2022.04.16 SAT 【Hiking • 013】
Roaring Tiger Rock River . Middle Kau Nga Hang . Kau Nga Ling
虎吼石河 . 中狗牙坑 . 狗牙嶺

This route is a legendary “gold medal” trek in Hong Kong, famous for its intense technicality and heart-pumping scrambles. It kicks off with a tough climb through the loose scree of 【Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)」 and continues along the rugged ridges of 【Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺)】, where you’ll get massive 360-degree views of 【Shek Pik Reservoir (石壁水塘)】. The real adrenaline hits at the 【Single Lifeline (一線生機)】, a narrow, nerve-wracking ridge with steep drops on both sides, followed by the grueling vertical climb of 【Hades’ Wall (閻王壁)】. After passing the iconic 【Bird Rock (小鳥回頭)】 and hitting 【Chop Wood Hollow (斬柴坳)】, you’ll finally descend into 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】, finishing a properly hardcore day out. The whole trek is about 10km long and takes roughly 6 hours to smash out—it’s pretty intense and definitely best suited for those with a bit of hiking experience under their belts.Hope you have a cracking time on this hike!

Route:

Shui Hau (水口) → Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) → Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河) → Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺) → Single Lifeline (一線生機) → Yim Wong Pik (閻王壁) → The Bird Rock (小鳥回頭) → Tsam Chai Au (斬柴坳) → Ngong Ping (昂坪)

Duration
6.4 hrs
Distance
7.8 km
Highest Point
805 m
Difficulty
3.5 m
Explore the Route
daydreamer.hk. .

Route Overview

Shui Hau (水口) → Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) → Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河) → Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺) → Single Lifeline (一線生機) → Yim Wong Pik (閻王壁) → The Bird Rock (小鳥回頭) → Tsam Chai Au (斬柴坳) → Ngong Ping (昂坪)


【Start】 The hike kicks off at 【Shui Hau (水口)】. From here, head along 【South Lantau Road (嶼南路)】 towards 【Tong Fuk (塘福)】 before hitting the entrance to 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】. You’ll pass a catchwater section first; once you enter 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】, the terrain gets pretty rugged, so you’ll need to watch your step. It is a deep valley sandwiched between 【Middle Kau Nga / Middle Dog’s Teeth (中狗牙)】 and 【East Kau Nga / East Dog’s Teeth (東狗牙)】, with the stream originating from the southern part of 【Lantau Peak (鳳凰山)】.


【Mid-section】 Next, you’ll reach 【Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)】, an epic stone river made of boulders that looks absolutely massive. These loose rocks were formed by the weathering of the neighboring 【Middle Kau Nga / Middle Dog’s Teeth (中狗牙)】 and 【East Kau Nga / East Dog’s Teeth (東狗牙)】 ridges — be extra careful with your footing here. Keep pushing up from the stone river until you reach 【Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺)】. The ridgeline ripples just like dog’s teeth; it involves a fair bit of scrambling and is quite technical, but the views are world-class. You will then cross the 【Single Lifeline (一線生機)】, a super narrow ridge where you’ll definitely need to use both hands and feet to scramble across.


【Finish】 Keep grinding upwards until you hit 【Yim Wong Pik (閻王壁)】. It’s a steep, daunting rock face that requires a careful climb. After that, you’ll pass 【The Bird Rock (小鳥回頭)】, a scenic spot where you’ll need to take a detour. Finally, you’ll reach 【Tsam Chai Au (斬柴坳)】. This marks your intersection with the 【Lantau Trail (鳳凰徑)】, where you can follow the path all the way down to 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】 to finish the trip.


Duration
6.4 hrs
Distance
7.8 km
Highest Point
805 m
Scenery
3.5 ⭐️
Difficulty
3.5 ⭐️
Exposure Index
4 ⭐️
. .

