Big Black Mountain to the Walled Village, 2018/03/11
See a set of 20+ photos from our cloudy and cold hike from Big Black Mountain over to the Walled Village.
The Big Black Mountain to the Walled Village hike is one of our older trails, and while it’s changed a bit since we first started doing it the hike is still a good ramble through the hills and farmland out in Huairou District.
On this visit the temperatures had dropped suddenly, and without any sun it got pretty chilly.
On the walk we saw a few springs and streams that were still frozen, and we also got glimpses of the first buds of spring starting to push out of the wild apricot and peach trees.
Getting started on the hike.
Following field trails through chestnut orchards.
Hands up!
On to a concrete path.
Father and daughter hiking up into the hills.
Taking a break before crossing over a high point.
About to cross over a pass in the hills.
We walked up to a high point to check out the views.
Then we hiked down the other side.
We stopped for lunch near a frozen stream.
For a lot of the hike we were on farmers field trails through terraced orchards.
We got honked at by geese.
On our way up to the Great Wall at Zhuangdaokou we passed a farmer carrying out a load of firewood.
We hiked through the arch at Zhuangdaokou and headed on to the Walled Village.
We stopped here for a quick rest.
Ready to head on.
The Great Wall on one side.
This paved path leads to the Walled Village.
A few hikers climbed up to take a look at one of the towers.
Looking over at the wall on the other side.
Terraced hills, very dry!
Up at the tower.
A view through the tower.