How to Hike Tai Mo Shan: HK’s Highest Peak
Taking on the Tai Mo Shan hike is a unique and memorable adventure, as it leads you to Hong Kong’s tallest peak. Trekking through dense jungle terrain and along grassy hillsides, there’s a fantastic amount of variety in this hike. Not to mention the potential to encounter captivating waterfalls along the way. The culmination of the hike rewards you with the summit, offering breathtaking views of the Northern and Western territories of Hong Kong, as well as Schenzen on clear days!
This post will cover everything you need to know about how to hike Tai Mo Shan, including routes, timings, what to expect, equipment, tips, and more. Select your preferred section in the contents page below or continue reading from the top for the complete Tai Mo Shan hiking guide.
About Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan translates to ‘Big Hat Mountain’ because of the misty weather conditions frequently found at the summit. The mist and clouds, which may sometimes surround you, form as a result of both the humidity and altitude of Tai Mo Shan. Nestled in Hong Kong’s New Territories, Tai Mo Shan is the tallest mountain in Hong Kong, offering a compelling destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Standing at 957 meters above sea level, the summit rewards hikers with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including Shenzhen and Tuen Mun.
The trail to Tai Mo Shan is diverse, ranging from well-maintained paths to more challenging routes, catering to various skill levels. The area is characterized by dense vegetation, and the hike provides an opportunity to observe local flora and fauna. Tai Mo Shan is part of Tai Mo Shan Country Park, ensuring a preserved and natural environment for those seeking a hiking experience away from the city’s urban sprawl.
About the Tai Mo Shan Hike
Walk type: Up and down (loop optional)
Distance: 11km
Maximum Elevation: 957m (3140 feet)
Minimum Elevation: 306m (Chuen Tung), 20m (Tsuen Wan)
Walk time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Highest in Hong Kong, Beautiful sunset spot
Trailhead: Chuen Tung (other options available)
NOTE: The distance and walk time stated is for the route from Chuen Tung. If you decide to hike from elsewhere (routes below), these will vary. The shortest hike to Tai Mo Shan’s summit is 4km in total, starting from the Rotary Club Car Park and back. Public transport and a variety of hiking trails allow you to extend your hike as much or as little as you like.
FAQs
Can you hike Tai Mo Shan independently?
You can easily hike Tai Mo Shan without a guide. The route is simple to navigate and has reference points throughout.
Signal is strong for the majority of the route, meaning you can refer to Google Maps, Maps.me or this blog post to help you navigate. However, I recommend having offline alternatives so you’re not relying solely on signal.
What to pack to hike Tai Mo Shan?
For hiking Tai Mo Shan you should wear your usual, comfortable hiking clothes. This includes shorts (or hiking trousers if preferred), a sweat-wicking top, walking socks, and hiking shoes. Trainers are fine if you don’t have hiking boots.
Depending on the hiking route for Tai Mo Shan that you pick, some trails can be overgrown, making trousers a good protective layer. Similarly, if you want to visit Tai Mo Shan for sunset, bringing an extra layer can be helpful as it is noticeably cooler up there (particularly in winter months and on breezy days)!
Look at the weather forecast in advance and dress accordingly. If it’s sunny, sunglasses and a hat are highly recommended. If it’s cooler, overcast, or even rainy, then wear something to protect you from the elements.
In addition to the clothes you are wearing, you should also bring:
- Water: Always stay hydrated during your hike.
- Snacks: Gotta keep your energy levels up! Plus, who doesn’t like a scenic snack?
- Swimming trunks (optional): If you opt for a route via the waterfalls.
- Sun cream: Once above the tree line, the hike is exposed with minimal protection from the sun.
- Wallet: Holding your Octopus card for the journey home and any cash for lunch.
- Camera (optional): Tai Mo Shan offers panoramic views with loads of possibilities for photographs.
When to hike Tai Mo Shan?
Best time of day to hike Tai Mo Shan:
The best time to hike Tai Mo Shan is typically during the early morning or late afternoon.
