Silvermine Waterfalls Hong Kong: The Lantau Trail Worth the Ferry
Photo by Drone & DSLR
Most people who take the ferry to Mui Wo go to the beach, or catch a bus to Ngong Ping. The waterfalls are a different proposition entirely.
Silvermine Waterfalls sit at the end of a 2.9km walk from Mui Wo Ferry Pier — flat, unhurried, and genuinely beautiful in summer when the falls are running full. The cave behind them, a former silver mine, adds a layer of texture that most Hong Kong waterfall hikes don't have.
It is one of the most accessible waterfall trails on Lantau Island, and one of the most underused.
Trail Overview: Silvermine Waterfalls Hong Kong
Silvermine Waterfalls is one of 26 trails in the Iconic Hikes Hong Kong book and poster series. The trail follows the Hong Kong Olympic Trail along the valley floor from Mui Wo to the falls, passing through farmland and secondary forest before the path climbs gently to the waterfall site.
- Distance: approximately 2.9km one way (5.8km return) from Mui Wo Ferry Pier
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours one way, 3 to 3.5 hours return at a comfortable pace
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate — predominantly flat with a short climb near the falls
- Trailhead: Mui Wo Ferry Pier, Lantau Island
- Highlights: Silvermine Waterfall, Pearl Falls, Silver Mine Cave
- Best time: May to October — the wet season brings the falls to their fullest
What makes Silvermine distinctive among Hong Kong waterfall hikes is the combination of low difficulty and genuine reward. It is one of the few trails you can complete in an afternoon without needing to plan around heat, timing or transport complications. The ferry crossing to Mui Wo is itself a worthwhile part of the outing — 35 minutes on the water, moving away from the urban density and toward the quieter side of Lantau. The Mui Wo ferry runs regularly from Central Pier 6.
Getting to Silvermine Waterfalls: The Mui Wo Ferry
Photo by Dreamstime.com (Mui Wo Ferry Pier)
The ferry is part of the experience. The New World First Ferry service runs from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo approximately every 30 minutes during peak hours. The crossing takes around 35 minutes on the ordinary ferry, or 25 minutes on the fast ferry. It costs under HKD 20 on an Octopus card.
From Mui Wo Ferry Pier, the walk to the falls follows a paved road for most of its length. Turn right out of the pier, follow the road along the valley past the village and the open farmland, and continue towards the foothills. The trail is signposted as part of the Hong Kong Olympic Trail. After roughly 2.9km, the path narrows and the falls appear ahead.
There is no need for a map. The route from the pier is straightforward and well-marked. The last 50 metres before the main waterfall involves a short detour off the main path onto an unmarked but visible dirt trail.
By alternative route: You can also reach Mui Wo by bus from Tung Chung MTR station (Bus 3M, approximately 35 minutes). This is a useful option if you are combining the falls with a visit to Ngong Ping or a hike on the Lantau Trail.
The Three Features: Waterfall, Cave and Pearl Falls
The three features are clustered together at the end of the valley, close enough to visit in sequence without significant effort.
Silvermine Waterfall: The main fall drops in a single curtain over a rocky cliff face. After rain, it runs wide and fast. In the dry months it narrows considerably — another reason the wet season visit is the better option. The pool at the base is clear and the sound of the water carries well down the valley before you arrive.
Photo by Drone & DSLR
Silver Mine Cave: Immediately adjacent to the waterfall. The cave entrance is modest but the interior extends back into the hillside — silver mining operations ran here from around 1910 until the low silver content made the venture unviable. Bring a torch if you intend to explore beyond the entrance. The cave is safe to enter but dark. The history — a working mine on a Lantau hillside less than a century ago — gives this trail a texture most waterfall hikes in Hong Kong lack.
Photo from AllTrails
Pearl Falls: A short scramble above the main falls. Multiple channels of water spread across a rock face and gather at the edge before dropping. The name captures it: the water scatters in droplets rather than falling in a single stream. Pearl Falls is smaller than the main waterfall but more visually unusual, and worth the extra few minutes of climbing.
Photo from Honeycombers
When to Go and What to Expect
The best visits to Silvermine Waterfalls happen in summer, specifically in the day or two after sustained rainfall. In July and August, when the monsoon is active and rain falls regularly, the falls run at full volume and the valley is intensely green.
Because the trail is predominantly flat and shaded by valley walls and trees, summer heat is more manageable here than on exposed ridge hikes. An early afternoon start — arriving in Mui Wo around 1pm — works well in summer: you avoid the morning rush on the ferry and return to Central before dinner.
In winter (November to February), the falls often reduce to a modest trickle. The walk is still pleasant but the main reason to come — the waterfalls — is less compelling. If you are visiting during the cooler months and want a more dramatic waterfall experience, Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls in the New Territories is the better option during that season due to its higher elevation and more consistent water flow.
For a broader comparison of Hong Kong waterfall hikes, including when and why to choose between the options, read Hong Kong's Best Waterfall Hikes: Best Visited After Rain.
Frequently Asked Questions: Silvermine Waterfalls Hong Kong
How do you get to Silvermine Waterfalls from Hong Kong city centre?
Take the New World First Ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo (35 minutes on the standard ferry). From the pier, walk approximately 2.9km along the valley road following the Hong Kong Olympic Trail signposts to the falls. No additional transport is required.
Is the Silvermine Waterfalls hike suitable for beginners?
Yes. The trail is predominantly flat on a paved road, with only a short climb near the falls site. It is one of the most accessible waterfall hikes in Hong Kong and is suitable for all fitness levels. The cave and Pearl Falls involve some scrambling but can be skipped if preferred.
How long is the Silvermine Waterfalls walk from Mui Wo?
Approximately 2.9km one way from Mui Wo Ferry Pier, taking 45 to 60 minutes at a comfortable pace. Allow 3 to 3.5 hours for the full return trip including time at the falls and cave.
Can you swim at Silvermine Waterfalls?
Swimming is not recommended and is unsafe in the stream and pool areas. Flash flooding is a risk during and after heavy rain. Stay on the marked trail and observe the falls from the viewing areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Silvermine Waterfalls?
July and August are the best months, when rainfall is highest and the falls run at full volume. October is a good second choice — water levels are still reasonable and the weather begins to cool. Avoid the dry winter months if seeing the falls at their fullest is your priority.
Silvermine Waterfalls is one of 26 trails celebrated in the Iconic Hikes Hong Kong book — a coffee table book and poster series that gives Hong Kong's natural landscape the cultural recognition it deserves. Trail art prints are available in A1, A2 and A3 at hikeshongkong.com/collections/prints.