Top 4 Great Wall Hiking Routes

Hiking the Great Wall can be one of the most unforgettable experiences on a China tour. You will walk through over 2,000 years of history while enjoying breathtaking landscapes. Here, we listed the best Great Wall hiking routes, each with its own charm and level of difficulty. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, there's a perfect route for you.

Map of Our Most Recommended Great Wall Hiking Routes

Mutianyu: Kids-Friendly Great Wall Walk

Mutianyu Great Wall

• Duration: 3-4 hours.
• Difficulty Level: Easy.
• Scenery: Dense forests, watchtowers, and restored walls.
• Pros: Less crowded, beautiful scenery, family-friendly.
• Cons: As this section is relatively stable and well restored, it may feel less authentic to hard-core hikers.

Mutianyu is one of the most well-preserved sections of the Great Wall and is known for its picturesque scenery. It is easy to get from downtown Beijing with a 1.5-hour drive. You can easily ascend and descend Mutian Great Wall by cable car, chairlift, and toboggan ride. If you want to take a light hike, especially with kids or seniors, this section is the best choice.

Gubeikou to Jinshanling: Great Wall Hiking for Beginners

Unrestored Part of the Jinshanling Great Wall

• Duration: 6-7 hours.
• Difficulty Level: Moderate.
• Scenery: Rolling hills, historic watchtowers, and panoramic vistas.
• Pros: Quiet and peaceful, rich history, varied landscapes.
• Cons: A bit far from downtown Beijing, longer hike requiring good stamina.

For hiking beginners who want to experience a mix of history and natural landscapes, it is highly recommended to challenge the Gubeikou & Jinshanling Great Wall Trail.

After taking a 2.5-hour drive from downtown Beijing, you will reach the Gubeikou Great Wall. The Gubeikou Great Wall is divided into two parts: the Wohushan Section and the Panlongshan Section. For beginners, we would recommend hiking from Panlongshan to Jinshanling (11 kilometers, 4-5 hours of walking), which is easier to hike and offers more beautiful scenery. You will encounter the General Tower and the 24-Eye Tower along the way.

You can see both the unrestored and restored faces of the Jingshanling Great Wall. It is said to be the most beautiful section of the Great Wall, where you can take in a stunning panoramic view. And if you feel tired after reaching this section, you can also take the cable car down the mountain.

Jinshanling & Simatai: Most Beautiful Great Wall Hiking Route

Jinshanling Great Wall in China

• Duration: 2 days.
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate.
• Scenery: Steep climbs, well-preserved watchtowers, and a stunning nightview.
• Pros: Spectacular views, fewer tourists, and combining restored and wild sections.
• Cons: Requires more planning, time, and physical fitness.

This route covers the Jinshanling Great Wall and the Simatai Great Wall. It once was connected, but now it is separated due to safety concerns. Both of these two sections of the Great Wall are "natural" and renowned for breathtaking views. So, if you are looking for an intermediate hiking experience on the Great Wall or some fantastic photography opportunities, you can spend 2 days exploring them.

You can take a hike to Jinshanling on the first day. It sits about 160 kilometers from the center of Beijing and can be reached in about 2.5 hours by car. Jinshanling combines the restored and unrestored parts; you can choose 1.5- to 4-hour routes to hike based on your hiking experience:

• Route 1 for beginners (3 km, 1.5 hours): Zhuanduokou Pass - General Tower - Shalingkou Pass.
• Route 2 for intermediate hikers (4 km, 2 hours): Zhuanduokou Pass - General Tower - Shalingkou Pass - Small Jinshan Tower, and then take a cable car down.
• Route 3 experienced hikers (5 km, 3 hours): Zhuanduokou Pass - General Tower - Shalingkou Pass - Small - Big Jinshan Towers - Houchuankou Pass - Jinshan Horse Track.
• Route 4 for experienced hikers (7 km, 4 hours): Shalingkou Pass - Small and Big Jinshan Towers - Houchuankou Pass - Eastern Five-Window Tower - Kylin Screen Wall.

Then, you can take a half-hour drive to Gubei Water Town for an overnight stay, which sits at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall. On the second day, you can hike the East Simatai (West Simatai is closed to tourists), which takes about 2 hours.

Besides, Simatai also offers a night-walk experience. If you are interested, you can explore Gubei Water Town during the day and then explore Simatai at night. As the path is well-surfaced with light, you don't need to worry about your safety, and the dazzling views of the nighttime countryside will be the best payoff for your efforts.

Jiankou to Mutianyu: Adventure Hiking at the Great Wall

On the Way From Jiankou to Mutianyu

• Duration: 5-6 hours.
• Difficulty Level: Advanced.
• Scenery: Wild and ruined walls, steep mountains, and forests.
• Pros: Challenging hike, stunning and varied scenery, combining wild and restored sections.
• Cons: Requires good physical condition and hiking skills.

Mutianyu is one of the easiest Great Wall hiking routes, but if you start from the Jiankou Great Wall, it will become the most challenging one. If you are looking for some thrilling adventure, this trail is right for you.

Jiankou is a totally wild Great Wall, snaking along steep ranges. Take a 1.5-hour drive to Xizhazicun Village, then via Zhengbeilou Tower to Mutianyu. You will hike 7 kilometers through the ruined walls and towers, which may take about 5 to 6 hours.

It is not recommended to hike this trail by yourself, even if you're an experienced hiker, as the route is undeveloped with many steep slopes, and you may lose your way. If you want to have a seamless hiking experience here, we can arrange for a seasoned guide to show you the way and rich history of the Great Wall.

Custom Your Great Wall Hiking Route With Us

Each route presents its own unique set of challenges and rewards, catering to different levels of hikers. However, it always needs a well-thought-out plan. So contact us here or email us at trip@odynovotours.com, and our seasoned travel expert will handle everything for you. All you need to do is tell us what you want, lace up your hiking boots, pack your essentials, and get ready to take the Great Wall hike!