Gubeikou Great Wall Loop

Note: If you’re not good with heights, you might not enjoy sections of this hike.

On this visit, we’re going to hike that extra stretch of Gubeikou Great Wall, walking a picturesque section of wall that offers great views without as much hard work. As we follow the wall, we’ll pass through restored and unrestored sections, as well as taking a scenic detour through pines on a hillside trail.

We’ll start the walk with a short climb up to a dirt trail to reach the wall. Once we’re up, we’ll be able to see the roofs of a small town; past those, the old highway to Chengde; and even further, a stretch of Great Wall climbing a steep ridge.

Continuing along the wall, we’ll pass through a lot of towers – some in good condition, some tumbled down to foundations only. Excluding one detour, we’ll be able to walk on the wall just about all the way, climbing up, over, and down the hills and ridges.

The detour comes about thirty minutes into the hike, and takes us along a path through a pine forest and then up a dirt trail to get back to the wall - about 15 minutes all up.

After the detour we’ll be back on the wall, and will continue along it, passing through towers and climbing up and down moderately steep sections. Some of the towers we visit are ruined, with only walls left. Others are in very good condition, and we can climb up on top for even better views of the surrounding area.

The wall in this area is built on ridges, and because there are not many trees on the ridgelines we will have broad views in every direction as we walk. We’ll have the option to extend the walk a bit by continuing past the last tower on the loop, heading on a little way towards Jinshanling before turning back.

After we finish the hike we’ll have a late lunch at one of the restaurants at Gubeikou – the cost of the food and drinks is included in the price of the hike.

What to bring on this hike?
Plenty of snacks to keep your energy up.
Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sun cream.
Good hiking boots.
(Click here to read our full What To Bring on a Hike list.)

Previous visits
In March, 2011, we did the Gubeikou Great Wall Loop on a lovely clear day.
We walked an extended section of the Gubeikou Great Wall for our Gubeikou to Simatai Great Wall Challenge on March 27, 2010.
View photos and a write up of our Jan. 9 2010 hike along the Gubeikou Great Wall.