How to Get to Victoria Peak: We Walked It, Should You?

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Wondering how to get to Victoria Peak and whether walking is for you?

When we started planning our trip to Hong Kong, Victoria Peak was right at the top of our list. It’s one of the most iconic views in the city with all those skyscrapers stretching across the harbour, framed by jungle covered hills.

You can see how Victoria Peak fit into our full Hong Kong–Macau–Hanoi itinerary

We knew right away that we wanted to walk to the Peak, but still experience the tram down. Many of our highlights from previous trips include nature walks like this, such as Elephant Mountain in Taiepei and the jungle walk through The Habitat in Penang. Nature, a variety of views and fewer crowds are always a great option.

We did this walk as a family of three, with our 9 year old son and in this post I’ll share exactly how we got to Victoria Peak via walking, what the route was like, how our son managed and few things I’d recommend if you’re trying to decide whether to walk or take the tram to the peak.

We based ourselves on the Kowloon side, which made the Star Ferry ride easy and scenic — and worked perfectly for our trip. If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, here’s our guide comparing Kowloon vs Central for first-time visitors.

Browse nearby hotels here if you’re planning to stay close to the ferry terminal.

Walk to Victoria Peak – At a Glance

• Starting point: Near Peak Tram May Road
• Route followed: Chatham Path → Barker Road
• Distance: Approx. 2–2.5 km
• Time taken: Around 45–60 minutes, including stops
• Terrain: Paved paths, stairs, and steady uphill sections
• Conditions: Warm and humid, with some slippery patches after rain, very sweaty!
• Crowds: Very quiet early in the morning
• Family-friendly: Yes, challenging but manageable with an active 9-year-old
• Good to know: Signage can feel vague at first, but routes converge and locals are happy to help

Why We Didn’t Take the Tram Up

Our travel style is usually quite fast paced as we like to make the most of being somewhere new. However, we have recognised how important it is for us to balance that out, especially when travelling as a family. Strategically planning in longer, nature-based experiences (and a bit of exercise to work off all the eating) has become important for us. When combined with earning a view like that at Victoria Peak, it’s a win-win situation! 

In all honesty, I usually dislike these uphill walks while they’re happening and this one was no exception. The heat and humidity played a factor in me seriously considering taking the tram up instead. Ultimately we decided to go ahead, and as always, I was glad I did it in the end! We decided on leaving early in the morning to try and make the most of the cooler weather, with the added benefit of having a quieter experience before the crowds arrived. We did travel during the Mid-Autumn festival and had already noticed there were a significant number of tourists and crowds around. 

We intentionally saved the tram for the way down again so we could enjoy the best of both worlds; a peaceful, rewarding climb up and a relaxing (air conditioned!) ride down. If you’re debating the best way to get to Victoria Peak, it’s worth thinking about what kind of experience and journey you want, not just the attraction itself.

Getting to the Victoria Peak Walk: Star Ferry + Taxi Combo

We started our day early, since we needed to get across to Central from the Kowloon side. After a quick coffee stop near our hotel, and a promise to our son that we’d find breakfast along the way (spoiler – we did not!) we headed for the Star Ferry and arrived just after 8am. We were very fortunate to have a peaceful ride across the harbour, with a cool breeze and the entire ferry to ourselves. 

I talk more about planning and travel logistics in how I planned our multi-city trip through Hong Kong, Macau and Vietnam.

From there, It’s worth noting that we had a loose plan, but nothing concrete. While on the ferry, we did some quick Googling and knew we wanted to start the walk at Peak Tram May Road Station. However, we weren’t sure of how far that was or how to get there. We figured we’d work it out once we arrived in Central. 

We could not have done this on the fly without data to access Google Maps. We always use Airalo eSim, check them out here. Super easy to set up and makes on the go planning much easier.

At one point, my husband considered starting in Central and walking the entirety of the trip, but I quickly squashed that idea. Instead, we asked a taxi to drop us near the Peak Tram May Road Station. From there, we followed the signs to the walking routes. The signs feel a little vague at first, but once you’re moving, it makes more sense. Plus, there were plenty of other walkers and locals around doing the same thing, so we knew we could always ask if we needed to. 

If you’re planning to do this yourself, I’d definitely recommend taking that peaceful trip across on the Star Ferry and taking a taxi directly to May Road. It saves time and is a very achievable starting point for the walk, especially if you are figuring it out as you go, like we were.

The Walk Up to Victoria Peak

We officially started the walk near Peak Tram May Road, which turned out to be the perfect place for us to begin. From here, the route eases you into the climb rather than throwing you straight into a steep ascent, which I appreciated.

The first section followed Chatham Path, a shaded walking trail that winds gently uphill. At the time, we weren’t entirely sure which named paths we were on, but looking back, this was definitely Chatham Path and it was the right choice. The surface alternates between paved sections, stairs, and sloped paths, with regular signage pointing you onward. The signs give distances and estimated times but if you head there, don’t get your hopes up too early. It was counting down to the end of this particular path, not the whole route! 

