Laoshan National Forest Park Ridge Trail

Laoshan National Forest Park lies in Pukou District on the northwest side of the Yangtze in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, and is the largest area of forested hills close to the city. The ridge trail here is a loop of about 8 to 10 kilometres that climbs about 350 metres to a peak near 442 metres and takes four to five hours, making it the longest and most demanding of the Nanjing hikes described in this guide.

Access is mainly by road. A Didi taxi from central Pukou takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly 50 to 70 CNY, and public transport connections are limited and slower. Park admission is approximately 30 to 50 CNY, and visitors should confirm the current price at the gate. There is parking at the park entrance for those with cars, and no separate hiking permit is required for the marked routes.

The terrain is moderate. The trail follows forest tracks, stone steps and packed earth, with sustained uphill stretches but no scrambling and little exposure. Dense forest of pine, oak and bamboo provides shade for most of the route, which keeps summer hiking bearable, though humidity is high. Landmarks include the park's lower woodlands, ridge lines with open viewpoints over the Yangtze plain, and the high point near 442 metres. Visitors who need a shorter day can turn back partway along the ridge, since the loop offers several junctions.

Water is not reliably available on the trail, so visitors should carry at least 1.5 litres and snacks. There are no staffed refuge huts, but small pavilions and park buildings near the entrance provide shelter from rain. Mobile signal is generally available, but signs are mostly in Chinese, so an offline map is recommended. Paths can be muddy and slippery after rain, and summer brings heat, humidity and insects. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable and clearest conditions.