Start your enquiry A hundred kilometres of marked trail around one of the world's great harbour cities — ridge lines over the South China Sea, a beach at every second stage, and the city skyline at the edges.
Hong Kong · Sai Kung to Tuen Mun
Plan this walking journey
The MacLehose Trail is Hong Kong's masterwork of town planning of an unusual kind: one hundred kilometres of waymarked path through four country parks, opened in 1979 and never once boring. Section two crosses the Sai Kung peninsula over ridge tops with the South China Sea on both sides and ends on a surf beach; the later stages climb the territory's high country and finish near Tuen Mun in the west.
For a traveller, the trail's virtue is modularity. Stages are sized for a day, every section start is reachable by minibus or taxi, and the city's hotels are never more than an hour away. Our Hong Kong walking trips work the best sections — Sai Kung's stage one and two above all — with luggage support and the food nights the city does better than any trail town in Asia.
The trail's famous section: up over High Junk Peak country, along the ridge with sea views both sides, and down to Ham Tin's arc of sand. Swim, lunch at a beach kiosk, ferry or bus home.
A gentler opener around High Island Reservoir's dam and coast — hexagonal columnar cliffs, geology trails and the East Dam's sea arch.
Shing Mun to Tai Po via Tai Mo Shan's 957-metre summit — the territory's roof, with the whole Pearl River Delta on clear days. For strong walkers in cool months.
The trail is best eaten in slices. Two or three stages across a Hong Kong stay beats a rushed thru-hike; every stage start is served by transport.
October to March is the walking season. Hong Kong's summer humidity is genuine heat stress on exposed ridges; carry more water than feels reasonable.
Stage two's Ham Tin beach huts are first-come by reputation — a supported trip reserves ahead and times the ferry.
Hotels, Octopus cards, minibus numbers: our briefings cover the unglamorous details that make the trail modular rather than frustrating.
A three-day MacLehose module that slots into any Hong Kong stay — walk the best sections, keep the city evenings.
Bring grippy walking shoes, a daypack, two litres of water per hot-season stage, sun protection and a light shell. The trail is marked and mobile coverage is excellent; download offline maps anyway.
For a useful quote, tell us your dates, group size and which stages appeal. Proposals distinguish accommodation, transfers, guiding and meals — the trail itself is free.
Stages range from easy reservoir walking to demanding ridge climbs. Stage two is moderate and is our most requested day; the Tai Mo Shan stages are serious.
No. Supported trips move bags between hotels; you walk with a daypack.
Official campgrounds exist on Sai Kung stages. Most travellers prefer beach huts or city hotels — we book either.
Reference material supports destination context; check local opening arrangements before travel. The route choices and itinerary above are our planning suggestions.
Tell us what you want from maclehose trail hiking, how much walking you enjoy and where you are travelling next. We can shape the route, stays and transfers into one itinerary.
Enquire about this journey