Hong Kong may be best known for its towering skyscrapers and luxury malls, but the city also has its fair share of verdant hillsides and walking trails. The government has been working towards linking the urban and natural landscapes of Hong Kong Island by way of the Round-the-Island Trail — a 60-kilometre-long route that will connect attractions like Victoria Harbour on the northern shore of the island with Tai Tam Reservoir and Murray House in the south. Authorities say that most of the project is done, and they aim to complete it in 2031.
What To Know About The Round-the-Island Trail
The Round-the-Island Trail was first announced during Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s 2022 Policy Address to connect “the waterfront promenades on the northern shore [of Hong Kong Island] and a number of existing promenades and countryside walking trails in the Southern District.” Work began in 2023, and Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho recently said in her blog that 80% of the project is complete.
The entire 60-kilometre stretch will be divided into five themed trails for people to plan trips based on their interests. The Victoria Harbour Trail will span the length of Hong Kong’s best-known landmark, while the Sunset Trail will allow visitors to take in views along the western part of the island. The Fisherman’s Trail and Beach Trail will take explorers through the southern part of the island, and the Green Tail will run along the eastern side and include the Dragon’s Back Hike.
Upcoming Walkways, Trails, and Promenades
Ricky Tang Lai-yin, senior engineer of the Development Bureau, added that the newer additions to the route include the western section of the East Coast Boardwalk, Sha Wan Walking Trail, and Cadogan Street Seaside Promenade. Tang said that more walkways and paths will open this year, such as the eastern part of the the East Coast Boardwalk, and hiking trails from Nam Wan Beach to Chung Hom Kok Service Reservoir and Hok Tsui Road to Shek O Beach. The government also plans to improve existing seaside promenades and walking trails along the route.
Other plans include linking the Aberdeen Promenade with Deep Water Bay Pier, and Heng Fa Chuen and Shau Kei Wan, among other routes by the end of 2031. Linn added that the trail will have signs with augmented reality QR codes that will allow visitors to scan and get information like the highlights of project, route suggestions, and transport options.
The Round-the-Island Trail is an important part of the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, which was released at the end of 2024 to lay out a five-year plan to promote the territory as a premier global tourism destination. It focuses on combining tourism with culture, sports, ecology, and mega events, as well as diversifying visitor sources, promoting smart tourism, and elevating service quality.
For more information about the Round-the-Island Trail, visit the official website.
Image credits: CHUNYIP WONG via Canva
