View of Mount Nicholson from Mount Cameron
View of Mount Nicholson from Mount Cameron

Mount Cameron Hike: A Hidden, Rugged Trail With 360-degree Views Over Hong Kong Island

By 
Kamal Mirwani
Published 
July 05, 2025
Type: Mountain Views
Type: City Views
Difficulty: Hard
District: Hong Kong Island

Contents

Essential Mount Nicholson Hike Details

  • District: Hong Kong Island
  • Duration: 2.5 hours round trip
  • Distance: Just under 8 km round trip
  • Highest Elevation: 439 meters
  • Difficulty: 3.5/5
  • Facilities: There’s a public toilet at Wan Chai Gap Park about half way up

Why Hike Mount Cameron?

The hike starts right in the heart of Wan Chai
The hike starts right in the heart of Wan Chai
It's shaded almost the entire way
It's shaded almost the entire way
Gets rather rugged
Gets rather rugged
It's empty at the top
And is often empty at the top
Your effort will be rewarded with genuinely epic views!
Your effort will be rewarded with genuinely epic views!
Including panoramas over Victoria Harbour and some of the city's most iconic buildings
Including panoramas over Victoria Harbour and some of the city's most iconic buildings
There's also a full view of Lamma Island and the South China Sea
There's also a full view of Lamma Island and the South China Sea

Mount Cameron (金馬倫山) is a there-and-back hike that is named after Major General William Gordon Cameron, a British Army officer who briefly served as Hong Kong's Administrator from April to October 1887.

The hike starts right from Wan Chai MTR, making it super accessible from anywhere in the city. The first portion of the hike goes up the Wan Chai Green Trail, which is basically a concrete road. You'll then connect to Black's Link before going off the beaten path.

Expect to bushwhack to get to the summit. You'll really be in the thick of nature during the final portion of climbing, so if you prefer well-manicured and safe paths, this won't be the hike for you.

One good thing is that this is a relatively unknown trail on Hong Kong Island, meaning that you're unlikely to encounter too many people at the summit. I climbed Mount Cameron for the first time on a Saturday, and there was not a soul in sight. Glorious!

The second good thing about this hike is that it affords some of the most unique and spectacular views of all sides of Hong Kong Island. You get the skyscrapers on one side, Ocean Park and Aberdeen on the other side, and even views down to Lamma Island and out to Stanley!

DO NOT do the wild route in rainy weather or just after rainy weather

*You can pair this hike with Mount Nicholson since they start from almost the same area

Mount Nicholson
How to hike Mount Nicholson
Mount Nicholson Hike: A Steep Climb and a Secluded, Secret Rocky Viewpoint Over the Ocean

Google Route Map and GPX

Mount Cameron Route Map GPX

*Click the box icon in the top right of the map below to load the blue route directly into your own Google Maps. You can then see your location relative to the trail in real time!

How to Get to the Mount Cameron Hike Start Point

Take the MTR to Wan Chai MTR Station and leave through Exit A3. The hike guide begins from right outside the station, no additional transport required.

Quick Route Summary

Mount Cameron hike
  1. Take the MTR to Wan Chai Station and leave through Exit A3
  2. Cross the street and walk through the stalls of Tai Yuen Street
  3. When you arrive at Queen’s Road East, look for Wan Chai Gap Road
  4. You will have to cross Kennedy Road and continue up a set of stairs on the opposite side
  5. Keep heading up Wan Chai Gap Road until you arrive at Stubbs Road
  6. Take the Black’s Link Turn and follow Black’s Link until you arrive at a brown pavilion
  7. Take the stairs behind the pavilion. They're marked by a slope maintenance sign
  8. Cut left toward the rough trail at the end of the stairs
  9. Follow the trail as it meanders up Mount Cameron
  10. About 20 minutes later, take the fork in the path that continues straight (ignore the right turn)
  11. A few minutes later, you'll see a sharp left turn in the trail. Follow that path up to the summit of Mount Cameron
  12. The summit is marked by a black and white trigonometrical station
  13. Retrace your steps back down to Wan Chai Station

Wan Chai Station to Wan Chai Gap Road

Take Exit A3 from Wan Chai MTR Station
Take Exit A3 from Wan Chai MTR Station
Cross to the other side of Johnston Road
Cross to the other side of Johnston Road
To the right of the crossing, walk up Tai Yuen Street (which was lit up like a side quest from a video game)
To the right of the crossing, walk up Tai Yuen Street (which was lit up like a side quest from a video game)
Keep heading down Tai Yuen Street. Try not to get distracted too much by the clothes and toy shops!
Keep heading down Tai Yuen Street. Try not to get distracted too much by the clothes and toy shops!
Cross once you arrive at the end of Tai Yuen Street
Cross once you arrive at the end of Tai Yuen Street
Wan Chai Gap Road (the next portion of the hike) is between the orange and white buildings
Wan Chai Gap Road (the next portion of the hike) is between the orange and white buildings

Once you've left Wan Chai MTR Station through Exit A3, cross Johnston Road and look for Tai Yuen Street.

