Tai Mo Shan Country Park is the best place in Hong Kong to take in sweeping views of the New Territories – it is the highest peak in the city, after all. It is also one of the only places in Hong Kong to experience frost regularly, so be sure to wrap up warm if you're heading here in winter. The combination of mist and frost creates a stunning visual spectacle, and it is well worth the effort.

This mammoth area – a vast 4,494 hectares – encompasses everything that’s great about natural Hong Kong – beautiful beaches, hiking trails, grassy slopes, hills, and coves. Don’t expect to come and do it all in one day, though. Plan ahead, take your time, and enjoy.

Kam Shan Country Park was one of the city's first country parks and is famous for its many monkeys (macaques). Home to approximately 1,800 monkeys, the park, known to many as Monkey Hill, is an excellent spot for hikers and offers fantastic views of the New Territories. A large number of wartime ruins remain well preserved in one corner of the park – the famous fortifications of the Gin Drinker's Line.

This country park is surrealistically transportive. It encompasses a large chunk of South Lantau, covering the rolling slopes of Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak. Expect dense jungle, mountain peaks, and rugged trails just 45 minutes from Central.

Despite being second to Lantau South in terms of size, Tai Lam is king in two other respects – hiking and butterflies. The former refers to the numerous trails found within the park. The latter is something of an ecological hot potato as the park was found to be the most diverse butterfly spot in the city.

Tucked away near the border with Shenzhen, Plover Cove is pristine and relatively untouched. It’s home to some of Hong Kong's oldest rock formations as well as scenic spots like the famous Bride’s Pool and tons of hiking trails of varying difficulty.

Aberdeen Country Park is an excellent area for families to explore or for older outdoor enthusiasts to visit. It’s one of the best-equipped country parks in the city, replete with picnic and barbecue areas, disabled access, a tai chi terrace, and children’s play areas.

Tai Tam is the largest country park on Hong Kong Island, covering a fifth of its entire landmass. Tai Tam's is notable for two things. First, its reservoirs – it has four of them, and they're scenic. Second, World War II relics – namely, forts – are a fascinating remnant of the war.

Shing Mun Country Park is relatively easy to access as it is only a short bus or cab ride from Tsuen Wan MTR Station. This stunning expanse features the famously idyllic Shun Mun Reservoir. A trail snakes around the entire park, which takes about three hours, and lets you take in a stunning variety of flora and fauna. Be sure not to miss the arboretum, which houses more than 300 tree varieties.

amous vistas, dramatic mountains and rugged trails await at Ma On Shan Country Park. Here you can enjoy the sights of Kowloon Peak and its glorious panoramic views and visit the grave of Madam Young, Dr Sun Yat Sen's mother, in Pak Fa Lam. There are campsites available in the park, so you can head here if you want to stay overnight.