Not-So-Famous Fifth: Best-Kept Hiking Secret!

If you’ve already conquered Hong Kong’s ‘Big Four’, it’s time to discover the Tinworth Trail – a rugged 90km route that explores Lantau’s quieter northern side and beyond

 PHOTOS BY Will Hayward & Jono Woodhouse 

Hong Kong has four officially designated, long-distance hiking trails: Maclehose (100km, established in 1979), Lantau (70km, established in 1984), Hong Kong (50km, established in 1985) and Wilson (78km, established in 1996). The Tinworth Trail (90km, established in 2022) is the unofficial fifth. Second only to the Maclehose in length, it’s a quieter, rougher and more adventurous alternative to the ‘Big Four ’ – an under-the-radar challenge that has quickly earned a loyal following among experienced hikers and trail runners.

Like the Big Four, the Tinworth is a collection of existing trails linked together into one continuous route. Unlike them, however, it hasn’t been given a bureaucratic seal of approval. In essence, it’s simply a website built by a group of local runners, hikers, race organisers and Strava-users, who drew on their collective experience to build something new. Just four of its 90 kilometres overlap the Big Four – the aim was to give Hong Kong hikers a fresh challenge, while showcasing lesser-known trails.

The route starts in the northeast corner of the territory at Sha Tau Kok, runs southwest through the New Territories, hops the bay and picks up in Lantau. Like the official trails, it’s divided into 10 sections, each with start and end points accessible by public transport, making it easy to tackle over several weekends or in one epic '17-hour if you’re super-fit’ push.

The trail is named after race director and runner Nic Tinworth, who sadly died from a brain tumour in 2020 at the age of just 44. Nic played a huge role in popularising trail running in Hong Kong, founding the Hong Kong Trail Running Facebook community and co-founding RaceBase, the events company behind iconic races like Country of Origin, Nine Dragons and the Great Relay. It’s a fitting tribute because the route reflects the kind of trails Nic loved. Rather than concrete steps and manicured paths, the Tinworth favours muddy singletrack, rocky scrambles and the occasional ‘how am I supposed to get up there?’ climb. The result is a trail that’s undeniably more demanding than the government-maintained routes, but never beyond the reach of reasonably fit and prepared hikers.

Of course, the Tinworth’s unofficial status means there are no brightly coloured ribbons, signposts or arrows guiding you along the way. But the organisers have used technology to solve that problem. The website (tinworthtrail.com) provides detailed maps and a GPX link – a spatial topographic file that you load onto your phone or smart watch – to help you navigate. And GPS works via satellite, so you’ll stay on course even in the rare places where there’s no mobile reception.

For Discovery Bay residents, sections 7 to 10 (the Lantau hikes) are the obvious place to start. As the official Lantau Trail already covers much of the island’s southwest, the Tinworth explores the north. Highlights include the 700-metre climb up Tiger’s Head, the beautiful Wong Lung Hang Valley and the Tung O Ancient Trail to Tai O.

SUNNY BAY TO DB

The Lantau portion of the Tinworth Trail starts with section 7 (6km distance, 524m elevation), right outside Sunny Bay MTR. Taking the footpath from the station, zigzag your way between the parking areas and the railway line, and go through the underpass. On the other side, cross Cheung Tung Road and then Sunny Bay Road. Finding yourself on the north side of Sunny Bay Road, head towards Disneyland (away from the station).

Before long, the ground slopes downwards and on the right, you find a walkway under Sunny Bay Road. Once on the other side, turn right and start heading back towards the railway line, now on the south side of the road. You quickly find a trail on the left heading up the hill; follow it up and over Lai Pik Shan and on past the communications station at Tai Che Tung, then down towards DB.

The stage finishes at the path that comes up from Neo Horizon. There’s an exit here, down an obvious path that is uneven in places.

DB TO PAK MONG

Section 8 (7.4km distance, 321m elevation) kicks into gear at DB Lookout, 200m above sea level. The climb up and over Tiger’s Head (Lo Fu Tau) provides outstanding views of DB on one side and the back of Lantau looking across to Tuen Mun on the other. The path looks a lot shorter than it actually is, but it flattens out for 10m every now and then.

Tiger’s Head summit is about 50m off the Tinworth and well worth a detour. Take a left – a short climb takes you right up to the giant stone on the top of the hill shaped like the head of a tiger. The views are incredible here; you can see the whole of DB and appreciate just how far you’ve climbed.

After enjoying the view, head back to the Tinworth and carry on down the Lo Fu Tau Country Trail for about 3km until you reach the Olympic Trail. Turn right and follow the Olympic Trail all the way to Pak Mong Village.

PAK MONG TO YU TUNG ROAD

Section 9 (10.2km distance, 783m elevation) begins as you exit Pak Mong village. You see a trail on the left side, rising steeply, which is initially a little overgrown but quickly opens out. You’re starting one of the most challenging climbs of the Tinworth, almost 700m over 5.5km towards Sunset Peak. Your reward? Incredible views over the central Lantau massif and down towards Tung Chung and the airport.

Eventually this trail intersects with the Lantau Trail; turn right and follow the Lantau Trail for less than 1km, then take the turn-off down Wong Lung Hang Valley. In the valley, you drop back to sea level over about 2km.

At the bottom of steep steps, you reach Wong Lung Hang Road; turn left and follow it out to Yu Tung Road, which you reach by taking an elevated pedestrian walkway over the road and down the other side. You can exit here to Tung Chung by walking about 1km.

YU TUNG ROAD TO TAI O

The last stage of the Tinworth, section 10 (13.7km distance, 288m elevation), largely follows the Tung O Ancient Trail around the coast to Tai O. Go along Yu Tung Road about 500m then take steps down to the right and follow the path past a sports field and through wetland until you find yourself on a concrete trail that passes under the cable car. You pass through a series of villages, with the airport on your right until suddenly you turn a corner and it disappears.

The last 3km of the Tinwor th provide wonderful views across the Pearl River Delta. On entering Tai O, go along the eastern side of the river until you find a bridge just before the road which takes you towards a housing estate. Follow the main road for about 500m and finish beside the bus terminal at the entrance to the historic part of Tai O.

The Tinworth brain trust could easily have extended section 10 to Fan Lau and clocked a nice round 100m. Instead, they prioritised accessibility. The Tinworth is designed to be completed in manageable stages, with every section finishing within easy reach of public transport. Fan Lau, by contrast, is in the middle of nowhere. But if you fancy adding the extra distance just to earn bragging rights, more power to you.