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of high-rises clustered around a
harbour. Highlights of Section 3 include
woodlands, meadows and streams,
plus several testing hills. (The first one
is a real thigh-burner.) A few wild cows
will block your path from time to time,
adding an extra challenge.
Who’s doing it?
Maybe I got lucky, but I didn’t pass a
single person on Section 3 of the trail. The
inclement weather may have helped, but
I think even on a good day you’re going
to have this part of Hong Kong largely to
yourself if you make the effort to get here.
What’s at the end of it?
Section 3 finishes kind of in the middle
of nowhere, but at least there’s a bus
stop on the quiet country road so you
can get back to Sai Kung (bus 99, 15
minutes). Before returning to the city,
grab some plates of dim sum in one of
the waterfront restaurants of Sai Kung,
or go on a boat trip.
How do you get there?
A taxi from Central would likely cost
HK$300 to $400; public transport is
your best option, though it takes around
an hour.
•
MTR Central to Choi Hung; change to
thegreen line atMongKok (20minutes)
•
Exit C at Choi Hung, then Minibus 1A
(every four minutes) to Sai Kung Pier
(20 minutes)
•
KMB bus 94 to Pak Tam Au bus
station, start of Section 3 (20 minutes)
TIP:
Visit
www.discoverhongkong.comfor pdf
maps and other info on all three of these hikes.
What is it?
The Maclehose Trail is a famous 100km
walking track that cuts through the
middle of Hong Kong’s New Territories.
The first of its 10 sections begins in the
east, not far from Sai Kung, and the Trail
then follows an east-west direction (with
plenty of meandering) before ending up
in Tuen Mun. You can tackle any or all
of the sections; the prettiest is probably
Section 2 with its stunning coastal views,
but because I’d done that on an earlier
visit, I opted for Section 3 instead.
What’s good about it?
The Maclehose Trail is a world-class
walk – and an eye-opener for anyone
who equates Hong Kong with hundreds
(Section 3)
Location:
New Territories
Length:
10km
(around four hours)
Level:
Moderate, with a tricky
ascent at the beginning