Gubeikou Great Wall | Hiking by a tower on the Great Wall at Gubeikou
Hiking by a tower on the Great Wall at Gubeikou.

Gubeikou Great Wall Loop

A relatively easy hike along an unrestored section of the Great Wall that grants magnificent views of the Great Wall stretching beyond the horizon in the east and west.

Level 3
3–4 hours start to finish over 6–8km. (Can I do it?)

This hike is not currently scheduled

Contact us for schedule updates or set up a private hike

UPDATE 2021/11/15: This hike has replaced our planned visit to the Stone Valley Great Wall due to new border crossing restrictions.

On this hike we’ll walk a picturesque section of wall that offers great views without too 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.

Hiking up to the towers on the extended section of the Gubeikou Great Wall
Hiking up to the towers on the extended section of the Gubeikou Great Wall. (Click for larger image)

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.

COVID-19 and participation precautions

The current precautions are minimal. Please read in full here: Operating hikes under COVID-19 precautions

Related content

Photos and trip reports: Gubeikou Great Wall Loop

  2. Gubeikou Great Wall Loop, 2021/08/15

    Gubeikou Great Wall Loop, 2021/08/15

    On this visit to the Gubeikou Great Wall we managed to time the hike to miss the worst of the rain, and enjoyed lovely views of the Great Wall with mist all around—see 15 photos.
  4. Gubeikou Great Wall, 2020/05/31

    Gubeikou Great Wall, 2020/05/31

    With clouds flying over and rain coming and going, with blue skies in front and black clouds behind, this walk was an experience in fast-changing weather—see 15 photos from an out-and-back hike at the Gubeikou Great Wall.
  21. Private hike! Gubeikou Great Wall, 2018/10/14

    Gubeikou Great Wall, 2018/10

    We hiked through all the autumn colours on the Great Wall at Gubeikou—see a set of 25 photos from two of our recent walks at Gubeikou.
  26. Gubeikou Great Wall Loop, 2018/04/01

    Gubeikou Great Wall Loop, 2018/04/01

    On this visit to the Gubeikou Great Wall we started seeing signs of spring in the hills, with buds and blooms all through the hills around the wall—see 20 photos.
  35. Gubeikou Great Wall Loop, 2015/09/19

    Gubeikou Great Wall Loop, 2015/09/19

    Sometimes the weather is just perfect for hiking. On this hike on the Gubeikou Great Wall we had beautiful blue skies and awesome views of the wall.

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