Henan Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Yuntai Mountain Hongshi Gorge Trail

   Approx. 4-5 km through the gorge to the Tanpu and Quanpu gorge viewpoints3-4 hours round trip at a relaxed pacemoderateApprox. 300-400 m gain on stepped paths and boardwalks

   The signature walk of Yuntai Mountain, a UNESCO Global Geopark in the southern Taihang range, following red-rock canyon walls, boardwalks and stone steps past waterfalls and pools. Entry is approx. ¥120 (about $18) peak-season admission plus shuttle bus ¥60 (about $9); a 3-day ticket is valid across several Jiaozuo sites.

2. 2

   Yuntai Mountain Zhuyu Peak Ascent

   Approx. 3 km of steps from the Zhuyu Peak lower station area to the summit2-3 hours up; a cable car is available for the descent or ascent (fee approx. ¥60-80 / $9-12, seasonal)moderateApprox. 1,308 m summit; roughly 500 m gain on the climb

   The highest viewpoint of the Yuntai Mountain scenic area, giving wide views over the Taihang escarpment and the North China plain. The stepped path climbs through pine and oak forest to a summit terrace with a temple pavilion.

3. 3

   Yuntai Tianpu Waterfall Walk

   Approx. 2 km from the shuttle stop to the waterfall base1.5-2 hours round tripeasyApprox. 150 m gain, mostly stone steps

   A short walk to Yuntai Tian Waterfall, one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in China (about 314 m in the flood season according to the scenic area). Flow is thin in dry months; check the recent water level on Trip.com reviews before visiting.

4. 4

   Baligou Wanxian Mountain Trail

   Approx. 6-8 km of cliff trails, plank roads and stairways4-5 hoursmoderateApprox. 500 m gain (canyon walls to about 1,100 m)

   A deep Taihang Mountain canyon of red sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and cliff-hugging plank paths on the Henan-Shanxi border, with viewing platforms across the gorge. Fees vary by area (approx. ¥60-90 / $9-13); buy tickets through Trip.com or Meituan.

5. 5

   Guoliang Village Cliff Corridor Walk

   Approx. 1.2 km through the hand-carved tunnel plus 3-5 km of village and ridge paths2-3 hourseasyApprox. 100-200 m gain

   A village on the Taihang cliff face reached by the Guoliang Tunnel, hand-cut into the rock by villagers between 1972 and 1977. The tunnel has about 30 windows opening onto the drop and the walk continues to viewpoints. Admission approx. ¥60-80 ($9-12); buy via Trip.com.

6. 6

   Wangwushan Tianzhuang Peak Trail

   Approx. 5 km up stone steps to the Tianzhuang summit plateau3-4 hours round trip (cable car option)moderateApprox. 600 m gain to about 1,715 m

   Wangwushan is a Taihang-Qinling border massif with the legendary Yugong Yishan (Foolish Old Man) story; the Tianzhuang summit gives views across cliffs and cloud. A cable car (approx. ¥60 / $9) shortens the climb.

7. 7

   Shaolin Temple to Dharma Cave (Damo Cave) Trail

   Approx. 3 km one-way from the Shaolin Temple gate area to the cave1.5-2 hours round tripeasyApprox. 300 m gain, stone steps

   A stone-stepped path from Shaolin Temple up Wuru Peak to the cave where Bodhidharma is said to have meditated for nine years, with a view back over the temple valley. A cable car also serves the ridge (approx. ¥60 / $9).

8. 8

   Songshan Sanhuangzhai Cliff Trail

   Approx. 5 km of ridge stairways and cliff plank paths3-4 hoursmoderateApprox. 500 m gain; ridge at about 1,000 m

   A ridge and cliff trail on Songshan with stairways and plank sections above a deep valley. The mountain is part of the UNESCO Henan Dengfeng Historic Monuments of Dengfeng listing.

9. 9

   Songshan Junji Peak Summit Route

   Approx. 6-8 km round trip via the Zhongyue Temple trails4-6 hoursmoderateApprox. 700-800 m gain to about 1,491.7 m

   The highest peak of the Songshan range, revered as the Central Mountain of China's Five Sacred Mountains. Route options link from the Zhongyue Temple trailhead through forest and cliff stairways.

10. 10

    Laojun Mountain Summit Trail

    Approx. 6 km of stairways to the Golden Peak temple3-4 hours round trip; cable car availablemoderateApprox. 700 m gain to about 2,217 m

    The highest scenic area in the Funiu Mountain range, with a Taoist temple complex at the summit and wide views over the ridges. Ski runs operate in winter.

11. 11

    Jigongshan Cloud and Ridge Walk

    Approx. 8 km of stone-step trails between Baoshan Peak and Bailong Pool4-5 hoursmoderateApprox. 400-500 m gain; Baoshan Peak about 814 m

    A cool, forested mountain resort in the Dabie range with historic villas and rock formations. Sunrise viewing from Baoshan Peak is popular.

12. 12

    Baiyun Mountain Yuhuangding Trail

    Approx. 6 km on forest steps to Yuhuangding3-4 hours round tripmoderateApprox. 700 m gain to about 2,216 m

    A Funiu Mountain forest park known for deciduous and conifer forest, streams and a summit at Yuhuangding.

13. 13

    Yellow River Zhengzhou Riverbank Walk

    Approx. 5-8 km of flat riverside paths and Five Dragon terraces2-3 hourseasyApprox. 60 m gain

    A flat, easy walk beside the Yellow River with the Yueshan Temple Buddha, statues of Yandi and Huangdi and river views. Adults ticket approx. ¥80 ($12).

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Henan.

Spring

March-May: pleasant temperatures, blossoms, gorge waterfalls filling

Summer

June-August: hot in the plains and thunderstorms in the Taihang; higher Funiu mountains stay cool; Yuntai waterfalls at peak

Fall

September-November: best season, clear skies and October foliage in Baligou and Yuntai

Winter

December-February: cold and icy at altitude; Yuntai ice curtains, Laojun skiing

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.