Ma On Shan Hike to Sai Kung via Pyramid Hill

The Ma On Shan hike is one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the New Territories of Hong Kong. The mountain got its name from its saddle-shaped peaks (Ma On literally means horse saddle) and is one of the top 10 highest mountains in HK.

There are many ways to hike Ma On Shan in Hong Kong. I really like the point-to-point trail that starts in Ma On Shan Country Park and takes you up a series of peaks of Tiu Shau Ngam and The Hunch Backs, then descends into Sai Kung via Pyramid Hill and Ngong Ping plateau. At the latter part of the trail, you will also hike part of MacLehose Trail Section 4 and Ma On Shan Country Trail.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to hike the mountains in Ma On Shan Country Park and enjoy a full day of trekking on one of the best hiking trails in Hong Kong.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting this website. For more information, please read the disclosure for more info.

Ma On Shan Hike Info

Before you visit Ma On Shan Country park, take a look at my Hong Kong solo travel guide and get an overview of HK first.

And here are a few additional tips for the Ma On Shan hike:

• The best time to hike Ma On Shan Country Park is late autumn, winter and early spring. The trail is exposed the entire way and quite challenging, so I would not recommend hiking during the summer.
• Wear proper hiking shoes, bring a pair of hiking gloves or hiking poles, as parts of the trail are quite steep and slippery. Follow my minimalist hiking gear list for packing tips.
• Bring enough water for a few hours of hiking.
• Get an Octopus Card, a rechargeable smart card for taking public transportation and use it for taking the MTR to the start of the Ma On Shan trail and taking the minibus from Sai Kung.

How to hike from Ma On Shan to Sai Kung

The Ma On Shan hike starts in Ma On Shan Country Park, and goes straight up Tiu Shau Ngam to The Hunch Backs, crosses the saddle part of Ma On Shan and descends toward Sai Kung via Pyramid Hill and Ngong Ping Viewing Point. The final descent will take you through MacLehose Trail Section 4 and Ma On Shan Country Trail.

• Difficulty: intermediate to advanced
• Duration: 4.5 hours
• Distance: 7km
• What to bring: hiking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), water, snacks, smartphone (for taking photos and navigation), gloves, hiking poles

Click on “more options” in the top left corner of Google Maps, and the map will open in your browser or in the app on your smartphone. And I included the elevation profile for this hike, too.

How to get to Ma On Shan Country Park

The easiest and best way to reach the start of the Ma On Shan hiking trail is to take the subway, then a village minibus. Alternatively, you could walk to the start of the trail from the subway station.

Village minibus NR84 to Ma On Shan Country Park

At Ma On Shan MTR Station, take Exit B, which brings you directly into MOSTown (shopping mall). Take the escalator to the ground floor and look for the Minibus NR84 bus stop, located at the perimeter of the bus terminal on On Luk Street.

The village minibus NR84 is a residential bus, which means locals have priority over visitors. Since this is a popular bus route for hiking the Ma On Shan trail, the minibus queue starts early and can get busy.

Make sure to go earlier, as the minibus can only accommodate 28 passengers. Minibus departs at 8am, 9am (subject to demand), 9:30am, 10:30am, etc. I caught the 9:30am one, but was there by 9am to ensure I could get on.

Take the minibus and alight at the 5th stop, near the BBQ site (on Google Maps) in Ma On Shan Country Park. Bus journey takes 20 minutes and costs $7HKD (use Octopus card).

Or Walk to Ma On Shan Country Park

It is possible to walk to Ma On Shan Country Park, where the hiking trail starts. The path crosses Ma On Shan town and goes uphill near the park. It is a 50-minute walk. Not a fun or glamorous walk. So if you can, take the minibus and save your energy for the actual hiking trail. This is the walking route:

Ma On Shan to Sai Kung Hike Itinerary

Look for the trail entrance at Ma On Shan Country Park

Once you get off the minibus, you will be in the parking lot of Ma On Shan Country Park. Look for a walking path that will lead you to the start of the Ma On Shan Family Walk.

Hike up Ma On Shan Family Walk

Ma On Shan Family Walk starts with a gradual stairway leading to a pavilion and a viewing platform.

Near the viewing platform, you will see a warning sign. This is the start of a steep hike up to Tiu Shau Ngam. Walk past the “danger” sign. You are going the right way.

Hike up the steep slopes of Tiu Shau Ngam

Tiu Shau Ngam is a series of mountains with a steep hiking trail that leads to The Hunch Backs, the highest point on the western ridge.

