Hiking photos – Big Black Mountain to the Walled Village, 2011/11/20

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The Big Black Mountain hike is one of our old favourites, crossing farmland and hills, and passing some Great Wall on the way to the Walled Village.

We start off in Changping District and walk over the border to Huairou District – a good long hike through some very nice countryside.

On this visit the weather was clear and cool – perfect for hiking! We also managed to pick up a few of the last persimmons along the way.

at harvest time, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

We started on country trails used to collect all the chestnuts at harvest time.

A few of the persimmon trees , Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

A few of the persimmon trees we passed still had fruit.

An old chestnut tree, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

An old chestnut tree.

any orchards of farmland deeper , Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

As we got further along, the trail became more overgrown. There aren’t any orchards of farmland deeper in the hills, and not so many people walk so far up.

the ridge at a saddle, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

We crossed over the ridge at a saddle, and were able to spot the Great Wall in the distance. Later in the hike we’d cross over the wall.

chestnut orchards, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

On the other side of the hill are more chestnut orchards.

the fallen leaves, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

The trail led down the valley, and all the fallen leaves made a pretty sight.

The sign notes, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

The sign notes that Yanjing Beer is an official sponsor of the China Lunar Exploration Program. Below the sign are bottles of Chinese liquor, which would make much better rocket fuel than beer.

heading for the Great Wall, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

After walking through the village we took a turn up a valley, heading for the Great Wall.

a big arch in the wall, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

The Great Wall dipped down on either side of this valley; we climbed up for a look at the towers, and then headed on through a big arch in the wall.

The last part of the hike, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

The last part of the hike took us through more orchards.

The harvesting, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

The harvesting had been completed, but the locals were still busy, collecting enough firewood to see them through winter. Pictured is a wicker basket with straps, loaded with branches and sticks.

a local restaurant, Beijing Hikers BigBlackMountain, November20, 2011

After the hike, we visited a local restaurant for some snacks to warm up before returning home.