Here are the reference statistics for this journey:

Total Ascent
775 m
Total Descent
354 m
Moving Speed
2.4 km/h
Average Speed
1.2 km/h
Moving Time
3.1 hrs
Total Journey Time
6.4 hrs

Related Videos

Transport Guide

START

🚩

MTR • Tung Chung Station (港鐵 • 東涌站)

  1. Take 《Bus 11》, get off at 【Shui Hau 《East》 (水口站《東》)】.
  2. Take 《Bus 23》, get off at 【Shui Hau 《East》 (水口站《東》)】.
東涌市中心 • 巴士總站
👉🏻

END

🏁

Ngong Ping • Bus Terminus (昂坪 • 巴士總站)

  1. Take 《Bus 23》 to return to 【Tung Chung ()】.
昂坪 • 巴士總站《貳》

Route Breakdown
🚩 Outbound Route 《Shui Hau (水口) → Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) → Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)》

1. 📍 Shui Hau Village 《East》 • Bus Stop

水口村(東) • 巴士站

Shui Hau Village 《East》 • Bus Stop (水口村 《東》 • 巴士站)

Get off at 【Shui Hau Village (East) • Bus Stop (水口村(東) • 巴士站)】, cross the road, and turn right to head towards 【Lantau Trail • Section 10 (鳳凰徑 • 第十段)】.

💡 P.S.:

  • If needed, you can hit the nearby 【Shui Hau • Public Toilet (水口 • 公廁)】 before you start the trek.

2. 📍 Lantau Trail • Section 10 《I》 

鳳凰徑 • 第十段 – 導覽地圖

Lantau Trail • Section 10 • 《Information Map》 (鳳凰徑 • 第10段 《導覽地圖》)

After getting off the bus, cross the road and turn right for 【Lantau Trail • Section 10 (鳳凰徑 • 第十段)】.
標距柱 • L100

Distance Post • L100 (標距柱 • L100)

The journey officially begins here at 【Distance Post • L100 (標距柱 • L100)】.

3. 📍 Distance Post • L101

標距柱 • L101

Distance Post • L101 (標距柱 • L101)

The grid reference for this spot is HE 004605.

4. 📍 Lantau Trail • Section 10 《II》

鳳凰徑 • 第十段 《貳》

Lantau Trail • Section 10 (鳳凰徑 • 第10段) 《II》

After walking about 500m uphill from the start of 【Lantau Trail • Section 10 (鳳凰徑 • 第十段)】, you’ll break through the tree line. Look up and you’ll see the towering peaks of 【Lantau Peak (鳳凰山)】, 【West Dog’s Teeth (西狗牙)】, and 【East Dog’s Teeth (東狗牙)】 right in front of you.

5. 📍 Lantau Trail • Section 10 《III》

塘福引水道、水口 • 路牌

Tong Fuk Catchwater / Shui Hau • Directional Sign (塘福引水道、水口 • 路牌)

The sign points the way to 【Tong Fuk • Catchwater (塘福 • 引水道)】 and 【Shui Hau (水口)】.
鳳凰徑 • Logo

Lantau Trail (鳳凰徑) • Logo

The 【Lantau Trail (鳳凰徑)】 logo sign (make sure to remember this 『mark』).
標距柱 • 說明牌

Distance Post • Info Board (標距柱 • 說明牌)

You read the manual when you buy gadgets; when you hike, you read the info boards! Take a look at what these distance posts are actually for.

6. 📍 Tong Fuk • Catchwater

塘福 • 引水道

Tong Fuk • Catchwater (塘福 • 引水道)

After a 1km climb from the foot of 【Shui Hau Village (水口村)】, you’ll reach the 【Tong Fuk • Catchwater (塘福 • 引水道)】 located mid-mountain.

7. 📍 Distance Post • LX317

標距柱 • LX317

Distance Post • LX317 (標距柱 • LX317)

The grid reference is HE 004608.

8. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang • Entrance

Middle Kau Nga Hang • Entrance (中狗牙坑 • 入口)

Walk about 50m past 【Distance Post • LX317】. Keep an eye out for a marker under the catchwater railing labeled 《Intake No. 5 左牙》 — this is the entrance to 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】. Hop over the railing and follow the catchwater path into the valley.

9. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《I》

Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) 《I》

【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】 collects rainwater runoff from the mountains. Always check the weather forecast before heading in to stay safe. In the local hiking community, ribbons (ribbon markers) act as 『guiding lights』 to show us the way.

10. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《II》

Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) 《II》

The path up 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】 involves scrambling up several steep and high rocky slopes.

11. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《III》

第一個 • 攀爬挑戰

First Scrambling Challenge (第一個 • 攀爬挑戰)

After grinding through slope after slope, you’ll reach the 【First Scrambling Challenge (第一個 • 攀爬挑戰)】. This section is genuinely high and quite technical.

12. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《IV》

Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) 《IV》

Once you’ve struggled up that high slope, you’ve successfully cleared a major challenge! The top opens up into a flat area where you can catch your breath and admire the surroundings of 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】. You’ll see mosses and various shrubs along the way (though I couldn’t identify the specific species of this one).

13. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《V》

岩石 • 路段

Rocky Section (岩石 • 路段)

After a quick break, keep pushing upwards through this section covered in massive boulders.

14. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《VI》

中狗牙坑 • 中段

Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) 《VI》

Since starting from the entrance of 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】, you’ve covered about 1.2km and gained 120m in elevation. You’re now halfway through the 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】 section.

15. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《VII》

中狗牙坑《柒》

Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) 《VII》

The scramble up 【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】 continues, requiring you to scale several more towering slopes.

16. 📍 Middle Kau Nga Hang 《VIII》

中狗牙坑《捌》

Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑) 《VIII》

【Middle Kau Nga Hang (中狗牙坑)】 is a constant climbing route; yet another steep scramble lies right ahead of you.

17. 📍 Tiger Roaring Rock River • Entrance

虎吼石河 • 入口《壹》

Tiger Roaring Rock River • Entrance (虎吼石河 • 入口) 《I》

After trekking 3.2km from the starting point at 【Shui Hau • Bus Stop (水口 • 巴士站)】, you’ve arrived at the entrance of 【Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)】. From this point on, you must be extremely careful and stay alert at all times. Rocks frequently break loose and tumble down the path with serious force — getting hit could cause major injury!
虎吼石河 • 入口《貳》

Tiger Roaring Rock River • Entrance (虎吼石河 • 入口) 《II》

The terrain at the entrance of 【Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)】 consists of very loose dirt and scree, making it easy to slip. Keep a constant eye out for falling rocks from above and proceed with total caution.
虎吼石河 • 入口《叄》

Tiger Roaring Rock River • Entrance (虎吼石河 • 入口) 《III》

The entrance section of 【Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)】 is the most dangerous part of the hike. You need to stay vigilant about rolling rocks while slowly making your way up along the far-right side of the path.

18. 📍 Tiger Roaring Rock River

虎吼石河《壹》

Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河) 《I》

After starting from 【Shui Hau (水口)】, covering 3.6km and climbing nearly 500m in elevation, you have finally reached the highlight of this trip: 【Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)】.
虎吼石河《貳》

Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河) 《II》

The ground here is incredibly loose with unstable rocks and soil. It’s slippery, so watch your footing and keep monitoring the slope for any rockfall. Move upward with extreme care.

Route Breakdown
🏁 Return Route 《Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河) → Tsam Chai Au (斬柴坳) → Ngong Ping (昂坪)》

19. 📍 Kau Nga Ling 《I》

狗牙嶺《壹》

Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺) 《II》

After crossing 【Tiger Roaring Rock River (虎吼石河)】, keep pushing upwards. Once you reach the peak above the stone river, you’ve arrived at 【Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺)】.

20. 📍 Kau Nga Ling 《II》

Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺) 《II》

The incline of the peak right in front of you is honestly quite terrifying. When you take a breather at the summit, look back at the path you’ve just tackled — it’s amazing how high you’ve climbed without even realizing it. Those peaks you were staring up at earlier at a 45-degree angle — 【Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺)】, 【East Dog’s Teeth (東狗牙)】, and 【West Dog’s Teeth (西狗牙)】 — are all beneath your feet now.

21. 📍 Kau Nga Ling 《III》

狗牙嶺《叄》

Kau Nga Ling (狗牙嶺) 《III》

You conquer one peak only for another to appear, but behind this one lies the legendary 【Single Lifeline (一線生機)】.

22. 📍 Single Lifeline

一線生機

Single Lifeline (一線生機)

After summiting, the only way to keep going is to traverse a dangerous downhill section known as the 【Single Lifeline (一線生機)】.

‼️ Warning:

  • This section is incredibly steep and narrow. You must be extremely cautious and watch every single step!

23. 📍 Yim Wong Pik

閰王壁《壹》

Yim Wong Pik (閰王壁) 《I》

Once you’ve successfully tested your guts at the 【Single Lifeline (一線生機)】, you’re immediately hit with a new challenge for both your strength and your nerve: ascending the insanely steep and vertical trail of 【Yim Wong Pik (閻王壁)】.
閰王壁《貳》

Yim Wong Pik (閰王壁) 《II》

On a trail as steep as 【Yim Wong Pik (閻王壁)】, you need to make sure your footing is solid with every step. When you stop for a rest, don’t forget to look back and enjoy the epic views far below.

