Missing Hiker Found Alive After Two-Day Search on Hong Kong’s MacLehose Trail
A 79-year-old man from Mainland China was rescued on Monday, April 6, 2026, after disappearing for two days whereas hiking in the Tai Lam Chung area of Hong Kong. Search teams located the man near the Guan Di Temple, where he was found to be conscious.
The man, who was visiting Hong Kong on a short-term trip, was airlifted by helicopter to Tuen Mun Hospital for medical treatment after rescuers successfully located him following an extensive operation.
The incident began when the man and his wife were hiking Section 10 of the MacLehose Trail. According to reports, the couple became separated after stopping to rest at a pavilion, leading to the man’s disappearance. The situation triggered a massive coordinated land and air search that lasted several days.
The man was eventually spotted near the Thousand Islands area, ending the two-day ordeal.
This rescue underscores the potential dangers of the MacLehose Trail, particularly Section 10. As the longest stretch of the trail, it spans 15.6 kilometers from Tin Fu Tsai to Tuen Mun. While the route is highly attractive for its scenic views of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir and the maple forests of Tai Tong, it can be physically demanding. Some areas feature steep slopes and loose rocks that may require hand-and-foot climbing, and mobile network reception in the Tai Tong region is often unreliable.
Authorities and experienced hikers frequently warn that these conditions can make the trail hazardous for those unfamiliar with the terrain, as evidenced by the recent search operations in the region.
