Hangzhou is not only a city known for water, but it also has many hills — more than 70 peaks lie in the small city, mostly standing guard over West Lake and the Qiantang River.

The natural environment makes hiking popular among locals, who love climbing Baoshi Hill, Yuhuang Hill and Solitude Hill, which offer verdant landscapes and little difficulty.

Skilled mountain climbers won’t find these under-500-meter hills satisfying, but there are some locations that take more time and present a greater challenge. Cooler days are best for hiking, so put on your hiking shoes and take a trip with Shanghai Daily on six routes we found for you, from easy to a more challenging level, which take between a half day and a full, eight-hour day to finish.

To Beigao Peak

Laohe Hill (in Gudang block) — Jiangjun Hill — Meinu Hill — Ling Peak — Guoziding Hill — Beigao Peak

Transportation: Going, take bus No. 102 to Gudang stop and walk southeast to reach Laohe Hill. Returning, take bus No. 7, 807, 837, J4 or Y2 to Lingyin Temple stop.

This scenic trail includes some steep and some gentle slopes, and can be done in half a day. The beginning, with about 1,000 steps, is easy and the first objective is the generous view at the peak of Jiangjun Hill.

Hikers are surrounded by lush grass, trees, twittering birds and the trickle of the Xixi River. The area between Beigao Peak and Laohe Hill is a great spot to appreciate the moon in the evenings because of its wide view.

Around Linying Temple

Route 1: Laodongyue Village — Liuxiang Bridge — Meiren Peak — Longmen Hill — Shiren Hill — Niulongba Tower — Lingyin TempleRoute 2: Laodongyue Village — Liuxiang Bridge — Meiren Peak — Longmen Hill — Shiren Hill — Tianmen Hill — Langyudang Hill — Longjing Hill Garden 

Transportation: Going, take bus No. 306 to Laodongyue stop and head to Laodongyue Village. Returning, take bus No. 7, 807, 837, J4 or Y2 to Lingyin Temple stop.

This is a comparatively demanding route that takes hikers an entire day. The route starts from Laodongyue Village, and you’ll see a large camphor tree that means you are on the right track up the hill.

Turn left before Fahua Temple to cross Liuxiang Bridge, which leads to the tougher part. From the bridge to Meiren Peak and then to Longmen Hill, there are five hilltops with lots of bushes with thorns on slippery, steep and rocky trails. This area is more isolated and it’s better to go with friends.

After going from Longmen Hill to Shiren Hill, hikers will get a bird’s-eye view of a continuous line of hills as a reward. There are two ways that take you back to the town: one from Shiren Hill to Jiulongba Tower and to Lingyin Temple, and the other in the direction of Tianmen Hill through Langdang Hill to Longjing Hill Garden.

South to West Lake

Route 1: Wansong Academy — Tiger Cave — Phoenix Pavilion — Jiangtai Hill — Yuhuang Hill — Tianzhen Hill — Baiyun Temple — South Guanyin Cave — Yuhuang Hill Tunnel — China Silk MuseumRoute 2: Wansong Academy — Phoenix Pavilion — Qiyun Temple — Fantian Temple

Transportation: Going, take bus No. 102 to Wansong Hill stop and enter into Wansong Academy. Returning: Route 1, take bus No. 12, 42, Y3 or Y9 to China Silk Museum stop; Route 2, take bus No. 196 to Fuxing bus stop.

This trail has many historical sites hidden in lush forests. While located downtown, there are few tourists. The difficulty level is not too high and you can take a leisurely hike.

While Phoenix Hill is not very high, it can be a little laborious to climb. On the top of the hill, at an elevation of 174 meters, Phoenix Pavilion provides a nice bird’s-eye view of the city, West Lake and the Qiantang River.

Yuhuang Hill is at 239 meters and is the highest of all peaks in the immediate area, so at the top, when the wind blows and clouds drift close by, it gives hikers a cool feeling of being “at the top of the city.”

