Safety tips to explore Hong Kong’s great outdoors

Hong Kong offers a multitude of outdoor adventures for everyone, whether you're a visitor or a local, a solo explorer or part of a group. Enjoy the great outdoors, but be sure to prepare properly for activities and adhere to safety precautions. Follow these helpful tips for an enjoyable experience in Hong Kong’s beautiful greenery:

1. Carefully plan your route by referencing credible sources and familiarising yourself with the path.
   
   
2. Access whether your fitness level is suitable for the outdoor activity and route.
   
   
3. Pay attention to weather conditions and refrain from participating in outdoor activities under adverse weather, such as typhoons, heavy rain and strong winds.
   
   
4. Do not participate in outdoor activities or hiking alone if you are inexperienced.
   
   
5. Wear suitable clothing and bring essential gear and supplies for your outdoor activity, such as hats, raincoats, windbreakers, maps, compasses, hiking sticks, water, food, electric torches, umbrellas, radios, first-aid kits and mobile phones, to ensure you’re prepared.
   
   
6. Follow signs and pay attention to the terrain to ensure that you are on the right path. Always heed warning signs.
   
   
7. Remain alert to changes in the surrounding environment. In the event of bad weather, shorten or retreat from activities.
   
   
8. Avoid taking shortcuts by yourself.
   
   
9. Do not litter — please take your rubbish with you.
   
   
10. Protect the countryside and preserve natural landscapes. Do not vandalise natural features or cultural heritage, pollute water or destroy vegetation, wildlife and their habitats.
    
    
11. Do not pick or eat wild fruit or drink water from springs.
    
    
12. Only cook or start fires in designated areas. Doing so elsewhere is illegal and can cause wildfires.
    
    
13. Stay away from cliff edges and do not climb on rocks.
    
    
14. Do not swim in reservoirs or at unmonitored beaches.
    
    
15. Take note of traffic conditions at sea and keep clear of the navigation waterways, mooring areas and fishing boats when conducting water sports.
    
    
16. Download the 'Safeguard HK' Security Bureau mobile app and or the ‘HKSOS’, Hong Kong Police Force outdoor safety app. Users can register with their mobile phone number (including overseas numbers) and enable tracking function on the app. This allows the app to temporarily record and track the user's location using GPS for the next 24 hours to facilitate rescue operations in case of an incident.
    
    
17. Mobile network coverage is generally very good in Hong Kong, but due to hilly terrain and remoteness, there are some blind spots in the countryside. These digital maps indicate mobile network coverage at various locations and highlight public pay phones and free emergency helplines in case mobile networks cannot be used.
    
    
18. In the event of an emergency, note the number of the nearest distance post number (e.g. M001) and call 112 or 999, or use the nearest emergency telephone.

For more details on safety guidelines for outdoor activities, please visit the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website.