The MacLehose Trail - Section 5: From Tai Lo Shan to Tai Po Road

The MacLehose Trail - Section 5: Tai Lo Shan to Tai Po Road

MacLehose Trail | Section 5 | 10.7km | Demanding

Section 5 marks the middle of the 10-section, 100 km-long MacLehose Trail. At 10.7 kilometers from Tai Lo Shan to Tai Po Road, this demanding yet very scenic route boasts an impressive elevation gain of 970 meters, requiring approximately 2.5 hours to complete. As you traverse this stunning section, keep an eye out for the distance markers M094 to M115/M116, guiding you through the breathtaking landscapes of Hong Kong's countryside.

PS: Don't forget to stop for the cup noodles at Sha Tin Pass, a great place to refuel and rest.

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MacLehose Trail - Section 5 - Key Facts

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Why Hike Section 5 Of The MacLehose Trail

Section 5 spans 10.7 kilometers from Tai Lo Shan to Tai Po Road, featuring an elevation gain of 970 meters. It typically takes about 2.5 hours to complete, making it a demanding yet rewarding hike.

By now, we have left the beauty of Sai Kung well behind us. Instead of beaches and islands surrounded by turquoise water, Section 5 invites runners to marvel at Hong Kong's cityscapes, with Kowloon in the foreground and Hong Kong Island in the background. 

The scenic views along this route are breathtaking. The mix of cityscapes and natural landscapes explains why Hong Kong is such a unique place for trail running.

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Kowloon Peak as seen from Sha Tin Pass Road, near M098

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What makes Section 5 unique is the opportunity to experience the blend of urban and natural environments. The trail offers truly stunning city views, especially during the early morning or late afternoon. Sunrise or sunset from Sha Tin Pass Road are a sight to behold. 

As Sha Tin Pass Road is a very runnable, well-paved road, this section can also be explored past sunset, when it offers spectacular night views of the city below. Parts of Section 5 are also a welcome break from the more rugged terrain of other parts of the trail.

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Kowloon and Hong Kong Island as seen from Sha Tin Pass near M098

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Along the way, you’ll pass by the 恒益商店 shop, a popular spot to refuel with hot cup noodles, other snacks, or a refreshing drink. It’s a great place to take a break, recharge, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before continuing your journey. Due to its easy accessibility by car, this is also a popular checkpoint for races, such as the Oxfam Trailwalker. 

As you continue along Section 5, the presence of wildlife, such as monkeys, adds an unexpected element of interaction with nature. Be aware that Hong Kong monkeys are not always friendly and quite used to humans. Keep your food and other valuables inside your backpack.

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MacLehose Trail Section 5: Good to Know

Section 5 of the MacLehose Trail is an accessible stretch perfect for hikers, runners, and, if part of a race, their support crews. 

Sha Tin Pass Road is a wide, gently sloping path ideal for quickly earning kilometers or enjoying a relaxed walk. This section is also a great place to refuel, thanks to the 恒益商店 shop, the only food stop between Ham Tin Beach on Section 2 and the shops beyond Tai Mo Shan. Make sure to stock up on snacks or enjoy a hot meal here before continuing your journey!

The trail is well-marked and offers a mix of forested paths and open ridges, making it a scenic and manageable hike. As you approach Tai Po Road, there is also a longer descent towards the end of Section 5. Overall, the section is very runnable and a great way to log kilometers toward the more challenging stages ahead.

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MacLehose Trail - Section 5: Public Transport Options

You can use the public transport options available in Sha Tin to reach the start of MacLehose Trail Section 5, which begins near Tai Lo Shan and ends at Tai Po Road. Below are some options. Note that none of these gets you all the way to the start of Section 5, which, despite being on a road, is not directly accessible by public transport.

From Sha Tin MTR Station, take bus 299X. This bus route can help you get closer to the trailhead, but you may need to exit at a suitable stop and walk a few hundred meters to reach the trail. Alternatively, you can use buses like 214, 259D, 290, 290X, or 42C, which stop near the trail but require a longer walk.

To return home after completing Section 5, you can catch a bus on Tai Po Road. Buses like the #72 or #81 head towards Sham Shui Po or Cheung Sha Wan. From there, you can connect to the MTR for further travel.

If you prefer, you can also walk down Sha Tin Pass into Sha Tin and then take public transport from there. This option allows you to enjoy the views, though it cuts short Section 5.

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MacLehose Trail: Sections, Distance, and Difficulty

The total distance of the MacLehose Trail is approximately. 100km with more than 5,000 cumulative elevation gain. The trail is divided into ten sections:

Section 1: Pak Tam Chung To Long Ke

• Distance: 10.0 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Learn More About Section 1

Section 2: Long Ke to Pak Tam Au ⭐

• Distance: 14.1 km
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Very scenic and a must-do!
• Learn More About Section 2

Section 3: Pak Tam Au to Kei Ling Ha

• Distance: 9.1 km
• Difficulty: Demanding
• Learn More About Section 3

Section 4: Kei Ling Ha to Tai Lo Shan ⭐

• Distance: 12.8 km
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Our favorite section
• Learn More About Section 4

Section 5: Tai Lo Shan to Tai Po Road

• Distance: 10.7 km
• Difficulty: Demanding
• Learn More About Section 5

Section 6: Tai Po Road to Shing Mun

• Distance: 4.1 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Learn More About Section 6

Section 7: Shing Mun to Lead Mine Pass ⭐

• Distance: 7 km
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Learn More About Section 7

Section 8: Lead Mine Pass to Route Twisk

• Distance: 9.1 km
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Learn More About Section 8

Section 9: Route Twisk to Tin Fu Tsai

• Distance: 6.2 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Learn More About Section 9

Section 10: Tin Fu Tsai to Tuen Mun Town

• Distance: 15.2 km
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Learn More About Section 10