MACLEHOSE TRAIL SECTION 8

TAI MO SHAN - literally 'Big Hat"; is the highest peak in Hong Kong, with an altitude of 957masl. It is located approximately at the geographical center of the New Territories. The area surrounding Tai Mo Shan is known as Tai Mo Shan Country Park, which covers an area of 14.40 km. It is also located at Tai Lam Country Park. It was once a volcano and has long been extinct, so it is made up of volcanic rocks from the Jurassic age. It is rather easy the peak as there is a road all the way at a comfortable gradient. People cannot actually access the highest point as it is occupied by a Hong Kong Observatory (ex-RAF) weather radar station.

TRAIL INFO:

Difficulty: 3/5

Duration: 5 Hours (Expert Hikers)

Distance: 9.7 km

Terrain: 40% Tarmac & 60% Natural Trail

TRANSPO:

- Take the MTR to Tsuen Wan and leave by Exit B.

- Take the walkway to Shiu Wo Street to find minibus 82

- Get off at the final stop (Terminus) of the bus at Pineapple Dam.

- Take the trail heading towards Lead Mine Pass and you will find the main gate of MacLehose Trail Stage 8 which is the trail heading to Tai Mo Shan.

THE TRAIL

STARTING AREA: This is the final stop of the green minibus 82, it will serve as your warm-up section to get to Lead Mine Pass and locate the starting gate of MacLehose Trail Stage 8 (Tai Mo Shan Trail). Before you push on, there's a food & beverage kiosk and toilet (That's if you feel like it though).

CAMPSITE: Many weekend hiker's prefers to spend overnight camping experience so they have this section for them to do so. If you don't feel like doing it, then proceed just a little bit & you finally see the starting gate of Tai Mo Shan Trail.

STARTING GATE: The ever welcoming trail gateway! Here you can have a little rest at the Hiker's Shed and there's also a lavatory if you wish to freshin' up before you head on to the Highest Peak of Hong Kong. 

HUGE ROCKS: The whole mountain is surrounded by this kind of rocks and this one that  the hiker's pretending to separate is one of the well known rock formation on the trail.

THERE IT IS! Just a few kilometers away and you will finally achieve the experience of a lifetime.
(There's another resting area after passing this rocks).

THE SUMMIT of TAI MO SHAN
(Stay for a while a take a photo or two just to remember
the greatest feeling on earth  after reaching the highest  peak) 

THE BEACON
(2nd among the 3 beacons you will  find on top)

CHOOSE YOUR EXIT: The way to end this trail is to walk downhill on the tarmac towards the end but plenty of hikers created  a lot of detour so that they can finish the trail faster. My best suggestion is to go through the the bushes.

ROUTE TWISK: Finally, the end zone! Before reaching this exit area, you will have to pass thru the Country Park Management Office. Another lavatory is around the corner so you could change before jumping into an air conditioned bus 51 heading to Nina Tower. Returning to the city is going to be easy because after you reach the bus terminal at Nina Tower you can also find the Tsuen Wan West Railways Station.







Friendly Reminder
Enjoy Your Country Park, Enjoy Hiking and Leave No Trace!