Xiangshuihu west nearly to Sanchacun
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 6.48 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,255 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Very difficult
- Elevation loss
- 4,255 ft
- Max elevation
- 3,176 ft
- TrailRank
- 24
- Min elevation
- 3,176 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 6 hours 19 minutes
- Coordinates
- 943
- Uploaded
- May 28, 2016
- Recorded
- May 2016
near Wangquanyucun, Beijing (China)
Viewed 269 times, downloaded 9 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Xiangshuihu west, nearly to Sanchacun : great hike to the west of Xiangshuihu.
We started on the official trail to reach the great wall. We could have started on the wall itself just before the parking lot but, by doing so, you would be clearly spotted by any guard and visitors, on a section with is officially not open to public. We did not want to take the risk at the start of the trek.
Once on the top, trek is as usual on unrenovated part of the wall. Nice trail, few watchtowers in which it is possible to sleep, going up and down all the time.
After the second valley, there is a small portion which is totally vertical (the rock in the middle of the wall is even hangover. 2 possibilities to continue the trek : climb the wall on the right edge (we did it : it is an easy climb up but you will need very strong mental as you realize at each move that any mistake will lead in a 20m drop on rock which could be fatal); or find the path a few 100 meters down the road (see track on our return from the top (km6.1)).
Once you reach the top tower, you will have a clear view of the last portion (that we did not hike due to time constraint) to reach the road to Sanchacu, first on the wall, then down on a trail in the forest/bush. There is at least one more vertical climb required which is much less dangerous and much easier that the one described here above.
For those who whant a trip of a few days, you could start on the Sanchacun road, hike this trek the other way, grab your sleeping gears, water and food at parking of Xianshuihi, continue the wall toward Beijing Knot (sleep before reaching Beijing Knot), then the next day, trek on Jianku, sleep again on the wall before reaching Mutianyu (I have not yet checked on map if it is possible to do it in 2 days, depending on the weight of the backpack and your physical condition). I dream already of this trek.
To better see trails and great wall on the map, select OpenStreetMap on "more maps" option
have fun and do not hesitate to write me for more info. Many good advises on http://www.greatwallforum.com/forum/index.php
Gauthier
We started on the official trail to reach the great wall. We could have started on the wall itself just before the parking lot but, by doing so, you would be clearly spotted by any guard and visitors, on a section with is officially not open to public. We did not want to take the risk at the start of the trek.
Once on the top, trek is as usual on unrenovated part of the wall. Nice trail, few watchtowers in which it is possible to sleep, going up and down all the time.
After the second valley, there is a small portion which is totally vertical (the rock in the middle of the wall is even hangover. 2 possibilities to continue the trek : climb the wall on the right edge (we did it : it is an easy climb up but you will need very strong mental as you realize at each move that any mistake will lead in a 20m drop on rock which could be fatal); or find the path a few 100 meters down the road (see track on our return from the top (km6.1)).
Once you reach the top tower, you will have a clear view of the last portion (that we did not hike due to time constraint) to reach the road to Sanchacu, first on the wall, then down on a trail in the forest/bush. There is at least one more vertical climb required which is much less dangerous and much easier that the one described here above.
For those who whant a trip of a few days, you could start on the Sanchacun road, hike this trek the other way, grab your sleeping gears, water and food at parking of Xianshuihi, continue the wall toward Beijing Knot (sleep before reaching Beijing Knot), then the next day, trek on Jianku, sleep again on the wall before reaching Mutianyu (I have not yet checked on map if it is possible to do it in 2 days, depending on the weight of the backpack and your physical condition). I dream already of this trek.
To better see trails and great wall on the map, select OpenStreetMap on "more maps" option
have fun and do not hesitate to write me for more info. Many good advises on http://www.greatwallforum.com/forum/index.php
Gauthier
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Wilderness hut
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