Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China, on the southern shore of the Yangtze River Delta and the East China Sea. It is one of China's smallest provinces by land area yet one of its wealthiest and most densely populated, anchored by the historic capital Hangzhou and its famous West Lake. Zhejiang is celebrated for its canal-laced water towns, sacred Buddhist mountain of Putuo Shan, tea plantations, and a coastline scattered with thousands of islands.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
-
1
Lingyan-Lingfeng Loop, Yandang Mountain
-
2
Dajianshan Peak Trail, Yandang Mountain
-
3
Moganshan Bamboo Forest Ridge Trail
-
4
Mount Putuo Pilgrimage Trail, Foding Mountain
-
5
Qiandao Lake Meifeng Island Hiking Trail
-
6
West Tianmu Mountain Ancient Forest Trail
-
7
Fenghuang Mountain Ridge Walk
-
8
Anji Bamboo Sea (Da Zhu Hai) Loop Trail
-
9
Longyou Grottoes Exploration Walk
-
10
Nanxi River Gorge Trail
-
11
Yuhuang Mountain Trail
-
12
Kuocang Mountain (Shenxianju) Granite Peaks Trail
-
13
Nanji Islands Coastal Trail
-
14
Baishanzu Nature Reserve Peak Trail
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Zhejiang.
- Spring
- March to May brings mild temperatures, blooming rhododendrons and azaleas on the granite peaks, and the spring tea harvest in the hills around Hangzhou, though occasional rain keeps stone steps slippery
- Summer
- June to August is hot and humid across the province with a distinct plum-rain season in June, making early-morning starts and higher-elevation reserves such as Tianmu and Baishanzu more comfortable than the coastal lowlands
- Autumn
- September to November offers the clearest skies, comfortable temperatures and the best visibility for granite peaks and coastal viewpoints, making it the most popular hiking season
- Winter
- December to February is cool and occasionally frosty at higher elevations such as Tianmu and Baishanzu, with fewer crowds on the coastal and lowland trails around West Lake and the water towns
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Summer heat and humidity, especially in the lowland river valleys and water towns, increase the risk of heat exhaustion on exposed sections
Hazard: The June plum-rain season and typhoon remnants from July to September can bring heavy rain, swollen streams and slippery stone steps in the mountains
Hazard: Wet granite and stone staircases on trails such as Yandang and Kuocang Mountain become slick after rain
Hazard: Coastal and island trails around Zhoushan and Nanji are exposed to strong wind and sun with little shade
Hazard: Reserves such as West Tianmu and Baishanzu are home to venomous snakes in warmer months, so staying on marked paths is advised
Hazard: Underground routes such as the Longyou Grottoes stay cool and can be damp and slippery on the stairways
Hazard: Mobile signal is unreliable in remote sections of the Baishanzu and West Tianmu reserves, so carrying a paper map or downloaded route is useful