Smuggler's Ridge, Mountain hiking trail in New Territories, Hong Kong.
Smuggler's Ridge is a mountain hiking trail in the New Territories of Hong Kong that connects two districts by crossing a ridge with a high point of around 337 meters. The path alternates between stone steps and open trail sections, passing through thick vegetation along the way.
The ridge takes its name from smugglers who used this steep and remote terrain to move goods between different parts of Hong Kong when border controls between districts were tightly enforced. The difficulty of the terrain made it a practical route for those trying to avoid checkpoints.
The name of the ridge is a direct reference to the smugglers who once crossed it, which gives the trail a sense of history that walkers can feel underfoot. Many visitors come here specifically to experience the open countryside that contrasts so sharply with the dense urban areas nearby.
Sturdy footwear and enough water are necessary given the steep sections and the many stone steps along the route. Starting early in the day gives more time to move at a comfortable pace without rushing.
From the northern summit of the trail, walkers can see both dense urban development and open rural land at the same time, a contrast that is rarely this visible from a single viewpoint. This dual view is one reason many people return to the trail more than once.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
