Name (English): Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail
Name (Chinese): 昂坪360救援徑
Category: Outdoor Activities
Address (English): Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail, Lantau Island
Address (Chinese): 大嶼山昂坪360救援徑
Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ceVNA11KGr4a1xRX6
Address longitude and latitude: 22.274588832488217, 113.91353281269605
Opening Hours:
MON 00:00 – 23:59
TUE 00:00 – 23:59
WED 00:00 – 23:59
THU 00:00 – 23:59
FRI 00:00 – 23:59
SAT 00:00 – 23:59
SUN 00:00 – 23:59
Recommended Time to Visit: 09:00
Accessibility Note: Not easy to access – need to walk up stairs
Reminder: Bring at least 1.5L of water
Imagine hiking a tricky trail with cable cars constantly travelling above your head. While you toil the distances in heat and sweat, travellers from above sit back and enjoy the panorama of the hills. Why would anyone do that?
No pain, no gain
Well, perhaps the best way to convince you is the age old saying: no pain, no gain. Short though the 8km Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail sound, it is bumpy and meandering. You need to be tough to continuously climb a long flight of stairs with sparse shades for at least 5 hours. When the panorama finally opens in front of your eyes, it will be all worth a boast.
An easier way up
But of course, the trail’s difficulty means that it isn’t for everyone. Here is a cheat-option practiced by many locals. First, take Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung Station, and leave at exit B. Head toward the direction of Ngong Ping 360 cable car station. Here, you have two options. The first one is taking bus No.23 straight to the peak. It is a cost-efficient way to save you the climb. Alternatively, you can ride the cable car! The ticket isn’t cheap though, costing at least 200HKD. However, you can enjoy a bird-sight view over the mountain, the sea and even the airport. Take your time to savour the scenery. When you are ready, go downhill on the Rescue Trail.
Be prepared for the hike
The hike downhill is considerably easier than the way up, but you should be prepared. Buy some snacks or visit a convenient store before you start, because we won’t return to the market (Ngong Ping Village) once you set off. The starting point is next to the Cable car station, where you can see a sign of Lantau Trail Stage 4.
Start the hike by following the cable. Have a last look of the Big Buddha in sight. After 15-min walking, there’ll be another sign of Nei Lak Shan Country Rail pointing the direction to the angle station standing at the highest point of the road. When you see the behemoth structure of that, you have already completed one-third of the distance. Say hi to your fellow hikers and keep going.
Bumpy and narrow stage
No sooner than you pass by another station will you arrive at the most dangerous part of the trail, Stairways to Heaven. Take a glance of the photos, up and down, long and narrow like a slithering dragon – it’s quite beautiful though. While walking on the zig-zag stairs, please stay slow and wary. Don’t get too exhilarated by planes taking off or landing in sight, or the cable cars flying above. Do mind your steps!
Let’s finish the last part
After passing the maniacal stairways, there’s only one way downhill. At this point, you may have walked more than 3 hours. Take a rest at the last cable tower. There’s nothing special in the last part of the trail. Follow the stone stairs to get back in town. If you feel like shopping or a walk around, check them out here (Link).
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