Hiking Hong Kong with Hansen's Hikes

... exploring Hong Kong's other side ...

MacLehose Challenge 2012
31 January + 8, 15, 22, 29 February & 7 March

Hong Kong’s longest hiking trail, the MacLehose Trail, begins along the deeply indented and wild east
coast of Sai Kung, before climbing onto the rugged peaks of the central mountains, including Hong Kong’s
highest, Tai Mo Shan. As it winds to its end at the western part of the country, the Trail skirts impressive
valley reservoirs.

Generally crossing higher land, the Trail offers memorable countryside experiences – and the adventure
of sustained hiking. Some stages of the MacLehose Trail are surfaced roads, but most follow hillside
paths. Hiking conditions are mostly easy to moderate, with only a few sections needing strenuous effort.

Responding to requests, we have put together the following 6-hike challenge itinerary covering most of
the MacLehose Trail. The official trail is a mere 100-km, but as not all stages of the Trail begin at a
transport drop-off point, the total distance of the MacLehose Challenge hikes comes to a whopping 126.5
kilometres.

Due to space limitations, we have given only a brief outline of each hike here, but please feel free to
contact us, should you have any questions regarding our MacLehose Challenge.

The cost of each hike is HK$230 per person, though anyone who has participated in all 6 MacLehose Trail
Challenge hikes is entitled to a HK$115 discount on the last hike.

Within the Sai Kung Country Parks, we will be passing a few stores and – even – restaurants, but once we
reach Ma On Shan, we will have to carry all supplies needed ourselves. Thus, please bring plenty of water
and of your favourite snacks. Except for the Eastern Hills hike, all legs of the MacLehose Challenge will
incorporate a cooked meal, either a late lunch or an early dinner. However, you might want to bring a light
lunch for the longer outings all the same...

To sign up for the Hansen's Hikes MacLehose Challenge or to receive more information, please contact
Michael .

MacLehose Challenge Schedule

Click on this map
for complete
MacLehose
Challenge
route

Click on this map
for an idea of the
route for
the first hke

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for complete
MacLehose
Challenge
route

Click on this map
for an idea of the
route for
hike 2

Click on this map
for complete
MacLehose
Challenge
route

Click on this map
for an idea of the
route for
hike 3

Click on this map
for complete
MacLehose
Challenge
route

Click on this map
for an idea of the
route for
hike 4

Click on this map
for complete
Challenge
route

Click on this map
for an idea of the
route for
hike 5

Click on this map
for complete
MacLehose
Challenge
route

Click on this map
for an idea of the
route for
the last hike

Download Reservation Form here or click here to request more information.

Wednesday, 8 February 2012		The Sai Kung Hills

With the beaches behind us, the MacLehose Trail hits the real hills in earnest when we reach the Sai Kung West Country Park. Right from the bus stop, where we ended the previous walk, this hike becomes a matter of tackling a number of long natural staircases. The first takes us to Ngau Yee Shek Shan and then onto the Cheung Sheung plateau, where a resistance group held out during WWII. Hiking this rugged and steep land, it is hard to believe that not so long ago, Hakka villagers were eking out an existence growing tea, indigo and vegetables all around us... Partially following the ridge line, we have to overcome a number of ups and downs, before reaching the toughest climb of the day, i.e. the conquest of Kai Kung Shan (399m). Having enjoyed panoramic views over Port Shelter, Three Fathoms Cove, Ma On Shan and Pat Sin Leng, a steep stepped descent and a moderately undulating - partially closed - road section will lead us into Sai Kung town. We expect to arrive in time for a late, but well-deserved, lunch and a cold one...

Distance:	14.5 km
Difficulty:	7 out of 10
Approx. Altitude Change:	Gain: xxx metres	Loss: xxx metres
Highest Point:	399 metres (Kai Kung Shan)
Meeting Time & Place:	8:30 am	at Hang Hau Railway Station
Finishing Time & Place:	2:30 pm	in Sai Kung Town
Time Spent On Trail:	5 hours	Walking 4.25 hours + Breaks 0.75 hour
Food & Drink:	Snack stops at Cheung Sheung (4 km) and Kai Kung Shan (9 km) (Optional) lunch at restaurant in Sai Kung town (14.5 km) - not included

Hansen's Events
38 D, Tower 2, Sham Wan Towers
3, Ap Lei Chau Drive
Ap Lei Chau
Hong Kong

Tel: (+852) 9552 0987 E-mail: info@hansens-hikes.com

Sha Kiu Tau village, Sai Kung Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong

Needle Hill, Shing Mun Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong

Kwun Tam Temple, Sha Tin Pass, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Shing Mun Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong

Tai Lam Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong

Pyramid Hill, Ma On Shan Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong

Ngong Ping, Ma On Shan Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong

Hansen's Hikes

by Hansen's Events

Tuesday, 31 January 2012		The Sai Kung Coast

Presumably in deference to the need to break up the huge field of participants in the annual Oxfam Trailwalker charity event, the official MacLehose Trail begins with a long and rather boring stretch along the road at the edge of the – granted – impressive High Island Reservoir. Expecting a slightly smaller turn-out, we begin our MacLehose Trail quest with a diversion that takes in a slightly more undulating and much more interesting dirt trail along the northern shore of Port Shelter before reaching the reservoir’s west dam. From here we walk on the restricted access road skirting the reservoir until we reach the turn-off for Tung Ya village, where we leave the official trail once more for a detour past the scenic Pak Lap Wan and a short break. From Pak Lap, it is a gentle climb back up to the reservoir which allows us to loosen up our muscles before crossing the impressive eastern dam and then dropping down to the wonderful beach at Long Ke Wan. The beach is beautiful, but we won't linger too long as the day's hardest challenge looms right behind it... Sai Wan Shan might be only 314 metres tall, but it's rather steep and a bit of a challenge, so we will take it easy and rest at the look-out pavilion at the top. The reward for our efforts are magnificent panoramas over the bay at Long Ke, the Sai Kung Country Park, the reservoir and beyond. What's more: The views just get better and better as we head towards Tai Long Wan which is described above. On the beach below Sai Wan Shan lies the village of Sai Wan, where we rest our knees over a well- earned (late) lunch at a waterfront café. It is only a small gentle climb across a granitic promontory from the beach at Sai Wan to the - even prettier - beach at Ham Tin Wan, where we might stop for refreshments, if you are interested... There is more climbing to do but, from this point onwards, we will walk along paved stepless village paths, so we won't need to lift our knees too high. The main climb after lunch peaks at the crest between Sharp Peak and Tai Mun Shan from where it's a nice steady descent through the woods to the virtually abandoned village Chek Keng. Peeking through the windows and doors of some of the houses, we try to imagine what life might have been like in rural Hong Kong not so long ago. We conclude our first hike along the MacLehose Trail with a slow gentle ascent from Chek Keng to the bus stop at Pak Tam Au. On our way, we are able to enjoy wonderful views over Long Harbour and the islands at the entrance to Tolo Harbour.

Distance:	27.5 km
Difficulty:	8 out of 10	(due to length)
Approx. Altitude Change:	Gain: xxx metres	Loss: xxx metres
Highest Point:	314 metres (Sai Wan Shan)
Meeting Time & Place:	8:30 am	at Hang Hau Railway Station
Finishing Time & Place:	6:15 pm	at Choi Hung Railway Station
Time Spent On Trail:	8 hours	Walking 6.5 hours + Breaks 1.5 hours
Food & Drink:	Snack stops on beaches at Pak Lap (10.5 km ) and Long Ke (14.5 km) Late Chinese lunch at restaurant at Sai Wan (18 km) - not included

Wednesday, 15 February 2012		The Eastern Hills

From Sai Kung town, our taxi winds its way up to the secluded village of Chuk Yeung, where we rejoin the Maclehose Trail. We may rejoice in the fact that we done one third of the mountain without having to any walking but, naturally, the joy will be short-lived as we have to gain another 350 metres of altitude over the next couple of kilometres. Fortunately, the steeper sections of the climb are usually followed by rather flat ones, where we will have plenty of stops for, shall we say, photo ops… And the really good thing is that the climb really is far less difficult than it seems, when you look up at the daunting, yet ruggedly beautiful, slopes of Saddle Mountain, or Ma On Shan as it is known locally. Approximately 150 metres from the top, the Maclehose Trail wears away from Ma On Shan, but, unfortunately, the path to the very top is poorly maintained, so this time we will simply just sit down and enjoy the spectacular scenery. After this well-deserved rest we continue along the ridge, keeping Sai Kung and Port Shelter on our left, until we reach the Ngong Ping plateau and seemingly find ourselves about as far away from the concrete jungle of Hong Kong as can be imagined. Rolling hills, small woodlands and plenty of bird song makes this place the ultimate contrast to the metropolis most people think synonymous with Hong Kong… Beyond the Ngong Ping plateau, our path climbs gently up Buffalo Pass and then runs along the lush slopes of Buffalo Hill before reaching the impressive Tate's Cairn. A final climb on a dirt trail amongst war time relics takes us to Sha Tin Pass Road and the little store at the pass itself. From the pass, it is a long but steady descent into the city where we visit the impressive Wong Tai Sin Sik Sik Yuen temple, before hopping on the MTR (underground) and go home.

