Lion Tail Ridge

🦁【Lion’s Tail Ridge (獅尾脊)】 is one of Hong Kong’s most famous hiking routes, located on the southeastern side of . Famous for its rugged rock formations, breathtaking city views, and historical relics, this trail offers a blend of adventure and history. Along the way, the ruined stands as a testament to the local love for nature and freedom, while the presents a thrilling test of skill and guts. Combined with panoramic urban vistas and low foot traffic, it is an absolute favorite for intermediate to advanced hikers who crave a quiet, adventurous scramble. — —

🗺️ Route Overview & Key Info

  • Starting Point: ,
  • Ending Point: Lok Fu or
  • Total Distance: Approx. 3 km
  • Elevation Gain: Max. approx. 495 m
  • Time Needed: Around 3–4 hours (including breaks and photo ops)

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🧗‍♂️ Trail Highlights & Challenges

  1. Unofficial Trail: This is not a government-maintained country park trail; the terrain is wild and undeveloped.
  2. Hands-on Scrambling: Roughly 60% of the route requires scrambling over boulders—wearing gloves is highly recommended.
  3. : The most iconic rock formation on the ridge. You can either climb straight up or take a detour.
  4. : A 6-story concrete tower built in 1959. Though it has collapsed, the original inscriptions can still be seen.

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🌄 Scenic Views

  • Bird’s-eye views along the ridge:
    1. Kowloon Peninsula
    2. Victoria Harbour
    3. Hong Kong Island
  • Views from the peak:
    2. Fei Ngo Shan (Kowloon Peak)
    3. The “Head” and “Body” of

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🏛️ History of Fool’s Tower

  • Built in 1959 by five elderly hikers who pooled their efforts.
  • The structure stood about 15 feet tall with 6 stories, featuring Chinese poems and couplets inscribed on it, including:
    • “Two hills embrace the sea where carps swim free; one tower pierces the sky to wake the sleeping lion.”
  • Origin of the name: Because building a tower on such a rugged, treacherous ridge seemed completely crazy, people dubbed it a “fool’s errand.”
  • The tower collapsed during heavy storms in 1964, but the ruins and inscriptions remain visible today.

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🚍 Getting There & Away

  • To the Start:
  • From the Finish:
    • From → Head down to Lok Fu Station or Tin Ma Court to catch a minibus, bus, or walk to the MTR.
  • There are no replenishment points along the way, so bring plenty of water and snacks.

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⚠️ Important Safety Tips

  • Best suited for experienced hikers; definitely not for beginners.
  • The route features a lot of exposed rocks and cliff edges.
  • Recommended gear:
    1. Hiking shoes with good grip
    2. Gloves
    3. Offline maps / GPS
  • Much safer in dry weather; avoid hiking this route on rainy, wet, or foggy days.

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  • Lion Rock, Lion Tail Ridge
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path 《VI.3》
  • Fool Tower, Distant Views of Lantau Island
  • Fool Tower 《IV》
  • Fool Tower 《III》
  • Fool Tower 《II》
  • Fool Tower 《I》
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path, The Lonely Tree 《III》
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path, The Lonely Tree 《II》
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path, The Lonely Tree 《I》
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path, The Lonely Tree
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path 《IV.2》
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path, Distant Views of Hong Kong Island – Panorama
  • Lion Tail Ridge Path, Distant Views of Hong Kong Island
  • Lion Tail Ridge – Full View 《III》
  • Ladder Rock, Stepping on the Sky Ladder Rock and Watching the Clouds Roll By
  • Lion Tail Ridge – Full View 《II》
  • Lion Tail Ridge – Full View 《I》
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Directly Below Kowloon Peninsula – Panorama
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Directly Below Chuk Yuen Estate
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Attack on Titan Rock
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Right Behind Us
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Within Arm’s Reach
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Distant Views of Hong Kong Island 《IV》
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Distant Views of Hong Kong Island 《III》
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Distant Views of Hong Kong Island 《II》
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Distant Views of Hong Kong Island 《I》
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Kowloon Peak View 《II》
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Both Sides of Victoria Harbour – Panorama
  • Sky Ladder Rock, Kowloon Peak View 《I》