The hike up Tiu Shau Ngam is pretty difficult. The hiking trail is either a muddy path or a steep stairway where you may need to use your hands to balance yourself and climb up the steep slope. This is where your gloves come in handy.

Panoramic views from Tiu Shau Ngam

At the first peak of Tiu Shau Ngam, you can see unobstructed views of Ma On Shan (the town), Sha Tin area, Shing Mun River and Tolo Harbour. The view is quite impressive at this peak, but keep climbing up, and the views get better!

Trek up to The Hunch Backs of the Ma On Shan Hike

While you are hiking up Tiu Shau Ngam, you can see the saddle-shaped mountain while looking towards the trail. The tail of The Hunch Backs is the peak on the left and Ma On Shan is the head, which is the peak on the right. Can you see it?

And when you look back towards where you started, you can see the series of peaks of Tiu Shau Ngam.

Hike from The Hunch Backs to the Ma On Shan peak

At the top of The Hunch Backs summit, you can see a narrow hiking trail on the mountain ridge that crosses the horse-saddle mountain. At 677m above sea level, this is quite an impressive view.

The hiking trail is not the easiest, but this is the most exhilarating part of the Ma On Shan hike. It goes down and up a few times, and some parts are quite slippery, especially if you don’t have proper hiking shoes. But the views on both sides of the mountain are spectacular! Continue following the trail until you reach Ma On Shan summit.

Views from Ma On Shan: Three Fathoms Cove and Sai Kung

As soon as you descend from The Hunch Backs, you can catch the first glimpse of Three Fathoms Cove, the body of water separating Ma On Shan and Sai Kung West Country Park.

And when you look north, you can see part of the Plover Cove Reservoir, characterized by the connecting islands and a long linear road. There is an awesome (but challenging) hike there called Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail if you can trek 18km in one day.

Continue on the horse saddle of the Ma On Shan Hike

As I mentioned earlier, the horse saddle part of the Ma On Shan Mountain is a narrow hiking trail that goes down and up several times across the mountain peaks. At the end of the last peak, you will reach Ma On Shan summit at 702m.

Along the way, you will see views of Sai Kung when you look south. And you will see a narrow hiking trail leading you down the mountains. This is MacLehose Trail Section 4. And you will see Pyramid Hill, the pointy mountain at the end of a series of mountain peaks.

Descend Ma On Shan to Pyramid Hill

Definitely take a moment and enjoy the view from the Ma On Shan peak. As soon as you are ready, carefully descend down the steep mountain. Yes, it is quite steep and slippery.

At the bottom of the mountain, turn around and take a look at just how high the Ma On Shan summit is.

MacLehose Trail Section 4 merged into the hiking trail you are on. So continue forward to Pyramid Hill

Hike to Pyramid Hill on Ma On Shan

At 536m, Pyramid Hill has a very distinct shape. You can see the cone-shaped mountain from the top of Ma On Shan and almost anywhere in Sai Kung.

While it doesn’t seem very difficult because it is not as tall as Ma On Shan, the Pyramid Hill hike is one of the most challenging in Hong Kong.

The hiking trail takes you straight up to the top and straight down on the other side. The descent is much longer because the trail leads you to the plateaus of Ngong Ping on Ma On Shan. And in my opinion, hiking down a mountain is much more difficult than going up.

I’ve seen many people slip down, including myself (but I am clumsy). So if you are not an expert hiker, I highly suggest bringing gloves as you may need to use your hands to balance yourself while hiking down Pyramid Hill. Or bring a hiking pole if you have one.

Descend Pyramid Hill to Ngong Ping Plateau

Take plenty of breaks along the trail and take in the views of Sai Kung. From any point on the MacLehose Trail, you can see the town of Sai Kung and the islands in the Port Shelter.

When you are ready to descend from the summit of Pyramid Hill, take your time and slowly hike down to the plateaus of Ngong Ping.

Arrive at Ngong Ping Plateau

The grassy Ngong Ping Plateau is a popular spot for picnics. During warmer months, many people bring their camping gear and set up their tents for an overnight stay. Plus, Ngong Ping is one of the best spots for paragliding.

And it is an excellent spot for day-trippers. I saw many hikers taking photos and taking a break at one of the many spots on the plateau.

This is your last chance to take in the views of Sai Kung before descending the mountain. Take lots of photos!

Descend Ngong Ping Shan via Ma On Shan Country Trail

Continue your descent down MacLehose Trail Section 4, which is on the southwest side of the plateau areas of Ngong Ping Shan. At the junction, turn left onto Ma On Shan Country Trail.

The end of Ma On Shan Country Trail

The hike down the mountain takes about 20 minutes. Keep walking until you reach Tai Shui Tseng, a small village at the base of the Ma On Shan Country Trail.

