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Hangzhou is surrounded by hills that offer excellent hiking within minutes of the city center. From easy lakeside walks to challenging mountain trails, this guide covers the 6 best hikes.
Best Hiking Trails
1. Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies (九溪十八涧)
The most popular hike in Hangzhou. A shaded trail through bamboo forests, crossing small streams on stone bridges.
Distance: 5km (one way) | Time: 60–90 min | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Trailhead: Jiuxi Bus Station (Bus 4, 27, 87) | Destination: Longjing Village
Best time: After rain (more water in the creeks), spring and autumn
2. Longjing Village to Lingyin Temple
A scenic trail through tea fields and bamboo forests connecting two of Hangzhou's top attractions.
Distance: 3km | Time: 45–60 min | Difficulty: Moderate (some steep steps)
Trailhead: Longjing Village | Destination: Lingyin Temple back entrance
Best time: Morning, spring and autumn
3. Baoshi Hill (宝石山)
A short but rewarding hike to a hilltop with panoramic views of West Lake and the city skyline. The trail passes by Baochu Pagoda.
Distance: 2km loop | Time: 30–45 min | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Trailhead: Baoshan Road, near Huanglong | Best time: Sunrise or sunset
4. Lin'an Tianmu Mountain (天目山)
A serious day hike 90 minutes from Hangzhou. Old-growth forest, waterfalls, and peaks over 1,500m.
Distance: 8–12km | Time: 4–6 hours | Difficulty: Challenging
How to get there: Bus or drive to Lin'an, then local transport to trailhead
Best time: Spring and autumn
5. Moganshan Loop (莫干山)
Bamboo forest trails with mountain views, passing by historic foreign villas and the Sword Pond.
Distance: 6–8km | Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty: Moderate
How to get there: High-speed rail to Deqing (13 min), then taxi (40 min)
Best time: Spring and autumn, summer for cooler temperatures
6. West Lake Circuit
Walk the entire perimeter of West Lake — a long but flat and scenic urban hike.
Distance: 15km | Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty: Easy (flat, paved)
Route: Broken Bridge → Su Causeway → Huagang → Leifeng → Bai Causeway → back
Best time: Early morning (before 08:00) for fewer crowds
Hiking Essentials
- Water: 1–2 liters per person
- Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen (even on cloudy days)
- Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes with grip (trails can be slippery after rain)
- Bug spray: Essential in summer (May–September)
- Phone: Fully charged with offline maps downloaded
FAQ
Do I need a guide?
No, all trails are well-marked and popular enough to follow other hikers.
Are trails safe to hike alone?
Yes, during daylight hours. The Nine Creeks and Baoshi Hill trails are especially popular and safe.
What about in summer?
Start before 07:00, bring extra water, and avoid the steepest trails during heat waves (35°C+).