Weekly Mountain Travel Notes | Beginner's Guide to Hiking the Wushi Ancient Trail

| Beginner's Guide to Hiking the Wushi Ancient Trail. There are quite a few hiking and mountain climbing routes in the Southern Jiangsu region, including the Suzhou Lingbai line, Dayang Mountain, Eagle line, Dinosaur line, etc. Wuxi's Hui Mountain alone has numerous routes, not to mention the mountainous areas of Yixing. We in Changzhou's Jintan and Liyang also have many nice routes. The Wushi Ancient Trail is one of the more well-known outdoor hiking and mountain climbing routes in Southern Jiangsu, and outdoor clubs from around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai have organized trips along this trail, especially the Wushi Formation, which is a popular spot for internet celebrities to check in. However, many beginners may not be clear on how to proceed, so here is a more detailed guide after my second visit. 1. Difference between the small and large loop: The Wushi Ancient Trail has a small loop and a large loop. The main difference is that the large loop includes two more peaks, but the first 3/4 of the route is the same. 2. Navigation: Search directly for 'Zhuyue Xiangcun Inn', and once you arrive, continue along the tricolor line until you reach a small parking lot near the entrance. If you arrive early, you might get a spot. If not, there is a small path up the mountain in the opposite direction of the entrance where you can park on the roadside. 3. Length of the route: The small loop is over 6 kilometers, and the large loop is about 10 kilometers. 4. Total ascent: The small loop is 580 meters, and the large loop is over 700 meters (the measurements are not accurate, and many are underestimated). 5. Difficulty level: The small loop is rated 2.5 stars, suitable for beginners and families looking to progress and exercise, with some difficulty; the large loop is suitable for hikers with some experience, with a difficulty rating of 3 stars. 6. Route facilities: The starting point is a village with many inns, and food and accommodation are available. There are stalls selling water and toys at the entrance. 7. Public toilets: Walk about 400 meters in the direction along the river, which is a bit far. It is recommended to ask to use the toilets at the nearby inns. There are no toilets on the mountain, nor are there many secluded spots. 8. Equipment: In the outdoor community, this is considered an easy route. Normal anti-slip shoes and appropriate clothing are enough, and a walking stick is not necessary. 1 liter of water should suffice. If you are worried about the sun, bring a hat and sunglasses. 9. Photo check-in spots: One is the Wushi Formation, which is also the best spot for taking photos and checking in! Another is the tea garden, with a bamboo sea opposite and the tea garden below. 10. Difficult sections to pay attention to: From the entrance to the foot of the mountain is an 800-meter flat road, followed by stone slab road - gravel road - bamboo forest - Wushi Formation. The most difficult part of the route and the main ascent are in this section, which is why many beginners get scared off right at the start. In fact, this section can be taken slowly, and after that, there are no more difficulties. 11. Why not to hike in reverse: If the first section is so difficult, wouldn't hiking in reverse make the descent easier? This idea is incorrect. Turning the most difficult uphill section into a downhill one might increase the difficulty. Descending on gravel roads, through bamboo forests, and down the Wushi Formation can be harder than climbing up, with steep slopes and a higher risk of slipping. Also, the last stage of physical exhaustion can make your legs weak, making steep descents even more challenging, so it is not recommended to hike in reverse. Go out for a walk, climb a mountain every week. Join me for a different kind of weekend.