Segment 7: From Tsing Mun to Lead Mine Gap, a distance of about 6 kilometers. Completion time is two and a half hours. There are no supply points along this section except for the campsite and restrooms at the end, along with tap water for energy replenishment. Segment 7 is the second shortest section of the entire MacLehose Trail. Starting from the grand dam of Tsing Mun Reservoir, after climbing several rugged and rocky hills, one reaches Needle Hill. Then, descending from the steep slope on the other side and following the forest trail, one reaches Grass Mountain at an elevation of 647 meters, where a panoramic view can be enjoyed. Finally, one descends to the endpoint at Lead Mine Gap. The scenery along this section, located within Tsing Shan Country Park, offers a bird’s-eye view of the entire Sha Tin Valley, Tsing Mun Valley, and Tsing Mun Reservoir and is particularly memorable.
Segment 8: Starting at Lead Mine Gap and ending at Tsing Kam Highway, this section is about 9 kilometers long. Completion time is approximately 4 hours. There is a convenience store at the end for food and water replenishment. There are no campsites along the entire route. This section crosses Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong and heads west through Tai Mo Shan Country Park. On a clear day, visitors can almost overlook the entire Hong Kong scenery. The trail begins at the 400-meter-high Lead Mine Gap and climbs up to the 975-meter-high Tai Mo Shan, passing through massive rocks and the terraced tea field ruins. The summit of Tai Mo Shan is restricted, but nearby areas offer panoramic views. After this section, the trail starts to wind towards Tsuen Kam Road.
Section 9: The trail from Tsuen Kam Road to Tung Fu Tsai has a total distance of about 6 kilometers. Completion time is about 2 and a half hours. At the endpoint, the Tung Fu Tsai campsite and Tung Fu Tsai store allow for water replenishment and meals. Starting from Tsuen Kam Gap next to Tsuen Kam Road, head towards the southwest mountains. Halfway, the river reservoir in the deep valley on the right can be clearly seen. Continuing westward and passing through dense vegetation, one reaches the endpoint at Tung Fu Tsai Village, two kilometers from the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir.
Section 10: From Tung Fu Tsai to Tuen Mun, it is approximately 15 kilometers. Completion time is about 5 hours. The road surface is relatively flat. There are two or three restaurants in Tung Fu Tsai for meals and water replenishment. The trail extends to the destination of Tuen Mun along the northern part of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir and some of the water diversion channels. Starting from Tung Fu Tsai, pass through the narrow valley towards Tai Lam and then wind along the northern part of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. The small islands in the reservoir are clearly visible. Hikers can follow the flat water diversion channels and mountain trails directly to Tuen Mun.
After conquering these 10 sections, remember to take a photo at a distance post at the end of Section 10 to commemorate the journey. Opening hours are all year round, open all day, with specific business status subject to the day’s opening conditions.
Essential tips:
1. Required items: backpack, hiking shoes, rain gear (suggested outdoor raincoat), hat, towel, pass, Hong Kong dollars (estimated 600HKD), Octopus card, headlamp/flashlight (some sections of Chik Keng YHA have no streetlights after sunset), lighter, spare batteries, mobile phone, change of clothes, walkie-talkie.
2. Optional: whistle, watch, camera, toiletries, slippers.
3. Medicines: prepare personal special medicines, and other medicines for falls, sprains, hemostasis, analgesia, anti-diarrhea, band-aids, adhesive tape, alcohol cotton, etc., in appropriate quantities.
4. The MacLehose Trail is long and not suitable for the elderly and children to experience. Even young people should act according to their abilities and pay attention to safety during the hike.
5. Try to hike in groups for mutual support; girls should not go alone.
6. Sections 1, 4, 6, and 7 have no water sources; please ensure to carry sufficient water when passing through these sections.
