Many trails in Hong Kong are close to the urban area. It is very convenient for night hike lovers. They can simply pack their equipment and go straight after work. In addition to enjoying the cool weather, it is easier to see stars and different wild animals or insects on summer nights when the weather is good. Many photographers like to hike at night and capture the remarkable night view of Hong Kong, or even the magic moment of sunrise and sunset.
It is much more convenient to use headlamps than torches or mobile phones during night hike in Hong Kong. Your vision in the night will not be as good as in the daytime. It's better to free up your hands to deal with emergencies.
When choosing a headlamp, you should first look at the brightness. It is recommended to use 80-150 lumens for a night hike. Headlamps are usually equipped with a red-light setting in addition to the flashlight: red light allows you to maintain a certain vision in the dark without narrowing your pupils, most often used for stargazing. Flashlights are primarily used to attract attention, such as calling for help when you get lost or in an accident.
Secondly, check out the battery. Most of the headlamps are using either rechargeable or dry batteries. Plan your route in advance, check if the battery life is sufficient, and bring a power bank just in case.
Bivouac 500 headlamp
USB Charging / 20-100lm / Red or white light
Onnight 100 headlamp
Battery / 20 - 80lm / Red or white light
Trek 900 headlamp
USB charging and battery / 30 - 400lm/ Red, white and flash light.
Whether hiking during the day or at night, a backpack is always the essential item. For night hike, you should always be alert in order to respond to emergencies in time. Backpacks free up your hands and help you balance easier than a shoulder bag, which easily snags onto branches.
Choose a backpack that offers great ventilation to keep your back cool during night hike in the humid summer of Hong Kong. Also, some hiking backpacks have reflective strips so other hikers can see you in the dark.
Ultra lightweight backpack
With water pocket and rain cover
Hiking or daily use
Hit the trail after work
Classic 20l backpack
Simple and functional
Summer is the rainy season in Hong Kong. Even if it doesn't rain, you may step in a puddle on a night hike. Therefore, it is best to choose a pair of waterproof and anti-slip hiking shoes for hiking at night. Even if it is hot in summer, remember to wear socks to avoid friction blisters.
Women
Waterproof hiking shoes
Men
Lightweight hiking shoes
Men
Waterproof hiking shoes
You need to be more cautious during night hikes compared to day hiking. Hit the trail with a friend and prepare the essentials for any trail emergency well before it happens.
Waterproof jacket
Don't let the rain stop you
Hiking pole
Give yourself a break
First aid kit
Be ready to handle any medical situation
Starting from the north entrance of the Tsing Yi Nature Trail and walking to the south entrance, the whole journey is 3.4 kilometers and takes about two hours to complete. The path is clear and well sign-posted. You can see the full view of Tsing Ma Bridge at the viewing platform. It is the instagrammable spot for sunset or night view.
There are many trails to climb Lion Rock. It is very accessible that you can choose to go up from Hung Mui Kuk in Tai Wai, Lion Rock Country Park or the trail next to Fat Chong Temple in Tsz Wan Shan. It only takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top of the mountain. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour. If you are lucky with the weather, you can even see the Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island.
When it comes to the night view of Hong Kong, you cannot miss Victoria Peak. It only takes about 2 hours to walk along Lugard Road for one round trip. Not only is the journey simple, but you can also enjoy the world-famous night view of Victoria Harbour. It is definitely the night hike route you can go after work.
Incense Burner Summit is located behind Braemar Hill in North Point. Starting from the bus stop at Braemar Hill, it only takes about half an hour to reach the top. Red Incense Burner Summit is a hot spot for photographers to capture the Magic Hour for the panoramic view of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. If you go for a night hike to take photos, be careful how you place your tripods so trip accidents would not happen.
The round trip from Pak Kung Au on Lantau Island to Lantau Peak is 6 kilometers and takes about 4 hours. Lantau Peak, located in the west of Hong Kong, is the second highest peak in Hong Kong. It is the best place to watch the sunset. Due to its height and orientation, the sunrise can still be seen even in the west of Hong Kong. Every New Year's Eve, many people come to Lantau Peak for the first sunset and sunrise of the year. Night hikers should be aware of the rugged road near the top of the mountain. Headlamps and suitable hiking shoes are absolutely important!
