Tai Mo Shan
Section 8 starts with a 600-step climb up Sze Fong Shan, the fourth-tallest peak in Hong Kong. The trail flattens out near the summit of Sze Fong Shan — here, the mountain path is littered with boulders, but provides a clear view of Tai Mo Shan ahead. Eventually, the trail opens into the paved Tai Mo Shan Forest Track, winding its way up to the summit of Tai Mo Shan. The highest point on Tai Mo Shan is closed to visitors, as it houses a Hong Kong Observatory weather station and a People's Liberation Army radar station — however, hikers can still enjoy sweeping views over "virtually every part of Hong Kong", including the Tsing Ma Bridge. Tai Mo Shan is the coldest place in Hong Kong, attracting visitors wanting to catch a glimpse of frost during cold spells. Tai Mo Shan also receives more than 30% more rainfall than urban Hong Kong, and acts as the source for both the Lam Tsuen and Shing Mun rivers. The MacLehose Trail follows the winding Tai Mo Shan Road down the opposite side of the mountain. This road segment consists of numerous hairpin bends, which attracts illegal street racing during the night. Until October 2009, the trail ran along the full length of the road to the junction with Route Twisk, but now diverges mid-way onto a dirt path in a bid to segregate vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Section 8 ends on Route Twisk near the Rotary Club and the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre hosts the only kiosk in the area — its proprietor Kong Fo Lin, who had been nominated twice for a lifetime award at the Gone Running Hong Kong Trail Running Awards, acts as "a mother-like figure to the area's many frequent hikers and cyclists". Nearby, toilet facilities, a small campsite, and barbeque areas are available for public use.