Four Trails: A love letter to Hong Kong

Beyond the well-known concrete jungle of Hong Kong lies a wild and rugged terrain that offers some of the most demanding hiking and trail running landscapes in the world.

Needle Hill, Maclehose Trail Section 7

The 2023 film Four Trails, directed by Robin Lee, takes us into the heart of the 2021 Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC). Through the intimate portrayal of the athletes, the film transcends typical sports documentaries, telling a powerful tale about endurance, community, and harmony with nature in one of the world’s most urbanized places.

The Four Trails of Hong Kong

HK4TUC: the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge

HK4TUC Founder Andre Blumberg

The HK4TUC was established in 2012 by Andre Blumberg, a German expatriate who has spent thirty years in Asia and considers Hong Kong his home.

Participants must conquer four iconic trails – MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong, and Lantau – covering 298 kilometres with over 14,500 metres of elevation gain, all within 72 hours. To earn the title of “finisher,” runners must complete it in under 60 hours; anything under 72 hours qualifies as a “survivor.”

The challenge is unsupported (i.e. no aid stations, no trekking poles, no music players), requiring strategic resupplying from convenience stores, and even sleeping on streets or transportations between segments. With no entry fee, no prizes, and no mercy, the HK4TUC stands as one of the planet’s most gruelling ultramarathons. It kicks off on the first day of the Lunar New Year each year.

Hyun Chang Chung

Origins of the film

Hong Kong-born British director Robin Lee first filmed the 2017 race in Breaking 60 | Challenging the Impossible. When being invited by Blumberg to shoot a sequel that would be named Breaking 50, Lee chose instead to focus on the compelling stories of former “Finishers” and “Survivors”. This added an exciting twist to the event, as runners challenged themselves to break new boundaries. Previous “Survivors” set their sights on becoming “Finishers,” while past “Finishers” aimed to shatter the elusive 50-hour barrier.

Over the course of two years, Robin and his brother Ben dedicated themselves to post-production, sifting through an astonishing 200 hours of footage captured by a team of 12 cameramen.

Director Robin Lee at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards (27 April 2025)

Four Trails eventually premiered at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival in October 2023, before being theatrically released in Hong Kong in January 2025. The film has become the second highest-grossing documentary in Hong Kong history, surpassing HK$10 million, and winning Best New Director for Robin Lee at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards.

In November 2025, the film hit theatres throughout the United Kingdom, boasting close to 100 screenings in the first two weeks alone.

Stone Tsang, Jardine’s Lookout

Breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s natural landscape

The documentary truly captures the essence of Hong Kong’s natural beauty. Robin Lee contrasts the city’s urban density with stunning shots of mist-covered mountains, lush forests, coastal pathways, and panoramic views that highlight the fact that 40% of Hong Kong’s land is dedicated to country parks and trails.

Hong Kong’s complex identity and resilience

From a cultural perspective, Four Trails captures more than athletic achievement; it reframes Hong Kong’s identity. In a city renowned for its demanding work schedules and financial ambitions, this challenge draws an eclectic mix of locals and expatriates. Runners include local legends like Stone Tsang, record-holder Tom Robertshaw, tech CEOs or university deans, all embodying the city’s rich multicultural tapestry.

The 2021 edition, limited to past participants, underscores the theme of perseverance and resilience amid adversity, reflecting the pandemic-related challenges experienced in Hong Kong during that time.

Nikki Han, The Twins

The film’s emotional resonance lies in its portrayal of not just victory but also moments of struggle, uncertainty, and the choice to keep pushing forward regardless.

In the end, Four Trails is not really about the mere challenge of running 300 kilometres, making it relatable to anyone. It showcases the remarkable resolve of “ordinary” individuals in Hong Kong who keep moving forward, step by step. It’s about personal journeys and the ways we face, and sometimes conquer, the challenges life throws our way.

Four Trails (2023)
Duration: 101 minutes
Directed by: Robin Lee
Produced by: Ben Lee and Allison Friedman
Production company: Lost Atlas Productions
Distributed by: Edko Films
Starring: Andre Blumberg, Stone Tsang, Nikki Han, Salomon Wettstein, Jacky Leung, Will Hayward, Law Kai Pong, Tom Robertshaw, Sarah Pemberton, Hyun Chang Chung

Notes:

• The fifteenth edition of the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) is set to take place from February 17 to 19, 2026.
• Don’t miss Four Trails: Screening and Post Screening Talk at the Asia Society Centre Hong Kong Center on February 6, 2026. More information here.
• Four Trails is available to stream on Now TV channel 133 on-demand for viewers in Hong Kong. Additionally, you can catch the film on Cathay Pacific flights, starting February 1, 2026.