Beginning your hike in the early morning allows you to enjoy cooler temperatures and witness the serene beauty of the surroundings as nature comes to life. Though watch out for fog!
Alternatively, late afternoon hikes offer stunning sunset views from the peak. Avoiding the midday heat ensures a more comfortable and enjoyable trek. However, it’s essential to check weather conditions and plan accordingly, as Hong Kong’s climate can vary.
Best time of year to hike Tai Mo Shan:
You can hike Tai Mo Shan all year round. However, the best time of year to hike Tai Mo Shan is during the cooler months of autumn and winter (October to March). During this period, the temperatures are more comfortable, ranging from mild to cool, providing an enjoyable hiking experience. The humidity is lower, and the vegetation is lush, enhancing the scenic beauty along the trails.
The winter months also attract hikers looking for the rare frosts in Hong Kong. The cool temperatures at that altitude make it one of the few spots in Hong Kong where you can find frost. With this in mind, you may need to consider an extra layer for the summit!
Where is Tai Mo Shan?
Tai Mo Shan is located in the New Territories of Hong Kong, just north of Kowloon. It stands as the highest peak in the region, offering hikers and nature enthusiasts an opportunity to explore its diverse trails and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. The mountain is situated within Tai Mo Shan Country Park, providing a natural and preserved environment for outdoor activities.
How to get to Tai Mo Shan
You have several options to get to the start of your chosen Tai Mo Shan hike.
Most hikers head up from the Rotary Club area since this is where the main road leading in the direction of Tai Mo Shan is located. This blog post covers the route starting from Chuen Lung which is further down the road from the Rotary Club.
Public Transport: Take the bus from Tsuen Wan to Tai Mo Shan Country Park Bus Stop. Then walk up the Maclehose Trail from there to the summit.
Taxi: Take a taxi directly from Tsuen Wan to Tai Mo Shan Country Park. This is a more convenient but more expensive option. Stop wherever you like on the main road (Route Twisk), as there are an array of different trails to take. Once again, the shortest hiking route is from the Rotary Club.
Walk: Multiple hiking trails lead straight out from the city of Tsuen Wan, so if you want to extend your hike, this is an interesting option. I completed the Tai Mo Shan hike while staying in Tsuen Wan, so I opted for this option. Popular trails include the Route Twisk or Tai Mo Shan Family Walk.
How hard is the Tai Mo Shan hike?
The difficulty of the Tai Mo Shan hike varies depending on the trail you choose. Overall, it is considered a moderately challenging hike. Trails like the Tai Mo Shan Family Walk provide a more accessible route suitable for beginners and families, featuring well-maintained paths.
On the other hand, more challenging trails, such as the Route Twisk, may involve steeper ascents and uneven terrain, requiring a moderate level of fitness and hiking experience. The hike to the summit involves an elevation gain, and the length of the trail can impact the difficulty level.
You should assess your fitness level and select a trail that aligns with your hiking experience. Ensure you are adequately prepared with proper footwear, sufficient water, and snacks. Checking trail conditions and weather forecasts beforehand is also advisable for a safe and enjoyable hike on Tai Mo Shan.
How long does it take to hike Tai Mo Shan?
Once again, this depends on the route you select. The most popular route (and the route in this blog post), ascending from Chuen Lung takes approximately 3 hours of walking time.
Tai Mo Shan Hiking Route
There are several ways to hike Tai Mo Shan due to the array of interlinking hiking paths in the area. This is great, as it’s more difficult to get lost! But it also means it’s harder to set a specific route.
Depending on the length of hike you want to do you can get a bus up to one of the various start points, or hike down to one of various endpoints.
I wanted to make a day of it (code for I like to feel my legs burn…), so started hiking from Tsuen Wan. This involved stopping for lunch at a dim sum restaurant in Chuen Lung, before summiting Tai Mo Shan in the afternoon for sunset.
