Trail Challenger App Launches This Weekend With Inaugural Hiking Challenge

Debuting to the public on Oct. 15, Trail Challenger is the city’s newest app hosting virtually led challenges for hikers of all capabilities and awarding them with real medals for completing journeys from the list of Hong Kong’s iconic trails.

From the MacLehose Trail or the Wilson Trail, to the routes around Lantau and Hong Kong Island, the Trail Challenger is the app to lead the quest. Through the app, users can choose from a series of hiking itineraries and complete them at their own pace alongside the built-in progress tracker powered by a GPS.

Expert adventurers can compete for a spot on the official Trail Challenger leaderboard and check out how their times crossing the finish line compare to the rest of Hong Kong’s top hikers.

Founded by husband-wife duo Jason and Victoria, the minds behind local outdoor brand Hong Kong Trails, the app is a digital successor to their iconic scratch maps that allow people to keep track of their progress in venturing around Hong Kong’s many beautiful landscapes.

“Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, join a social community or add a competitive element to your adventures in Hong Kong, the Trail Challenger is the perfect motivator to get people out on the trails,” explain the founders in a press release.

Aside from the evergreen trails listed, the app will also collaborate with local charity partners to engage their users in hiking challenges for good. First on the app will be Exploring Dogs, a non-profit group that leads monthly excursions that also welcome dogs of all sizes, with all event proceeds going to animal shelters. The Exploring Dogs challenge will begin on Nov. 15, with more details to come on the Trail Challenger Instagram.

Hiking challenge packs can be purchased in-app for HK$295, with the medal arriving via post. Users can also choose to purchase a gift box version at retailers for HK$350. Download Trail Challenger for iOS here, and for Android here.