When you visit Lamma Island, hike the Lamma Island Family Walk, which connects the two biggest villages on the island. The journey starts from Sok Kwu Wan, a small fishing village and ends at Yung Shue Wan, the largest village on the island. In between, you will see beautiful scenic spots and panoramic views on both sides of Lamma Island.
So if you decide to take a day trip to Lamma Island, you can spend a day on Hong Kong’s third-largest outlying island which is known for its laidback hippie vibe, gorgeous beaches, and delicious seafood. Keep reading and I’ll show you everything you need to know about this Lamma Island hike.
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Essential Info: Lamma Island Family Hike
Before you start your Lamma Island hike, take a look at my solo travel guide to Hong Kong and get an overview of the city. Here are some additional travel tips:
- The best times to hike the Lamma Island Family Trail are late autumn, winter, and early spring. The trail is exposed the entire way, so I would not recommend hiking during summer.
- The Lamma Island Family Trail is suitable for all ages. I saw many older aunties and uncles on the trail and they don’t seem to have any problems with the incline and overall path.
- Wear light hiking shoes or sneakers for the easy hiking trail. Bring beach gear if you want to visit the beach.
- Get an Octopus Card, a rechargeable smart card for taking public transportation to and from Lamma Island.
- All the hotels are located at Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Yung Shue Wan. Check Agoda or Booking if you want to stay overnight.
- There are other things to do on Lamma Island besides hiking the family trail. These activities include:
- From Sok Kwu Wan, hike the Ling Kok Shan Circular Hiking Trail around the southeastern peninsula of Lamma Island. The hike includes visiting Balcony Rock and crossing through Yung Shue Ha and Ma Tat Old Village.
How to get to Lamma Island
The most common way to get to Lamma Island is by taking the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings Limited (HKKF) ferry at Central Ferry Pier No. 4. You have the option to take a ferry to either Sok Kwu Wan Pier (located on the southeast part of the island) or Yung Shue Wan Pier (located on the northwestern part).
The ferry ride takes between 20 to 45 minutes depending on which ferry port you will go to. And the ferry costs between $22.1-$38.7HKD depending on which pier you go to and which day.
I have an entire post with detail info on all the options for going to Lamma Island. It’s worth checking out so you can see what options there are.
Lamma Island Family Trail Overview
The paved trail between Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan is called the Lamma Island Family Trail. It crosses the island’s central area where you can see the best views on both sides of the island and many attractions and beaches along the way.
The best way to start the Lamma hike is to take the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan Pier and start in Sok Kwu Wan. The trail will take you to Yung Shue Wan, where you can take a ferry back to Hong Kong Island.
Here are more details about the Lamma Island Family Trail:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 60+ minutes
- Distance: 4.8km
- What to bring: comfortable walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella), camera, water, snacks
Lamma Island Family Trail Hiking Itinerary
1. Arrive at Sok Kwu Wan
Sok Kwu Wan is a small fishing town (smaller than Yung Shue Wan) on the east coast of Lamma Island. There are several seafood restaurants with simple dining tables and chairs overlooking the water. There are a few local shops selling dried seafood if you want to buy souvenirs. And if you didn’t bring any water, there is an opportunity to buy some at the local shops.
Once you arrive at the pier, you can wander around the small village to see these restaurants and shops. There are other parts of Lamma Island you can explore from Sok Kwu Wan. But for this hiking itinerary, follow the signs and walk north (through the corridor of restaurants) and start hiking the island family trail.
2. Visit Tin Hau Temple
After you walk by all the waterfront seafood restaurants, you will see Tin Hau Temple in front of the mudflats. The 150-year-old temple is one of the hundreds of Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong. These temples are all dedicated to Tin Hau, a Chinese sea goddess. She is worshipped throughout Hong Kong and in China’s coastal towns and cities.
3. Follow the signs for the Lamma Island Hike
The Lamma Island Family Walk and is really easy. The well-maintained trail connects the two largest villages on the island and crosses through several scenic spots.
