Shaolin Temple to Sanhuangzhai Ridge Traverse

The Shaolin Temple to Sanhuangzhai Ridge Traverse is a long point-to-point walk across the Songshan range in Dengfeng, the county-level city administered by Zhengzhou in Henan province, China. The route starts behind the Pagoda Forest at the Shaolin Temple Scenic Area on Shaolin Avenue and climbs onto the Shaoshi ridge before descending toward the Sanhuangzhai area. Access from Zhengzhou is by Zhengzhou-Dengfeng coach or DiDi, roughly 80 km and 1.5 to 2 hours, after which the trail begins on foot from the temple grounds. Entry tickets to the scenic areas are usually required, and visitors are advised to carry a passport because some entrances check identification. The distance is about 10 to 12 km one way and typically takes 5 to 7 hours. Net climb is roughly 400 to 600 m, with ridge sections above 1,200 m, which places the traverse at the harder end of day hikes in the region. The surface is mostly stone steps and rocky footpath, with some sections of packed dirt. Shade is patchy: lower slopes have trees, while the upper ridge is open and exposed to sun and wind, and stone can be slippery after rain. Landmarks include the Pagoda Forest at the start, forested ascents, ridge viewpoints over the Dengfeng basin and the cliff scenery around Sanhuangzhai. Because the route is one way, the sensible turn-around points are the ridge viewpoints, from which the same path can be retraced to the temple. Water is not reliably available on the trail, so visitors normally carry about 2 litres and snacks; small vendors may operate near the scenic-area gates and popular viewpoints but should not be counted on along the ridge. Formal refuge huts are not a feature of the route. Return is by scenic shuttle or taxi from the Sanhuangzhai gate. An offline map such as Amap, saved with Chinese place names, helps with orientation, as mobile signal and English signage can be limited. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the clearest air and moderate temperatures, while summer heat and thunderstorms and winter ice make the ridge harder.