24. 📍 The Bird Rock

The Bird Rock (小鳥回頭)

After clearing 【Yim Wong Pik (閻王壁)】, continue upwards for about 300 meters to reach another famous photo spot, 【The Bird Rock (小鳥回頭)】.

25. 📍 Tsam Chai Au

Tsam Chai Au (斬柴坳)

Just a few more steps up from 【The Bird Rock (小鳥回頭)】 and you’ll reach 【Tsam Chai Au (斬柴坳)】. If you kept following the ridge, you’d summit Hong Kong’s second-highest peak, 【Lantau Peak (鳳凰山)】. 【Tsam Chai Au (斬柴坳)】 is a major junction: heading up takes you to the summit, while heading down leads to 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】. Since our finish line is 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】, we’ll head down. The signpost indicates it’s about 1km away, which should take roughly 30 minutes.

26. 📍 Lantau Trail • Section 3 《I》

鳳凰徑 • 第三段《壹》

Lantau Trail • Section 3 (鳳凰徑 • 第3段) 《I》

The descent to 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】 follows 【Lantau Trail • Section 3 (鳳凰徑 • 第三段)】. Take it slow at the start of the downhill—it’s worth stopping for a moment at this high vantage point to admire the stunning views of 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】 spread out below.

27. 📍 Distance Post • L026

Distance Post • L026 (標距柱 • L026)

The grid reference is HE 003632.

28. 📍 Lantau Trail • Section 3 《II》

Big Buddha Views (遠觀 • 大佛)

As you reach the mid-mountain level, you’ll see the 【Big Buddha (天壇大佛)】 getting closer and closer.

29. 📍 Lantau Trail • Section 3 《III》

遠觀 • 心經簡林

Viewing the Wisdom Path (遠觀 • 心經簡林)

From this vantage point, you get a perfect full view of the 【Wisdom Path (心經簡林)】 at just the right distance.

30. 📍 Ngong Ping Plateau • Gateway

昂坪高原 • 牌坊

Ngong Ping Plateau • Gateway (昂坪高原 • 牌坊)

Once you spot this ceremonial gateway, you’ll know you’ve finally reached 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】.

31. 📍 Lantau Peak Sunrise • Gateway

Lantau Peak Sunrise • Gateway (鳳凰觀日 • 牌坊)

After passing the 【Ngong Ping Plateau • Gateway (昂坪高原 • 牌坊)】, take a look back. The other side is inscribed as the 【Lantau Peak Sunrise • Gateway (鳳凰觀日 • 牌坊)】, pointing hikers toward 【Lantau Peak (鳳凰山)】. Besides being Hong Kong’s second-highest peak, it is a legendary spot for catching the sunrise. At the trail entrance, you’ll find a guardian statue of the mountain — the mythical Phoenix (神鳥 • 鳳凰).

32. 📍 Lantau Trail • Information Board

Lantau Trail • Information Board (鳳凰徑 • 資訊牌)

Right next to the gateway, there is a map and info board for 【Ngong Ping (昂坪)】 and the 【Lantau Trail (鳳凰徑)】. It’s worth a look to get a better sense of the local topography.

33. 📍 Wisdom Path

Wisdom Path (心經簡林)

Located right beside the gateway is the famous landmark, the 【Wisdom Path (心經簡林)】.

34. 📍 Lantau Trail • Section 3 → Ngong Ping Fun Walk

心經簡林 • 石碑

Wisdom Path • Stone Inscription (心經簡林 • 石碑)

After checking out the 【Wisdom Path (心經簡林)】, head back to the entrance and follow the path toward the 【Ngong Ping Fun Walk (昂坪奇趣徑)】 to reach your next stop, 【Ngong Ping Village (昂坪市集)】.

35. 📍 Ngong Ping Fun Walk 《I》

Ngong Ping Fun Walk (昂坪奇趣徑) 《I》

You’ll see a wooden sign for the 【Wisdom Path (心經簡林)】 along the 【Ngong Ping Fun Walk (昂坪奇趣徑)】. Follow the signs and keep heading toward the 【Big Buddha (天壇大佛)】.

