Mutianyu to Zhengbeilou??

[PWCCA]

Busy trying to plan the next lot of wall hikes for Oct (now the weather is much more comfortable). I was thinking of exploring the area around Mutianyu. How easy is the hike from Mutianyu (through the Ox horn) to Zhengbeilou? Is it a particularly dangerous hike?

[Bryan]

For you it would be no problem. Probably the most difficult part is the very beginning of the unrestored section at Mutianyu. Climbing along the right side is probably the best bet. Try not to damage it any more than it is already damaged!

Some more discussion of this hike is at Help me about the trekking routes!

[PWCCA]

I wasnt really thinking of going from the touristy part, but maybe just a bit further up from the small village next to the Mutianyu area 40°26'36.91"N 116°33'1.10"E. I dont know if that bypasses that damaged part

[Bryan]

Yes, if you start from Yingbeigou village, you will skip this tricky part. I'm not familiar with the trails from there to the Wall but presumably there are some. Your experience and photos here will be very interesting to us all!

[PWCCA]

Do you think its a good idea to stop walking at Zhengbeilou and head back to the nearest village, or is it relatively safe to continue further? At what point would you/anyone recommend exiting the wall and heading back to the village?

[Bryan]

I recommend you or anyone else take the path from Zhengbeilou down to Xizhazi 2. The Wall between here and the Jiankou pass is possibly the most dangerous on the entire Great Wall. Not as narrow as the Simatai Sky Bridge, but far more steep and in much worse condition.

[PWCCA]

Thanks Bryan. One more question... do you think its better to end the hike by heading to Xizhazi or walking the other direction to the village located at 40°26'3.20"N 116°31'48.85"E? I am just thinking of ways to make it a lil easier for our driver.
We will probably be doing this walk on Oct 2nd depending on the availability of our driver. I will be sure to take many many pics and info

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by PWCCA

Thanks Bryan. One more question... do you think its better to end the hike by heading to Xizhazi or walking the other direction to the village located at 40°26'3.20"N 116°31'48.85"E? I am just thinking of ways to make it a lil easier for our driver.
We will probably be doing this walk on Oct 2nd depending on the availability of our driver. I will be sure to take many many pics and info

At 40°26'33"N 116°31'47"E is the Shun Tong hong zun yu yang zhi zhong xin (Shun Tong trout farm center). That's the usual dropoff / pickup point for the south side of Jiankou. See How to reach the Zhengbeilou tower at the Jiankou Great Wall for details.

It would be far easier for your driver, but commensurately more difficult for you, to meet here. The path from Zhengbeilou is not only harder to follow but involves some climbing. If you don't have a GPS I would not even consider it.

[PWCCA]

Thanks Bryan, I think we will just head to Xizhazi instead. Booked it with the driver now, I hope the weather is great as I know the views from Zhengbeilou are pretty special

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by PWCCA

Thanks Bryan, I think we will just head to Xizhazi instead. Booked it with the driver now, I hope the weather is great as I know the views from Zhengbeilou are pretty special

The view from the top of Niujiaobian isn't bad either!

Good luck. Have a great time.