6 Classical Routes for Mount Huashan Hike

The precipitous Huashan Mountain has five main peaks, among which the lowest North Peak and the West Peak featuring wonderful sunset can be reached by cable car. Thus, to hike on the Mount Huashan, one can choose among multiple routes: hiking up and down the mountain; ascending and descending by Huashan Mountain Cable Car; and hiking up and descending by cable car.

Moreover, a night climb to view the sunrise is possible in the Huashan Mountain attraction, and thus hiking up at night and descending after the sunrise also compose a route. Generally, people complete the Mount Huashan hike in one day, but if you want to slow down and view both sunset and sunrise on the peaks, you can consider a 2-day-long route.

For a relatively less strenuous Huashan Mountain hike, it’s suggested to add a cable car ride to your hiking itinerary, because hiking down this mountain is really hard on knees.

Tourists on Mount Huashan Peak

 Both the routes feature cable car rides on the way up and down the mount, and allow you to visit all the main peaks one by one. Thus, these two routes are the most popular among tourists. The difference is that West-up & North-down features a downhill hiking trail and is brutal on your knees, and North-up & West-down contains an uphill path and is relatively strenuous.
  Duration: 5 - 6 hours.
 Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️
 Recommended rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

To ascend the Mount Huashan by its West Peak Cable Car, one needs to first check in at the Huashan Tourist Center and take the shuttle bus for about 40 minutes from the center to the lower station of the cable car. The moment you start your cable car ride, you’ll be amazed by the vegetations and mountain ranges that flow below like waves of the sea.

After the 20-minute-long cable ride, you get to the valley of the Middle, West, and South Peaks. It takes you about 30 minutes to reach the West Peak from the valley, during which the most difficult section is the stepped trail constructed on the ridge. The next stop is South Peak, the highest of Mt. Huashan’s five main peaks.

The biggest advantage of this trail is that the path from South Peak to the upper station of North Peak Cable Car is basically downhill. Thus, it won’t take you too much strength to tour along the following trail. It’s further noteworthy that the impressive Black Dragon Ridge in the path between Middle and North Peaks can only be passed upward. Thus, you have to make a detour to brave this dangerous pass of the Huashan Mountain.

Note: The Huashan Mountain Plank Walk on the eastern cliffside of the South Peak is a popular and thrilling pass on Mt. Huashan. If you desire to brave it, please remember to book the ticket on your phone immediately after getting out from the cable car, because the tickets are limited and in high demand.

Impressive Foliage View of Mount Huashan

  Duration: 6 - 7 hours.
 Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Recommended rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Along this trail, you need to first spend about 30 minutes on tourist bus and cable car rides to get to the North Peak, your first stop in the main peak area. The best thing to do on the North Peak is to take photos beside the only huge rock with words “The Duel on Mount Hua”.

From the North Peak, you’ll start to climb the uphill path with steps to South Peak, and it’s truly a strenuous section of hiking. During your hike, the steep and narrow Black Dragon Ridge, the almost vertical Sky Ladder, and the Laojun Furrow with endless steps are all highly physically demanding.

Another highlight of this trail is the thrilling downward cable car ride from the West Peak. Its upper station is constructed on the cliffside. One second, you’re still in the cable car station, and the next, you are over the endless abyss. The cable car jolts as it passes the cable car towers, and your heart races accordingly.
  Duration: 3 - 4 hours.
 Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️
 Recommended rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This hiking route is the most time-saving and easiest way to hike Mount Huashan, and is recommended for group tourists with the strength-challenged elderly and children. After reaching the West Peak directly by cable car, you just tour West Peak, head for South Peak, and return to West Peak to take the cable car. One drawback is the route costs higher than the other one-day hiking routes.
  Duration: more than 10 hours.
 Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Recommended rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The sunrise above the East Peak of Huashan Mountain is the most wonderful part of this route. To see the sun rising little by little, people are willing to spend 6 to 9 hours on climbing steep slopes with thousands of steps at night and wait for the sunrise in the cold mountain wind. After the sunrise, some people will choose to challenge “Hawk Turning Over”, a dangerous and exciting pass on the edge of East Peak’s cliff. If you’re on a tight schedule and want to save your energy for the rest of your trip, you can choose to reach West Peak via Middle Peak, to descend the mount by cable car.

Stunning Sunrise from Mt. Huashan East Peak

Notes:
(1) 21:00 - 23:00 is the best period to start your night hiking from the Jade Spring Temple on the mountain foot, in which people with relatively poor fitness are advised to start early.
(2) You can alternatively take this route in the daytime, if viewing the sunrise is not a must-do for you. Thus, you can enjoy scenery along the hiking trail, and save a lot of physical strength in the descending journey by cable car.
  Duration: more than 10 hours.
 Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Recommended rate: ⭐️⭐️
 There must be some climbing enthusiasts who adhere to such a concept that only by hiking up and down a mountain can one be considered to conquer it. These real climbers will hike the mount from Jade Spring Temple, pass the tough Thousand-foot Precipice, and tour around all the five peaks.

The descending journey is the most difficult part, in which countless steps on steep slopes will put a great strain on your knees. But after the 10-hour-plus full-distance hike, you will definitely have a sense of accomplishment.

 Note: People with limited physical strength should think twice before choosing this hiking route.
  Duration: 2 days.
 Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Recommended rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you don’t hurry to make your Mount Huashan tour within a day, you can consider this 2-day-long hiking route. On the first day, you can slow down the hiking pace, take a break from time to time, and enjoy nice views along the hiking trail. Just remember to get to the peak area no later than the sunset time.

To fully enjoy the gorgeous sunset, you can live in the hotel on the North or Five-cloud Peak, and get up early on the next morning to hike to East Peak for the sunrise. Alternatively, you can view the sunset along the way, and stay overnight in the East Peak Hotel.

On the second day, it’s possible to conquer both “Hawk Turning Over” and Mount Huashan Plank Walk, and the hike on these two dangerous passes is quite worth trying.

 Note: Booking accommodation in advance is advised, especially in the peak season from March to November.

Chess Pavilion on East Peak

Sea of Clouds over Mt. Huashan

 1. No matter which route you choose, it’s suggested to bring warm clothes and cold-weather essentials, necessary food and water, and gloves. In winter, crampons are requisites during hiking.
2. Before setting off, please check the latest weather conditions of Mount Huashan and the notice from the attraction, to ensure a smooth hike.
3. Those who want to experience the thrilling Huashan Mountain Plank Walk and “Hawk Turning Over” need to make reservations after arriving at the main peak area.
4. It would be good if you can choose to hike on Mt. Huashan outside the Chinese Public Holidays, or you may queue for more than 1 hour to take the cable car.  You may like:
Xiyue Temple of Mount Huashan
Mount Huashan Travel Tips
How to Travel from Xi'an to Mt. Huashan