Hong Kong doesn't look like a cycling city — until you get out of the concrete and into the New Territories, where an entire network of waterside tracks unspools past rivers, harbours and country parks. The best cycling routes in Hong Kong are flatter, greener and far more relaxing than the skyline suggests, and most start a short MTR ride from Kowloon.
Here are five rides worth planning a day around in 2026, from the classic 22km riverside run to car-free island loops. Every distance and access point below was checked against the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the official cycle-track network in July 2026. Bring water, and in the summer heat, ride early.
In This Guide
Where cycling actually works in Hong Kong
A quick reality check: you don't cycle on Hong Kong Island or in dense Kowloon. There are no protected lanes and the traffic is brutal. The real riding is in the New Territories, where a purpose-built cycle-track network runs almost unbroken along the waterfronts, and on the outlying islands, where cars are banned or scarce.
The backbone is the New Territories Cycle Track Network, a connected system of dedicated paths with rest stops, toilets, refreshment kiosks and bike-hire hubs along the way. It makes for genuinely family-friendly riding — flat, signposted and separated from cars for long stretches. If you'd rather be on foot, our guide to the best hikes in Hong Kong covers the trails instead.
Sha Tin to Tai Mei Tuk — the classic
If you ride one route, ride this one. The Sha Tin (沙田) to Tai Mei Tuk (大尾篤) track is Hong Kong's most popular for good reason: roughly 22km of mostly flat, well-surfaced path that takes about 2.5 hours at a gentle pace. It opens along the Shing Mun River, then swings onto the coast of Tolo Harbour, passing Science Park and Tai Po before finishing at the reservoir village of Tai Mei Tuk.
Once you arrive, keep going: it's a scenic 2km more out to the Plover Cove Dam, a long, breezy causeway between reservoir and sea. Start at Tai Wai MTR, hire a bike near the station and drop it at the other end.
Tuen Mun to Ma On Shan — the full 60km
For riders who want the epic, the whole New Territories Cycle Track Network now runs roughly 60km from Tuen Mun (屯門) in the west to Ma On Shan (馬鞍山) in the east, fully connected since 2020. It threads through Yuen Long, Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tai Po and Sha Tin, so you're never far from a station or a snack stop.
Done end to end it's a 6-hour-plus day, but the beauty is you don't have to. The network is built in sections with entry and exit hubs, so you can bite off a stretch, then hop on the MTR home. It's the best of both worlds: a proper challenge that never strands you.
Tolo Harbour — short and scenic
Short on time or new to the saddle? Ride just the prettiest part. The stretch between Science Park and Tai Po hugs the Pak Shek Kok Promenade along Tolo Harbour (吐露港), with wide-open water, the peak of Ma On Shan across the bay and plenty of benches for a breather. It's flat, forgiving and only around 7km, making it ideal for families and first-timers.
Start near Science Park — University MTR on the East Rail line is the handiest jumping-off point — and simply turn around whenever you've had enough. For more low-key outdoor ideas, our round-up of the best outdoor activities in Hong Kong has plenty to pair it with.
Cheung Chau — car-free cruising
On Cheung Chau (長洲) there are no cars at all, which makes the little dumbbell-shaped island a joy on two wheels. Rent a single bike or a family cart from the stalls right by the ferry pier and potter along the harbourfront, out to the beaches and quiet coves, stopping for the island's famous fishballs and giant mango mochi.
It's gentle, short and genuinely fun for kids — a ride you can wrap into a whole day out. Pair it with our Cheung Chau day-trip guide for the ferries, beaches and where to eat.
South Lantau — coastal calm
For something quieter and wilder, head to South Lantau. From the ferry town of Mui Wo (梅窩), a coastal route unfurls along the island's green southern shore, past beaches at Pui O and buffalo grazing in the wetlands. Keen cyclists gather at the well-known Friendly Bike Shop in Mui Wo, which rents good-quality bikes.
It's more remote than the New Territories tracks, so plan your water and daylight — but the payoff is some of the most beautiful, least crowded riding in Hong Kong.
Where can I rent a bike?
You rarely need your own bike. Rental shops cluster at the obvious points — Tai Wai, Sha Tin Park, Tai Po Waterfront Park and Tai Mei Tuk on the New Territories tracks, and by the piers on Cheung Chau and in Mui Wo. Many mainland-track shops let you pick up at one branch and drop off at another, which is perfect for a one-way ride.
Costs are modest — typically a few tens of dollars for a couple of hours, more for a full day and for better bikes or family carts. Bring cash, a photo of your ID, and get there early at weekends when the popular shops sell out. Round the outing off with a swim: several of our best Hong Kong beaches sit right on these routes.
Best cycling routes in Hong Kong at a glance
Where to ride in Hong Kong (checked July 2026)
| Route | Distance | Difficulty | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sha Tin to Tai Mei Tuk | ~22km | Easy | Tai Wai MTR |
| Tuen Mun to Ma On Shan (full network) | ~60km | Moderate | Tuen Mun MTR (west) |
| Tolo Harbour (Science Park–Tai Po) | ~7km | Easy | University MTR |
| Cheung Chau | Short loops | Easy | Ferry, Central Pier 5 |
| South Lantau (Mui Wo) | Flexible | Easy–moderate | Ferry, Central Pier 6 |
Conditions and shop hours change, so check before you set off. The Hong Kong Tourism Board's cycling routes guide and the official New Territories Cycle Track Network site both map the routes in detail. Keen runners can swap wheels for trainers with our best running routes in Hong Kong.