The Top 5 Great Wall Hiking Routes

Take an exhilarating journey across the "Wild Great Wall". The trail, marked by rugged steps and uneven slopes, invites intrepid souls to delve deep into less-explored sections. Here, in the untouched Great Wall sections, you'll tread paths few travelers have ventured before. Discover the top 5 most popular hiking routes on the Great Wall as follows

2. Popular Hiking Route: Jinshanling – Simatai Great Wall

• Difficulty rating: ★★★★
• Distance: 10km (6.2miles)
• Hiking time: 4 hours
• Location of Jinshanling: Chengde, Hebei
• Features: most precipitous and popular section for hiking; a paradise for photographers; suitable for ordinary hikers
• Tour with China Travel: 1-Day Simatai to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking

The Jinshanling to Simatai route is a favorite among Great Wall visitors. This section, partially restored, lets you witness the original Wall without the arduous climbs of Jiankou.

As you hike, you'll ascend original steps, pass through weathered watchtowers, and take in stunning views.

The journey from Jinshanling to Simatai, encompassing 30 watchtowers and a few cliff crossings, typically lasts four hours. National Geographic Adventure Magazine highly rates this route for its mix of adventure and historical charm. 

3. Gubeikou – Jinshanling Hiking Route

• Difficulty rating: ★★★
• Distance: 15km (9.3 miles)
• Hiking time: 5 hours
• Location of Huanghuacheng: Miyun County, Beijing
• Features: historical battlefield; suitable for ordinary hikers
• Tour with China Travel: 2-Day Great Wall Hiking at Huanghuacheng to Mutianyu

Gubeikou is regarded as the most comprehensive section of the Great Wall; its name means “ancient northern fortress” in Chinese. Thanks to its strategic position, this place served as a battlefield for over 130 wars between Chinese royal families and marauding Mongol tribesmen, witnessing the vicissitude of history.

As a completely unrepaired section, Gubeikou retains its original composition and natural beauty. Hiking along the Gubeikou-Jinshanling route, you’ll find, is not as challenging as Jiankou but with awesome views that are just ideal for photographers.

4. Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking Route

• Difficulty rating: ★★★
• Distance: 6km (3.7miles)
• Hiking time: 4 hours
• Location of Huanghuacheng: Huairou County, Beijing
• Features: the only lakeside section of the Great Wall in Beijing; less risky but still a challenging hike; suitable for ordinary hikers
• Tour with China Travel: 2-Day Great Wall Hiking at Huanghuacheng to Mutianyu

Huanghuacheng is different from other parts of the Great Wall. It meets a River at a point where a dam has been built. Thus, with the rising of the water level, the wall is partially submerged, creating a unique waterside scene. With the quiet and majestic scenery of the Great Wall, the lakes, the reservoir, and the surrounding mountains, hiking along the Huanghuacheng Great Wall are relaxing and enjoyable.

In addition, this section is not yet too touristy, which means the splendid scenery is kept exclusively for a few visitors, and you can avoid being confronted by a sea of tourists when boating, camping, and viewing the Wall.

Apart from its defensive function, Huanghuacheng Great Wall also acted as a secure location for the mausoleum of Ming Emperors, which later became known as the Ming Tombs.

5. Mutianyu Great Wall

• Difficulty rating: ★
• Distance: 3km (1.9miles)
• Hiking time: 2 hours
• Location of Mutianyu: Huairou County, Beijing
• Features: fully-restored, most child-friendly section; uniquely designed; suitable for all people

The Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall, about 72.4km (45 miles) from downtown Beijing, runs for 2.25km (1.4miles), with watchtowers and fortifications at intervals of only 500 meters. Parapets were built on the inner and outer sides as a way to protect from invaders coming from either side.

This longest fully-restored section of the Great Wall was rebuilt with smooth and even steps, which are child-friendly. Strolling leisurely on the Wall, you can take a closer look at the unique structural style of this section, or gaze down at Jundu Mountain (军都山) valley. Also, the cableway and slideway will make your journey up and down more exciting and less laborious.

The Great Wall Hiking Tips

1. A travel guide is strongly recommended, especially in some of the more dangerous sections like Jiankou and Simatai.

2. Please gear up sufficiently for your trip. Hikers should pack sunglasses, sunblock, a hat, good hiking shoes, a hiking cane, a coat, a map, a flashlight (for overnight stays in a village or for camping on the Great Wall), bottles of water, and energy-boosting snacks.

3. Weather-wise, the best hiking time at the Great Wall is late summer or autumn, dry and warm. Whenever you want to go, check the weather three days beforehand.

4. Suggested itinerary for a 2-day Great Wall hike: Day 1: Beijing - Gubeikou - Jinshanling; Day 2: Jiankou - Mutianyu - Beijing.

5. Suggested itinerary for a 3-day Great Wall hike: Day 1: Beijing - Gubeikou - Jinshanling; Day 2: Jiankou - Mutianyu; Day 3: Huanghuacheng - Xishuiyu Lakeside Great Wall - Beijing.

Get in touch with China Travel for an unforgettable Great Wall hiking adventure.