While visiting Hong Kong I desperately wanted to explore the outer city to find hiking trails, get away from the malls and the over crowed streets. I did find Hong Kong to be a beautiful concrete jungle with hidden gems around every corner, but was eager to explore the nature around it. When I researched where to hike, I found many articles calling Dragon’s Back the best urban walk in the area. In my mind I thought “that’s great! It’s a walk”.
I woke up to rain in Kowloon, but figured it might let up and as an Oregonian, wet weather was not going to stop me. Two trains and a bus later, I made it to my destination as the rain turned to hail and quickly became a storm. I jumped out of my bus and figured I could make a go of it as I came so far. I could not see much ahead of me due to the heavy downpour and thick fog. I came past a British couple on their way back down who suggested I turn around as the trail was turning into a small creek and warned me about the possibility of a flash flood. I decided I would risk it and try to keep moving forward. I was still not as concerned about the rain as I was about the reality that my “walk” was in fact, a difficult hike. I worked my way up so many stairs that led up the brutal incline. I kept hoping that perhaps it would flatten out as I could not see what was waiting ahead of me. It then occurred to me that the trail is called Dragon’s Back due to its many ups and downs. Eventually, I found myself at a cross in the road with three choices: The trail that kept going up, turn around and go back down or take a split in the trail that possibly looked more flat. With no research on this option, I took a risk and chose the unknown path.
Happily, it was in fact a flat route and then the sky started to clear. I could now see islands out in the sea and even Hong Kong in the distance. I then came to another trail leading upwards and as the rain slowed, I climbed it to the top. When I did make it up and experienced its beauty, I could see then why it was voted the best urban walk in Asia. The trail does indeed go up and down and up and down again just like a back of a dragon. It’s as if you’re flying on the dragon because you are up over the clouds as high as a skyscraper. I completed the hike only because the severe weather prevented me from seeing what was ahead of me. I may have psyched myself out, turned around and not reached the top if I had seen what was in my path. I try to push myself the best I can on my hikes, but I don’t always get the win of finishing. That day I won and was able to take on the Dragon. Go Beyond what you think you can do.
DRAGON'S BACK TRAIL NOTES
Note: travelled from Kowloon to hike
No cost to hike only transit
Bus Route Number 9 from Shau Kei wan MTR Station
Bring supplies water and food no stores
You can pick up fruit and water from street vendors before headed on the Number 9 Bus
Check out more videos from this hike here.