All you have to do is follow the signs at the beginning of the trail (to Yung Shue Wan), follow the paved path, and enjoy the Sok Kwu Wan hike to Yung Shue Wan.
4. See inside Kamikaze Grottos
Soon after you will see Kamikaze Grottos on the left. During WWII, thousands of Japanese soldiers were stationed at Lo So Shing (village) as a naval port. The plan was to hide speedboats in the grottos. But the war ended before they could launch this plan.
You can peek in and see what’s left of these grottos. I didn’t go in nearly enough to see anything interesting. But perhaps you will? Leave a comment below if you do!
5. Check out the Lo So Shing Sitting-Out Area
On the east side of Lo So Shing village, there is a new sitting area built at the coast. I hiked this trail a few years ago and didn’t see this area so it is fairly new.
There are a few tables and chairs at the edge. But what is most impressive is the view. You’re right by the water and at sea level. Not a place to rest.
6. See the view from Sok Kwu Wan Lookout Pavilion
Get back on the family trail and continue to hike up the path. The hill is a bit steep and is not difficult at all.
Soon, you will see Sok Kwu Wan Lookout Pavilion. It has a traditional pagoda and a gorgeous Sok Kwu Wan inlet view. Walk down the flight of stairs and take in the view from the pagoda. It is an excellent spot to rest (if needed) and get a bit of shade from the scorching sun.
7. See the west side of Lamma Island
When you get back on the family trail, you will see a sign on the left that says “Pavilion” – don’t go in there. There’s not much to see.
When the path splits, keep left on the trail and follow the cobbled stone trail on the left and not walk up the hill on the right.
At the highest point of Lamma Island Family Trail, you can see a panoramic view of Lamma Island’s west side. The view includes blue seawater and greenery. Oh, and the view includes Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lamma Power Station. The tall chimneys in the background are not the prettiest, though.
8. Explore Lamma Island Lookout Pavilion
The second half of the trail is much easier – the entire path is either downhill or flat. And soon, there is a lookout pavilion on the left.
From the pavilion, you can see views on the west side. But you can walk beyond the railing and explore the further and get closer to the views.
I followed the unpaved path and saw a bit more of the south coast of Lamma Island. And when I walked north, I was able to see a better view of Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lamma Power Station Beach and Lamma Power Station. It’s not dangerous to get off the paved path, but just make sure you’re wearing sturdy hiking shoes for hiking the dirt path.
9. Hung Shing Yeh Beach
After maybe five minutes or so, you will approach Hung Shing Yeh Beach. This is the perfect beach for spending a few hours sunbathing and swimming. And there are bathroom facilities if you need.
At the south end of the beach, there are public barbecue pits. It is completely free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis.
And if you’re a day tripper and didn’t bring any food or equipment, there are a few cafes and restaurants at the north end of the beach.
10. Take a short detour to Lamma Power Station Beach
It is possible to detour and visit another beach. Continue the path from Hung Shing Yeh Beach, then turn left and follow the road to Lamma Power Station Beach.
It is a very short detour but you get to see another beach. It is smaller and closer to the chimneys but is much quieter. I saw people hanging out on the beach and it looked like they went swimming or did stand-up paddleboarding.
11. Try a local food specialty: Tofu Dessert
From the main road parallel to Lamma Power Station Beach, there is a small perpendicular road that will lead you back to the Lamma Island Family Walk.
Walk up this pedestrian path and soon you will see two places serve a traditional Chinese dessert: Tofu Fa. Tofu Fa is a silky tofu pudding with light gingery syrup.
I tried the tofu dessert on the shop on the left, which is called Tofu Garden (Ah For Tofu Fa). It was really good! It brought back many of my childhood memories of growing up near Kowloon City.
12. See small villages of Lamma Island
As you continue on the Lamma Island Family Trail, you will come across many small villages. Each has little rustic houses, with local shops selling soft drinks and snacks, and some even have shops selling handmade gifts, etc.
There is a bike rental in one of the small villages before approaching Yung Shue Wan. The sign was hidden behind all the retro and vintage knick-knacks.
