Cape Collinson, also known as Hak Kok Tau, is a cape situated at the easternmost point of Hong Kong, lying between Siu Sai Wan and Big Wave Bay. This hike offers breathtaking views of the ocean and a glimpse of an important historical artifact from World War II – the Cape Collinson Battery. In this post, I will guide you on how to hike to Cape Collinson and Big Wave Bay via Pottinger Peak Trail.
Cape Collinson Summary
This hike begins at Siu Sai Wan Promenade and finishes at Big Wave Bay. It is an easy to intermediate hike that can be completed in two to three hours, covering an approximate distance of 5km. The hike consists mainly of stairs and some steep slopes. The path leading to Cape Collinson battery is partially paved and can be a bit slippery.
Best Time to Visit
Most of the hiking trail is exposed to the sun, providing little to no shade. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid this trail during the summer season. The best time to visit is from October to June as the weather is not too hot and it is not yet typhoon season. If possible, try visiting during weekdays to avoid overcrowding.
Important Things to Note Before Going to Cape Collinson
Please note that this hiking trail has quite a lot of stairs and a few slopes. Moreover, visiting the Cape Collinson Battery requires climbing over a fence.
Getting Here
We started the hike from Siu Sai Wan Promenade. Here are some public transportation options that you can take to go to Siu Sai Wan Promenade.
Option 1: Bus
- Take a bus to Siu Sai Wan Promenade (near Island Resort). Here is a list of buses that go to Island Resort
Option 2: MTR + Mini Bus
- Take the Island Line to Chai Wan MTR station (Exit C)
- From the bus terminus, take the minibus 47M to Siu Sai Wan Promenade
Leaping Dragon Walk
As soon as you arrive at the Island Resort bus terminus, take a leisurely stroll and take in the stunning view of the Siu Sai Wan Promenade. After a few minutes’ walk, you will come across a soccer field. Look out for the stairs situated near the soccer field – that’s where the Leaping Dragon Walk begins.
The Leaping Dragon Walk is a mostly flat road with occasional inclines. As you continue walking, you’ll eventually come across a blue staircase that leads you up to Cape Collinson Road.
As you make your way past a resting area, you’ll notice people climbing in and out of the fence (refer to image below). This is the path that leads down to the Cape Collinson Battery. If you’re hiking on a weekday with fewer crowds, keep an eye out for the fence on the left, which has a red ribbon tied on it and planks attached to it that act as a small ladder for people to climb in and out.
Tip: If you are unsure, use Google Maps. You can also see this path on Google Maps.
Be careful while making your way down, as the path is semi-paved and can be slippery due to tiny rocks. If you’re hiking with children, exercise caution. The rocky path leads you to another flight of stairs going down to the battery.
Cape Collinson Battery
Built by the British Army in 1938, the Cape Collinson Battery was destroyed in 1941 by the defenders stationed there, to prevent the invading Japanese Army from using it. In recent years, the battery remains have become one of the must-visit attractions on the Cape Collinson Hike.
Expect crowds of people on weekends and public holidays, so you may have to wait for your turn to take a picture of the battery. From the inside, it looks like a big TV screen with a stunning view of the ocean, making it a fantastic photo spot.
While waiting for your turn to take pictures, take the opportunity to explore the surroundings. Living in a city, it’s rare to see a panoramic view of the ocean.
Right behind the battery, you’ll find The Zawn, a cliff that’s one of the most popular rock climbing spots in Hong Kong. On some days, you’ll see people rock climbing here.
Because the weather was really good that day, we decided to hike to Big Wave Bay after exploring the battery. If you wish to end your hike after visiting the battery, you can retrace your steps back to Cape Collinson Road and hike back to Siu Sai Wan. Alternatively, you can take minibus 18M outside the Cape Collinson Correctional Institution that goes to Chai Wan MTR Station.
Read on to find out how to get to Big Wave Bay.
Pottinger Peak Country Trail to Big Wave Bay
The hike from the battery to Big Wave Bay is approximately 2.5 kilometers, taking about an hour to complete. To reach the Pottinger Peak Country Trail, retrace your steps back to the blue staircase of Cape Collinson Road.
The hike to Big Wave Bay is pretty straightforward as there are signs along the trail. The trail is mostly stairs with little to no shade. The ascending stairs leads to the Pottinger View Compass. Take a short break here to admire the breathtaking view, which includes the different outlying islands in Hong Kong and the Dragon’s Back.
The descent begins after you reach the Pottinger View Compass. The descent going to Big Wave Bay is my favorite part of the hike, as the view is simply stunning.
After climbing a long flight of stairs, we decided to take a break in one of the stores in Big Wave Bay and reward ourselves with some Hong Kong-style snacks like fishballs and siumai.
Going Back
You can take bus #9 or a minibus that goes to Shau Kei Wan station. The queue for the minibus starts at the parking sign. During the holidays, the queue for the minibus can be quite long, but the frequency of the minibus is short, so we only waited for 15 minutes.
Things to bring
To make your hiking experience more comfortable and enjoyable, remember to bring the following items:
- A bottle of water to stay hydrated
- A cap to protect against the sun
- A trekking pole to assist you when climbing the stairs
- Sunscreen to protect your skin against the sun
- Some snacks to replenish your energy during the hike
Other hiking trails in Hong Kong
One of the great things about Hong Kong is the accessibility of nearby hiking trails. If you enjoyed this hike, you may want to explore some of these other options:
- Selected by CNN as one of the world’s best hiking trail – Dragon’s Back
- A scenic Hike with a view of Ocean Park – Brick Hill
- Eastern District Nature Trail – Tai Tam Reservoir
- One of the easiest hike with stunning views – Cape D’ Aguilar
- Looking for a Challenging Hike? – Violet Hill and Twins Peak