Introduction:
Stage Ten, longest of all the MacLehose sections, heads west through Tai Lam Country Park. It follows the north bank of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, then leads along a catchwater towards the Trail's destination -- Tuen Mun.

The route starts at Tin Fu Tsai, leading through a narrow valley towards Tai Lam. The Trail then follows the indented northern side of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, with its views across to the reservoir islets. Many hikers prefer to stop at the end of this lovely reservoir. However, Stage Ten continues further, following a flat catchwater through developed hills -- and on to Tuen Mun.

One third of this section runs beside Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. By far the largest of the New Territories valley reservoirs, Tai Lam Chung was completed in 1957. (Except for Shek Pik, later reservoirs were created in sea inlets not valleys.) The hillsides around the reservoir, once severely denuded, are now reforested with tough reforestation species -- including Chinese pines, slash pines, grey gums and lemon-scented gums.

The north bank of Tai Lam Chung shows evidence of early, severe erosion -- caused by widespread deforestation. Tai Lam is composed of fractured granite, which weathers -- or slowly decomposes -- very deep underground. Once Tai Lam's original forests had been lost, through villagers cutting timber and lighting fires, its deeply weathered subsoils rapidly eroded. Downpours washed away the surface soils, leaving the landscape we see today -- 'cowboy badlands', with gravelly ground, criss-crossed with bare ridges and stark gullies.C

Transport Access:
There are five ways to return to the urban area :

1. Exit through So Kwun Wat, San Tsuen, take minbus 43 at Pak Shek Hang to Tuen Mun Centre.
2. Turn right at the exit of Picnic Site No. 7 along the catchwater, follow the vehicular access and walk for 30 minutes to the Gold Coast.
3. Follow the ladder of BBQ Site No. 4 to reach Kam Fai Garden. Minibus can take you to Tsuen Wan or Yuen Long.
4. At F3 of the fitness trail, follow the staircase to Yin Fat Path where you can get minibus to Tsuen Wan or Yuen Long.
5. At the end point of M-trail, take Bus 60X or 60M to Kowloon or minibus to Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan. The Tuen Mun path will take you to King Fung Garden.