Green ridge of Dragon's Back with a footpath leading towards a hazy hill and the sea beyond

Adventure · Shek O Country Park, Southern District, Hong Kong Island

Dragon's Back, Shek O Country Park

Rolling ridge hike above Shek O with sea views, ending at Big Wave Bay beach

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Ambient sound · similar settingWoodland birdsong in the New Territories hills

Photo: Emma Lin (@emmamialin) / Unsplash

Discover Dragon's Back, Shek O Country Park

Within an hour of the city centre, the Dragon's Back trail climbs onto an undulating grassy ridge in Shek O Country Park, on the south-eastern tip of Hong Kong Island. As you walk along its rises and dips, said to resemble the spine of a dragon, the views open out over Shek O village and beach, Tai Tam Bay, the open South China Sea and scattered islands.

The route is well signed and achievable for most reasonably fit walkers, yet it feels a world away from the skyscrapers. It ends with a descent through woodland to Big Wave Bay, a small surf beach with a village of snack shops, where you can cool off before catching the bus back to the MTR.

Don’t miss

01Shek O Peak, the high point of the walk at 284 metres
02Dragon's Back Viewing Point with 360-degree coastal views in clear weather
03Views over Shek O village, Tai Tam Bay and offshore islands
04Pottinger Gap pavilion, a shaded rest stop before the descent
05Big Wave Bay beach and village at the end of the trail

History & culture

The story of Dragon's Back, Shek O Country Park

Shek O Country Park was designated in 1979 and covers 701 hectares in the south-eastern corner of Hong Kong Island. Its vegetation was heavily damaged during the Second World War, and today's woodland is the result of post-war reforestation and conservation. The Dragon's Back ridge, between Wan Cham Shan and Shek O Peak, is the park's best-known feature and forms part of Stage 8, the final section of the 50 km Hong Kong Trail, which begins on The Peak.

The park is managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Its trails pass through habitats used by animals such as the masked palm civet and Chinese ferret badger, while white-bellied sea eagles and common buzzards are often seen overhead.

Local life & traditions

Dragon's Back is a favourite weekend outing for Hong Kong families, hiking groups and trail runners, and on clear Sundays the ridge can be busy. Big Wave Bay has a long-standing surf culture, and Shek O village, with its narrow lanes and beach cafes, is a popular place to unwind after the walk.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Start at the To Tei Wan bus stop on Shek O Road and climb the steps to the Shek O Peninsula viewing point, then follow the ridge over Shek O Peak to the Dragon's Back Viewing Point. Continue to Pottinger Gap and descend to Big Wave Bay, following the checkpoints marked with a dragon symbol; the full walk takes about four hours at an easy pace.

At Big Wave Bay you can swim at the lifeguarded beach, watch surfers, or use the official barbecue pits.

When to go

The best hiking months are October to March, when the air is drier, cooler and clearer. Summer is hot and humid with little shade on the ridge, and thunderstorms and typhoons can make the trail unsafe. Start early in the day in any season, and avoid the walk when the Hong Kong Observatory issues heat, rainstorm or typhoon warnings.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Route: About 8 km, about 4 hours on average, moderate difficulty; from To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay, with the highest point at Shek O Peak (284 m). Source: discoverhongkong.com ↗
Getting there: From MTR Shau Kei Wan Station Exit A2, walk to Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus and take bus 9 to the Dragon's Back stop at To Tei Wan on Shek O Road; return on bus 9 from Big Wave Bay Road. Source: discoverhongkong.com ↗
Country park: Shek O Country Park was designated in 1979 and covers 701 hectares; Dragon's Back forms part of Stage 8 of the Hong Kong Trail. Source: afcd.gov.hk ↗
Facilities: Public toilets, rain shelters and barbecue stoves are near the Big Wave Bay Picnic Area, Shek O Cape Picnic Area and Shek O Beach. Source: afcd.gov.hk ↗
Big Wave Bay Beach: Lifeguard services, shark prevention net, changing rooms, showers and barbecue pits. Source: lcsd.gov.hk ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Carry plenty of water and sun protection; much of the ridge is exposed.
Wear proper walking shoes; the climb from To Tei Wan includes many steps.
Start in the morning to avoid the midday heat and the busiest afternoon crowds.
Check the Hong Kong Observatory forecast and do not hike during storm or typhoon warnings.
Take all your rubbish home with you and stay on the marked trail.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Dragon's Back, Shek O Country Park: food, markets & places to stay

Big Wave Bay at the end of the trail has a small village with snack shops and a lifeguarded beach, and Shek O village nearby has beach cafes and restaurants. HKTB recommends Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, near the MTR station, for noodles, egg waffles and cha chaan teng meals. Stanley and Repulse Bay lie further west along the south coast.