MACLEHOSE TRAIL SECTION 2

There's no way to get to the starting point directly than to hike the first section (around 10km & 3hrs) until you reach the Starting point of Section 2 or if you want to skip hiking the first section then you must take a Blue Colored Taxi from the bus terminus at Sai Kung Country Park Visitor's Centre which roughly cost HK$50 until you reach the Pavilion next to Dolosses landmark and then from the Pavilion, simply follow the trail post marker until this starting point of Section 2.

TRANSPORT:

• (Option 1) Take the MTR to Diamond Hill Station and board in to bus 92 'til you reach its final Terminus at Sai Kung District. Then, quickly take bus 94 and get off at Sai Kung Visitor's Center. Finally, take the blue cab at the terminus and ask the taxi driver to take you at High Island Reservoir Pavilion or MacLehose Trail Section 1.
• (Option 2) Take the MTR and get off at Diamond Hill Station and leave the station by Exit B. Locate and board into 96R (available during Sundays & Public Holidays only) and get off at Sai Kung Visitor's Centre, take a blue cab and ask the driver to take you at High Island Reservoir Pavilion. You must be on the MacLehose Trail (right side when you reach the round-about but make sure that the Taxi is between the High Island Reservoir on the left-side of the cab and the Water Sports Centre on the right-side) and when you reach the Blue colored Dolosses Landmark then, all you need to do is to follow the trail until the starting point of Section 2 is reached. 

TRAIL INFO:

• Difficulty: 3/5 (Strenuous Hike)
• Distance: 13.5 km (Original Trail) if you hike SHARP PEAK then it's at least 18.5+km.
• Duration: 5 Hrs (Original) if you hike SHARP PEAK then it roughly around 7 Hrs.
• Terrain: 40% Concrete, 40% Natural and 20% Sand
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good
• GPS Coverage: Great

LOGISTIC:

• Pack: 10L - 20L Packs
• Liquid Supplement: 3L
• Food: (Optional) There are restaurants when you reach TAI LONG WAN or you can have your own food. 
• Clothing: Convertible Pants and Shirt (Summer) add Wind Breaker (Winter)
• Shoes: Be sure to wear proper hiking shoes or boots.
• Extras: Hiking Pole, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Mini Personal First Aid Kit, Extra Shirt, Mobile Phone & Camera.

LET'S GO!

STARTING POINT
(Work your way here by following the instructions above)

LONG KE BAY
The aquatic emerald colors of Long Ke Bay. The serenity and tranquility of the camping ground along the beach side and the beautiful mountain range that your going to hike awaits.

REHABILITATION CENTRE
Respect the privacy and peacefulness of this facility...be sure not to loiter around its premises. 

CAMPING GROUND
The Campsite at Long Ke Bay. There's a water source but I'm not sure if it's clean enough to drink (better bring your purifying tablets or portable water purifier), a toilet is also available in the area. If your planning to camp here you need to make sure that you need to bring your food and all your essentials most specially your drinking water because there's no store in the area.

Hike further on a clearly marked country trail until this Pavilion is reached. A resting area and sign to have a little break and to refuel your body.

SAI WAN SHAN (314masl) Summit
It's really not that hard to get to this summit because the trail is not steep, it is rather clean and clear and and filled with trial signs along the way.

TAI LONG WAN PANORAMA
This is a very famous viewing area and by looking ahead you can actually see TAI LONG WAN, SHARP PEAK from a distance.

INTERSECTION MAP BOARD
Its's like decision making point around this junction, but all I have to say is .."Proceed towards Tai Long Wan!".. otherwise you'll miss the opportunity if seeing the greatest Camping Ground and the famous beach side Hong Kong. 

VIEWING COMPASS

At this point you are getting closer to the No.1 Adventure Haven of Sai Kung East Country Park and of course Hong Kong. When you get to TAI LONG WAN Beach, you need to cross the wooden bridge made by the locals to reach the restaurant and also the continuation of MacLehose Trail Section 2. If your doing the original concrete trail then you need to get through village and follow the concrete path and by simply tracing the trail post, but if SHARP PEAK is in your itinerary...then you need to get to the right side and along the back of the restaurant and from there...a trail uphill with rope is what you need to follow. Never fear because the path is clear until you to reach the other side of Tai Long Wan. 

After cruising through the clean and clear sand beach line, you are bound to reach the further end of Tai Long Wan beach. Enter the very obvious path uphill until you reach this section where I'm standing on the picture above. When you get here, then follow the route on the left-side (by looking at the photo) to reach the summit of Sharp Peak. 

Looking back, the trail is so beautiful and breathe taking and one must wonder "what if I have a house here?" or "..I wish I have a house here to see this perfect scenery everyday!". How ever you feel on the day that you attempt climbing Sharp Peak, I'm certain that your going to cherish every moment of it and still look forward on hiking here again.

This massive landscape is the perfect scenery of Tai Long Wan and this is only a few meters away from the summit of Sharp Peak. The feeling of being here is so amazing...imagine how much more if your doing Mount Everest!

