Xi'an Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Huashan Soldiers' Trail (Yuquan Yuan to North Peak)

   8–10 km (~5–6 miles) one-way, gaining roughly 1,500 m over 6,000-plus stone steps to North Peak4–6 hours up, 3–4 hours downexpertNorth Peak sits at approximately 1,614 m; the full ascent from the Yuquan Yuan gate gains roughly 1,500 m

2. 2

   Huashan Five-Peaks Ridge Walk (Golden Lock Pass Loop)

   Roughly 6–8 km connecting North, Central, East, South, and West Peaks via the ridge trails5–7 hours for a full five-peak loophardSouth Peak, the highest, reaches about 2,154 m; the ridge undulates between roughly 1,614 m and 2,154 m

3. 3

   Nanwutai (South Wutai) Zhongnan Mountain Hike

   Roughly 8–10 km round trip across the five terraces (Zhaoyin, Cuiyan, Wenshu, Lingying, Guanyin)4–5 hours at a relaxed pacemoderateGuanyin Terrace, the highest of the five peaks, reaches approximately 1,997 m

4. 4

   Taibai Mountain Red Birch Plain Trail

   Several kilometers one-way from Red Birch Plain to Tianyuan Terrace, with a steep final climb3 hours up, 2 hours down (5–6 hours round trip)hardRed Birch Plain trailhead sits around 2,800 m; Tianyuan Terrace reaches roughly 3,200 m

5. 5

   Cuihua Mountain Geopark Rockslide Trail

   5–7 km round trip through the boulder fields, barrier lakes, and cave systems3–4 hoursmoderateTrail ranges roughly 1,000–1,500 m through the geopark's landslide terrain

6. 6

   Lishan Mountain Hiking Trail (Lintong)

   Roughly 3–4 km one-way from the base near Huaqing Palace to the Beacon Tower summit2–3 hours round trip on foot, or 8–10 minutes each way by cable carmoderateSummit beacon tower sits at approximately 1,256 m

7. 7

   Bailuyuan Tableland Hike

   4–6 km loop across the tableland's forest paths and terraced farmland2–3 hourseasyRolling tableland terrain around 700–900 m, with gentle grades

8. 8

   Xi'an City Wall Rampart Walk

   13.7 km (8.5 miles) for the full loop; shorter out-and-back sections possible from any gate3–4 hours to walk the complete loop; 1–1.5 hours for a shorter stretch between two gateseasyFlat rampart walk, roughly 12 m above street level throughout

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.