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At 9.7km, stage 8 in terms of length only comes in at 6 out the 10 stages. However, it has a great climb to contend with and is estimated to take 4 hours, which is the same duration for the longest stage at 15.6km for stage 10.

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The walk to weather station at the top of Tai Mo Sham is paved route with many twists and turns. Once this reached, and in theory the easy part was about to begin, this was chosen as a good time for rest and refuelling.

It was a day of showers and sunshine. Not a bad combination really as there is very little shelter from the sun on this route but did mean that glimpses of our surroundings often came through small breaks in the cloud. Here we can Shek Kong Airfield, and in the far off distance, part of Mainland China.

Around M146, still on the ascent if approaching from the end of stage 7, an unused building can be seen falling into disrepair. The structures up here were part of an ex-RAF weather radar station, but is now the Hong Kong Observatory. Clearly not this building though.

From Tai Mo Shan to Tai Po. Stage 8 of the trail can be seen winding on the mountains.

Tai Mo Shan is frequently in cloud even in summer and today was no different. Thankfully the cloud cleared, or maybe it was because we were lower, and fantastic view could be seen of the path ahead. This doesn't have any great gradients and it's an enjoyable walk. Temperatures up here are also lower.

Plenty of rocks around for a rest.

As we get closer to the start of the trail we can see the Shing Mun Reservoir again and the Kwai Chung built up area beyond. In the middle of the photo you can just about see central and the IFC tower.

This is the start point of stage 8 and is where I finished stage 7 last week. A couple more kilometres lie on the right to get a bus from at or near the Shing Mun Resevoir.

The changeover from stage 7 to stage 8 of the Maclehose trail.

Upon leaving stage 6, the route takes an and up and down path up to Needle Hill. Here's a look back across the reservoir. The Shing Mun Redoubt bunker and tunnel complex lies across the damn hidden in the trees.

Needle Hill is a picturesque sight. After the ups and downs to get here there is one more down part to go before the climb to the top.

This section is one of the more scenic trails offering great views but today there was a lot of low cloud so pictures of stage 7 were few and far between. This photo is taken about an hour after Needle Hill where the ground has levelled out.

Golden Hill Road leading to Kowloon Reservoir is Infested with monkeys. Some can be intimidating especially when you have to walk towards them...which inevitably you have to do.

Golden Hill was a site of a battle during the Battle for Hong Kong. After the loss of the Shing Mun redoubt not far from here, a counter attack later on by the British retook Golden Hill but it had to be abandoned as the order was given to withdrawn from Kowloon. An attack ordered to retake the Shing Mun redoubt did not take place as the commander considered it to be futile. Kam Shan country park was opened in 1977 and is home to approximately (as of 2009) 85% of Hong Kong's wild monkeys (about 1800 of them).

When in the British took control of the New Territories in 1898, this area was selected for a reservoir and construction started in 1901. It was completed in 1910.

The artillery observation post in the Shung Mun Redoubt and the command post. It would appear that there is grenade and bullet damage at the doorway and ceiling. To the visitor, it may seem like a strange place for an observation post as the views are blocked by vegetation but back in the 1940s Hong Kong's mountains often barren. If you look at old photos of Hong Kong the immediate observation is, where are the lush hillsides that are so prevalent now?

From the OP (Observation Post) a long flight of stairs lead down to the kitchen and trenches.

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From the kitchen trench there are, or there would have been, fine views in 1941 without the vegetation we see now. Part of the Shing Mun reservoir can be seen.

At the kitchen below the CP in the Shing Mun Redoubt we can see the same trench from the other side. There had been a lot of rain and the trench has flooded as a result.

On the path leading down from the CP, the entrance named Charing Cross can be seen. This leads down some stairs and then a longer set of steps to the kitchen - or they would if not blocked. There is a warning outside advising not to enter. Bottom right of the photo is a marker stone, indicating Golden Hill L100. I'm not sure if the L100 is indicative of the direction or a measure of distance.

The Charing Cross tunnel that leads up to the observation post kitchen is flooded. When dry, the tunnel is full of mud and is not passable.

Leading on and down from the Charing Cross entrance another part of the Shing Mun Redoubt tunnel complex can be entered, here at Shaftesbury Avenue.

Shaftesbury Avenue and Regent Street. This part of Shaftesbury Avenue it can be seen written inside the tunnel leads to the OP. The inset picture is from a fascinating prewar propaganda movie highlighting the defences in the colony. Note how deep the trenches are compared to today.

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The route from Wang Tau Hom is a steep stepped climb that takes you straight to this, the Reunification Pavilion. Monkeys roam around waiting for titbits and scraps out of the bin.

This is an amazing spot. Standing here shows how these mountains form a natural defence against invaders from the north, and why the British wanted to extend 'old' Kowloon as part of the deal for the New Territories. Boundary Street marked the end of the territory that was ceded which is about half way down the peninsula.

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Old Kai Tak airport can be seen jutting out into the see. It's hard to believe that this was a major airport and that large aircraft would approach, make a series of tricky turns, descend to not much higher than the buildings, and a final 47 degree turn at Chequerboard Hill to align with the runway only about two miles away.

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Starting the trail at M94, it won't take long until you encounter World War 2 heritage points. Just before M95 is this marker stone. The mountain range at the top of Kowloon is the last defendable position before the whole of Kowloon is opened up to any attacker from the north. The British defensive line was positioned along here and a bit further north at the 'Gin Drinkers Line' anchored on the Shing Mun Reservoir. These markers were direction boxes showing locations of various installations. Some have been vandalised such as this one. They were also incredible useful to any attacker.

