Huangshan Mountain, known for its stunning landscapes and unique granite peaks, offers a variety of hiking routes that cater to different skill levels and preferences. Whether you’re a casual hiker looking to take in the breathtaking views at a leisurely pace or an adventurous trekker seeking a challenge, there’s a path for everyone. The mountain is divided into two main areas: the front mountain (慈光阁) and the rear mountain (云谷寺). For a more enjoyable experience, especially during peak tourist seasons, we recommend starting your hike from the Yun Gu Temple. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the hiking routes in Huangshan Mountain, along with their difficulties and estimated times.
Single-Day Itinerary
Leisurely Exploration
- Difficulty: 🌟🌟
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Ascent: Yun Gu Cableway (云谷索道)
- Descent: Yu Ping Cableway (玉屏索道)
- Route:
Yun Gu Cableway → Shishun Peak (石笋峰) → Shixin Peak (始信峰) → Dream Pen Creates Flowers (梦笔生花) → Monkey Watching the Sea (猴子观海) → Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭) → Guangming Peak (光明顶) → Aoyu Peak (鳌鱼峰) → Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder (百步云梯) → Lotus Peak (莲花峰) → Welcome Pine (迎客松) → Yu Ping Cableway
Short Hiking Loop
- Difficulty: 🌟🌟🌟
- Duration: 6-7 hours
- Ascent: Hiking
- Descent: Yu Ping Cableway
- Route:
Yun Gu Temple (云谷寺) → Immortal Flips the Table (仙人翻桌) → Entrance Pavilion (入胜亭) → Immortal Points the Way (仙人指路) → Bai E Ridge (白鹅岭) → Guangming Peak (光明顶) → Aoyu Peak (鳌鱼峰) → Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder (百步云梯) → Lotus Peak (莲花峰) → Welcome Pine (迎客松) → Yu Ping Cableway
Long Hiking Loop
- Difficulty: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
- Duration: 8-9 hours
- Ascent: Hiking
- Descent: Yu Ping Cableway
- Route:
Yun Gu Temple (云谷寺) → Immortal Flips the Table (仙人翻桌) → Entrance Pavilion (入胜亭) → Immortal Points the Way (仙人指路) → Bai E Ridge (白鹅岭) → Guangming Peak (光明顶) → Feilai Stone (飞来石) → Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭) → West Sea Grand Canyon Loop 1 (西海大峡谷一环) → West Sea Grand Canyon Loop 2 (西海大峡谷二环) → West Sea Cableway (西海轨缆车) → Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder (百步云梯) → Lotus Peak (莲花峰) → Welcome Pine (迎客松) → Yu Ping Cableway
Most Challenging One-Day Hike
- Difficulty: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
- Duration: 10-11 hours
- Ascent: Hiking
- Descent: Hiking
- Route:
Yun Gu Temple (云谷寺) → Immortal Flips the Table (仙人翻桌) → Entrance Pavilion (入胜亭) → Immortal Points the Way (仙人指路) → Bai E Ridge (白鹅岭) → Shishun Peak (石笋峰) → Shixin Peak (始信峰) → Dream Pen Creates Flowers (梦笔生花) → Monkey Watching the Sea (猴子观海) → Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭) → Guangming Peak (光明顶) → Aoyu Peak (鳌鱼峰) → Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder (百步云梯) → Lotus Peak (莲花峰) → Welcome Pine (迎客松) → Tiandu Peak (天都峰) → Half-Mountain Temple (半山寺) → Ciguang Pavilion (慈光阁)
Two-Day Itinerary
Leisurely Tour
- Difficulty: 🌟🌟
- Ascent: Yun Gu Cableway
- Descent: Taiping Cableway
- Route:
DAY 1: Yun Gu Cableway → Shixin Peak → Black Tiger Pine (黑虎松) → Bai E Ridge (白鹅岭) → Observation Stone Pavilion (观石亭) → Guangming Peak (光明顶) → West Sea Grand Canyon Cableway Round Trip (西海大峡谷地轨缆车往返) → Feilai Stone (飞来石) → Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭) → Overnight Stay
DAY 2: Sunrise at Danxia Peak (丹霞峰) or Lion Peak (狮子峰) → Explore the North Sea Scenic Area (北海景区) → Descent via Taiping Cableway → North Gate (北大门)
Hiking Challenge
- Difficulty: 🌟🌟🌟
- Ascent: Yun Gu Cableway
- Descent: Hiking
- Route:
DAY 1: Yun Gu Cableway → Shixin Peak → Black Tiger Pine (黑虎松) → North Sea Scenic Area → Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭) → West Sea Grand Canyon Loop 1 (西海大峡谷一环) → West Sea Grand Canyon Loop 2 (西海大峡谷二环) → West Sea Cableway (西海轨缆车) → Overnight Stay
DAY 2: Sunrise at Guangming Peak (光明顶) → Feilai Stone (飞来石) → Aoyu Peak (鳌鱼峰) → Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder (百步云梯) → Lotus Peak (莲花峰) → Welcome Pine (迎客松) → Half-Mountain Temple (半山寺) → Lima Bridge (立马桥) → Ciguang Pavilion (慈光阁) → South Gate (南大门)
Two-Day Hiking Route
- Difficulty: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
- Ascent: Hiking
- Descent: Hiking
- Route:
DAY 1: Yun Gu Temple (云谷寺) → Immortal Flips the Table (仙人翻桌) → Entrance Pavilion (入胜亭) → Immortal Points the Way (仙人指路) → Bai E Ridge (白鹅岭) → Shishun Peak (石笋峰) → Shixin Peak (始信峰) → Dream Pen Creates Flowers (梦笔生花) → Monkey Watching the Sea (猴子观海) → Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭) → West Sea Grand Canyon Loop 1 (西海大峡谷一环) → West Sea Grand Canyon Loop 2 (西海大峡谷二环) → West Sea Cableway (西海轨缆车) → Overnight Stay
DAY 2: Sunrise at Guangming Peak (光明顶) → Feilai Stone (飞来石) → Aoyu Peak (鳌鱼峰) → Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder (百步云梯) → Lotus Peak (莲花峰) → Welcome Pine (迎客松) → Tiandu Peak (天都峰) → Half-Mountain Temple (半山寺) → Ciguang Pavilion (慈光阁)