Walk to Sai Kung Town

From Tai Shui Tseng, walk down Pak Kong Au Road until you reach Po Lo Che Road’s intersection. Cross the street and continue onto Sun King Terrace. Once you are on Hiram’s Hwy, turn left (or walk northeast), and you’ll reach the town of Sai Kung in 10 minutes.

Finish your hiking day in Sai Kung Town

The town of Sai Kung is an excellent spot for an after-hike snack or meal. There are plenty of cafes and seafood restaurants if you are hungry.

When you are ready to leave Sai Kung, take either a bus or a minibus to an MTR Station and continue your way home.

The fastest way is to hop on Minibus 1 at Sai Kung Pier Public Minibus Terminus, which will take you to Choi Hung MTR Station. The journey takes 30 minutes and costs $10.9HKD (use Octopus card).

Ma On Shan Hike in reverse: from Sai Kung to Ma On Shan

Hiking the point-to-point trail in reverse means you will complete the trail in Ma On Shan Country Park. From the park, it is either a long walk to the MTR station or a long wait for the village minibus, as it runs infrequently.

However, I saw people hiking in the reverse direction around Pyramid Hill. But I think they started in Sai Kung and were doing a round trip to the pointy mountain.

So in theory, you could hike the Ma On Shan Country trail in reverse. But I think it is better to hike from Ma On Shan to Sai Kung because there are more transportation options there. If you can think of a good reason to hike in reverse, let me know in the comments below.

Are you hiking the Ma On Shan Trail?

Many hiking trails lead up to Ma On Shan, but I really like point-to-point trails where I start in one part of the city and finish in another. Plus, I like to fill my hiking day with different sights and challenges, which is why my Ma On Shan hiking itinerary includes Tiu Shau Ngam, The Hunch Backs and Pyramid Hill.

I hope you enjoyed reading my post on hiking Ma On Shan and will try the hike out yourself. If you enjoy challenging hiking trails, check out High Junk Peak, Pat Sin Leng, Kowloon Peak and Suicide Cliff and Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail.

Ready to plan your trip to Hong Kong? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best Hong Kong accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance, collect it upon arrival, and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours in Hong Kong.

Thank you for reading my Ma On Shan hiking itinerary

I have many posts on Hong Kong and you might also like these other posts on hiking in HK:

Hong Kong Island Hikes

• Victoria Peak Hike: See Hong Kong’s beautiful skyline
• High West Hike: 3 ways to hike up High West Peak
• Dragon’s Back Hike: the most popular day hike in HK
• Violet Hill and the Twins: hike over two mountains with over 1,000+ steps
• Rhino Rock Hike: see a rocky rhinoceros head in Stanley
• Red Incense Burner Summit on Braemar Hill: best spot for sunset and night views
• Mount Nicholson Hike: see hidden rock statues in the middle of HK Island
• Cape Collinson hike: visit an old battery used during WWII on Hong Kong Island
• Mount Davis Hike: see an old military site on HK Island

Island District Hikes

• Lamma Island: hike from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan
• Cheung Chau Island: 1-day itinerary around Cheung Chau
• Peng Chau: 1-day itinerary 
• Tung O Ancient Trail: hike the coastal trail in Lantau North Country Park
• Lo Yan Shan Hike: hike Chi Ma Wan Country Trail in southern Lantau Island
• Fan Lau Hike: explore the southwest tip of Lantau Island
• Po Toi Island: see Hong Kong’s South Pole

New Territories Hikes

• Pineapple Mountain: the Great Canyon of Hong Kong
• High Junk Peak: one of the three sharpest peaks in HK
• Pat Sin Leng Hike: hike over 8 peaks named after Chinese Mythological immortals
• Po Pin Chau: hike around hexagonal rock columns in Sai Kung
• Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail: hike around HK’s largest reservoir
• Kowloon Peak and Suicide Cliff: See HK’s most dramatic cliff
• Trio Beach Hike: see a secret beach and rocky headland in Sai Kung
• Tsing Yi Nature Trails: meander through the easy trails in Tsing Yi
• Tsing Yi Peak: hike the three peaks on Tsing Yi Island
• Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail: see 280 million-year-old rocks in Tai Po
• Tai Tan Country Trail: hike an easy coastal trail in Sai Kung
• Robin’s Nest Hike and Lin Ma Hang Cave: explore northern HK near the Shenzhen border
• Kai Kung Leng: hike the Rooster Ridge in Lam Tsuen Country Park

Like this post? Pin it on your Pinterest board!

queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!