This hike covers (roughly) the southern half of the Wucaiqianshan National Mountaineering Trails. We’re hoping to get some better photos on this visit—there was heavy fog on the day we went to scout out the trail, and we’ve only hiked it once since then.

The mountaineering trail project is still in the works, and some of the infrastructure is maybe a wee bit overengineered. But the trails here are well-formed and clear, and the views (we think) can be excellent. The majority of the trail is packed gravel and dirt, with boardwalks in a few places. It’s a bit like the hikes we do in the Miaofengshan area, west of Beijing, but with climbs at closer intervals.

The first part of the hike goes through low hills close to the city and outlying villages. Powerlines cross over parts of the track. There are a few extended climbs, which serve as a warm up for the second part of the hike.

In the last half of this trail there are some seriously large hills to climb as we head up into craggy areas on a high ridgeline. To us it looked like this part of the hike was out of range for the casual hikers we met on the lower hills. The top sections feel a lot wilder, and on a clear day the views from up here will be expansive. Well, we thought so anyway – as previously mentioned we were hiking in a big fog for most of the scouting trip.

The hike finishes with a long descent on steps into a park area, and then a walk out along the road to the gate.

At this time of year we should the start of some of the autumn colours out here.

You’ll see:

• Pavilions and viewing platforms, plus signs that tell tall tales of bandits and bullies, imperial visits, a magical goose, and fanciful landmarks
• Low rolling hills, with a mix of pines and scrub
• Long views back toward Beijing
• Higher peaks over forested valleys
• Cliffs and crags

Obstacles you’ll face:

• A few fences to go under, around, and over
• Steep and extended ascents and descents in the last half of the hike
• Complaints from your calf muscles