After visiting Shifo Temple on Yuhuang Hill, one can go downhill from the other side and go through Tianzhen Hill, Baiyun Temple, South Guanyin Cave, and pass Yuhuang Hill Tunnel, to arrive at China Silk Museum.

Alternatively, you can use route 2. Both of the routines can be finished in half a day, if you walk fast, or one day if you wander leisurely. 

To Hangzhou National Tea Museum

Route 1: Yang’s Archway (Yang Jia Pai Lou) — Yongxing Temple — Dongmu Valley — Daqing Valley — Qipan Hill — Tianma Mountain — Yuegui Peak — National Tea Museum

Route 2: Yang’s Archway — Shiren Hill — Tianmen Hill — Shimen Hill — Langdang Hill

Transportation: Going, take bus No. 306 to Yang Jia Pai Lou stop. Returning: Route 1, take bus No. 27 or Y3 to Shuangfeng stop; Route 2, take bus No. Y4 to Shang Tian Zhu stop.

This trail is a bit challenging because it’s quite long and some parts of it are steep. It also features a combination of mountains and temples.

There is an intersection at Yongxing Temple. Going in a southwesterly direction, you pass Dongmu Valley to Daqing Valley, and then to Qipan Hill, Tianma Mountain and Yuegui Peak to reach the National Tea Museum, which is known for its serene tea garden. Qipan Hill between Longjing and Meiling roads is traditionally a cool spot to rest.

Tianma Mountain has paths interwoven amidst tall grass, and is more attractive to those who want a more challenging hike.

For an even harder route, you can start from Yang’s Archway, go through Shiren Hill, then climb up 412.5-meter-high Tianma Mountain, the highest peak in Hangzhou, and descend to Shimen Hill, then crossing over Langdang Hill and descending from Longjing Hill Garden.

Passing Hupao Spring

Route 1: Long Bridge — Nanping Hill — Jiuyao Hill — Hupao Spring — Hupao Hill — Ma’an Hill — Erlong Hill — Cai Yongxiang Memorial Pavilion

Route 2: Long Bridge — Nanping Hill — Jiuyao Hill — Hupao Spring — Hupao Hill — Ma’an Hill — Erlong Hill — Liuhe Pagoda

Transportation: Going, take bus No. 4, Y1, Y2, Y9 or 808 to Long Bridge stop. Returning: For both routes, take bus No.  4, 318, 354, J3 or 504 to Liuhe Pagoda stop.

This picturesque and easy route is great for a relaxing hike, and takes only half a day. From Long Bridge up toward Nanping Hill, you will pass Jiuyao Hill. If you visit the pavilion on the peak of Jiuyao Hill, you can look down at West Lake and the Qiantang River.

Descend the hill and then go up Hupao Hill, where you can see the Dream of Tiger sculpture and Hong Yi Tower, two places dedicated to the memory of Hong Yi, a master painter, musician, dramatist, calligrapher, seal cutter, poet and Buddhist monk.

Passing Ma’an Hill and Erlong Hill, you will arrive at Cai Yongxiang Memorial Pavilion. For more exercise, keep walking on Erlong Hill to Liuhe Pagoda, and trek 700 steps to get back into the city. 

Around Nine Streams

Hupao Hill — Baihe Peak — Honghua Valley — Nine Streams — Linhai Pavilion — Tanjia Valley — Wuyun Mountain

Transportation: Going, take bus No. 4, 315, 504, 527, Y5, or 808 to Hupao stop. Returning, take bus No. 4, 189, 190, 318 or 308 to Jiuxi stop.

Walking along Nine Streams is pleasing because most hikers love to have little creeks accompany them. But after that, the scenery is not as special, with trees, rocks and pavilions just like others hills. Autumn, however, rewards hikers with golden leaves spread over the mountain paths.

This is not an easy trip, and it will take a half day at least to finish it.