As we climbed higher, we were able to see the Hong Kong skyline from different angles. Sometimes as little glimpses through the trees, and then big open angles looking across the harbour. The views got better as we walked, like little mini rewards along the way! 

The conditions kept changing as we climbed. The heat and humidity were noticeable early on, though often broken up by a welcome breeze or some cloud cover. At one point, a short burst of light rain came through, which made certain sections much more slippery. In one spot, water was actually running down the path. Decent shoes are a must if you tackle this walk on a wet day, as the paths are already quite mossy.

At the end of the Chatham Path, we were met with a road. The next steps were not clearly signposted. We followed the road for a couple of minutes until we spotted a more jungle-style path. It was sign posted as Hospital Path, which my husband was very keen on taking as opposed to following the road around. Ten minutes in, it became very clear this much steeper path was not heading where we thought. We returned to Barker Road, noticed a few locals were also following the road and decided to do the same. 

We were met with another junction, where we needed to decide between going under the tram line and following Barker Road or taking another track called Findlay Road. While standing there trying to make our decision, a local walker kindly pointed us in the right direction and suggested continuing up via Barker Road. 

Later, once we’d reached the top, we realised that Findlay Road would have taken us up past Victoria Peak Lion’s Pavilion instead and to the Peak in about the same amount of time. Both routes get you where you need to go, just from slightly different angles. Neither is clearly “better” than the other, so if you find yourself hesitating at this point, know that you’re essentially choosing between two good options. 

From the Peak Tram May Road Station, to the Peak Tower, it took us approximately 60 minutes, though most guides suggest it should take 45 minutes. I’m sure weather and fitness levels come into this, I did find the hill a little challenging, but definitely doable. 

As for our son, he handled it really well. He’s quite active and athletic so this wasn’t a challenge for him and he was often a few minutes ahead of me and waiting for me to catch up. The changing scenery and the interesting little bugs along the way helped keep interest, as did the sense that we were “working toward” something rather than just walking for the sake of it (also, for those keeping track we were still working towards the promise of breakfast…). He got a little nervous on the waterfall covered path and would have loved a drink of water (excellent parenting, I know!), but otherwise he enjoyed the walk. I would caution this route if your kids are not enthusiastic walkers as it is a little challenging and you can’t easily bail out if it gets too much! 

If you’re looking for a scenic and moderately challenging walking route to Victoria Peak, this one is a great option.

Should You Walk to Victoria Peak?

You might love it if:

Skip the walk if:

Reaching the Peak (and Realising There Was More Walking)

Eventually, the path opened up and we arrived at what most people think of as The Peak. This is the busy commercial area with Peak Tower, the tram terminus, and a couple of large shopping centres. After the quiet, shaded walk up, it felt like a sudden jump back into full tourist mode.

By this point, we were very ready for water and something to eat. The only places open were a 7-Eleven and a small bakery, The Bakehouse, where we grabbed water and, genuinely, the best quiche I’ve ever eaten. Our son also got a cookie, because… well, you’ve seen our parenting today. He earned it.

It was also at this point, as I started to relax, that my husband nudged my attention to the fact that this wasn’t actually the top. He’d spotted a higher point. I immediately threw out some variations of “absolutely not” and “I’m not walking anymore,” but I knew that he wouldn’t be satisfied with nearly seeing the top. 

So off we went, again. 

From the Peak Tower, it’s about a 1.3 km walk up Mount Austin Road. It doesn’t sound like much, but the first section is especially steep. We saw several other tourists start it and quickly turn back. The heat and humidity had really kicked in by this point too. It took us around 30 minutes to reach the top. 

This stretch follows the road the whole way. In some places, there’s no path and you’re walking on the road edge (it’s winding, so stay alert), but most of it passes through a quiet residential area. Along the way you’ll pass: 

• Mount Austin Playground and its manicured gardens
• The old Guard House from the former Mountain Lodge (once the summer residence of the Governor of Hong Kong)
• Peak Gardens – a peaceful green space with walking paths and benches. 

The top is marked by a simple open pavilion surrounded by radio and telecommunications towers. But it was worth the extra effort. The crowds had thinned to maybe ten people, mostly locals out walking or enjoying the quiet. The views stretched out toward Lantau Island and there were several small paths leading to different view points. 

Wondering if it’s worth going beyond the Peak Tower to the actual summit of Victoria Peak? If you’ve still got energy and want to escape the crowds, it’s absolutely worth the extra climb. Just be ready for a steep road and minimal shade. This would be a great addition to your experience if you caught the tram up, too.

Sky Terrace 428 & What to See at The Peak

The main attraction here is Sky Terrace 428, the viewing platform perched on top of Peak Tower. At 428 metres above sea level, it’s the highest viewing platform in Hong Kong and offers sweeping panoramic views over the city and harbour. The building itself is quite something too. It’s visible all the way from Tsim Sha Tsui and has this ultra-modern, slightly spaceship-like design that really stands out.

