Ma On Shan Country Trail

📍【Ma On Shan Country Trail】is located inside Ma On Shan Country Park in the eastern New Territories. Stretching around 3.5 to 4.5 km, the hike takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete. It passes through iconic landmarks like the Ngong Ping Plateau and Tai Kam Chung (Pyramid Hill), offering stunning panoramic views of the Sai Kung waters before connecting to MacLehose Trail Section 4. The trail also carries a piece of Hong Kong’s industrial history, allowing hikers to explore Ma On Shan Village and the Ma On Shan Mining Heritage Centre along the way. —

📌 Quick Facts

Item Details

📍 Location Eastern New Territories, Ma On Shan Country Park, nestled between Shatin and Sai Kung

🗓️ Year Designated 1979, spanning an area of around 2,880 hectares

⛰️ Main Peak Ma On Shan Peak stands at 702m, forming a distinctive “saddle” shape opposite Ngau Ngak Shan (The Hunchacks)

🛤️ Distance Approx. 3.5–4.5 km

⏱️ Duration 2.5–3.5 hours (including rest and photo stops)

💪 Difficulty ⭐️⭐️ (Easy to moderate, beginner and family-friendly)

🚩 Starting Point Ma On Shan Village or Ma On Shan BBQ Site

🏁 Ending Point Tai Shui Tseng, Sai Kung

🛠️ Facilities BBQ site, water filling station, toilets (available at the starting point and Ngong Ping Campsite)

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🌄 Geographical Highlights

Ngong Ping Plateau

One of Hong Kong’s rare high-altitude plateaus, boasting an expansive view overlooking the Sai Kung Peninsula, Pak Sha Wan (Hebe Haven), and the inner sea of Sai Kung.

A massive hotspot for paragliders and a very popular IG-worthy check-in spot.

Tai Kam Chung (Pyramid Hill)

A striking, massive pyramid-shaped rock landmark connected to the Ngong Ping Plateau—a must-pass landmark along the country trail.

Ma On Shan Peak

The slopes are steep and rugged; the northeastern path is particularly treacherous, so it’s highly recommended to head up from the southern side via Ngong Ping.

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🏞️ History & Heritage

Ma On Shan Mine

Once a vital iron ore mine in Hong Kong, primarily extracting magnetite.

During its peak, around 5,000 to 10,000 miners and their families lived in Ma On Shan Village.

Production stopped in 1976. Today, you can deep dive into this industrial heritage at the Ma On Shan Mining Heritage Centre.

Ma On Shan Mining Heritage Centre

Converted from a former village school, it now preserves the old mining history and local human stories, showcasing the miners’ lives and community culture.

Ma On Shan Village still retains Yan Kwong Church (a Christian gathering house) and the remnants of the old mine pits.

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🚶‍♂️ Route Overview

Start Via Finish Distance Time Amenities / Facilities

Ma On Shan Village Ngong Ping Plateau, Tai Kam Chung (Pyramid Hill) Tai Shui Tseng, Sai Kung Approx. 3.5–4.5 km 2–3 hours BBQ site at the start; dry toilets at Ngong Ping

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🚶 Route Breakdown

Step Section Highlights

1️⃣ 營地 / 村落：Ma On Shan Village Drop by the Mining Heritage Centre to learn all about the local iron mining history.

2️⃣ 🍖 Ma On Shan BBQ Site Get ready at the trailhead, equipped with basic amenities and rest areas.

3️⃣ 🪜 20-minute Stair Climb Hit the actual trail; watch out for streams during the rainy season for safety.

4️⃣ 🌿 Ngong Ping Plateau A rare plateau grassland in HK, perfect for picnics and watching paragliders.

5️⃣ 🪨 Tai Kam Chung (Pyramid Hill) The iconic massive boulder rising from the plateau—a major designated trail landmark.

6️⃣ 🚌 Tai Shui Tseng, Sai Kung The finish line; hop on public transport here to head straight back to Sai Kung Town Centre.

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🌿 Ecology & Conservation

The hillsides are mainly volcanic rock, making the vegetation somewhat sparse.

Common flora: Rhododendron simsii (red azalea) and drought-resistant herbs.

Common fauna: Chinese Muntjac (barking deer) and various bird species.

Certain zones are strictly designated as “Special Areas” to protect rare and endangered plants.

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📌 Pro-Tips

Safety: Mobile reception can be pretty patchy on certain sections, so make sure to prep your offline maps beforehand.

Weather: Streams can completely flood the paths after heavy downpours, so definitely skip this trail if it rains.

Transport: Take resident shuttle bus NR84 from MTR Ma On Shan Station straight to Ma On Shan Village to start your hike.

Item	Details
📍 Location	Eastern New Territories, Ma On Shan Country Park, nestled between Shatin and Sai Kung
🗓️ Year Designated	1979, spanning an area of around 2,880 hectares
⛰️ Main Peak	Ma On Shan Peak stands at 702m, forming a distinctive “saddle” shape opposite Ngau Ngak Shan (The Hunchacks)
🛤️ Distance	Approx. 3.5–4.5 km
⏱️ Duration	2.5–3.5 hours (including rest and photo stops)
💪 Difficulty	⭐️⭐️ (Easy to moderate, beginner and family-friendly)
🚩 Starting Point	Ma On Shan Village or Ma On Shan BBQ Site
🏁 Ending Point	Tai Shui Tseng, Sai Kung
🛠️ Facilities	BBQ site, water filling station, toilets (available at the starting point and Ngong Ping Campsite)

Step	Section	Highlights
1️⃣	營地 / 村落：Ma On Shan Village	Drop by the Mining Heritage Centre to learn all about the local iron mining history.
2️⃣	🍖 Ma On Shan BBQ Site	Get ready at the trailhead, equipped with basic amenities and rest areas.
3️⃣	🪜 20-minute Stair Climb	Hit the actual trail; watch out for streams during the rainy season for safety.
4️⃣	🌿 Ngong Ping Plateau	A rare plateau grassland in HK, perfect for picnics and watching paragliders.
5️⃣	🪨 Tai Kam Chung (Pyramid Hill)	The iconic massive boulder rising from the plateau—a major designated trail landmark.
6️⃣	🚌 Tai Shui Tseng, Sai Kung	The finish line; hop on public transport here to head straight back to Sai Kung Town Centre.