🥾 High Trail Trek Guide

Route Overview

The High Trail covers roughly 23 km and gains ~1,500 m of elevation across two days. Day 1 is the harder push — it includes the notorious 28 Bends, 28 consecutive switchbacks that gain around 700 m. Day 2 is mostly downhill with an optional descent to the gorge riverbed. The entire route is marked with red arrows; there are very few forks.

A one-day option exists for trekkers in strong shape who want to cover the main challenge in a single push — see the end of this guide.

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Day 1 — Qiaotou to Halfway Guesthouse

Distance: ~12 km · Time: 5–6 hours walking, ~7 hours with stops · Elevation: 1,800 m → 2,670 m → 2,400 m

The main challenge is the continuous climb up the 28 Bends. Start early — aim to leave Qiaotou by 08:00 to avoid midday heat and afternoon showers in wetter months.

Time	Section	Duration	Notes
07:30–08:00	Departure prep at Qiaotou	30 min	Eat breakfast, buy park entrance ticket (¥45), check gear, set off from High Trail entrance at the edge of town
08:00–10:00	Qiaotou → Naxi Family Guesthouse	2 hours	Gentle uphill warm-up through Naxi villages and farmland; pace yourself
10:00–10:30	Rest at Naxi Family Guesthouse	30 min	Hydrate, use the restroom, refuel with snacks before the 28 Bends
10:30–13:00	Naxi Family Guesthouse → Top of 28 Bends	2.5 hours	Steepest section of the entire route; 28 switchbacks gaining ~700 m; rest briefly standing every 10 minutes rather than sitting
13:00–13:30	Viewpoint at top of 28 Bends	30 min	Overlooking the great bend of the Jinsha River; private viewing platform charges ¥10 for a better angle (optional)
13:30–14:30	Top of 28 Bends → Tea Horse Guesthouse	1 hour	Mostly downhill; views open up as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain comes into full view
14:30–15:30	Rest at Tea Horse Guesthouse	1 hour	Lunch or afternoon tea; terrace seating facing the snow mountain
15:30–16:30	Tea Horse Guesthouse → Halfway Guesthouse	1 hour	Gentle trail along the hillside with natural viewpoints
Arrive 16:30	Halfway Guesthouse	—	Check in; head to Sunset Terrace around 18:00 for the snow mountain sunset

Tip: During the rainy season, set off an hour earlier to avoid afternoon showers. Trekkers with less stamina can hire a car directly from Qiaotou to Naxi Family Guesthouse, skipping the first 2 km of gentle uphill.

Horse hire: The Naxi Family Guesthouse to 28 Bends section can be done by horse (~¥260/person) for those who need it.

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Day 2 — Halfway Guesthouse to Tina’s + Optional Gorge Descent

Distance: ~8 km High Trail + ~3 km round trip to riverbed · Time: 4–5 hours

Day 2 is mostly downhill and considerably easier than Day 1. The optional descent to the Tiger Leaping Gorge riverbed adds 2–3 hours but is one of the most memorable parts of the whole trip.

Time	Section	Duration	Notes
07:30–08:00	Breakfast at Halfway Guesthouse	30 min	On clear days, go to the terrace early to watch the sun illuminate Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
08:00–09:30	Halfway Guesthouse → Dragon Spring Waterfall	1.5 hours	Mostly gentle downhill; stop at the waterfall — especially impressive in rainy season; watch for falling rocks above
09:30–10:30	Dragon Spring Waterfall → Tina’s Guesthouse	1 hour	Continuous downhill approaching the river; store larger bags at Tina’s on arrival
10:30–11:00	Rest at Tina’s	30 min	Hydrate and go light for the gorge descent
11:00–13:30	Round trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge riverbed	2.5 hours	Descend via Teacher Zhang’s Trail (~40 min), ascend via the 168-Step Brave Man’s Ladder (~30 min); ~1 hour by the river. If afraid of heights, use the Sliver of Sky path on the way back instead
13:30–14:30	Lunch at Tina’s	1 hour	Refuel; arrange return shared car or shuttle through the guesthouse
After 15:00	Return journey	—	Shared car to Lijiang (~2 hours) or Shangri-La (~1.5 hours)

Tip: If you skip the gorge descent, you can reach Tina’s by 11:00 and catch an earlier afternoon shuttle back.

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One-Day Highlights Option

For trekkers in strong physical condition who can’t spare two days.

