By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 21, 2026

Dragon’s Back is the most famous hike in Hong Kong, and one of the easiest: a ridge path in Shek O Country Park, on the southeast of Hong Kong Island, with Tai Tam Bay on one side and the beach of Shek O on the other. Half an hour from the skyscrapers of Central, you are on a green ridge above the South China Sea. We did the short version on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during our 5 days in Hong Kong. Here is how it went, the mistake that cost us an hour, and how to do it better.

Dragon’s Back at a Glance

	Short version (what we did)	Full trail
Route	To Tei Wan to the viewpoint above Shek O, and back	To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay
Distance	About 4 km round trip	About 8.5 km one way
Time	About 1 hour 20 minutes	3 to 4 hours
Difficulty	Easy	Easy to moderate, long descent at the end
Shoes	Normal sneakers are fine	Hiking shoes
Water	50 cl per person	At least 1 liter per person
Getting there	MTR to Shau Kei Wan, then bus 9 to To Tei Wan	Same

Getting There: Our Mistake, and What to Do Instead

What We Did: the MTR to Chai Wan and a Taxi

We took the MTR to Chai Wan, the end of the Island line, planning to take a taxi from there. It was a holiday weekend, and we waited 35 minutes for one. The driver then dropped us about a kilometer short of the trailhead, and we finished on foot along Shek O Road. The walk is not unpleasant, with a view over Tai Tam Bay, but it cost us almost an hour in total.

What to Do: the MTR to Shau Kei Wan, Then Bus 9

Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan station and leave by exit A3 for the bus terminus. Bus 9, towards Shek O, stops at To Tei Wan, right at the start of the trail: about 20 minutes. Tell the driver or watch the screen, as most hikers get off there. More on buses and minibuses in our guide to getting around Hong Kong.

The Hike, Step by Step

The Trailhead at To Tei Wan

We started walking at 11:37 AM. The trailhead has a small information point and a map of the trail. The first part climbs through the forest on stone steps and dirt paths, in the shade. It is the steepest section of the short version, and it lasts about 20 minutes.

The First Viewpoint over Tai Tam Bay

Out of the forest, a wooden viewing platform looks back over Tai Tam Bay and the towers of the south side of the island. It is the first real view, and a good place to catch your breath.

Onto the Ridge

At the junction, follow the Dragon’s Back signs, not Shek O Road. From here the path runs along the open ridge, with low bushes and almost no shade: this is the part that gives the trail its name, rising and dipping like the back of a dragon. It was a Saturday on a holiday weekend, and the trail was busy, but never unpleasant.

The View over Shek O

We reached the viewpoint above Shek O around 12:30 PM, just below Shek O Peak, the highest point of the ridge at 284 meters. Below, the village of Shek O, its beach and the small islands offshore. It is the best view of the hike, and where everyone stops for photos on the rocks.

Short Version or Full Trail?

We turned back here and walked down the same way to To Tei Wan: about an hour and twenty minutes in total, easy, with 50 cl of water each and normal sneakers. The full trail continues along the ridge, then down through the forest to Big Wave Bay, a small surf beach where you can swim and eat before taking a minibus back to Shau Kei Wan. Allow three to four hours, at least a liter of water per person, and proper shoes for the long descent.

Getting Back

At To Tei Wan, on Shek O Road, we took a minibus back to Shau Kei Wan MTR station: HK$13 each, in cash, around 1:00 PM. From there, we took the MTR two stops to Tai Koo for the Monster Building in Quarry Bay and lunch at Thai Nyom, a small Thai restaurant next to it. The rest of that day is in our Hong Kong itinerary.

Our Tips for Dragon’s Back

• Take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan, not a taxi from Chai Wan.
• Go in the morning: the ridge has almost no shade.
• Carry 50 cl of water per person for the short version, a liter or more for the full trail.
• Normal sneakers are fine for the short version; take hiking shoes for the full trail.
• Have coins or small notes for the minibus back.
• Weekends and holidays are busy; on a weekday you will have the ridge almost to yourself.

FAQ: Dragon’s Back Hike

How long is the Dragon’s Back hike?

The full trail from To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay is about 8.5 km and takes three to four hours. The short version to the viewpoint above Shek O and back, which we did, takes about an hour and twenty minutes.

Is Dragon’s Back hard?

No. The first 20 minutes climb through the forest, then the ridge is gentle. Anyone in normal shape can do the short version.

How do I get to Dragon’s Back?

MTR to Shau Kei Wan, exit A3, then bus 9 to the To Tei Wan stop on Shek O Road. Avoid taking a taxi from Chai Wan: we waited 35 minutes for one.

How do I get back from Dragon’s Back?

From To Tei Wan, take a minibus or bus 9 back to Shau Kei Wan. From Big Wave Bay at the end of the full trail, minibuses also run to Shau Kei Wan.

What should I bring?

Water, a hat and sunscreen, as the ridge is exposed. Normal sneakers are enough for the short version.

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