MACLEHOSE TRAIL SECTION 9

Various minor trail branch off the leafy path. Tai Lam Country Park was built in 1957 and it's considered as the second-largest of all the reservoirs in Hong Kong. Although its name is refer to a kind of Chinese olive tree, the green character is merely due to the reforestation to protect the water catchment of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. The trail is considered as a multi-purpose trail for Hikers, Runners, Walkers and Bikers. To venture here is to consider a huge amount of awareness from the speeding cyclist. 

In addition, if your going to take an adventure at this section please make sure that you are here to consider finishing your hike at the end of Section 10 (it's a better way!) because if you try to finish your hike at post 170, the exit point is too complicated than finishing at Section 10 and/or finding your way to re-continue Section 10 trail in the future is much to unpleasant and troublesome...it's better to do Section 9 & 10 at once but you gotta be fit to do this enduring trek.

HOW TO GET THERE:

• Take the MTR train to Tsuen Wan West.
• Leave the MTR Station via Exit D at Tsuen Wan West Station (Last Station).
• Turn left after exiting from the glass doorway in a direction towards the bus station and board in to bus 51 to heading  Tsuen Kam Au.
• Get off after you see the sign post that says "Welcome to Yuen Long" on the left side of the road. You will also see the wooden sign board of Tai Mo Shan Country Park in the middle of the road and you can press the bell to get off.
• Alternatively, a taxi which cost HK$50+ is your last option.

TRAIL INFO:

• Difficulty: 2/5 
• Distance: 6.3 Km.
• Length: 2.5 Hours
• Route: Route Twisk - Tin Fu Tsai
• Terrain: 100% Tarmac/Concrete

LOGISTICS:

• 11L - 22L Pack
• 1L Liquid Supplement
• Clothing (Dress up according to the weather condition)
• A regular rubber shoes will do just fine but a proper hiking shoes is highly recommended. 
• Hiking Pole (Optional)
• Mosquito Repellent
• Extra Shirt
• Snack/Food (Power bar or anything to boost your energy)

LET'S GO!

When you reach the final Station at Tsuen Wan West Rail Station, simply take Exit D.

This is the escalator at Exit D. Immediately after reaching the top of the escalator u will need to exit from the sliding mirror doorway and you must turn left to get to the bus station and find Bus 51 (a single decked bus). But if your in a rush, A Taxi Station is just outside the main exit doorway of the station. 

Bus 51 Station Post 

STARTING POINT
When you see the Tai Mo Shan Country Park wooden sign board in the middle of the road...press the bell to stop the bus! The bus stop that u need to get off to is right after passing the "Welcome To Yuen Long" concrete sign post (by looking at the photo above...you will see the 2 red color concrete post). You may need to walk back a little after getting off from the bus. 

Starting Point of MacLehose Trail Section 9
(Note: In case you don't have a map, please take a photo of the map so that you can have a reference of the trail if you need one).

CAMPSITE
Immediately after passing the Country Park gate, you will see the campsite adjacent to the main trail.

Rest assure that your journey is safe because you will never have to guess where is the next path. The whole trail is Hiker-Friendly with signs like the one featured above.  

This is what the Campsite look like. It has toilet and water source, so you don't have to worry about a thing. 

TWISK CAMPSITE
Not very far away from the first campsite.

VIEWING POINT
This offers a great scenery of Tsuen Wan and it's neighboring town.

KNOW YOUR BEARING POINT
Again, you will never get lost here due to the friendly signs on the route and all you need to do is to read the signs carefully and check where the arrows are pointing.

A long concrete pathways and your destination is TIN FU TSAI. Like I said, this trail is 100% Concrete and this is what's your going to endure for 2.5 hours.

Turn towards the left-hand side from here because the trail on the right-hand side is for the Mountain Bikers.

Another Fork: Simply turn on the right-hand side and head downhill. There's a mini stream in case you need to freshen-up.

Here's an example of the stream that you might encounter along the trail. Feel free to get in it and refresh yourself!

168 POST
Another friendly sign post to ensure that a Hiker/s won't get lost on the trail.

Here is one of the option to exit or quit Section 9 but you might wanna wait until you reach POST 170 at TIN FU TSAI.  It's an odd place to finish, convenient only if you are Camping and can make use of the campsite nearby . Otherwise, you continue and head towards MacLehose Trail Section 10. Another option is to hike  at Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail which will take 2 hours descent to Tsing Lung Tau, Castle Peak Road. Buses from the near side of this road will run back towards Tsuen Wan.






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