MacLehose Section 4 & 5

(Updated 2020-DEC-23)

Duration: 

(23.3 kilometers) Between 7 and 9 hours depending on walking speed (took me 7.5)

Difficulty: 9/10. There are steep climbs for a good part of the trails and the two sections are over 22 kilometers. Inexperienced hikers will likely suffer. Bring a flashlight, just in case you can't reach the end of Section 5 before dark.

Cel phone coverage: Full

Water needs: 2 liters

Appreciation: 9/10. Great views of the mountains and then Kowloon (go on a clear day).

Map & Details: 
https://www.hiking.gov.hk/trail/info/id/aWhDRVFZbmpET0pMazRxdWhhU0hIUT09
https://www.hiking.gov.hk/trail/info/id/MW45T1puY3I1OVJiaDRudGNuNEgxZz09

Transportation: From Diamond Hill MTR station, KMB 96R or 92 will take you to the Sai Kung terminus. Then take bus 99 or 299x and stop at 澳頭新村
O TAU NEW VILLAGE (the 6th stop). At the end of section 5, you'll be within 100 meters of Tai Po road where buses 72 (Cheung Sha Wan MTR), 81 (to Prince Edward, Mongkok, Austin MTR stations), and 86B (Mei Foo MTR) will take you back to town. Take it on the same side of Tai Po Rd you are on when exiting the trail

Why it's worth it: 

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The MacLehose trail is identified by the little hiking dude.

Section 4's trail head is about 3 minutes walk from the bus stop (on your left).
There's restrooms on the other side of the road, by the beginning of the trail.

That is the start of Maclehose Section 4. M071

At

Helipad on the right. Keep left.

At this point, you leave the paved road (dirt path on the left)

Pay attention between milestone M74 and M75 not too miss the sharp left turn. 
Otherwise, you'll end-up off the trail in some deserted village. 
It used to be confusing, but there's now a Maclehose signpost.
Now, this is where the heavy climbing starts.

A little bit after M81, take a short break.

Around M82, nice views from where the para-sailing enthusiasts take off.

M85

Section 4 completed. On your way to Section5. Head right and walk on the road for about 100 meters.

Section 5 continues on your left.

Between M97 and M98. Here, you will be at the intersection of  Jat's Incline,  Fei Ngo Shan Road and Shatin Pass.
Take Shatin pass on your right after a short break.

Flat walk along Shatin Pass. A short while after M100, you'll have an option to cut Section 5 short if you are tired, replenish your water supplies at the store on your right and keep going.

Be ready for more climbing.

A little bit after marker M104, after climbing a few steps, you'll be presented with an option of staying on the MacLeahose Section 5 proper (Option A, going straight) or exploring the Lion Rock portion (Option B, turn left). On a clear day, if you are not too tired, I strongly suggest option B which will give you the best Kowloon views. Both trails meet back into Section 5 at the gazebo between M106 and M107.

That is the gazebo between M106 and M107. Go straight up the stairs to continue with Section 5.

You'll cross Lung Yan Road a few times.

At this point, you're about 2.5km from the end of Section 5.

MacLehose Section 3

(Updated 2019-APR-22)

Duration: (10.2k) Between 4 and 5 hours depending on walking speed (took us 4)

Difficulty: 8/10. 586m elevation gain. There are two steep climbs but each time, they are no more than 25 minutes long.

Cel coverage: Sparse to none

Water needs: 1.5 liter

Appreciation: 8/10. The views are nice, although most of the same as Section 2, but without the beaches. 

Maps and details: http://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/2791504142

Exercise area: None

Transportation: Better go on a Sunday as the other days make transportation harder. From Diamond Hill MTR station, KMB 96R will take you directly to Pak Tam Road where you get off at 北潭凹 PAK TAM AU stop. Otherwise, you can take bus 92 to Sai Kung, then 94 to Pak Tam Au stop. At the end of section 3, return taking bus 299 or 99 to Sai Kung, then 92 to Diamond Hill. Note that the bus stop is not right at the trail end; you will have to walk 5 minutes on your right or left.

Relive.cc: 

Click to see 3D video of this hike

Why it's worth it: 

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The bus will drop you off right by the trail head.

Quite straightforward and with good signage.

Around post sign 52, there might be some confusion as there seems to be some trail going to the left.
That is not Maclehose. Keep right! (follow the sign)

At M055, there's a camping site and a map if you are unsure which way to go.
But basically, sharp left as indicated above.

Around M056. Keep left towards Shui Long Wo.