The Tinworth Trail, designed in 2021 by a community of trail runners, is one for the elevation junkies. Nearly every section on this 91km trail begins with a calf-burning climb and it's relentless ups and downs are only broken with two flat sections. This well-designed trail avoids the big four for the most part, runs diagonally from the far north east of the New Territories, to Tai O in the far south west of Lantau bringing several classic, overlooked Hong Kong hikes into play; such as Robin's Nest, Tai To Yan, Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls, Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail, Tiger's Head and Tung O Ancient Trail. The Tinworth rightfully boasts some incredible views along the whole of the trail.

At over 5000m gain, the Tinworth throws elevation at you the whole way, so if thru-hiked, it's recommended to go light with a hammock rather than a tent. The trail will take you past one official AFCD campsite early on in section two at Lau Shui Heung, which isn't too much use unless you have planned for a hike over several days. Otherwise, there are alternative wild camping spots available over the whole route, some with great views. Potential hammock and tent spots are shown on the map below and described in the trip report. For resupply, the trail gives you options at Fanling, Chuen Lung, Tsuen King, Sham Tseng and Tung Chung.

Please note that the route below and the gpx uses official detours as options from the Tinworth website. To see the whole official trail visit their website here.

Section	Difficulty (out of 3)	Distance (km)	Camping
1	***	9.8	None
2	**	10.9	​Lau Shui Hung AFCD Campsite (hammocks and tents) ​Hok Tau Lookout (hammocks and tents)
3	**	8.5	Pak Tai To Yan (hammocks and tents)
4	***	9.9	Tai Mo Shan Fire lookout (tents)
5	*	6.7	None
6	**	8.7	Wang Pai Tung (hammocks and tents) Shek Lung Kung trig point (tents)
7	***	6	Tai Shan (hammocks and tents - limited)
8	**	7.4	Lo Fu Tau Country Trail (hammocks and tents) Yi Pak Au (tents - limited) ​Olympic Trail pagoda (hammocks)
9	***	10.2	Wong Lung Hang BBQ site
10	*	13.7	None

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Section 1  Sha Tau Kok to Tai Tong Wu

9.8 km
​Food/drink: Ma Mei Ha Store, Sha Ta Kok Rd

To get to the trailhead to begin the Tinworth, you can take a taxi or a bus to Sha Tau Kok. We had a bad start to the trail, staying on the bus one stop too far until it's terminal inside Sha Tau Kok, which is a restricted area. Our details were taken by the strict, albeit friendly border police and were promptly escorted out of Sha Tau Kok before eventually finding Robin's Nest Country trail and beginning the trail itself.

Almost getting arrested is not the best start to a long-distance trail

The trail begins steeply taking you up to Robin's Nest almost 500m off the bat. This sets the scene for the trail as a whole and if elevation isn't your thing, then you may be tempted to turn around and go home at this point if it weren't for the fantastic views over Shenzhen and the north of the New Territories. Robin's Nest was only designated a country park in Hong Kong in 2024, so the trail is well maintained and easy going underfoot. You'll traverse the country park close to the summit of Robin's Nest before dropping down on a concrete road back to Sha Tau Kok Rd. The Tinworth official website recommends Ma Mei Ha store for replenishment at the end of section one and we can happily confirm that their cokes are indeed the cheapest in Hong Kong.

Great views along Robin's Nest

Shenzhen seen in the distance

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Section 2 Tai Tong Wu to Fanling

10.9 km
​Food/drink: Fanling
Camping: ​Lau Shui Hung AFCD Campsite (hammocks and tents) | Hok Tau Lookout (hammocks and tents)

Section two begins on Sha Tau Kok Rd and takes you up Hok Tau Country Trail which is a pleasant walk through forest. Hammocks or tents are possible at Hok Tau Viewing Spot but it's directly on trail and for most this sits a little too early on the Tinworth for an overnight stay. Further along this section, official camping is more your style, then you could do worse than the campsite at Lau Shui Heung, which has some decent pitches next to a stream for water, or some possibilities for hammocks amongst the trees.

