Causeway Bay Hiking Trails: The Green Artery of Hong Kong Island

This is a complete guide to Hong Kong attractions, including opening hours, admission, and best routes.

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When Hong Kong people think of Causeway Bay, their first associations are usually SOGO Department Store, Times Square, or the bustling MTR station. But if you take a stroll through the alleys here on a weekend morning, you'll discover a different Causeway Bay — an urban oasis hidden among commercial buildings, perfect for casual hikes.

Causeway Bay itself doesn't have many hiking trails, but the surrounding area offers several distinctive routes, ideal for travelers looking to escape the city's hustle on weekends. Rather than calling it "mountain climbing," it would be more accurate to call it "urban light hiking" — a half-hour to one-hour transition from the shopping paradise into nature's embrace.

Tin Hau Temple Road Viewing Platform

Ascending the steps along Tin Hau Temple Road, this path — known locally as the "Tin Hau Trail" — is tucked into the slope between Causeway Bay and Tin Hau. The trail is short, taking about fifteen minutes to reach a small viewing platform. Standing here, you can look down over the eastern waters of Victoria Harbour, with the Kowloon Peninsula visible in the distance. The biggest highlight is that the crowds here are far smaller than at The Peak; on clear mornings, local seniors can often be seen practicing tai chi here. The path is well-paved and suitable for all ages, though some sections are steeper and may require consideration for those with mobility concerns.

Hong Kong Park Greenhouse and Aviary

A fifteen-minute walk from Causeway Bay MTR station brings you to Hong Kong Park on Cotton Tree Drive. Strictly speaking, this is not a "hiking trail," but the greenhouse garden and aviary within the park offer a rare natural experience in the city. The greenhouse houses more than five hundred tropical plant species, while the aviary is home to approximately eighty bird species. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the air is fresh and visitors are few. Admission is free, though the park closes at 10 PM.

Bowen Road Reservoir Walk

This is the most "trail-like" route in this recommendation. Bowen Road is located east of Causeway Bay, between Tai Hang and Tin Hau, where the reservoir walk built along the hillside has preserved the original stone-laid aqueduct. The entire route takes about one hour, passing several small reservoirs and ancient water storage pools, with the endpoint overlooking the eastern urban landscape of Hong Kong Island. The standout feature here is the "boundary between city and nature" — on one side, dense residential towers; on the other, water infrastructure and native plant zones preserved in the style of the last century. In spring, azaleas bloom in full splendor, making this a private spot for local photography enthusiasts.

Sai西湖 Park

Located in the North Point direction of Causeway Bay, the original Sai西湖 was a reservoir built after the war and later converted into a community park. The park retains part of the original reservoir landscape with a walking path circling the pond, taking about twenty minutes to complete. Its value lies not in dramatic scenery but in its "time capsule" atmosphere — post-war stone buildings, old-style railings and street lamps, evoking memories of Hong Kong in the 1960s and 70s. Mornings often see retired residents practicing tai chi or playing Go, making it a great place to observe local life and culture. Free admission, open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM.

Practical Information

Regarding transportation, all of the above attractions are accessible via MTR: Tin Hau Station (Exit B) leads to Tin Hau Temple Road; Admiralty Station (Exit C1) is a short walk to Hong Kong Park; North Point Station is near Sai西湖. If you have an Octopus card, simply use it through the MTR gates — no need to purchase separate tickets. All locations are free attractions, though the Hong Kong Park greenhouse exhibitions may have adjusted opening hours due to special events, so checking the LCSD website before your visit is recommended.

Travel Tips

The hiking trails in the Causeway Bay area are less about "conquering nature" than about "urban micro-adventures." If time is limited, choose one of the shorter routes, and after your hike, treating yourself to a Hong Kong-style milk tea at a local cha chaan teng completes the full local experience. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes — some sections of Tin Hau Temple Road and Bowen Road can be slippery when wet, so extra caution is needed during the rainy season.