But the bike option is better suited for another day trip where you start in Yung Shue Wan and can bike around the different villages on the north end of Lamma Island. And I guess it is possible to bike part of Lamma Island Family Trail, but the trail may be a bit steep closer to Sok Kwu Wan.
13. Arrive at Yung Shue Wan
Finally, the Lamma Island family trail will lead you directly to Yung Shue Wan, the largest village on Lamma Island.
Most retail stores and F&Bs are concentrated in Yung Shue Wan. And the village is super popular with expatriates because of the laidback hippie vibe of Lamma Island. This is precisely why you can find many excellent Western cafes and restaurants. If you are starving after your hike, finding a good restaurant in Yung Shue Wan is easy peasy!
Besides restaurants, there are a few shops and another Tin Hau Temple in Yung Shue Wan. This one is smaller than the one in Sok Kwu Wan, but the entrance facade is beautifully decorated.
14. Enjoy sunset at Yung Shue Wan Pier
It is possible to enjoy a beautiful sunset at Yung Shue Wan at the end of the day hike; it is one of the best spots to watch the sunset in HK. There are plenty of seafront restaurants, or you can walk out to the pier and sit on the edge.
During my last trip to Lamma Island, I had cocktails and food at Terracotta Lamma, a newish restaurant in Lamma serving Mediterranean food. The view was absolute perfection!
15. Take the ferry from Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier to Central
After a full day of hiking, roaming around villages, and spending time at the beach, it is time to return to Hong Kong Island.
The best part about this itinerary is that you can start from one part of the island and finish in another part. You don’t have to double back where you started to catch the ferry.
At Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier, catch the next ferry back to Central Pier No. 4. Like the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan, use your Octopus Card to pay at the turnstile gate. Make sure you go through the gate on the right (the left turnstile gate is for ferries to Aberdeen).
Hiking the Lamma Island Family Trail in Reverse
It is possible to hike the Lamma Island Family Trail in reverse. That means starting the trek from Yung Shue Wan and end in Sok Kwu Wan.
I saw many people walking in the opposite direction and made me think maybe this route is great too. You can start with lunch in Yung Shue Wan (as there are more restaurants suitable for solo hikers) and then walk towards Sok Kwu Wan and work off the food.
It is only a matter of preference, ferry routes and schedules, etc. So anything is possible.
Lamma Island Hike Conclusion
Lamma Island is full of nature, good vibes and excellent food. It is the perfect getaway from the noise in the city. And if you love hiking, the Lamma Island Family Trail is scenic trail and one of the best easy hikes in Hong Kong.
My route starts from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island. But you can also start your day from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan. I prefer to end the day in Yung Shue Wan because there more ferries are returning to Hong Kong and more food options.
Let me know in the comments how you are spending the day on Lamma Island.
Ready to plan your trip to Hong Kong? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner
* Book accommodation: find the best Hong Kong accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance, collect it upon arrival, and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours in Hong Kong.
Thank you for reading my Lamma Island hiking guide
For more HK travel inspiration, check out my Hong Kong page for more posts on solo travel in Hong Kong and check out these posts:
Hong Kong posts
- Hong Kong solo travel guide: everything you need to know
- 6 boutique hotels: where to stay in HK for solo travellers
- Best places to watch sunset in Hong Kong
- HK off the beaten path: 11 hidden gems
- Short and easy hikes in Hong Kong
- Macau itinerary: things to do for Solo traveller
- My honest review of HK Express, HK budget airline
Islands District Hikes
- How to get to Lamma Island
- Cheung Chau Island: 1-day itinerary around Cheung Chau
- Peng Chau: 1-day itinerary
- Tung O Ancient Trail: hike the coastal trail in Lantau North Country Park
- Lo Yan Shan Hike: hike Chi Ma Wan Country Trail in southern Lantau Island
- Fan Lau Hike: explore the southwest tip of Lantau Island
- Po Toi Island: see Hong Kong’s South Pole
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Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!
