Zhangjiajie Hiking Trails

The most accessible trail in the park and one of the most rewarding. A flat, shaded, paved path follows a crystal-clear stream through the heart of the Forest Park. Wild macaques are common along the entire route — keep snacks hidden and avoid eye contact with aggressive individuals. The trail is suitable for all fitness levels, including families with young children and elderly visitors. Walk southbound (downstream) for a gentle downhill gradient. We have walked this in January with snow on the banks and in July with the forest at full green — both versions are wonderful.

The loop connecting Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, First Bridge Under Heaven, and the surrounding viewpoints. Most of the trail is paved with stone steps and guardrails. The section between the Avatar pillar and First Bridge involves some steep staircases (50-100 steps at a time) but nothing technical. This is the busiest trail in the park — the main Avatar pillar platform can have 30+ people queuing for photos during peak hours. Go before 9 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the worst crowds. All major viewpoints have railings and are safe for families.

After the cable car does the hard work of climbing 1,200 meters, the summit area offers a network of paved paths connecting multiple viewpoints. The Imperial Writing Brush Peaks are the highlight — a row of slender pillars resembling calligraphy brushes. The paths are flat to gently rolling, with occasional short staircases between viewing platforms. This is more of a scenic walk than a hike — you are on a maintained summit complex with facilities (toilets, snack stalls), not a wilderness trail. Suitable for visitors with limited mobility if they can manage short staircases.

The park's best-kept secret for hikers. Yangjiajie has the same dramatic pillar landscape as Yuanjiajie but receives a fraction of the visitors — we counted maybe 20 other people across a full morning in April 2026. The trails are less maintained (more stone steps, fewer paved paths, minimal guardrails), which keeps casual tour groups away. The Natural Great Wall viewpoint is a must: a continuous ridge of pillars resembling a fortress wall. Navigation is trickier here — download offline maps before starting. Trail markings exist but are sparse. The 'One Step to Heaven' viewpoint involves a narrow section with a steep drop on one side — not for anyone with vertigo.

After crossing the Glass Bridge, descend into the Grand Canyon via a stone staircase embedded in the cliff face. The trail follows a stream through narrow gorges, past several waterfalls, and ends at a boat dock deep in the valley. Almost entirely downhill — about 1,000 steps total — which makes it deceptively tiring. Your quadriceps will ache the next day from the constant braking on steps. The canyon walls close to within 10 meters overhead in the narrowest sections, creating a dramatic, enclosed atmosphere completely different from the open pillar landscapes above.

A glass-floored walkway bolted to the vertical cliff face of Tianmen Mountain, approximately 1,400 meters above sea level. Technically not a hike — it is a maintained walkway with solid railings — but the exposure is extreme. The glass sections are optional (you can walk on the solid inner path). The views straight down the sheer limestone cliff are genuinely vertigo-inducing, even for people comfortable with heights. The full western loop takes about an hour at a relaxed pace. Combine with Heaven's Gate and the cable car for a complete half-day visit.