Nanjing Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Purple Mountain Main Peak (Touzu Peak) from Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

   about 6-8 km round trip via the ridge paths (~4-5 miles)3-4 hoursmoderateSummit about 449 m (~1,473 ft); about 350 m (~1,150 ft) of ascent

2. 2

   Purple Mountain Observatory Trail (Tianwentai)

   about 5 km round trip from the Ming Xiaoling side (~3 miles)2-3 hourseasyObservatory at about 267 m (~876 ft); about 200 m (~656 ft) of ascent

3. 3

   Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Meihua Hill Loop

   about 4-5 km loop (~2.5-3 miles)2-3 hourseasyFlat to gentle; maximum about 60 m (~200 ft) of ascent

4. 4

   Linggu Temple and Linggu Pagoda Woodland Trail

   about 5 km round trip including the Pagoda approach (~3 miles)2-3 hourseasyAbout 100 m (~328 ft) of gentle ascent

5. 5

   Zhonghua Gate to Ming City Wall Ridge Walk

   about 3-4 km on the wall top and adjoining paths (~2-2.5 miles)2 hourseasyFlat; wall about 20 m (~66 ft) high

6. 6

   Qixia Mountain Sanfeng Peak Trail

   about 5-6 km round trip (~3-3.5 miles)2-3 hourseasySanfeng Peak about 286 m (~938 ft); about 250 m (~820 ft) of ascent

7. 7

   Niushou Mountain Ridge Trail

   about 5-6 km round trip (~3-3.5 miles)3 hourseasySummit about 242 m (~794 ft); about 200 m (~656 ft) of ascent

8. 8

   Laoshan National Forest Park Ridge Trail

   about 8-10 km loop (~5-6 miles)4-5 hoursmoderatePeak about 442 m (~1,450 ft); about 350 m (~1,150 ft) of ascent

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.