Introduction:
Hillsides thick with trees line the Wilson Trail where Section 4 climbs up from Tseng Lan Shue. Utterly different to the open ridges of the previous section, here an old stone paved village path ascends into the hills. The air is moist, the ground carpeted with fallen leaves. Lichen covered trees and jumbled boulders line the trail. Farther up, deeper into the woods, the last sounds of the village fade. With no distant views to savour, close up details dominate. Bright green foliage shimmers with the wet. The only sounds are the buzz of insects, chirping birds and the drip-drip of ground water.

Beneath slender bamboos one comes upon a lovely spot – where a mountain stream gurgles down. Boulders stand green with moss, ferns hang from overgrown terrace walls. The same stream that once irrigated the nearby fields now feeds nature – and aquatic life, tiny fish and crustaceans that since ages have lived here dart through the waters.

Some distance on one reaches the village of Tai Lam Wu, where the long climb up to Tate’s Pass begins. The route starts amidst woodland, lower and scrubbier than before. Lianas hang down, roots cross the path. Barbed pandanus fronds threaten to scar passing hikers’ legs.

Transport Access:
Public Transport Take the MTR to Choi Hung station (exit C2) and then Minibus 1A (Sai Kung). After the steep ascent, just past a Shell service station alight at the next bus stop. This is Tseng Lan Shue. From here it is a five-minute walk to the start point of Section 4, as described below.

Taxi Distance and Time Kowloon Star Ferry to Tseng Lan Shue – 10 km, about 25 minutes.

Section Start Point Turn left into the village. Bear left past a pavilion, leave a small concrete park to the left, and continue along a small nullah to a T junction – turn right and follow winding paths to the back of the valley. Bear right as you approach the fringing woodland. Section 4 enters the hills at the base of the slope, beside a Country Parks map. Provisions are available from Tseng Lan Shue’s village shops.

Section End Point Sha Tin Pass. To begin Section 5, at the Sha Tin Pass food kiosk turn right for 50 metres. To return home, walk down Sha Tin Pass Road to north Kowloon.