Explainer | Hiking the MacLehose: a guide to sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 – Needle Hill and Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest mountain
- Section 8 boasts Hong Kong’s highest mountain, but you have to work to get up high
- The final four sections of the MacLehose conclude an epic hike from east to west
The MacLehose is Hong Kong’s most iconic hiking trail, stretching almost 100km across the New Territories. The final four sections, like the rest, offer varied and beautiful trails.
Section 7 – 7km, estimated time to complete: two to three hours
Start section 7 by walking along the concrete path with Shing Mun Reservoir on your left, eventually crossing over its long dam.
Turn right, up the steep hill and you will soon see a wooden arch saying “MacLehose Trail (Stage Seven)”. This is the start of Needle Hill, one of the most notorious climbs on the whole 100km route.
After a lung-busting slog to the top, you will see much of the MacLehose from section 4 to 8 behind and in front of you. Descend down the other side of Needle Hill to a long concrete path. There are two forks in the road; take the right turn both times.
Eventually you will almost reach the top of Grassy Hill before taking a sharp left turn off the concrete path, onto a steep downhill trail surrounded by trees. It meets a concrete path again – turn left. There is a horseshoe bend in the road turning back on itself. Then you arrive at Lead Mine Pass with a toilet and pavilion.