This colorful little gem of a location is filled with toy shops, clothes shops, accessories, and plenty of other curious little bits and bobs.

Keep heading straight until you arrive at Queen's Road East. Cross it and look for the winding lane between the brown and fancy white building.

The uphill begins from here!

Wan Chai Gap Road and Wan Chai Green Trail

Begin climbing up Wan Chai Gap Road
Begin climbing up Wan Chai Gap Road
To continue, you'll need to cross the road and reach the stairs opposite. There's a pedestrian crossing to the right.
To continue, you'll need to cross the road and reach the stairs opposite. There's a pedestrian crossing to the right.
Once you've crossed, climb up the stairs
Once you've crossed, climb up the stairs
A sign will let you know that you're still on Wan Chai Gap Road and are going the correct way
A sign will let you know that you're still on Wan Chai Gap Road and are going the correct way
The climb gets significantly steeper from here
The climb gets significantly steeper from here
This part of Wan Chai Gap Road encompasses the Wan Chai Green Trail, as well
This part of Wan Chai Gap Road encompasses the Wan Chai Green Trail, as well
It's called the Green Trail for a reason
It's called the Green Trail for a reason
When you arrive at Bowen Road, keep going straight up. There's a toilet here on the left if you need it
When you arrive at Bowen Road, keep going straight up. There's a toilet here on the left if you need it
If uncertain where to go, look for the metal Wan Chai Green Trail Sign
If uncertain where to go, look for the metal Wan Chai Green Trail Sign
It's gonna get REALLY steep from here
It's gonna get REALLY steep from here
Fortunately, you'll begin encountering your first city views
Fortunately, you'll begin encountering your first city views to help battle the cardio burn
After this bend in the road, it's probably the steepest part of the Green Trail next. Good luck!
After this bend in the road, it's probably the steepest part of the Green Trail next. Good luck!
When you arrive at Stubbs Road, it's time for the next portion of the hike
When you arrive at Stubbs Road, it's time for the next portion of the hike

It took me about 20 minutes at a good clip to reach Stubbs Road. If you plan on taking your time and enjoying the view (or taking breaks to combat the steepness of the climb), budget a little extra time.

Aside from having to navigate a crossing, you'll be following the trail forward the entire time. The entire section is marked as Wan Chai Gap Road on Google Maps, so if you're uncertain, you can double check.

Follow Black's Link to the Rest Stop Pavilion

When you arrive at Stubbs Road, look for the Black's Link Sign to your left
At Stubbs Road, look for the Black's Link Sign to your left
Here's a clearer picture of the sign
Here's a clearer picture of the sign
Compared to how busy Stubbs Road is, things will begin to quiet down now
Compared to how busy Stubbs Road is, the vibe becomes much more tranquil
It was a remarkably crisp day and once the views arrived, I could see all the way across the harbor to Suicide Cliff!
It was a remarkably crisp day and once the views arrived, I could see all the way across the harbor to Suicide Cliff!
Suicide Cliff
How to hike Suicide Cliff
Kowloon Peak and Suicide Cliff: A Tough Hike with Epic Sunset City Views
As the trail opens up, you'll find more epic views!
As the trail opens up, you'll find more epic views!
Like this!
Like this!
And this! That's Mount Nicholson at the very top. If you zoom in, you'll be able to see the white tower at the summit
And this! That's Mount Nicholson at the very top. If you zoom in, you'll be able to see the white tower at the summit
Keep your eyes peeled for this little pavilion rest stop along Black's Link
Keep your eyes peeled for this little pavilion rest stop along Black's Link
If you're uncertain, follow the brown sign to Aberdeen Reservoir beside the rest stop. You will see the green sign and stairs along that path
If you're uncertain, follow the brown sign to Aberdeen Reservoir beside the rest stop. You will see the green sign and stairs along that path
This is the Aberdeen Reservoir sign
This is the Aberdeen Reservoir sign
And these are the stairs located just behind the rest stop pavilion
And these are the stairs located just behind the rest stop pavilion

You'll be following Black's Link, which is mostly flat, for 20ish minutes.

