Introduction:
Stage Four includes dramatic mountain scenery -- and very strenuous climbs. Beginning at Kei Ling Ha, the route winds through Ma On Shan Country Park (2,880 hectares), then continues on towards the Kowloon peaks.

The route climbs up the sheer eastern face of Ma On Shan. It bypasses the 'horse saddle' summit, 702 metres, then leads south along the ridges. Here the Trail crosses a memorable upland area, the undulating plateau south of Pyramid Hill -- above Sai Kung. Stage Four continues south along impressive village boulder pathways, past Buffalo Hill, and so on to Tate's Cairn.

The slopes of Ma On Shan have a vegetation divide common in Hong Kong -- its north-facing slopes have woodland but its south-facing slopes support only grassland or shrubland. Throughout the year, south-facing slopes receive more solar radiation (or sunlight) -- and so remain drier. South-facing slopes are also dried by the prevailing, southerly winds, and they receive the full force of typhoons. North-facing slopes, by contrast, are cooler, damper and more sheltered -- and so they can better support trees.

On Ma On Shan's eastern face woodland spreads around to the north slopes -- where there is rich woodland, including ashes, oaks, laurels, camellias and rhododendrons. Even higher up, Ma On Shan's northern ravines and gullies have a remarkable diversity of flora. But the southern slopes of Ma On Shan are almost entirely grassland, with only pockets of shrubs and woodland. As a result, this southerly plateau has an exhilarating, open feeling.

Transport Access:
One popular route to get to Ngong Ping is by means of the Ma On Shan country trail via the disused mine and Ma On Sha Tsuen. Infrequent village bus (84R) operates from Yiu On Tsuen to Ma On Shan Tsuen.

There is a flushing toilet at Shui Long Wo, the start point of section 4.