SHARP PEAK (468masl/1535ft) SUMMIT
Up at the summit of Sharp Peak you will blessed with perfect 360 degrees Panorama of Sai Kung. On a clear day, you will see the Sai Kung West Country Park, Sai Kung East Country Park and the rest of Sai Kung Peninsula. 

The other side of the summit and below is the beach and campsite of TAI WAN.

How to leave Sharp Peak? Make your way back down to your entry path to reach the summit and at the intersection, simply bear right aiming for the radio tower until you reach the concrete road and main path of Maclehose Trail Section 2. Bear right again along the emergency calling post and aim for Pak Tam Au. Never fear again because you will pampered by the country park's sign post.

CHEK KENG
This place has a church but not in use anymore since the village is abandoned due to the modernization and development of Hong Kong. There's still some village houses that standings among the fallows field. With all the houses here and the church, it must have been very busy town in past and I'm sure that fishing is the main way of life. At Post M045 bear left and continue trekking through the concrete path until you reach Pak Tam Au road. There's a lavatory again at the end point and the bus station to return to the city is just nearby and facing the Entry Point of MacLehose Trail Section 3.

End of Section 2 and a new set of Hikers are getting ready for their own adventure.




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

MACLEHOSE TRAIL SECTION 1

TRANSPORT:

Options:

• From the bus station beside Diamond Hill MTR Station, take bus 92 to its terminus at Sai Kung town.
• Bus 111 from Cenral, opposite HSBC in Queen's Road Central to Choi Hung.
• Board the Sai Kung minibus from exit C2 of Choi Hung MTR Station.
• At Sai Kung Terminus take 94 bound for Wong Shek Pier and alight at the Country Park Visitor Centre at Pak Tam Chung.
• On Sundays & Public Holidays, you can directly ride from Diamond Hill Bus Terminus by catching Bus 96R and alight at the Country Park Visitor Centre at Pak Tam Chung.
• Final option is to catch a Taxi from Sai Kung Terminus to Pak Tam Chung should cost roughly around HK$50.

TRAIL INFO:

• Difficulty: 2/5 (Strenuous Hike)
• Distance: 10.6 Km
• Duration: 3 Hours
• Terrain: 100% Concrete
• Mobile Coverage: Good
• GPS Coverage: Excellent

LOGISTIC:

• Pack: 8L - 17L
• Liquid Supplement: 1L - 2L
• Clothing: Shorts & Shirts (Summer) + Wind Breaker (Winter)
• Shoes: Regular rubber shoes works
• Extras: (Summer) Sunglasses, Sunscreen & Hat / (Winter) Wind Breaker & Convertible Pants

LET'S GO!

STARTING POINT
Start at Pak Tam Chung and walk through the clearly  marked pathways along the concrete trail heading towards the High Island Reservoir / Main Dam.

HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR / MAIN DAM
These great wall of rocks holds perfectly in place to protect the mighty weight of water from the Reservoir.  Annually there's a Trail Walker race being held here. This is very easy because you will be walking on the flat and concreted service road at Sai Kung Man Yee Road.

WATER SPORTS CENTRE
M006 - Hong Kong has always been short of water, and imaginative scheme have been implemented to address the city's problem. Henceforth, the local government provide some recreational facilities for those who love water sports. 

Post M018 - this is a monument to perished construction workers heralds the final Dam. It was build with giant dolosses and one was placed on top to commemorate the waterfront in Sai Kung. 

The Giant Concrete Dolosses looks like a double-sided "Thor's Hammer".  This Dolosses helps protect against the approaching tide of the South China Sea.

Hong Kong Geopark Landmark next the Pavilion 

While resting at the Pavilion, this massive rock formation is very charming to photographed. The hexagonal shape of the rock is natural which makes plenty of island tourist fascinated by its beauty.

LONG KE WAN
The most famous beach area along Sai Kung East Country Park. It also provides a great camping ground for people with long weekend holidays and also the end zone of MacLehose Trail Section 1. There's a closed facility but you can actually see its interior garden and buildings but it's very quiet because it's a Special Rehabilitation Centre of Hong Kong.

END ZONE / STARTING POINT
This is actually the end point of MacLehose rail Section 1 and as well as the Starting Point of MacLehose Trail Section 2. The way to end your hike is to return by tracing your way in or continue halfway of MacLehose Trail Section 2 passing Sai Wan Shan (314masl) and when you reach M030 turn left and trek along the upper concrete path of until starting point Post M001 is reached. Your other option is to continue hiking at MacLehose Trail Section 2 passing Tai Long Wan, Sharp Peak and take the Ferry back to Wong Shek Pier near the Youth Hostel. Or, as your final exit area; just simply complete the second section until you reach Pak Tam Au Road. When you reach the public toilet, then your done with your Section 2 hike and all you need to do is to catch 96R to return to Diamond Hill MTR Station or 94 to return to Sai Kung. 

Remember that the whole trail of MacLehose is clearly covered by signage, all you need to do is to follow then wisely and don't take any short cuts unless you really know your way back to the main path.