Route: Qiaotou → Naxi Family Guesthouse → 28 Bends → Tea Horse Guesthouse → Halfway Guesthouse → Dragon Spring Waterfall → Tina’s

Distance: ~20 km · Time: 7–8 hours · Difficulty: Demanding

Set off before 07:00 and travel light. Descending to the Tiger Leaping Gorge riverbed is not recommended on this route — you won’t have time and you’ll be tired.

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Getting There

From Lijiang

• Bus: Lijiang Bus Station has daily departures to Qiaotou (Tiger Leaping Gorge Town) at 08:00 and 09:30. Journey ~1.5–2 hours, ¥45. Tell the driver you’re getting off at Qiaotou.
• Shared car / charter: Shared cars from around Lijiang Old Town cost ¥50–80 per person. A private charter is ~¥200 one-way and can take you directly to Naxi Family Guesthouse, saving the first gentle section.

From Shangri-La

• Bus: Buses from Shangri-La Bus Station to Lijiang pass through Qiaotou; ~2 hours, ~¥40.
• Charter: Direct charter to Naxi Family Guesthouse costs ~¥200–300 per car.

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Getting Back

From Tina’s Guesthouse (end point)

• Shuttle bus: Daily afternoon buses back to Lijiang or Shangri-La, ~¥50–55 per person. Have the guesthouse book for you in advance.
• Shared car: Departs when full from the guesthouse gate; ~¥50–80 per person to Lijiang.

Self-Drive Pickup

If you drove to Qiaotou, arrange in advance for a local driver to pick you up from Tina’s and drive you back to your car (~¥20–30/person, 1.5-hour drive).

Luggage Transfer

Large bags can travel ahead by bus from Qiaotou to Tina’s for ¥10–20 per item, so you trek light.

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Gear Checklist

Must-Have

• Non-slip hiking shoes — loose rock and dirt paths, slippery in the rainy season; high-top shoes help prevent ankle sprains
• Trekking poles — save ~30% of energy; essential for the 28 Bends ascent and long descent on Day 2 (bamboo poles can be found locally as a substitute)
• Knee braces — the downhill sections put real strain on the knees
• Small daypack (20–30 L) — for daily supplies; send larger bags ahead by luggage transfer

Clothing

• Quick-dry clothing — you’ll sweat; quick-dry fabric matters
• Windbreaker / light jacket — mountain weather changes fast; large temperature swings between day and night
• Sun hat + sunglasses — almost no shade on most of the route; UV is intense at altitude
• SPF 50+ sunscreen — reapply every 2 hours

Supplies

• 1–2 L drinking water — guesthouses along the way offer refills
• High-calorie snacks — chocolate, energy bars, beef jerky
• Rain poncho — preferable to an umbrella; the gorge is windy and trail runs close to cliff edges
• Power bank — signal can drain batteries fast in weaker-signal sections
• Cash — some guesthouses and toll points are cash-only
• Basic first aid — band-aids and iodine for scrapes

Leave Behind

• Rolling suitcases (store in Qiaotou or Lijiang)
• High heels, sandals, or flat canvas shoes
• More than one change of clothes

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Safety

• No photos while walking on cliff sections — narrow, windy path; stay away from edges
• Rainy season (June–August): Higher falling rock risk and muddy, slippery trail; check the weather forecast before setting off and start earlier
• Don’t go off-trail — the entire route is marked with red arrows; there are very few forks
• The 168-Step Brave Man’s Ladder is nearly vertical — an alternative path (Sliver of Sky) is available for those who prefer it
• Don’t trek alone — the route is established but exposed sections carry real risk

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Health & Altitude

• Highest point on the trail: ~2,670 m — moderate altitude; serious altitude sickness is uncommon
• Almost no shade — drink ~200 ml of water per hour and be mindful of heat in summer
• If you feel dizzy or fatigued, stop and rest immediately rather than pushing through
• An oxygen canister is not necessary at this altitude

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Tickets & Practical

• Entrance fee: ¥45 per person (student half-price). One ticket covers the entire High Trail.
• Mobile signal: Most of the route has signal; China Mobile is most reliable. Download offline maps (Maps.me or Amap) before you go.
• No bins on trail: Carry your rubbish out.
• Toll points: Teacher Zhang’s Trail, Sliver of Sky path, and the 168-Step Ladder each charge ¥10–15 per person — built and maintained by local villagers.