Hong Kong is getting hot again! Temperatures from May to August often exceed 30 °C. Data from the Hong Kong Observatory’s “The Year’s Weather 2025” report revealed 53 very hot days (with a daily maximum temperature of 33.0 °C or above) and 4 days of extreme heat (with a daily maximum temperature of 35.0 °C or above). Hiking in this heat significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses. If you plan to hit the trails during the hot weather, please keep the following safety tips in mind before setting off.
Planning and preparation:
- Pick the right route:
- Choose a shady trail with outdoor water refill stations according to your physical condition and hiking experience
- Beginners or those with limited hiking experience should choose shorter routes with gentle terrain.
- Plan your route using the TrailWatch app, or explore our Editor’s Choices and User Records.
- Always check the weather
- Avoid hiking during very hot and humid weather.
- Avoid hiking between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
- Monitor your body closely
- Take extra care if you’re 65 or older, have heart disease, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions.
What to bring?
- Bring lots of water with you.
- During the summer months, you sweat more. How much you need to drink to stay hydrated depends on a number of factors but a general rule is about 500ml of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures (i.e., when it’s hot, generally speaking you may need to drink more).
- Bring electrolytes such as a sports drink (in powder or tablet form) and use when necessary.
- If you’re going on a longer hike in the heat, this may be even more important, as you’ll need to compensate for the increased loss in electrolytes through sweat.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses and even a tarp or umbrella.
- Apply sunscreen of SFP50+ before you leave home and reapply often (once per hour) while on the trails.
What to wear?
- Light-coloured, lightweight and loose-fitting clothing
- While it may seem counterproductive to wear long sleeves and long pants, the extra skin coverage protects you from the sun.
- The right socks!
- Our feet get sweaty when we hike, and sweaty feet are prone to blisters. Socks that are wool or synthetic are preferable to cotton socks as they breathe better and do not absorb moisture.
- A wide-brimmed hat that covers the back of your neck is ideal.
- If not, bring a bandana or alike that can also protect your neck.
Read more before hiking in hot summer:
【Myths of Mountains】 How to Stay Chill on Trails (+ 3 Shady Routes Recommendation)
【Myths of Mountain】How to Handle Thunderstorms While Hiking in Summer?