Middle Route of Switchback Great Wall, 2016/07/23
See 17 photos from a wild section of Great Wall in Beijing’s northwest.
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A few mountains over from the super-touristy Badaling section of Great Wall is our ‘Switchback’ Great Wall hike, a short and sweet – and steep! – walk along an unrestored line of wall high up in the hills.
We hike a long trail up to the wall, and then hike up along the Great Wall to a tower on a peak. From the tower the views are super, with the Great Wall running north and south along the ridge and villages and roads far below.
We had a nice big group for the walk, spreading out as we hiked.
The trail took us through a forest.
This young fellow was helping Kelvin collect the ribbons as we walked. Thanks!
The forest clears, and we're almost on the wall.
Arriving at a dip in the wall.
We hiked on the wall, heading for the General's Tower.
Climb on top of the tower for awesome views.
Looking back down from the tower – a steep climb up!
Up on top – great work.
Coming down the other side of the General's Tower.
On this part of the hike the wall's foundation is solid, but the battlements have fallen down.
We kept on walking along the Great Wall.
Framed in an arch.
We'd finish the hike in the village below.
Leaving the wall.