Zhuangdaokou Great Wall to the Walled Village, 2014/07/12
Blue skies, green leaves, persimmons, and Great Wall on our Zhuangdaokou to the Walled Village hike.
We headed out to Huairou for a moderately difficult Great Wall hike, following a valley trail up to the Great Wall at Zhuangdaokou, and then walking the wall on the way to the Walled Village.
A lovely day for hiking: blue skies, green leaves, persimmons, and a rather steep piece of Great Wall!

Getting started at the beginning of the trail.

And we’re off hiking.

We walked past persimmon trees.

Persimmons won’t be ripe until November, when they turn orange.

The trail took us through cornfields.

This little bridge crosses a dried stream bed.

We hiked up a valley into the hills.

The hiking team taking a break.

Clouds over the Great Wall.

The steep stairs on this part of the Great Wall have been renovated. Past the tower at the top, the Great Wall here is in ‘wild’ condition.

Almost at the top.

Looking back, we could see the Great Wall on the other side of the valley.

We continued along the unrestored section.

Great Wall framed by an arch.

We always like to see NZ rugby fans on the hikes.

The Great Wall here is almost hidden by bushes and trees.

Another look back at the Great Wall on the other side of the valley.

After coming down from the Great Wall, we walked a field trail.

Continuing along the field trail.

A shot of a line of Great Wall that follows a tall ridgeline.

And after the hike, a delicious meal at our favourite local restaurant.