When you come across the brown rest stop pavilion, look for the stairs and slope maintenance sign just behind it.

If you're struggling to find the stairs, just follow the Aberdeen Reservoir sign by the pavilion, and the stairs will be on the path the sign points to.

The Rugged Route to the Summit

The climb to the summit begins behind this sign
The climb to the summit begins behind this sign
Follow the concrete stairs up
Follow the concrete stairs up
You'll want to turn left into the trees near the top of the stairs
You'll want to turn left into the trees near the top of the stairs
The entrance to the trail is marked by ribbons and has some mesh covering the ground
The entrance to the trail is marked by ribbons and has some mesh covering the ground
From hereon out, the trail will get quite rough
From hereon out, the trail will get quite rough
Fortunately, there are wonderful views as you climb
Fortunately, there are wonderful views as you climb
Despite the overgrown nature of the trail, it'll always be obvious where you need to go
Despite the overgrown nature of the trail, it'll always be obvious where you need to go
If you're not a fan of getting up close and personal with nature, you might not enjoy this part of the hike
If you're not a fan of getting up close and personal with nature, you might not enjoy this part of the hike
Go past these protruding pipes
Go past these protruding pipes
And just by these protruding rocks is a really cool viewpoint
And just by these protruding rocks is a really cool viewpoint
That's mount Nicholson on the left and Brick Hill where Ocean Park is
That's mount Nicholson on the left and Brick Hill where Ocean Park is
Return to the trail after savoring the view
Return to the trail after savoring the view
A short while later, you'll find this magnificent rocky outcropping
A short while later, you'll find this magnificent rocky outcropping
Happy Valley Racecourse down below with Mount Nicholson to the right
Happy Valley Racecourse down below with Mount Nicholson to the right
Another view of Ocean Park
Another view of Ocean Park that's similar to the one from earlier
You will also get a good view toward the summit of Mount Cameron from the outcropping
You will also get a good view toward the summit of Mount Cameron from the outcropping
Back into the wilderness we go
Back into the wilderness we go
More pipes along the trail
More pipes along the trail
Upon entering the forested muddy section, you'll need to pay attention for a fork in the trail
Upon entering the forested muddy section, you'll need to pay attention for a fork in the trail
You want to take the path going forward (marked by a yellow ribbon)
You want to take the path going forward (marked by a yellow ribbon)
Here's what the fork looks like. DO NOT GO RIGHT
Here's what the fork looks like. DO NOT GO RIGHT
A few meters later (where the blue and orange ribbons are) follow the trail left
A few meters later (where the blue and orange ribbons are) follow the trail left
It's straight up to the summit from here
It's straight up to the summit from here
The summit will be marked by a black and white trigonometrical station
The summit will be marked by a black and white trigonometrical station

The climb to the summit from the start of the stairs takes about 25-30 minutes. This section is quite technical, and caution is required.

Given how narrow, slippery, and muddy much of the trail was even on a dry summer day, I highly advise against doing this hike during or just after a rainy day.

It's also very important to take the fork in the path going forward (marked by a yellow ribbon) and then to turn left just a few meters after.

Mount Cameron Summit Views

The view of Mount Nicholson from the summit was probably my favorite view of the whole hike
The view of Mount Nicholson from the summit was probably my favorite view of the whole hike
That's not to say that looking out all the way to Kowloon over Victoria Harbour wasn't incredible!
That's not to say that looking out all the way to Kowloon over Victoria Harbour wasn't incredible!
I also thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful vantage over Lamma Island
I also thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful vantage over Lamma Island
You can see Hong Kong's two tallest buildings, the IFC and ICC battling it out for dominance from opposite sides of Victoria Harbour
You can see Hong Kong's two tallest buildings, the IFC and ICC battling it out for dominance from opposite sides of Victoria Harbour
If you find this hike too easy, the route up Mount Nicholson is just a few minutes away down Black's Link
If you find this hike too easy, the route up Mount Nicholson is just a few minutes away down Black's Link

The 360-degree panorama over all parts of Hong Kong Island from the top of Mount Cameron is genuinely breathtaking.

Since not many people know about this hike, there is a high probability that you won't have drones, Bluetooth speakers, or influencers ruining your peace and quiet.

I spent a good 15 minutes just marveling at the view before heading back down.

*Retrace your steps back down the same path. The other path from the summit is so overgrown that it's just not worth going along that path.

Getting Back

Retrace your steps down the same path back to Black's Link and then to Wan Chai. From there, you can take the train or a bus to your desired destination.

You can also link over to the start point of Mount Nicholson from just a short distance away from the rest pavilion at Black's Link.