Hong Kong and the harbour.
The best spot to watch the sunset over the city and a really easy, quick, simple hike for anyone to do. If you only have time for one hike, or you are melting in the HK summer heat – pick this one!
On a clear day you can see all the way to Tai Mo Shan, the highest peak in HK.
Hike Distance: 3.5km but depends on whether you want to through hike, do this as part of a longer hike or just go up and down.
Hike Duration: Around 1 hour of walking, but longer for watching the sunset and possible side quests to other viewpoints so up to 2.5 hours.
Hike Difficulty: Easy, simple and safe for everyone.
Hike Incline: 240 metres.
Getting there
The trail starts at Wilson Trail Hong Kong Parkview – the sign is huge you cannot miss it. Best way to get here from where you are staying is to just use google maps, from Central the No.6 bus will take you.
If you would like a bit of a longer hike you can jump off the bus at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park – also marked with a huge sign.
Getting back
You can head back the same way you came or head out through the path back to the road, both will take you about 1 hour. Simply check google maps for your best route home again.
The Hike
Like nearly all hikes in Hong Kong it begins with an incline up the road to the reservoir.
If you wander around the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir be sure to look out for the turtles! Then continue up the road until you see the signs on the left of the road labelled Jardine’s Lookout.
1km along the trial there is the Osborn memorial commemorating soldiers. The full story is on the plaque in both English and Cantonese and worth a read.
The full path is only about 2km and a leisurely 1 hour. The best bit of the hike for me is that the view is hidden by the trees and then appears all at once.
There are a number of trials marked with pink ribbons that you can follow to get clearer views all to yourself. Do watch out though as most of these tend to be overgrown.
From the lookout you can either head back the same way or walk out the other end – it is the same distance either way about 1.8km. If you would like more of a walk continue up to Mount Butler, you can do this in the dark with a head torch as the path is clear.
