Fast Facts – Tai Shui Hang Waterfall Hike Up Madai Stream
Length
4.2 km
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
2-3 hours
Tai Shui Hang Waterfall Hike Up Madai Stream: A Hong Kong Hidden Gem With Something For Everyone
The Tai Shui Hang Waterfall hike up Madai Stream is perfect for both families and thrill-seekers alike. Of course, one part is more suitable for families, and the other for thrill seekers, but we’ll get into all those details below.
More broadly speaking, if you’re keen for an off the beaten path waterfall hike in Hong Kong, this is an excellent choice. In the summertime Madai Stream is perfect because it has countless swimming holes.
If you want to experience the Tai Shui Hang waterfalls with nearly no one else around, consider hiking here in the winter months. Last but not least, if you want us to guide you on this hike, send us an email, or click below!
No matter what you decide to do, if you have questions or comments, drop us a line below, and then get hiking! NOTE: This hike takes you up a flowing stream bed. It is inherently dangerous. Please read our disclaimer below.
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Gear For Hiking Tai Shui Hang Waterfalls Up Madai Stream
We call this the Tai Shui Hang Waterfall hike up Madai Stream because, that’s exactly what it is – a stream hike. More to the point, for a good portion of this hike you are going to be anywhere from ankle to waist deep in a flowing stream.
We recommend you bring the following items to be best prepared.
You may want the following items.
Below is the specific gear we use and why we use it.
Water
You can’t live without it. For this hike, we recommend at least 2 liters per person. In the summer, on the full loop (not suitable for families) we recommend you bring 3 liters per person. These reusable bottles are good for the environment. They’re also insulated, so they will keep your water cold.
Sun Protection
If you do the full loop of our route, you’ll need sun protection for the descent, as it’s fully exposed to the sun.
Hiking Shoes (Or Water Shoes)
We use our trail running shoes when we hike to the Tai Shui Hang Waterfall up Madai Stream. Wet or dry, our trail running shoes provide us with good traction and support. If however, you don’t want to get yours wet, make sure to use a sturdy pair of water shoes.
Hiking Socks
No matter the season, we hike in wool socks. They naturally help prevent blisters, they are breathable and relatively quick dry. For this hike, we use our thinner pairs.
Snacks
Hiking burns calories. A few snacks never hurt, and these ProBars are DELICIOUS!
Camera (Optional)
This is the camera setup we use. It’s small, lightweight, weatherproof, and optically speaking, amply powerful for our purposes.
Baby Backpack (Optional)
If you want to hike the Tai Shui Hang Waterfall up Madai Stream with a little one who can’t yet handle all the rock scrambling, this is an essential piece of gear. We love this Osprey pack, and it has allowed us to venture all over the world with our son Peri. We’ve even used it to trek up to Poon Hill in the Himalayas of Nepal with him as a baby.
Water Filter (Optional)
Especially in the summertime, it’s nice to be able to drink from Madai Stream. Doing so also allows you to lighten your pack. One of the only ways to drink safely however is by using a water filter. We have used all of these. The smaller and lighter ones are the best choice for hiking the Tai Shui Hang Waterfalls.
Getting To And From Tai Shui Hang Waterfalls
The Tai Shui Hang Waterfall hike up Madai Stream is nearly hidden in plain sight. So, while not too many people know about it, it’s easy to get to. Just make your way to the Tai Shui Hang MTR Station, Exit B, and you’ll nearly be at the trailhead.
This hike can either be done as a loop, or as an up-and-back hike. Either way you’ll end this hike at Tai Shui Hang MTR Station, Exit B. So again, use the MTR to get to and from the trailhead. Once you’re at the trailhead, you can follow our route map.
Difficulty, Duration, Distance and Elevation – Tai Shui Hang Waterfall Hike
Length
4.2 km
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
2-3 hours
The Full Loop
The full loop of our route up the Tai Shui Hang Waterfall hike via Madai Stream is only suitable for strong-intermediate and advanced hikers. The full loop is not family-friendly. The stream climb is quite strenuous.
Moreover, the trail down is completely exposed to the sun and on some semi-slippery gravel trails. It is beautiful, and will give you lovely views of Pat Sin Leng, but again it’s not family friendly.
Family Friendly Option
However, if you want to bring your little ones to experience Madai Stream, you certainly can. Just don’t plan on doing the whole loop.
We suggest you follow our route for as long as you feel comfortable (but no further), and then play in the numerous pools. There are swimming-worthy pools just a few hundred feet from the paved road – quite family friendly.
When you’ve had your fill, turn back around and retrace your steps back to the trailhead. With Julia 23-weeks pregnant, our 15-month old son, a 2-year old and a 5-year old, we slowly went up Madai Stream for about an hour before turning back. Again, the full loop is not family-friendly.
Our Route On A Map – Tai Shui Hang Waterfalls
General Notes
- We recommend you use the Guru Maps app (iOS/Android) to navigate. Google Maps data for this area is incomplete.
- The red line on the map is the general route we took. It is not an exact path. You will need to pick your own route up the stream bed and in some places improvise a bit. If our red line strays from a path marked on Guru Maps, we recommend you follow Guru Maps, not our red line.
- There are a few places where it is not possible to climb up the stream, so you will have to take a small side trail around. The side trails are not hard to find, and they are marked by ribbons.
- There are no sections we experienced where it was necessary to do any “technical” or “challenging” rock climbing. We did have to scramble up a few sections.
- If you find yourself needing to do any “technical” or “challenging” rock climbing to continue upstream, you have likely gone the wrong way. Carefully go back down a bit, and look for a side trail that goes around the challenging spot.
- See our route in pictures for visuals of everything.
Guru Maps
We highly recommend you download the Guru Maps app (iOS/Android), in order to follow our Tai Shui Hang Waterfall hike route up Madai Stream. Once you have downloaded the app, simply download either the KML, GPX or GeoJSON file (linked in the top right-hand corner of the map below), and then open said file using the Guru Maps app. The data will be saved to your mobile device, so you’ll be able to use it to navigate when you’re out in the wild, even if you’re offline.
Google Maps
We do not recommend using this Google Map to navigate while you’re out on the trail, as the dataset for this area is incomplete. We have provided it for reference only.
Our Route In Pictures – Tai Shui Hang Waterfalls Hike
Thrill Seekers Keep On, Main Falls Ahead
Above Tai Shui Hang Waterfall
The Descent Through Ma On Shan Country Park
Other Hong Kong Waterfall Hikes
If this Tai Shui Hang Waterfall Hike up Madai Stream has only whet your appetite for other waterfall hikes in Hong Kong, you should consider checking out the Ng Tung Chai Waterfall Hike, the Bride’s Pool Waterfall Hike or even the Waterfall Bay Hike. If you’re looking for some more far flung waterfalls, consider heading to Bosnia and Herzegovina and using our Bosnian Waterfall Guide to experience many of the off the beaten path gems that B&H has on offer.