Distance:	18 km
Difficulty:	7 out of 10
Approx. Altitude Change:	Gain: 825 metres	Loss: 1060 metres
Highest Point:	555 metres
Meeting Time & Place:	8:30 am	at Hang Hau Railway Station
Finishing Time & Place:	4:00 pm	at Wong Tai Sin Railway Station
Time Spent On Trail:	6.5 hours	Walking 5.25 hours + Breaks 1.25 hours
Food & Drink:	Snack stop at Ngong Ping (4 km) Lunch stop at Gilwell Scout Camp (9 km) - bring lunch box Snack stop at Sha Tin Pass (14 km) - store

Wednesday, 22 February 2012		The Central Hills

After a short taxi ride from Diamond Hill MTR Station, a long and tough day of hiking starts with the climb up the iconic Lion Rock (495m). Composed of granite, this hill owes its nick name to centuries of weathering and erosion that has created its big-cat-like features. Some might be a little disappointed, but as we have many more hills to conquer and as its not part of the MacLehose Trail, we will omit the side path to the very top and just enjoy the view from a safe distance… Compared to the climb up Lion Rock, reaching nearby Beacon Hill (457m) seems somewhat less strenuous despite the many steps, but the descent through the woods via Piper’s Hill to Tai Po Road can be a pain. Fortunately, the suffering is partly eased by the antics of the monkeys we meet. Indeed, the monkeys are the main feature of the quite easy gently climbing stretch through the Kam Shan Country Park, just as the cityscape of Tsuen Wan impresses you on the way towards the Shing Mun Reservoir. Yet before consuming our lunchboxes by this impressive engineering project, we will also be inspect a couple of WW II installations. Then, fortified, it is merely a matter of conquering the aptly named Needle Hill (532m) before we hit the long and winding road up the equally aptly named Grassy Hill (647m). While we get to plant the flag atop Needle Hill, the MacLehose Trails veers off towards the west a little before the top of Grassy Hill. The good news is that the last 4 km to Tai Po are all down hill. The not-so-great news is that they are mostly along rather rough boulder trails. As we traverse the village of San Uk Ka, you are free to hop on a passing minibus to go to Tai Po Market Railway Station, but you are also welcome to join your guide for a well-deserved afternoon snack (early dinner?) at a little Thai restaurant at the Tai Po Market…

Distance:	22 km
Difficulty:	8 out of 10
Approx. Altitude Change:	Gain: xxx metres	Loss: xxx metres
Highest Point:	647 metres (Grassy Hill)
Meeting Time & Place:	8:30 am	at Diamond Hill Railway Station
Finishing Time & Place:	4:30 pm	at Tai Po Market Railway Station
Time Spent On Trail:	7.25 hours	Walking 6.25 hours + Breaks 1 hour
Food & Drink:	Snack stops at Beacon Hill (4 km) & Needle Hill (17 km) Lunch stop at Shing Mun (12 km) - bring lunch box (Optional) early Thai dinner at Tai Po (22 km) - not included

