Tiger Leaping Gorge trek: route guide

The high trail runs along the northern wall of the gorge, from Qiaotou in the east to Walnut Garden (核桃园) in the west, with the Jinsha River below and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596 m) and Haba Snow Mountain (5,396 m) on either rim. The route is waymarked and passes through Naxi villages, pine forest and terraced fields.

Coordinates below are approximate trailheads and villages, not exact trail points. Carry an offline map: phone signal drops in the side valleys.

The standard two-day split puts the hard climbing on day one while you are fresh, then a gentler ridge walk to the far end on day two. Distances and times below are the usual figures trekkers report; treat them as planning bands, not surveyed measurements.

Day one starts at Qiaotou and climbs steadily to Naxi Family Guesthouse, then hits the 28 switchbacks, the steepest and most exposed part of the route. From the top the trail contours high above the river past a waterfall and several tea stops before dropping to a guesthouse cluster for the night. Day two is mostly level or gently downhill through farmland to Tina's and Walnut Garden, where buses back to Lijiang or on to Shangri-La pass through.

If you want the gorge floor, add a third day or a long afternoon: a side trail descends from near Tina's to the Tiger Leaping Stone by the river, with a steep ladder route back up. Locals charge small fees for parts of this descent.

The gorge has a mild climate year-round, with average annual temperatures between 13 °C and 20 °C and warm, sunny winters (roughly 5–15 °C). Day-to-night temperature swings are large, so pack layers even in spring.

March and April are the most comfortable months, with daytime highs near 20 °C and clear views of the snow peaks. May is warmer and greener. Mid-autumn through November is also dry and sunny, with a light sweater and coat enough for most days.

June to September is the rainy season. Heavy rain can close the gorge on certain days because of landslides, and the trail gets muddy with swollen side streams. Winter is dry and clear but cold at night and chilly in the morning; check the forecast before setting out.

Guesthouses sit at both ends and along the high trail, so you can split the walk into two or three days without carrying camping gear. The main clusters are around Naxi Family Guesthouse near the start, the high guesthouses after the switchbacks, and Tina's and Walnut Garden at the western end.

Book ahead in the March–April and October–November windows, when the good rooms fill. Rooms are simple: beds, blankets, hot water that may be limited, and meals cooked to order. Cash is the practical option; card acceptance is unreliable on the trail.

Some guesthouses give misleading advice about onward hiking options, so confirm bus times and trail conditions with more than one source before you commit.

You need broken-in shoes with grip, 1.5–2 litres of water capacity, sun protection and rain gear. Trekking poles help on the switchbacks and on the steep river descent. There are shops and tea houses along the route, so you do not need to carry more than a day of food.

Budget for small trail fees: the ¥45 entry ticket, ¥10 to descend to the Tiger Leaping Stone, ¥10 more if you take the ladder trail back up, and ¥150–300 if you hire a horse for part of the climb. Porters will carry a bag for around ¥50. Bring cash in small notes.

Altitude is moderate, but the climb is sustained; pace yourself and start early. Tell someone your plan, and check trail conditions locally after any heavy rain.