Hok Tau viewing spot sits a little too far early in the trail as a wild camping spot for most

Official AFCD campsite at Lau Shui Heung reservoir

Past the campsite, section two takes you up almost 400m over Tai Leng Shan on a rough overgrown trail, damaged in places by storms. This is difficult terrain and steep so take care on this section and follow the ribbons. It's down again steeply for a finish in Fanling where there are plenty of options for restaurants or resupply.

Rough going up Tai Leng Shan with Cloudy Hill in the distance

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Section 3 Fanling to Kadoorie Farm

8.5 km
​Food/drink: Fanling
Camping: ​Pak Tai To Yan (hammocks and tents)

Section three will introduce you to the spectacular Tai To Yan ridge, otherwise known as razor ridge. One of the finest ridge hikes in Hong Kong with great views over Lam Tsuen valley and the north west New Territories, it's not nearly as sketchy as it name suggests. The trail begins steeply from Fanling MTR station up the very well maintained Wu Tip Sha Path until it brings you down then up again to Pak Tai To Yan at 480 metres. If your tired legs are requesting rest at this point, then there are several interesting wild camping options just short of the trig point at the top of Pak Tai To Yan. Some of these are slightly off trail and are good options for hammocks or tents with great views over Tai Po.

Tents or hammocks in the pagoda slightly off the main trail

Great solo spot for a tent near Pak Tai To Yan

The Tinworth Trail was designed by Will Hayward in memory of trailrunner legend Nic Tinworth and we bumped into the Will himself on Section Three. Will designed this trail with trail running in mind, and as a result the trail actively avoids some excellent peaks and other interesting routes, however these detours are detailed on their website and we recommend them if thru-hiking.

A chance meeting of three great trail designers of Hong Kong. Hayward, Argyle and Ross.

After Pak Tai To Yan you are in for a treat. You will drop down before heading back up again to Tai To Yan itself which sits at 560 metres. Then it's along the ridge with spectacular views the whole way. Credit to Will for bringing this magical hike into play on the Tinworth, there is something special about seeing your route thread it's way along a ridge, down and up steeply over the hills in the distance and Tai To Yan encapsulates the classic Hong Kong ridge hike perfectly. Tai To Yan is dubbed the Dragon's Back of the New Territories, an unfortunate nickname as the official Dragon's Back on the Hong Kong Trail pales in significance to this majestic classic Hong Kong ridge hike.

​After the ridge it's down the path to Lam Kam Road and Kadoorie farm. There are plenty of transport options back to Tai Po here. Otherwise carry on along Kam Tam Road into section four.

Tai To Yan - a classic Hong Kong ridge hike

On a beautiful day the ridge will offer splendid views over NW New Territories

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Section 4 Kadoorie Farm to Rotary Park at Twisk (via the waterfalls)

9.9 km
​Food/drink: Ng Tung Chai (drinks)
Camping: ​Tai Mo Shan Fire lookout (tents)

Section four is a toughy. The trail takes you steeply up Hong Kong's highest mountain Tai Mo Shan. Although the official route avoids the iconic Ng Tung Chai waterfalls, it is listed as a possible detour. Streams are our gig, and with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, it was a no-brainer and we took the opportunity for a refreshing dip. There are four main waterfalls, all of which are worth a visit, but unfortunately none of them offer pools that are particularly fantastic. Nonetheless, we recommend the bottom fall if you want to cool off and refresh yourself on the way up to Tai Mo Shan.

Bottom Fall offers the best pool for a dip

Middle Fall

Scatter Fall

Main Fall - the highest in Hong Kong

If you take the waterfall detour then re-join the official route up to Tai Mo Shan. Following the peak, it's an easy concrete road down to the kiosk at Twisk. If you are planning to stay overnight on this section, then make sure to turn off the main concrete road where the 'no camping' sign is. Follow this trail to one of the best wild camping spots in Hong Kong near Tai Mo Shan Fire Lookout point. No hammock spots here however, so it's only an option if you are carrying a tent. There is a stream nearby for water.

​The kiosk at Twisk offers some standard Hong Kong kiosk snacks such as processed Siu Mai and fishballs. A better option is further along section five at Chuen Lung for some of the best Dim Sum in Hong Kong. This is where you want to head to if you need a good feed.

