Lion Rock, an iconic symbol of Hong Kong culture, is located in the northern part of the Kowloon Peninsula. Standing at an altitude of 495 meters above sea level, it offers an accessible hike for intermediate to experienced hikers—though summer hiking is not recommended due to the heat.

There are multiple trails leading to the summit, some of which are quite short and feature a series of steps for a quick ascent. In this post, I’d like to introduce you to my favorite route, which starts at the northern Shatin end of Lion Rock and concludes on the Kowloon side.

A shadowed trail on top of Amah Rock

You can enter Lion Rock Country Park at the Hung Mui Kuk Barbecue Area. To get there, you have two options: exit the East Rail Line at Tai Wai for a short but less appealing walk, or take a bus to the nearby bus station. Once you arrive at the barbecue area, you’ll likely encounter families and groups of friends grilling their food and enjoying lively conversations. Be cautious of the monkeys, as they can sometimes become aggressive.

Shortly after leaving the barbecue area, you’ll cross a small stream, which provides a perfect spot for a brief break. Take a moment to breathe and appreciate the beauty of nature. As you continue, the sounds of the bustling city will gradually fade away. You’ll then cross a small road and follow the trail over a bridge.

At this point, you have two options: you can take the left trail directly up toward Lion Rock, or you can opt for a small detour to see Amah Rock. I enjoy the view over Shatin, so I often choose to climb Amah Rock first. The trail is short but steep, leading you to the summit.

In Chinese, Amah Rock is known as 望夫石 (Mong Fu Shek), which translates to “husband watching stone.” According to legend, it tells the story of a fisherman’s wife who would climb the hill daily, gazing out for her husband’s return. Unfortunately, he never returned, as he had drowned at sea. Transformed into stone, she continues to watch over Shatin, forever waiting for her husband’s return. From Amah Rock you can follow the trail through the forest reaching Reunification Pavilion. On this occasion you will have your first view over Kowloon. On a clear day, you can oversee the whole area until Hong Kong Island.

Climbing up Lion Rock

From the pavilion, head left and then shortly after, take a right. You will encounter a steep incline with stairs. Take your time, especially if the day is humid. After about 30 minutes of climbing, you’ll reach the top, starting with the Lion Rock head. It can be a bit challenging to navigate the head itself, so feel free to skip this part if you prefer; the views from other areas of the peak are equally impressive.

At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with an 360-degree view of the New Territories, Kowloon, and even Hong Kong Island. Take a moment to rest and soak in the scenery. Please note that the peak is not protected, so be cautious if it’s sunny or windy.

Continue your journey to the tail of Lion Rock. From there, you can descend using a flight of stairs. At the bottom, you’ll cross a major hiking trail, which you can follow to the right.

Eating Tofu Fa at Shatin Pass

After hiking for about 30 minutes along the major trail, you’ll reach a low-traffic road (Shatin Pass Road). You can choose to descend immediately, but if you walk up for just a minute, you’ll find a small store at the gap selling refreshments and snacks. Be sure to try some Tofu Fa with sugar or ginger syrup—it’s a refreshing and rewarding treat after your hike.

From there, you can follow the road downhill. After a few minutes, look for a small trail with stairs on your left. Take this path to visit the Buddhist Kwun Yam Temple. Afterward, you can conclude your hike at the Tsz Ching Estate.

Trail details

Mostly shadowed path with exposed areas on the top of Lion Rock

Download GPX-File: Lion Rock With Amah Rock