Hong Kong is known for its beautiful hikes and scenic views, but sometimes that’s too much for your kids or parents (or even you!). So why not hop on a bike: single, tandem, rickshaw, or with a basket for your furry kid, and get exploring on these biking trails suitable for the whole family! Whether it’s an especially flat, scenic trail or offers plenty of water and recharge points along the way, these family-friendly cycling routes will ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable time.
Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park
Tseung Kwan O’s waterfront cycling track finalised renovations in 2022, and we can’t stop going back to visit. The wide jogging and biking path, which extends around 8 km in a circular path through Tseung Kwan O to Lohas Park, is flat almost the entire way and offers beautiful views of Junk Bay, especially on a sunny day. The entire loop takes about 30-45 minutes. We like stopping off at one of the many cafés and al fresco restaurants on the TKO side to get a refreshment at the beginning or end of the bike ride.
Directions: At Tseung Kwan O MTR station, leave from Exit A2 and walk less than 15 minutes down Tong Chun Street to the waterfront park. You can start biking in either direction, eventually crossing Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park footbridge if you turn left, or Cross Bay Bridge if you turn right.
Sha Tin (Tai Wai) to Tai Po
Perhaps the most popular cycling route, but definitely one of the most spectacular, this relatively flat, easy bike ride is one for people of all ages! You can rent a bike right outside Tai Wai MTR station and pedal away next to the picturesque Shing Mun River.
With the wind in your face, and the trees providing some nice shade, the miles roll by without you even realizing you’re biking. And there are tons of cute cafés to stop at along the way for a bite along the bike route, especially as you’re passing the Science Park. But we highly recommend the Tai Po Waterfront Park restaurant, a quaint little shop serving fish balls and sandwiches right next to the park’s spiral lookout tower. The entire biking trail toward Tai Po is just over 20 km long, but you can stop at multiple points along its length if you want to cut it shorter – Sha Tin MTR station, Fo Tan MTR station, or take a bus from Science Park.
If you’d like to end the trip in Ma On Shan district, start biking in the same direction, but cross Shing Mun River on one of the many foot bridges. This cycling trail is around 10 km, and while there aren’t as many things to see along the way, the views are just as scenic and you can enjoy a coffee and a Japanese dessert at Uchi Coffee when you reach Wu Kai Sha MTR station.
Directions: At Tai Wai MTR station, go out from Exit A and there will be various bike rental shops along Tsuen Nam Road. The bike route starts right outside the station.
Po Kong Village Road Park
For a leisurely bike ride with your family, you can check out the elevated Po Kong Village Road Park in Diamond Hill. Only 1 km long, the elevated cycling track is designed to follow the natural hilly terrain of the park, providing a stunning view of the surroundings. There is also an accompanying cycling area where you can teach your kids (or novice friends) how to bike.
Or, if you have a more adventurous partner, they also have a skatepark, comprising of three half-pipe-shaped bowls with slopes at different gradients. People of all levels can engage in extreme sports such as BMX, skateboarding, inline skating and freestyle scootering. For a day of fun and adventure, head over the Po Kong Village Park and be sure to carry your helmet!
Directions: At Wong Tai Sin MTR station, go out from Exit C2 and walk one minute to the Ching Tak Street mini bus terminal. Take Bus 33M to the Po Leung Kuk No.1 WH Cheung College stop, then walk five minutes to the park.
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is known for its beaches and seafood, but one of the ways to truly take in the island is by bike. You’ll have tons of options to rent a bike as soon as you get off the ferry, and you can begin your ride on the seaside cycling path that runs about 3 km along the Western coast. You’ll have the beautiful views of the sea as well as old temples and scenic beaches to discover.
It is an easy, flat ride for most of the path, suitable for people of all ages. If you want to take it one step further and get a workout in, you can ride your bike up to the highest point on the island, the North Lookout Pavilion. But don’t worry, there will be delicious mochi and fish balls waiting for you after at the local restaurants and beach shops!
Directions: Take the ferry to Cheung Chau at Central Pier No.5. Once you arrive in Cheung Chau, turn right from the ferry pier and there will be multiple bike rental stores.
Tung Chung to Sunny Bay
For more unbeatable views, make your way to Ma Wan Chung village from the Tung Chung MTR station to rent a bike. It is a 15 km flat bike trail where you’ll have panoramic views of the sea as well as the steady drum of the MTR running nearby, providing a cool soundtrack.
But be careful if you’re going on a sunny day, as there isn’t much shade along the path. The best part is at the end – you will finish your journey near Disneyland at Inspiration Lake, where you can sit down and enjoy a picnic or continue the outdoor fun by renting a paddleboat – a great family Sunday outing! Also nearby you can explore Luk Keng village, where you can find the hidden Cheung Sok lighthouse and breathtaking views of Tung Wan Bay.
Directions: At Tung Chung MTR station, go out from Exit B and take the New Lantao Bus No. 38 to the Yat Tung Estate stop, then walk five minutes to the Ma Wan Chung fishing village. You can also walk from the train station, which takes about 20 minutes. Rent a bike at Sunny Bike Shop (No. 110, Ma Wan Chung Estate).
Yuen Long to Nam Sang Wai
If you’re looking to be fully emersed in nature while biking, this is the ride for you! The lush wetlands, green woodlands, abandoned farms, and fishponds of Yuen Long present a truly different side of Hong Kong that most islanders wouldn’t know about. Yet, this oasis is just a short ways away from the Yuen Long MTR Station.
This trail is just 7 km long and while the flat road is suitable for children and beginner cyclers, some of the section goes along roads where cars can also travel, so do be careful. It is also the perfect way to disconnect from the world and explore nature while learning about conservation and ecological preservation. There are a ton of local cafés and snack stalls to try out along the route, as well as kite flying and bird watching activities, so make sure you factor in time for it all!
Directions: There are various bike rental shops in Yuen Long Town. From there, make your way to Pok Oi Hospital, and keep cycling along the main road until you get to Kam Tin River. Once you reach it, turn left and keep riding along the waterway about 3 km until you reach Nam Sang Wai.
New Territories Cycle Track
Opened in 2020, this 60 km cycling track is a network interwoven across the New Territories where you can take in the beautiful sights of the northern part of the city. The extensive route can be completed in 6 hours at a moderate pace. It features stunning sea views, lush greenery and many hidden secrets. The track consists of a couple of backbone sections: the 60 km section from Tuen Mun to Ma On Shan (which traverses through Yuen Long, Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tai Po, and Sha Tin) and the more recent Tsuen Wan Waterfront section which passes through Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi. There are periodic new additions to this network, such as the new cycle track on the Sam Mun Tsai waterfront.
You obviously don’t need to complete the entire track, and there are multiple entry and exit points along the bike route so you can customize the route based on your family’s needs. And if you’re worried about the little ones needing refreshments or toilet breaks, you are covered. Bicycle hubs along the track provide a number of convenient public facilities including sheltered benches, bicycle parking, first aid stations, refreshment kiosks, and toilets.
Directions: You can enter anywhere along the trail from MTR stations, but the westernmost end of the trail is at Tuen Mun while the easternmost end is in Ma On Shan.
Hong Kong truly has something to offer for everyone, and regardless of your biking ability or stamina, you can surely find a cycling path from our list. So, grab a water bottle, and rent a bike to explore the trails and have a day of fun with your family and friends!
Header image credits: ReflectionandSeeing via Flickr