We weren’t certain we’d go up, especially with the threat of rain, but once we arrived, I knew I couldn’t miss it. We bought tickets on the spot, which worked well for us. There were a couple of pauses in ticket sales due to some light showers, so it’s worth factoring in a little flexibility if the weather’s looking unstable.

The terrace itself was busy, but not overwhelming. The views were seriously impressive. The dense stretch of skyscrapers wrapped around Victoria Harbour, with clouds shifting above, made it feel dramatic. It was very much the classic viewing platform vibe: people lining the railings, phones and cameras everywhere, but there were a few quieter pockets at either end of the platform. I must admit, I spent longer than I expected up here just looking out across the view. 

Afterwards, we wandered back through the Peak Tower complex. We passed The Peak Lookout Cafe, housed in a beautiful historic stone building, and walked by the Monopoly-themed attraction inside the tower. We skipped both of these in favour of heading off to our next stop. 

There’s definitely enough here to make a half-day of it if you’re not in a rush. Between the cafes, restaurants, Madame Tussauds, and shopping, the Peak area has plenty of activities beyond just the view.

Taking the Tram Down

After a full morning of walking, taking the Peak Tram was the perfect call. We bought tickets on the spot and were pleasantly surprised by how short the wait was, especially given how quickly the crowds were gathering at The Peak. 

We grabbed seats at the back of the tram, facing up the hill on the right-hand side for great views of the city. The ride is smooth, but quite steep. As you get close to the bottom, the incline sharpens noticeably, which feels strange. Like you might fall off the hill. The air-conditioning was also a welcome addition to the ride. 

As we pulled into the lower station, we could see the long lines snaking through rows of queue barriers. It was a perfect reminder of how glad we were to have walked early and avoided the main rush. At busy times like this, the Peak Tram Ruby Special (priority lane access) can be worth considering. It lets you skip most of the queue, which would have been very tempting later in the day.

If you’re weighing up how to get to Victoria Peak, walking up and taking the tram down was a really nice balance of effort and experience. You get the quiet, scenic route on the way up, and still enjoy the iconic tram ride on the way down.

Peak Tram Tip
Planning to take the tram both ways? Arrive early — especially on weekends or during holiday periods — as queues build quickly.

What We’d Do Differently Next Time

• Eat before you go
  There’s nowhere to stop for food once you start the walk. We assumed we’d “figure it out along the way” and absolutely did not. Lesson learned.
• Bring water (seriously)
  We were completely unprepared and brought none. In the heat and humidity, this was a bad move. We were sweating buckets and counting down the minutes until we reached the top. Bring more than you think you’ll need.
• Wear sunscreen
  While it was relatively shady in some areas, there were long lengths that were completely exposed. Including at The Peak itself.
• Still go early
  Even with the heat later on, starting early was the right call. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and a much calmer experience overall.
• Try the tram up on a second visit
  Walking up was rewarding, but next time I’d happily take the tram up and walk down or around instead. Experiencing it both ways makes sense, especially if you’re short on time or energy.
• Allow more time at the top
  Between the views, walking paths, and places to sit, it’s worth slowing down once you’re there rather than rushing off to the next stop.
• Eat another quiche
  Seriously, The Bakehouse was amazing. Try it!

Other ways to get to Victoria Peak

Peak Tram (up and down)	Best for: first time visitors wanting the classic experience. Why: Iconic, steep, fast and very ‘Hong Kong’ To know: Queues can be long, especially mid-morning and around sunset
Bus (Route 15 or X15)	Best for: budget conscious visitors or avoiding tram queues Why: cheap, frequent and surprisingly scenic To know: very winding road, so not ideal for motion sickness
Taxi	Best for: convenience, families with young children, limited mobility Why: door-to-door and no waiting To know: more expensive and dependent on traffic conditions
Walking (full or partial routes)	Best for: active travellers, walkers, nature lovers and anyone wanting fewer crowds Why: quiet, scenic, flexible To know: heat, humidity, wet conditions and fitness levels matter
Mixing options (our favourite!)	Walk up + tram down, or tram up + walk partway down Great for balancing effort, views, and crowd avoidance

If you’re travelling during busy periods or don’t want to risk long waits, you can book Peak Tram tickets in advance via Klook, including the Ruby Special with priority lane access.
Standard tickets start from HKD $82 one way, with the Ruby option costing more but saving significant queue time during peak hours. We didn’t do this, but we’ve regularly used ‘skip the line’ type passes for convenience and are always glad we did.

Is Walking to Victoria Peak Worth It?

For us, walking to Victoria Peak was absolutely worth it (despite my many complaints throughout the walk itself!). We loved seeing the city skyline from the different view points along the way, experiencing the little quirks in the path such as the curious little insects and mossy walkways. Spending time amongst the locals and not just the tourists is always a joy for us too.

However, there is of course not one ‘right’ way to do it. The tram is there for a reason, and it is famous for good reason too. I would have been just as happy to take the tram both ways (my husband, maybe not!)

If you enjoy walking and mixing a little nature into your city sightseeing, this is a really great way to reach The Peak. Consider your own travel style, and that of your travel group, particularly the little ones, to decide what experience is best for you.