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

MACLEHOSE TRAIL SECTION 10

Starting at TIN FU TSAI, this section is best tackled as a continuation of the previous shorter stage of MacLehose Trail Section 9. Since getting to the starting point of Section 10 is the same distance elsewhere, though it can be reached by green mini bus 96M from Tsuen Wan MTR station until it reaches it bus terminus at Tsing Lung Tau,and then follow the maze of track uphill passing Yuen Tun and Tsing Fai Tong. 

It sound very complicated and confusing isn't it? Which is why I highly suggest that you should do both Section 9 and 10 in one go! But you need to start early and you must have a perfect endurance and must be physically fit to do a 21.9km Trek. It is also best to do this long trail during winter season in Hong Kong than summer season because dehydration and heat-stroke is what your trying to prevent from happening.

HOW TO GET HERE:

• Green Mini Bus 96M at Tsuen Wan MTR Station (If your doing Section 10 only)
• (Note: if your doing both Section 9 and 10)...take the MTR to Tsuen Wan West Station (Purple Lane) and leave by using Exit D. After exiting at the sliding "Glass Doorway", immediately turn to the left and locate the bus terminus of single decked BUS 51 to Route Twisk via Tsuen Kam Au. 
• Get off after you see the TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK signboard in the middle of the road.
• The sign "WELCOME TO YUEN LONG" is next to the bus station and you just need to walk back to get to the starting point of Section 9. Hike for about 6.3Km at about 2.5hours until u reach the starting point of Section 10.

LOGISTICS:

(NOTE: This references is for the 2 Section Trek)

• 11L -22L Pack
• 3L Liquid Supplement (Summer) / 2L Liquid Supplement (Winter)
• Clothing (Please refer to the weather condition)
• Shoes (A good pair of rubber shoes is fine but proper Hiking shoes is a must).
• Hiking Pole (Optional)
• Mosquito Repellent
• Sun Block/Sunglasses/Sun Visor
• Extra Shirt
• Snack (a must in between beaks)
• Food (because the trail is 21.9 km / 7.5-8.0 Hours for 2 sections...you need a good source of energy)

TRAIL INFO: 

(Note: For Section 10)

• Difficulty: 2/5 (For Expert Hiker) and 3/5 (For Beginners)
• Distance: 15.6 Km
• Duration: 5 Hours
• Terrain: 70% Tarmac and 30% Natural Trail

LET'S GO!

SECTION 10
Starting Point at Tin Fu Tsai

Map board of Section 10 and the other hiking route around, as well as the information on the length and duration of the proceeding trail/s.

PICNIC AREA
Located along Wing Kat (Forever Lucky) Bridge which is adjacent to gnarled tree. There's been a huge change here since my last visit. At this point the route is redirected uphill on the service road from its former route along the shore of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. We no longer have the luxury of walking along the reservoir and stream and we also avoided sense of  flash flood fear during monsoon season.

Along the pavement trail and luscious green vegetation...this landscape will immerge.   

The continuation of the route is on the left side along the board map.

THE STAIRSWAY UPHILL

It may seem like a dead-end  but the stairway uphill is the continuation of your trail. From up the hill, you are now bound to hike along the natural but well maintained trail.

After that smooth hike for 25 mins on natural path the trail again joins a service road at Post 183. Follow it downhill, enjoying Tai Lam Chung Reservoir and all the fascinating view and the luscious green vegetation encroaching  the curved shores of the reservoir with the hills of China from a distance. 

TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR
(Photo taken at Post 185)

At Trail Post M187, the trail takes a sharp right uphill to reach the Tai Lam Chung Water Catchment. From here onwards for the next six kilometers it's level walking, as if taking into account the fact that any strenuous hiking would be less than welcome considering the number of markers.

Kai Keng Shan (Nine Paths Mountains) rise on your right as you look down over Gold Coast and across the Lantau Island.  

Featuring the lush vegetation in front of Harrow International School and Lantau Island from a distance.

Along the Post M196 is a great resting point with benches and beautiful scenery of Castle Peak.

This perfect and beautiful panorama of Castle Peak and Tuen Mun District at trail post M198.

At the end of the catchment, take the stone path on the left  passing under the wooden archway and you will see this map board in between trails and all you need to do is to descend along the yellow railed stairs. 

Here is your descend point and remember to follow the yellow railings until you reach Trail Post M200.

STAGE FINALE
This is the final post and map board, this is also the end of MacLehose Trail.

Finally you've reached the last section of Hong Kong's very famous trail.
CONGRATULATIONS!

Buses 52M, 67M and the all the Red Mini-Buses all follow the Tuen Mun towards MTR Stations in Kowloon. Bus 961, which runs directly to Hong Kong Island via Western Harbour Tunnel. You need to cross the Castle Peak Road at the traffic light on the left side of the road, head up the covered stairway. Turn left and pass the Gasoline Station and the Chinese Temple and the Shopping Mall. Finally, cross the opposite road and head towards the bus station alongside the restaurant and you will soon find the bus stations.

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

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