Damaoshan Forest Ridge, Xiang'an

Damaoshan is a forested mountain in Xiang'an District, north-east of Xiamen Island in Fujian province, China, and a favourite with local hikers who come for cooler air in the warmer months. The ridge walk is the most remote and nature-oriented hike in the Xiamen area, and it requires more planning than the city parks. Public transport is limited, so most visitors take a taxi or hire car from Xiang'an District. A DiDi from Xiamen city centre costs about ¥90 to ¥130 (roughly $13 to $19), and visitors should arrange the return trip in advance because rides can be hard to find at the end of the day. Parking and any entry arrangements vary, so check current details locally before going. The route is about 6 to 8 km and takes three to four hours. Climbing is moderate, following forest roads and paths with a sustained but not technical ascent, which is why the hike is rated moderate. The surface is a mix of paved or compacted forest road and dirt path, with tree cover providing good shade for much of the route and some exposed sections near the ridge where wind and sun are stronger. Views open over the surrounding hills and, on clear days, toward the lowlands of Xiang'an. Because mobile signal can be patchy, visitors should download an offline map before setting out. Turn-around points are easy to choose on the forest road sections, and visitors short on time can return after reaching the first open viewpoints. There are no refuge huts that can be relied on and water sources are not dependable, so about 1.5 litres of water and snacks are advisable. A rain jacket is useful because mountain weather can change quickly, and hiking shoes are better than casual footwear on the dirt sections.