Easy going on the concrete road down to Twisk

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Section 5 Rotary Park to Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail

6.7 km
​Food/drink: Chuen Lung (Dim Sum), Tsuen King
Camping: ​None

The village of Chuen Lung is a short walk into section five and boasts a couple of fantastic self-serve rural Dim Sum spots - Choi Lung and Tuen Kee. These are both highly recommended for breakfast or lunch, but close around 3pm so a late visit is not an option. The best of the two is probably Choi Lung. If you hit it up early, or you are midweek, then grab a nice spot outside on the terrace, make yourself some tea and fill your tray with the wide variety of Dim Sum available downstairs. Both Choi Lung and Tuen Kee get excruciatingly busy at lunchtime on weekends so they are best avoided at this time.

Tuen Kee is one of two good options for al fresco Dim Sum dining in Chuen Lung

Section five is a rarity on the Tinworth; a downhill on easy concrete road and catchwater. Take advantage of this to give your calf muscles a break from the relentless elevation of the previous first half, and to prepare for the steep climbs of the second half of the trail. The section ends on the catchwater at the start of the climb up Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail. You can make a brief exit here to resupply down the steps to Tsuen King where there is a Wellcome supermarket and a few average restaurants.

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Section 6 Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail to Sham Tseng (via Shek Lung Kung)

8.7 km
​Food/drink: Sham Tseng
Camping: ​Wang Pai Tung (hammocks and tents), Shek Lung Kung trig point (tents)

Shared by both the Tinworth and the Argyle Ross, the Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail is a long, winding uphill journey to Shek Kung pavilion, offering some splendid views of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Hong Kong Island if the weather permits. There are also some incredible wild camping options up at the top for both tents and hammocks, making section six ideal for an overnight stopover. You can either have dinner in Tsuen King and pick up breakfast, or collect supplies in the supermarket for cooking at the top. Some spots that are worth checking out are the grassy area for tents and trees for hammocks slightly off trail near Wang Pai Tung, or take the detour up to Shek Lung Kung peak for some pitches by the trig point with some astounding 360 degree views.

The Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail winds up to Shek Lung Kung pavilion at 400 metres

Just off trail are some hammock spots near Wang Pai Tung

Wang Pai Tung also offers grassland areas for tents

At Shek Lung Kung pavilion, we recommend the detour North up to Shek Lung Kung trig point. This is worth it for the incredible panoramic views and one of the best wild camping spots for tents on the trail. Head back down the trail on the other side through an eerie abandoned school. There is a stream further along the trail to fill up water before your final descent into Sham Tseng where some roast goose options await.

Shek Lung Kung has one of the best camping spots on the trail

The eerie Shek Lung Kung school

Some views on the way down to Sham Tseng

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Section 7 Sunny Bay to Discovery Bay Neo Trail

6 km
​Food/drink: Tsing Yi MTR
Camping: ​Tai Shan (hammocks and tents - limited)

If you are thru-hiking the Tinworth, or completing sections six and seven together in one day, you will need to get a bus to Tsing Yi, then MTR to Sunny Bay. Being an urban centre of the north west New Territories, there are options to resupply in Sham Tseng. Alternatively, Maritime Square in Tsing Yi MTR station has some good options including a Marks and Spencers.

The Lantau section of the Tinworth is one of the toughest of the trail, with two of the four sections rated difficult, one medium and one easy. Keep your eye on the route as you  navigate from Sunny Bay to the trailhead, then it's a steep uphill climb again to Tai Shan at almost 300m. At this trig point, there is an option for a hammock or a tent or two. 

Trig point at Tai Shan with excellent views

Hammocks or tents possible at the summit

After Tai Shan, the terrain becomes grassland and forest, with the pleasant trail meandering around grassy hills. Continue on this trail until you reach a broken trail down to Discovery Bay. It's a bit too much of a detour for resupply, down this trail and back up, however there is a decent spot for a couple of tents near the end of the section.

