From the Pineapple Dam to Lead Mine Pass

The Lead Mine Pass is where the MacLehose Trail Section 8 meets the Wilson Trail Section 7.  Located in the northern end of the Shing Mun Reservoir Country Park, the Lead Mine Pass is as much a rest station as it is a landmark.

The Lead Mine Pass acquired its name from the mining industries in Hong Kong during the early part of the 1900s.  There were mines in the east of Shing Mun Reservoir.  Due to international price pressures, mining activities slowly declined during the 1960s.  However, there are still abandoned mine caves in this area.

The Trail

This day we went from the Pineapple Dam, our usual starting point.  It takes 15 minutes to go up the Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, where you will come upon the main paved road.

Head to your right, downward, for about another half hour or so.  These are the views on the way:

At this crossroad, take the path pointing to the Lead Mine Pass, on your left.  From this point on, it’s a gentle incline all the way to the Lead Mine Pass.

It will be just one way until you see this crossroad.  Again follow the sign for Lead Mine Pass and on your left.

About an hour and fifteen minutes after you begin the trail, you will pass by the Lead Mine Pass Campsite on your left.  That is when you know you are near the Lead Mine Pass.  Head on toward your right, on the path toward Tai Po.  The Lead Mine Pass is three minutes up this way on your left.

The whole trail takes only about 2.5 hours both ways.  There are a number of sites suitable for picnic along this trail.  The way is paved throughout from the end of the Pineapple Nature Trail to the Lead Mine Pass.  It is an easy, safe route with great views on the way.

For the Next Hike

To be honest, the views of Lead Mine Pass were not worthy of mention.  However, it is an important location as a few trails branch out to many other locations, both eastward and westward.

At the Lead Mine Pass, you will see the beginning of the MacLehose Trail Section 8.  This is the way up Tai Mo Shan.  The hike up should be somewhat rigorous, as it is a climb onto the highest mountain in Hong Kong.  However, fellow hikers told me that the open views are exceptional on this trail.  There are many aerial views of western New Territories.

The kind fellow hikers who told me about this area were heading out to the Tai Po direction.  They told me that it is the closest way back to civilization.  I was turning around and heading back to the Pineapple Dam, as I parked my car there.  They also told me that the trails in the area will allow one to scale Needle Hill and Grassy Hill, both are challenging trails but one would be amply rewarded with exceptional views.

These are all on my bucket list.

Dangers and Annoyances

Again, our monkey friends presented the greatest danger on this trail.  We planned on doing a picnic at the nice picnic sites.  As we spread our plastic cover sheets on our picnic bench, the monkeys launched a bold move and snatched the stack of crackers that we laid on the bench.  While we were not hurt, it was quite a scare.  Therefore, be very watchful when you spread food for a picnic.  Certainly not at any place where they are near.  There are plenty of rest areas and a lot of them have no signs of monkeys.  Be wise and don’t lose your crackers!

Source:

MacLehose Trail (Section 7) Shing Mun to Lead Mine Pass, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

MacLehose Trail (Section 8) Lead Mine Pass to Route Twisk, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.