Hong Kong’s Wild Side
Ben and Robin Lee, the brothers behind the ultramarathon documentary ‘Four Trails’, share what makes Hong Kong the ultimate nature playground.
Every winter, a few dozen trail runners from around the world gather in Tuen Mun to begin their ascent towards Tai Mo Shan, the tallest peak in Hong Kong, for a grueling 185-mile (298 km) journey. Traversing 48,000 feet (14,500 m) of elevation, runners focus their efforts on either ‘surviving’—the name given to completing the ultramarathon in 72 hours—or ‘finishing’—completing the race in just 60 hours. The reward for the multi-day trek? A kiss on a green mail post at Lantau Island’s ferry pier. Beginning in 2012, the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge takes runners across every corner of the city, showcasing one of the city’s hidden gems—its abundant nature.
Almost 40% of Hong Kong’s land area consists of government-managed country parks. From surfing in hidden coves and hiking through rugged terrain to biking below densely packed buildings, Hong Kong hosts a remarkable array of outdoor activities. The city’s blend of urban living and bucolic nature make it a cherished destination by visitors and locals alike, including documentary filmmaker siblings Ben and Robin Lee.
Why They Run
Growing up in Hong Kong, Ben and Robin came to appreciate the beauty of the city after Ben took up trail running. Upon developing a deep love for the sport and its community, producer and event director Ben was able to entice his brother, an adventure sports director and videographer, to join him on a run to capture Hong Kong’s ultramarathon running community. The duo released their first documentary ‘Breaking 60’ in 2017, which chronicles the obstacles participants face as they traverse the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge and attempt to finish the race in under 60 hours.
Their follow-up film ‘Four Trails’—which screened at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2023—delves even further into the physically and mentally demanding ultramarathon. The documentary follows the roller-coaster journeys of several runners including Law Kai Pong, whose story sticks out in Robin’s memory. “One of the most shocking stories was that of Law. He is a very fast runner who attempted to break 50 hours,” says Robin. Just ten days before the race, Law slipped and injured his leg during a training session. Driven by his commitment to the race and despite his injury, remarkably Law arrived at the starting line in Tuen Mun.
“We thought he was going to be able to run 12 miles (20 km), then he would have to stop. But he ended up finishing the entire race and having the most incredible story. I think that’s why we are so attracted to the event, because of the people it brings together,” says Robin.
While the brothers enjoy documenting the impressive feats of ultramarathon runners, they prefer to enjoy Hong Kong’s nature as hobbyists. Ben’s love for running began when he joined Oxfam Trailwalker—a fundraising sports event—in 2013. “Hong Kong is known internationally for its fantastic food and nightlife scenes, but we have a lot of fantastic outdoor areas.” Ben recalls one run from the northern district of Tai Po through to the mountain range Pat Sin Leng. Upon the clouds parting, a breathtaking panoramic view was revealed.
“It felt like I was up in Scotland at the time. It left a lasting impression. I never knew there was such an amazing cliff line in
Diverse Trails, Endless Adventure
“Like everything else in Hong Kong, its hills and mountain trails are compact and diverse. Hong Kong’s accessibility to all sorts of trails is probably second to none,” says Ben. “We have very technical trails but there are a lot of natural walking trails too.”
For beginners—whether hiking or running—the Dragon’s Back in the southern district of Shek O is a great place to start. The trail features a mix of stairs and leveled natural paths offering stunning views of Shek O Village and the South China Sea below, before conveniently ending at a bus stop that takes hikers to Shek O Village for a well-deserved meal at one of the local restaurants.
For intermediate hikers and trail runners, Sai Kung East Country Park offers a network of trails with varying levels of difficulty and scenic coastline vistas at every turn. Before heading into the park, active locals book a speed boat ticket at Sai Kung Public Pier, enabling them to explore the popular islets in the area and enjoy a boat ride back to Sai Kung village.
For those looking for a challenge, Sunset Peak on Lantau Island boasts one of the most stunning views over Hong Kong—if you don’t mind the steep climbs and rocky paths. “At Sunset Peak, you can see Hong Kong in 360 panoramas,” says Robin, who spent a lot of time as the director of ‘Four Trails’ climbing and scouting for the best angles to film on these wild trails. “If you go anywhere else in the world, you see just a part of the country. If you go up Sunset Peak, the whole of Hong Kong is right in front of you.”
Image courtesy of Robin Lee
Image courtesy of Robin Lee
A Jungle of Adventures
More than just hikes and trail running, Hong Kong’s diverse landscape offers a wealth of activities for all types of adventure seekers. “If I go on a skiing or mountain biking holiday, there’s probably just one activity I could do during that time. But if you come to Hong Kong, you could do mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, running, paragliding, and more in one week,” says Robin.
On weekends, the picturesque beaches dotted around the city come alive with people out enjoying water sports. Stand-up paddle boarding, a favored activity for Robin, is popular along Stanley Beach on the south side of Hong Kong Island. Boards and kayaks can easily be rented on the here, allowing anyone to enjoy the rocky beaches along the coastline. During the winter months, Shek O’s Tai Long Wan, which means ‘Big Wave Bay’ in English, buzzes with surfers in the early morning hours. Meanwhile, another beach with the same name—Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung—becomes the preferred destination during the warmer summer months.
Affordable rental shops and excellently maintained cycle paths make Hong Kong perfect for a day out bike riding. The beloved five-mile (eight km) bike path between Tai Po to Tai Mei Tuk on the north-eastern side of Hong Kong offers a leisurely ride to the Plover Cove Reservoir, home to a selection of barbecue restaurants. Starting the ride in Sha Tin or Tai Wai before heading to Tai Po is a good option for cyclists looking for something a little more challenging.
Hong Kong is famed for its vibrant culture, an urban playground offering visitors the best food, the best shopping, and everything in between. Its natural escapes, however, remain somewhat hidden. But with so many accessible trails and activities at your fingertips, it’s no surprise Ben and Robin believe you can do it all in Hong Kong.