36. 📍 Ngong Ping Fun Walk 《II》

Ngong Ping Fun Walk (昂坪奇趣徑) 《II》

While walking along the 【Ngong Ping Fun Walk (昂坪奇趣徑)】, I spotted a wasp! You’ll also pass some abandoned village houses that have been reclaimed by nature—it’s amazing how flowers can bloom right out of the concrete.

37. 📍 Ngong Ping Fun Walk → Ngong Ping Road

昂坪 • 路牌《貳》

Ngong Ping • Signpost (昂坪 • 路牌)

Leave the 【Ngong Ping Fun Walk (昂坪奇趣徑)】 and turn onto 【Ngong Ping Road (昂坪路)】, continuing your way toward the 【Big Buddha (天壇大佛)】.

38. 📍 Ngong Ping Road 《I》

Looking up at the Buddha (仰望 • 大佛)

From the side of the path, you can look up and see the 【Big Buddha (天壇大佛)】 looming ahead. Just keep following the directional signs.

39. 📍 Ngong Ping • Pavilion

昂坪 • 涼亭

Ngong Ping • Pavilion (昂坪 • 涼亭)

Along 【Ngong Ping Road (昂坪路)】, you’ll pass a pavilion built in a very distinct traditional Chinese architectural style.

40. 📍 Di Tan and Po Lin Monastery • Archway

地壇 及 寶蓮禪寺 • 牌樓

Di Tan and Po Lin Monastery • Archway (地壇 及 寶蓮禪寺 • 牌樓)

After passing the 【Ngong Ping • Pavilion (昂坪 • 涼亭)】, you will arrive at the 【Di Tan (地壇)】 (Altar of the Earth) and the 【Po Lin Monastery • Archway (寶蓮禪寺 • 牌樓)】.

41. 📍 Ngong Ping Road 《II》

At the Foot of the Buddha (大佛腳下)

The entrance to the 【Big Buddha (天壇大佛)】 is located right across from the 【Po Lin Monastery • Archway (寶蓮禪寺 • 牌坊)】.

42.
📍 Ngong Ping Plaza

昂坪廣場

Ngong Ping Plaza (昂坪廣場)

Past the Buddha, you’ll reach the 【Ngong Ping Plaza (昂坪廣場)】. The central path connecting the gateways is 【Bodhi Path (菩提路)】, which is lined with Bodhi trees and 12 statues of the 『Twelve Divine Heavenly Pastors』.

43. 📍 Ngong Ping Plaza • Archway

Ngong Ping Plaza • Archway (昂坪廣場 • 牌樓)

While walking through the 【Ngong Ping Plaza (昂坪廣場)】, you’ll see a massive gateway ahead. This is the exit of the 【Bodhi Path (菩提路)】. On the back of the gateway, the plaque reads 『The Scenic Wonderland of Lantau Mountain』, flanked by couplets describing the Buddhist world of enlightenment.

44. 📍 Ngong Ping Road 《III》

Ngong Ping Road (昂坪路)

After passing the gateway, you’ll see another archway in the distance—that’s 【Ngong Ping Village (昂坪市集)】. Along 【Ngong Ping Road (昂坪路)】, there are 『Do Not Feed the Cattle』 signs to remind visitors not to feed the local wildlife. You’ll also spot 【Ngong Ping 360 (昂坪360)】 mobile info boards providing tips to tourists.

45. 📍 Ngong Ping Village

Ngong Ping Village (昂坪市集)

Pass through the archway and you’ve reached 【Ngong Ping Village (昂坪市集)】. The Ngong Ping Nature Centre offers guided tours that cover famous landmarks and the Tree Walk leading to the 【Wisdom Path (心經簡林)】. It’s a great way to learn about native trees while enjoying the views. They also offer map and hiking pole rental services.

46. 📍 Finish: Ngong Ping • Bus Terminus (終點: 昂坪 • 巴士總站)

Ngong Ping • Bus Terminus (昂坪 • 巴士總站)

Walk through the 【Ngong Ping Village (昂坪市集)】 to reach the end of this journey: the 【Ngong Ping • Bus Terminus (昂坪 • 巴士總站)】.

🚍 From here, you can take:

  • 《Bus 23》 back to 【Tung Chung (東涌)】
  • 《Bus 2》 to 【Mui Wo ()】
  • or 《Bus 21》 to 【Tai O ()】