Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Guizhou

Guizhou Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

The trails that define Guizhou, with distances, elevation, and when each is actually passable.

By Updated

This guide covers 11+ hiking trails in Guizhou — Fanjingshan Golden Summit Stairway, Fanjingshan Mushroom Rock Loop and Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Walkway top the list. Every recommendation carries its practical details: typical costs, the best time to visit, and what to know before you commit.

Guizhou is a mountainous province in southwest China, known for the Huangguoshu Waterfall, karst landscapes, and the most diverse ethnic minority culture in the country, including Miao and Dong villages. Its capital Guiyang is a cool, green city and the transport hub for the province.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Fanjingshan Golden Summit Stairway

    About 10 km return on the stair route (varies by trailhead)6-8 hours return on foothardSummit area around 2,336 m on a massif peaking near 2,570 m; ascent of roughly 1,000 m

    Stone stairway climbing through montane forest to the Red Clouds Golden Summit and the twin Buddhist temples on a basalt pinnacle, the focal point of the UNESCO-listed mountain.
  2. 2

    Fanjingshan Mushroom Rock Loop

    About 3-5 km round trip from the upper plateau2-3 hoursmoderateMostly gentle on the summit plateau at about 2,000 m and above

    Short upper-mountain walk to the balanced Mushroom Rock formation on the ridge, usually combined with the Golden Summit visit.
  3. 3

    Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Walkway

    About 3-4 km of boardwalk and paved path along the stream1.5-2.5 hourseasyGentle; under 100 m height change

    Level walkway along emerald pools, cascades and the old arched stone bridge inside the Libo karst World Natural Heritage area.
  4. 4

    Maolan Karst Forest Boardwalk Loop

    About 6-8 km of marked paths within the visitor section3-4 hoursmoderateRolling terrain; roughly 200 m cumulative gain

    Marked paths through one of the largest intact subtropical karst forests, with moss-covered boulders, hidden pools and a deep green canopy.
  5. 5

    Huangguoshu Waterfall Circuit

    About 5 km of paved path and steps, including the walk behind the falls2-3 hourseasyUnder 150 m of ascent and descent

    Paved route down to the base of the 77 m Huangguoshu Waterfall and through the Water Curtain Cave behind the roughly 101 m-wide curtain.
  6. 6

    Tianxingqiao Stone Forest and Cave Loop

    About 3 km loop through karst rocks, a cave and river steps1.5-2.5 hourseasyUnder 100 m height change

    Short loop through bonsai-like karst rock gardens, the Tianxing Cave and stone stepping paths over the stream, close to Huangguoshu.
  7. 7

    Xijiang Observation Deck Climb

    About 1.5 km of stone steps from the village to the viewing platforms45-90 minuteseasyAbout 100-150 m of stair climbing

    Stone-stair climb up the hillside behind Xijiang to the viewing platforms overlooking the stilt-house sea of the largest Miao village in China.
  8. 8

    Maling River Gorge Rim Walk

    About 4-6 km of rim paths and viewing galleries2-3 hoursmoderateAbout 200-300 m of descent and ascent to viewing levels

    Walks along the rim of a deep gorge cut by the Maling River, with viewing galleries over waterfalls and the Wanfeng Forest cone peaks nearby.
  9. 9

    Zhenyuan Zhonghe Mountain Walk

    About 2-3 km of steps and paved paths1-2 hourseasyAbout 150 m ascent

    Stepped route up Zhonghe Mountain from the old town to temple halls and the Qinglong Cave complex, with views over the S-bend of the Wuyang River.
  10. 10

    Leigong Mountain Ridge Walk

    About 10-14 km depending on the section5-7 hourshardAscent of about 700-900 m; highest summit around 2,178 m

    High-ridge walking through montane forest in the Leigongshan reserve. Local guides and current access information are advised.
  11. 11

    Chishui Bamboo Sea Trail

    About 4-6 km of forest paths and stone steps2-3 hourseasyUnder 200 m height change

    Gentle forest paths through dense bamboo groves in the Chishui Danxia World Heritage landscape, often combined with the nearby waterfalls.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.

Moderate

Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.

Hard

Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.

Expert

Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Guizhou.

Spring
March-May: azaleas and rhododendrons bloom on the high mountains; mild but showery
Summer
June-August: warm and humid with the strongest waterfall flow and frequent afternoon rain
Autumn
September-November: clear skies and cool air, generally the best walking weather
Winter
December-February: cold, damp and foggy on summits; ice can close upper stairways

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

Medium

Hazard: Slippery wet stone steps

Medium

Hazard: Fog and sudden cold on summits above 2,000 m

Medium

Hazard: Leeches and insects in humid forests such as Maolan in summer

Medium

Hazard: Flash flooding on river paths after heavy rain

Medium

Hazard: Large crowds on narrow stairways during Golden Week in early October

Related topics