Many trenches were dug in strategic points in Hong Kong and were often dug to the specification of 1 metre in depth which is just deep enough for troops in full gear to take shelter. According to the information panels on the trail this is a World War 2 trench. It looks a little too well formed or has at least been very well maintained. the sides haven't fallen at all which makes you wonder about the authenticity of it.

During World War 2, the Japanese anticipated that the Allies might attempt to retake Hong Kong. To counter this, the Japanese built many defensive structures, caves being one of these. The caves were small and designed as ambush positions. The depth varied between 1 and 10 metres and usually had no escape. The defenders would not expect to survive once they make contact. This was not unusual and was encountered by US forces as they fought the Japanese across the Pacific.

On the way off the mountain range on which the Maclehose and Wilson trail share, there are often plenty of monkeys playing, sleeping, and raiding the bins.

Shatin Pass Road is a paved road that leads down to the first inhabited part of the Kowloon peninsula. The swastika adorned Hill Fat Jong Temple is encountered first. The swastika (卐 or 卍) is an ancient religious and cultural symbol, mainly known to westerners due to appropriation by the Nazi Party or neo-nazis. However It continues to be used as a symbol of divinity and spirituality in Indian religions.

Looking up Shatin Pass Road, it can be seen that the Hill Fat Jong Temple is impressively sized.

After the challenging 12.7km of stage 4 and part of stage 5, a visit to 7-Eleven for beer and a corn snack to consume on the Shatin Pass Estate makes for the simple joys of life.

The Section starts with a flight steps up to the Kei Ling Ha track. This is mainly under cover until around distance post M74. Considering that the start of this section is M69, approximately under 2.5km under cover is very welcome.

Much of the trail as it climbs from the start is on a forest trail and is under cover. Glimpses of the top can be see through the vegetation, but from M76 the top of the mountains become a lot clearer. That big peak ahead is off the Maclehose Trail thankfully. Ma On Shan is one of the top 10 highest mountains in Hong Kong.

But not for much longer because the path will soon change to rock and earth.

The path takes you closer and to Ma On Shan but just around this point it veers off to left with undulating terrain rather than a constant ascent.

This is one of my favourite parts of the trail; the route circumvents the peak Wan Kuk Shan and snakes across the backs of the mountains giving views of Sai Kung on the left, and Sha Tin on the right.

As you walk this ribbon of a track you get panoramic views of Hong Kong. In front and to the left is Sai Kung, a lovely little town that offers kayaking, dive shops, little eateries, and is a great base of exploring the various trails, of which the Maclehose Trail is just one of them.

A fantastic view, if a little hazy, of Sai Kung. When I used to go dragon boating the team would train these waters, paddling off to an island and on at least one occasion, tucking into a big, crispy roast pig - it beats a sandwich and a pack of crisps! Hong Kongers know how to eat.

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Just four more distance posts to go - roughly 2 kilometres.

Returning to Pak Tam Au on the bus from Sai Kung, stage 3 exercises those un-warmed up legs straight off the bus immediately with steps leading to the to the crest of the mountains that skirt Sai Kung. Here is just after M50 with Ngau Yee Shek Shan (425m) the first target.

It's a long and very exposed climb to the top but plenty of pauses to rest the weary legs also gives a chance just to admire the view and what has been accomplished.

After the long climb from the start, the route now follows the crest of the mountains. Ngau Yeek Shek Shan is now close.

Distance post M52 and out emerges the lesser spotted D. Only 1.5km but paid heavily in sweat.

From M52 the route follows the side of the hills and is fairly shaded under the tree cover. Not long before M54 the trail comes back into the open. I've walked this section before and it's easy to go off route and turn onto one of the other trails that criss-cross the Maclehose Trail.

Lunch on a steep part of the trail. A little less than half way, but most of the uphill walking has been done.

The end of stage 3 but also the start of stage 4 next week. Sai Kung has been a base for the hikes so far (and a Thai meal at the end of each section as well), but this will be last time a hike ends in Sai Kung, which is a culinary shame.

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About 3 distance posts (1.5km) on from Sai Wan the route descends to Ham Tin beach at around distance post M35. Ham Tin village is one of only two villages still in habited and have over 200 years of history. The other two are now abandoned and ruined.

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Check Keng, just before distance post M44 means just 4 more to go!

These abandoned houses are just behind the occupied residence in the previous photo overlooking the bay. This village is over 200 years ago and it looks mainly abandoned.

Maclehose Trail stage 1, at the north west corner of High Island Reservoir.

At distance post M005 there is an information board looking over West Dam. To the left is the reservoir, and to the right is an enclosed water sports centre.

Just after marker post M007 the route takes you along the top of West Dam. This road constitutes the trail up to midway between M018 and M019. The going is quick and helps pack the kilometres away on this long, but not the longest, first stage.

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Opened in 1978, this monument is dedicated to the five workers who died during the construction of the reservoir.

Just after leaving the East Dam the route leads up these steps past the volcanic rock formations. About 140 million years ago a giant volcano 20km in diameter was situation in the area of what is now known as High Island Reservoir. The magma chamber underneath the volcano was hollowed out after a series of eruptions, leading to the collapse of the volcano. A huge depression was the result. Hot volcanic materials slowed cooled and contracted to form the hexagonal columns of rock that can been seen.

Not long after leaving East Dam, a small climb leads over a headland to the beutitiful beach of Long Ke Wan but just before that, the end of stage 1 of the Macleshose trail.

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It's nice to get away from the paved route of stage 1. Stage 1 is really just a chore that has to be done in order to complete the route. Scenic bushland like this is why I go hiking.

Looking back to High Island Reservoir from somewhere between distance post M27and M28. There are some beautiful views of the reservoir, mountains and the coastline but this time of year is notorious for it's great hiking weather but also periods of poor visibility when the air pollution swoops down from China.