HIKE & SEEK - Hiking Supporting Facilities at Lantau | Hong Kong

The programme focused on six hiking trails at Lantau. These were:

• Cheung Sha to Shek Pik

• Mui Wo Local Loops

• Tai O Local Loops

• Fa Peng Deng Local Loops

• Nei Lak Shan Hiking Trail

• Lantau Peak Hiking Trail

These were categorised into Easy, Moderate, and Strenuous trails. The selection considered many factors such as accessibility, historical value, and nature's beauty.

Our Design Thinking Engagement programme found that people hike for different reasons. Some enjoy nature, some like the social opportunity, and others look for challenges. Through engagement, we also learnt that many hikers could not correctly judge the risk of a trail. So, providing better information became an important takeaway. We also realised that the whole hiking experience, from planning to post-hike, needed attention and should be holistically planned.

Next came the Design Phase. From the engagement workshop, our team identified five criteria to enhance hiking:

Identity: This meant creating a consistent brand.

Narrative: This was about connecting hikers to Lantau's culture.

Shared: This arose from how hikers want to gather and have group activities.

Sensory: Hikers want to enjoy hiking through engaging their different senses.

Functions: This focused on making hiking safer and more comfortable.

From these criteria, onebite created design objectives like family-friendly experiences, nature-friendly resting spots, and better signage, leading to the creation of different types of hiking supporting facilities, such as: Visual Identity, Map, Stamp Point, Introduction Panel; Signages and Wayfinding, Inclusive Signage, Hammock Seating, Resting Deck, and Gear Hub Trolley.

On 18 February 2023, we held a User Test Day, inviting 28 people to test our hiking supporting facilities prototypes, including visual identity, maps, seating, and more. They included attendees from previous workshops along with their companions, habitual hikers, and professional observers from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Home Affairs Department (HAD), and the Sustainable Lantau Office of CEDD.

Those present were highly appreciative of the prototypes' design and functionality. Government observers also gave advice, especially about the durability of materials and the possibility of misuse. Their feedback and constructive suggestions would shape the final improvements for hiking support facilities to be placed on hiking trails on Lantau Island.

The two-year long "Design on Hiking Supporting Facilities at Lantau" consultancy was a thoughtful effort launched by SLO. It worked to make hiking in Lantau a better experience. By focusing on the needs of the hikers and the environment, the participants we engaged have made trails more accessible, enjoyable, and safer. Now, anyone looking to enjoy a hike on Lantau Island can look forward to a well-rounded experience pegged at the right workout intensity. Whether you hike for fun or challenge, we hope there will be a Lantau hiking trails that is suitable for you!