Wednesday, 29 February 2012		Tai Mo Shan

At 958 metres Tai Mo Shan might be the highest mountain in Hong Kong, but conquering it is, thankfully, not too hard. We start our walk at the pretty Shing Mun reservoir by following the gently climbing old Tsuen Wan – Tai Po Road to Lead Mine Pass probably spotting a few monkeys along the way. After a brief break at the pass, the assault on Tai Mo Shan starts in earnest. A long flight of steps partly in the shade help us gain altitude. This is then followed by a relatively flat high plateau. At first we look down towards Tai Po, Tolo Harbour, and the Pat Sin Leng range. Later Lion Rock and, if the weather is clear, Hong Kong island come into view. At the end of the plateau, the path drops a little, before steeply – but “steplessly” - winding its way up to the summit of Tai Mo Shan, while offering views over the Shek Kung Valley and the Lam Tsuen Country Park. The actual peak itself is covered by a radio transmitting station, but you can’t legally get any higher than this in Hong Kong. With nothing blocking our view of virtually all of Hong Kong, we will take a well-deserved lunch break here to soak it all up. The descent from Tai Mo Shan follows a little used road allowing us to enjoy the views over Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi and the Yuen Long plain without having to pay too much attention to where we place our feet. The refreshment kiosk at the Route Twisk BBQ site not only permits us to replenish our water supply, it will also offers a place to briefly rest our legs before we continue along the gently sloping acacia-tree shaded forest track up Lin Fa Shan. We check out the abandoned village school returning to the woodlands of the Tai Lam Country Park; an oasis where the sounds of jackhammers, fire trucks and bus brakes are replaced by silence and bird song. Adding to the pleasure is the fact that most of the walk from now on is down hill along a recently renovated trail. After a while we hit a forest track which we will follow until we reach the turn-off for a small hidden valley, home to a gem of a watering hole. Though it is the kind of place that you would prefer to keep to yourself, it does need to be shared… After an apéritif or two, we will then follow the contours of a couple of spectacular gorges on our way down to Sham Tseng, where tables have been reserved at one of the famous “roasted goose” restaurants.

Distance:	24.5 km
Difficulty:	8 out of 10
Approx. Altitude Change:	Gain: xxx metres	Loss: xxx metres
Highest Point:	945 metres (Tai Mo Shan)
Meeting Time & Place:	8:30 am	at Tsuen Wan Railway Station
Finishing Time & Place:	4:30 pm	in Sham Tseng
Time Spent On Trail:	7.5 hours	Walking 6.25 hours + Breaks 1.25 hours
Food & Drink:	Snack break at Lead Mine Pass (4.5 km) Lunch stop atop Tai Mo Shan (10 km) - bring lunch box Snack and refreshment stop at the kiosks at Route Twisk (14.5 km) and Tsing Fai Tong (22.5 km) - not included (Optional) early dinner at Sham Tseng (24.5 km) - not included

Wednesday, 7 March 2012		Tai Lam

Meandering through peaceful woodlands, this last and long but, relatively, easy leg of the MacLehose Trail Challenge begins in the foothills of Tai Mo Shan and ends on the Gold Coast near Tuen Mun. We alight the bus at the crest of Tsuen Kam Au on the winding Route Twisk to enter the lush and quiet Tai Lam Country Park – our host for the entire day of walking. Following gently sloping paved forest tracks amidst shady acacia and eucalyptus trees, we warm up by conquering Lin Fa Shan and are treated to spectacular views of mountains and the city, before our track starts a long and winding descent through the quiet deep woodlands of the country park. Here, the usual Hong Kong sound-track of drilling jackhammers, wailing fire trucks and screeching bus brakes is replaced by singing birds, braying cattle and babbling brooks. Adding to the pleasure is the potential of encounters with any number of interesting wildlife… We make a longish snack break at the northern tip of the impressive Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, so we are suitably rested for the outing’s hardest section: To avoid clashes with mountain bikers on the original MacLehose Trail along the western shore of the reservoir, we will choose a higher, parallel path. Though it involves a bit of climbing, the advantages of this new route far outweigh the discomfort. Incidentally, this will be the only part of the day that we are not walking on paved surfaces and when we have to tackle some of those dreaded stairs… As a reward for the climbing, we get to enjoy panoramic views of the reservoir once we begin our long descent towards the Tuen Mun suburbs. Indeed, with the exception of one 35 metres tall hillock, the last 6 kilometres are either downhill or all flat… The MacLehose Challenge is completed upon reaching the waterfront restaurants at the Gold Coast Marina!

Distance:	20 km
Difficulty:	5 out of 10
Approx. Altitude Change:	Gain: 365 metres	Loss: 820 metres
Highest Point:	510 metres
Meeting Time & Place:	8:40 am	at Tsuen Wan West Railway Station
Finishing Time & Place:	3:30 pm	at The Gold Coast
Time Spent On Trail:	5.5 hours	Walking 4.5 hours + Breaks 1 hour
Food & Drink:	Snack breaks at Tin Fu Tsai, Tai Lam Chung Reservoir and Wong Nai Tun Look-out (Optional) late lunch by the Gold Coast Marina (20 km) - not included

Disclaimer

Participants on all Hansen's Events' hikes and rides take part entirely at their own risk. By joining any of our events all participants are automatically seen to
have agreed to have entered into a disclaimer which exonerates the outing leaders and the organizers from any personal or public responsibility whatsoever
and for any claims, injuries or damages arising thereof.