Route Map
The map below shows the hiking route from Tsuen Wan Station to Chuen Lung as well as the route from Chuen Lung to the peak of Tai Mo Shan and the route down.
On the way up you will pass the Tai Mo Shan Fire Lookout Station which has fantastic views over the city below. As you continue upwards, you will eventually join Section 8 of the Maclehose Trail which will lead you to the summit of Tai Mo Shan.
You will need to briefly retrace your footsteps, and then follow the Maclehose Trail back down to the end in Tsuen Kam Au where Section 9 begins. If you don’t want to follow the trail down, you can follow the winding Tai Mo Shan Road instead which runs roughly parallel to the path.
NOTE: Some cut-throughs don’t appear on Google Maps. For example, when the trail zig-zags, there are some opportunities to continue hiking straight up, meaning you can save time.
Alternative Routes to Hike Tai Mo Shan:
- Start from Rotary Park: This is the easiest way to visit Tai Mo Shan. Take the bus to Tai Mo Shan Country Park Bus Stop, then walk back and turn left towards Rotary Park.
- Waterfall Routes: There are several waterfalls scattered around the area. The most impressive is the Ng Tung Chai Waterfall. If you catch the 64 bus further north, you can start your hike to Tai Mo Shan from the trailhead going via a few waterfalls (outlined here).
- Tai Po to Tai Mo Shan Hike: If you are based further north in Hong Kong this might be easier to get to. This hike offers better views of Schenzen on the way to Hong Kong’s highest peak (outlined here).
What to expect when hiking Tai Mo Shan?
As you’d expect for any hike up to a nation’s highest peak, there’s a fair amount of uphill! The hike up to Tai Mo Shan is a steady incline to the top. It’s not too steep, but a steady but bearable incline.
Through the forest section nearer the bottom, the path is clear with helpful bands attached to the trees. The paths are enclosed by trees making it particularly sweaty. As you exit into more grassy hillsides, you will find more of a breeze, and there is a vague path to follow (though I just aimed for the summit).
As you get higher and higher up, the city will get more and more distant. Tai Mo Shan is one of my favourite hikes in Hong Kong as you feel both close and distant from the city at the same time!
The panoramic views nearing the summit are almost unrivaled. On a clear day, you can see mountains, the city, the harbour, and other islands in the distance which encapsulates Hong Kong nicely. Even with Hong Kong’s usual haze, it’s still incredible.
Looking east, you will see the rest of Tai Mo Shan Country Park, Tai Po, Kowloon, Pat Sin Leng Country Park and more. While the view in the other direction shows you views of Lantau Island, Lamma Island and Tuen Mun. In the north, you can even see Schenzen!
When you reach the top of the trail you will come across a fence surrounding the Tai Mo Shan Radar Station. I was mildly disappointed when I realised that the trail doesn’t take you to the ‘true’ peak of Hong Kong as it’s fenced off. However, you can walk around the perimeter to get equally good views of where you hiked up from, the sunset and Schenzen in the distance!
Tips for hiking Tai Mo Shan
- Navigation: If using Google Maps, you might find multiple options when typing in Tai Mo Shan. Type in Tai Mo Shan Weather Radar Station (linked) to find the peak.
- Visitor Centre: The Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre is open from 09:30 to 16:30 Wednesday-Sunday and Mondays. It is closed on Tuesdays (except on public holidays) and the first two days of the Chinese New Year.
Other Hikes in Hong Kong
Since Hong Kong is surrounded by mountains, there are plenty of hikes to be done! Some of the best hikes in Hong Kong include:
- West Dog’s Teeth to Lantau Peak hike
- Lion Rock
- Suicide Cliff and Kowloon Peak
- Dragon’s Back Hike
- Twin Peaks Hike
- Victoria Peak Circular Walk
- Lamma Island Walk
Then, once you’re all hiked out, you can check out my complete Hong Kong itinerary for even more ideas!
Before you go
Thank you for reading my travel guide on how to hike Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy hiking!
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