Day Hikes
These hikes can all be completed in one day, not including travel to and from the trailhead.
For most of these, our routes are simply suggestions. Some of them have multiple possible pathways, and some of them are within entire trail networks that we haven't fully mapped. Feel free to choose your own adventure, and let us know if you find a different route that works well!
Kunming and surrounding area:
Jiaozi Snow Mountain 轿子雪山
The most popular of the "Ten Hikes of Kunming", this is an easy, board-walked, and stunning alpine hike to the summit of one of the tallest peaks in southern China. It is well-trafficked and sometimes crowded, but in our opinion well worth the journey.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Strenuous
⭐⭐⭐⭐
6.4-12.3 km (4-8 miles).
450-850 meters (1,400 to 2,800 feet
Trail Type
Boardwalk; Out and Back OR Loop
One of the more popular hikes in the immediate Kunming area, situated just off of Lonquan Lu, right behind Xuning Temple (虚宁寺). Nice, gradual dirt path for the first few kilometers, followed by a paved pathway to the summit. Great views of Kunming all the way to Dianchi on a clear day.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Moderately Strenuous
⭐⭐⭐
7.9 km
4.9 miles
+- 540 meters +- 1,770 feet
Trail Type
Wide Dirt, then concrete; Loop
4-5 hour drive from Kunming - accessible by public transport
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Strenuous
⭐⭐⭐⭐
10-24 km
+1,500 meters
Trail Type
Boardwalk
Fumin's representative of the "Ten Mountains of Kunming". It is a steep, dirt trail through rhododendron and pine forests that tops out at a beautiful (but tree-covered) summit strewn with prayer flags. A wind farm near the summit has turned some of the trail into a dirt road.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Strenuous-->
Very Strenuous
⭐⭐
11.2 km
(7 mi)
+944 meters
(3,100 feet)
Trail Type
Dirt, Narrow
Out and Back
One of the most accessible hiking areas in Kunming, within walking distance to the West Bus Station Subway stop (西部汽车站). Wonderful network of dirt paths snaking around these hills, with good views of Kunming and Dianchi.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Trail Type
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Moderate-->
Moderately Strenuous
7.3 km km
(4.5 mi)
+520 meters
(1,700 feet)
Dirt; Narrow to Wide; Point to Point
Another fairly accessible area to hike in Western Kunming off the West Thrid Ring Road (西三环). A nice dirt trail that snakes up into the hills towards a temple, through some farmland, and down to a reservoir. Side-trail options and potential summits are all over. As usual, our GPX route is simply a suggestion.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
⭐⭐⭐
Moderately Strenuous
6.7 km
(4.2 mi)
+500 meters
(1,670 feet)
Trail Type
Dirt and Cobble; Point to Point OR Out and Back
One of the "Ten Mountains of Kunming", this hike is located north of Yanzong Hai (on the way to Yiliang and the Stone Forest). It's a steep but well-maintained trail to a grassy summit, with beautiful 360 degree views down to Yanzong Hai and Dianchi Lake.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Strenuous--> Very Strenuous
⭐⭐⭐⭐
10.2 km
6.35 miles
+- 1,016 meters +- 3,336 feet
Trail Type
Narrow to Wide Dirt; Loop
4-5 hour drive from Kunming - accessible by public transport
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Strenuous
⭐⭐⭐⭐
10-24 km
+1,500 meters
Trail Type
Boardwalk
An alternative to the heavily-trafficked and paved Xishan Scenic Area, this hike starts from the southern end of Xishan mountain and climbs gradually up towards the same stunning views of Dianchi Lake and South Kunming, all along dirt roads and paths. This can be hiked as a loop, or you can start from the South and hike back through the tourist area to the subway station.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Elevation Gain
Moderately Strenuous--> Strenuous
⭐⭐⭐
RT: 13.4 km
8.3 miles
One-Way: 8.8 km; 5.5 miles
+- 560 meters +- 1,837 feet
Trail Type
Narrow Dirt Trail to Dirt Road; Loop OR Point to Point
An nice somewhat developed hiking area around the top of a mountain near Fuxian Lake. One of the "Ten Mountains of Kunming", this network of trails offers easy pleasant hiking for a range of ability levels and distances, numerous different summits, lovely views, and options for camping. One of the few areas that actually has signs and distance markers.
Rating
Difficulty
Distance
Moderate--> Moderately Strenuous
⭐⭐⭐
From Beishan: 8.0 km
5.0 miles
From Alternate: 4.5 km; 2.75 miles
Elevation Gain
From Beishan: 720 meters; 2340 feet
From Alternate: 220 meters, 720 feet
Trail Type
Narrow Dirt Trail to Dirt Road; Loop OR Point to Point OR Out and Back