At a glance

  • The starting point is the bus terminal by Exit A2 of Shau Kei Wan MTR Station. Take bus 9 and get off at To Tei Wan. If you ride all the way to the last stop, Shek O, you’ll pass the trail entrance, so save your stop before you board. The descent leads to Big Wave Bay, not Shek O Beach.
  • The Tourism Board’s 8 km and roughly 4 hours refer to the walking route. Allow more than half a day once you include travel from your hotel to Shau Kei Wan, bus waits, and meals. Add time for photos along the ridge and a short rest. The first climb from To Tei Wan to the viewpoint includes a tough stretch of stairs, so you’ll need energy from the start.
  • We recommend setting out in the morning and returning to the bus stop before sunset. If you’re unsure you can make it all the way to the beach, decide before you start whether to walk out and back between the entrance and viewpoint. Don’t attempt even the shorter option if there’s a weather warning, strong wind, or wet rock. This route is not a substitute for a flat walk suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
  • Don’t count on being able to buy water along the way; bring it with you. Charge your phone, download an offline map, and share your planned endpoint with your group. Don’t automatically add a swim to your plan after the hike. Check the waves, lifeguard availability, and your energy level separately.

Day by day

Suggested itinerary

See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.

Morning to early afternoon

Board bus 9 at Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus → get off at the To Tei Wan stop → Dragon’s Back ridge → Pottinger Gap → Big Wave Bay → return to Shau Kei Wan on bus 9 from Big Wave Bay Road

How to fit it in

The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s standard route runs about 8 km from To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay and takes about 4 hours. It’s rated moderate. There’s a tough stretch of roughly 500 m of stairs and a steep descent, so don’t assume it’s easy based on those figures alone.

Reality check

Transport

The Tourism Board’s suggested approach is Shau Kei Wan Station Exit A2 → bus terminal, bus 9 → To Tei Wan. After completing the hike, take bus 9 from Big Wave Bay Road back to Shau Kei Wan. Save the boarding points and directions for both the outbound and return trips, and allow extra time for the bus.

Time

Allow about 4 hours of walking for the standard 8 km route, and plan for 6–8 hours total including travel from your hotel, bus waits, breaks, and meals. On hot days, don’t simply add time and push on; consider canceling the hike.

Cost

There’s no admission fee, but budget for round-trip transportation, water, food, and an emergency taxi.

Safety

Don’t hike in extreme heat, thunderstorms, typhoons, or on wet rock. Bring plenty of water and keep your phone charged.

If plans change

If there’s a weather warning

Cancel the hike and rest indoors near your hotel. If you go to a museum elsewhere, check that it’s open and transportation is running normally. Don’t substitute a beach visit.

If anyone in your group has trouble with stairs

Skip the ridge route from the outset. On a day without weather warnings, choose places with shorter walks, such as the lower paths in Hong Kong Park or the Hong Kong Museum of Tea Ware.

Small tip

Cancel if there’s extreme heat or strong wind, even if the sky is clear. If the trail is too wet to walk comfortably but there’s no weather warning, opt for a short city walk instead. If there is a warning, keep travel to a minimum and rest indoors.

Final check before departure

  • Save the route from the bus terminal by Shau Kei Wan Station Exit A2: take bus 9 and get off at To Tei Wan. Allow extra time in case the bus is full on weekends.
  • Before you set out, decide whether to retrace your steps between the trail entrance and the viewpoint or continue all the way to Big Wave Bay. If you’re going to complete the route, save the bus 9 boarding point on Big Wave Bay Road for the return trip too.
  • Bring enough water, a salty snack, a hat, sunscreen, and an offline map. Don’t start the ridge hike if there’s a thunderstorm warning, extreme heat warning, or wet rock.

On October 3, 2026, the Tourism Board’s standard distance, duration, and access by bus 9 were confirmed. This is not a ticketed attraction, so park closures and the day’s weather determine whether you should go. Check bus schedules, park notices, and weather warnings, and avoid starting late in the afternoon.

Information checked: 2026-10-03

Google Maps

Check the location on the map

Use Google Maps to review the location and nearby route. Recheck opening hours and prices with the official source before visiting.

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