Section seven involves a pleasant walk through grasslands

The meandering trail takes you close to Discovery Bay

Section eight up Tiger's Head in the distance

Some decent pitches at the end of section seven

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Section 8 Discovery Bay Neo Trail to Pak Mong

7.4 km
​Food/drink: None
Camping: Lo Fu Tau Country Trail (hammocks and tents), Yi Pak Au (tents - limited), Olympic Trail pagoda (hammocks)

Once again a steep climb awaits you at the start of section eight. This climb will take you up Tiger's head with a short detour to Lo Fu Tau at 465 metres for some great views if the weather is clear. Clear it wasn't for us, we found ourselves in the middle of a T3 tropical storm, and with 35km and three tough sections to complete the trail to end in Tai O, we knew this was going to be the most challenging part of the trail.

Being so close to Discovery Bay, this section is the most unfriendly of the lot, with local residents hitting the hills to escape their misery. This is the only hike I have done in Hong Kong where fellow hikers refuse to exchange pleasantries on the trail. Best to avoid eye contact. That's just the way things are done around these parts.

Some possibilities for camping on section eight

Red-necked Keelback eating a frog

For a four day completion, section eight is a tempting one for an overnight stay. There are no outstanding camping spots on this section, however the grassland and trees do offer plenty of opportunities for hammocks or tents, so it shouldn't be too tough to find somewhere to sleep for the night. The trail eventually meets the Olympic Trail where the going is easy all the way down to Pak Mong. There are streams on the way down to refill water if needed.

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Section 9 Pak Mong to Yu Tung Road

10.2 km
​Food/drink: Tung Chung
Camping: Wong Lung Hang BBQ site

These Tinworth lads don't hang around with the elevation. Section nine is the hardest of the lot, with a long steep climb up to around 700m; a gruelling slog at the end of an already tough 75km. The stairs seem never ending, but if there has been some rain, you should be able to fill your water on the route up Lin Fa Shan. This section (apparently) has some excellent views, however our weather was deteriorating and caught in the middle of a tropical storm, we could barely see more than a few metres ahead and being so high up, the winds were at gale force. The best we could do was to get the head down and complete, enjoyment now was out of the question.

Battling up Lin Fa Shan in a tropical storm

You will skirt close to Sunset Peak before dropping down the steep steps on Wong Lung Hang Country Trail. With the volume of rain that day we were met with atmospheric streams of water cascading down the mountainside which offered a great opportunity to relax for a bit and become immersed in the wonderous nature of Hong Kong. You will also be rewarded on the way down with some amazing views of the Three Dragon Gorge with the Dragons - a series of massive waterfalls, thundering down the steep mountain in the distance into the gorge.

At the bottom of these steps is a pleasant outdoor area at Wong Lung Hang. This is good for a rest (or tents if you are that way inclined), before walking the last of this brutal section along the road to Tung Chung, an obvious stop for supplies or food if you require them.

Cascading waterfalls on the north side of Sunset Peak

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Section 10 Yu Tung Road to Tai O

13.7 km
​Food/drink: Tai O
Camping: None

Apparently the Tinworth boys do have some empathy after all. Section 10 eventually gives some respite from the elevation, although despite being mostly flat, it is a long section to finish at around 14km. It's a nice coastal trek along Tung O Ancient Trail, with some great views out to the Pearl River Delta. By this point however, our tropical storm was at it's nearest to Hong Kong and the incessant driving rain had soaked us to the bone. The only thing we could do was batter out this last section to Tai O and complete before nightfall.

The bridge into Tai O

Crossing Boat restaurant has delicious food and friendly locals

The end of the trail is a little bewildering. You will reach Tai O but instead of entering the village, you will be taken on a somewhat pointless additional 1.5km around the outskirts to the bus terminus. Surely a better finish would be to enter the village itself, which is what we did, eating at the outlandishly friendly local village restaurant of Crossing Boat before completing the last 1.5km with bellies full of delicious Tai O delicacies and several litres of Blue Girl.

A wet finish to the Tinworth Trail at Tai O bus terminus

Suggested 4 day itinery

Day 1:
Sha Tau Kok to Pak Tai To Yan (Hammocks or tents)
25km

Day 2:
Pak Tai To Yan to Shek Lung Kung (Hammocks or Tents)
23km

Day 3:
​Shek Lung Kung to Lo Fu Tau Country Trail (Hammocks or Tents)
18km

Day 4:
Lo Fu Tau Country Trail to Tai O
​25km