Meijiawu to North Peak via Sanfena Hike
A ~12-14 km challenge route combining the Shili Langdang tea-ridge ascent with a wild-trail ridge crossing to North Peak. The longest, most demanding walk on the site — paved tea ridge, technical dirt trail, and summit finish.
Meijiawu Village 梅家坞 → North Peak 北高峰
Quick Facts
| Distance | ~12-14 km (point-to-point) |
| Duration | 4-5 hours (steady); 5-6 hours (with photos and breaks) |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Elevation gain | ~500-700 m (cumulative) |
| Start | Meijiawu Village 梅家坞 |
| Finish | North Peak 北高峰 |
| Area | Lingyin / North Peak |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Transport | Bus / metro + bus / taxi |
| Crowd level | Low on the Sanfena → North Peak wild trail; moderate on the Meijiawu → Sanfena ridge |
| Toilets | At Meijiawu (start), Sanfena (mid-point, vendor stall area), and North Peak summit (finish); no facilities on the wild trail section |
| Food/water | Meijiawu tea houses at start; vendor stall at Sanfena on weekends (water ~8 RMB); North Peak summit shop — NO water sources on the wild trail between Sanfena and North Peak |
Route Summary
The Meijiawu to North Peak challenge is the longest and most demanding single walk on the site — a route that strings together two distinct landscapes and trail characters separated by a technical wild-trail crossing. It begins gently: an open paved ascent through tea terraces from Meijiawu to the Sanfena ridge viewpoint. At Sanfena, the character changes entirely: the paved path ends and a dirt-and-stone wild trail strikes north-west across the intervening hills toward North Peak, with uneven terrain, sustained climbing, and sections that require hands-on scrambling. The route finishes at the North Peak summit, where the Fortune Temple, a summit shop, and the cable car provide well-earned recovery options. This route is recommended for experienced hikers only — the wild-trail section is exposed, unmarked in places, and has no facilities or water sources.
This guide is based on hiker notes from the local community and will be refined as field checks are completed. The route is recommended in autumn for the most stable wild-trail conditions. Chinese place names and navigation notes are included throughout.
How to Get There
By metro + bus to start
BestTake metro Line 3 to Huanglong Cave Station 黄龙洞站 (Exit C). From the Huanglong Cave bus stop across the road, board bus 103, 121, or 1314 toward Meijiawu. Alight at 梅家坞站 (Meijiawu stop) — approximately 20 minutes. The Shili Langdang archway is directly across the road from the bus stop.
By bus direct
Bus 103 from Wulinmen or Hangzhou Railway Station, bus 121 from the Songcheng area, and bus 1314 from the West Lake area all serve the 梅家坞站 (Meijiawu stop). From central Hangzhou, allow approximately 30-40 minutes.
By taxi
A taxi from central Hangzhou to Meijiawu costs approximately 40-50 RMB and takes 25-35 minutes depending on traffic. Show the driver 梅家坞公交站.
By car
Meijiawu has a paid parking area (~10 RMB/h). Spaces fill early on weekends. Since the route ends at North Peak, you will need to return to Meijiawu to retrieve your car via metro (Dongyue → Gudang → Huanglong Cave → bus) — allow ~1 hour for the return journey.
Return from North Peak (finish)
Three descent options: (1) Cable car to Lingyin Temple area (20 RMB one-way, ~10 min) — from the cable car base station, bus 7 or 807 toward the city centre, or a taxi from the Lingyin area (~20-30 min to central Hangzhou). (2) Walk to Fahua Temple (~25 min on stone steps) — from Fahua Temple, a free shuttle bus runs to Dongyue 东岳 metro station (Line 3, last departure ~17:00); check operating hours before relying on this. (3) Continue to Majiawu viewing platform and descend to Majiawu village (~30 min from summit), then walk to Dongyue metro. All three options are well-established.
Return from North Peak (finish)
ReturnThree descent options: (1) Cable car to Lingyin Temple area (20 RMB one-way, ~10 min) — from the cable car base station, bus 7 or 807 toward the city centre, or a taxi from the Lingyin area (~20-30 min to central Hangzhou). (2) Walk to Fahua Temple (~25 min on stone steps) — from Fahua Temple, a free shuttle bus runs to Dongyue 东岳 metro station (Line 3, last departure ~17:00); check operating hours before relying on this. (3) Continue to Majiawu viewing platform and descend to Majiawu village (~30 min from summit), then walk to Dongyue metro. All three options are well-established.
Save these place names in your phone before starting: 梅家坞 (Meijiawu, start), 十里琅珰牌坊 (Shili Langdang archway), 三分岔 (Sanfena, ridge junction), 北高峰 (North Peak, finish), 灵顺寺 (Fortune Temple). For descent: 法华寺 (Fahua Temple), 东岳站 (Dongyue metro station, Line 3).
Step-by-Step Route
Route notes are based on local knowledge and will be refined with field checks. Approximate times assume a relaxed pace with short photo stops.
Meijiawu to Sanfena — tea ridge ascent
~35-45 minFrom the Meijiawu bus stop 梅家坞站, cross Meiling Road to the Shili Langdang stone archway. The stone-step path climbs through terraced tea fields toward the ridge — approximately 1,700-2,000 steps gaining roughly 200 metres over 1.5 km. The gradient is steady and the path is well-maintained. Calorie-burn markers set into the steps provide motivational milestones. After approximately 20 minutes, the path reaches Wenbi Peak 文碧峰, a modest summit with a flat stone observation area. A further 10-15 minutes brings you to Sanfena 三分岔 at ~340 m — the three-way ridge junction. This is the last reliable point for water and snacks before the wild trail. Take a longer rest here — the next segment is the most demanding of the entire walk. Stock up on water if the vendor stall is present (weekends only). Use the toilet area if available — there are no facilities on the next section.
Caution: Pace yourself on this section — the tea-ridge ascent is the easy part. Reserve energy for the wild trail to come. Do not rush. The Sanfena vendor may not be present on weekdays — do not rely on it for water.
Photo suggestion: Sanfena junction at ~340 m — the last paved waypoint before the wild trail begins.
Sanfena to North Peak — wild trail crossing
~40-60 minThis is the signature segment of the route and the most challenging section of any trail on the site. From Sanfena, instead of descending toward Meijiawu or Longjing, strike north-west on an unpaved path that traverses the hills between the Longjing tea basin and the North Peak / Lingyin valley. The trail surface is a mix of packed dirt, loose stone, and exposed rock — a significant departure from the paved paths that make up the rest of the site's routes. The terrain is uneven and technical: short, steep climbs alternate with sketchy downhills, with occasional sections where hands are needed for balance on rock steps. The gradient is demanding — approximately 200-250 metres of cumulative gain and loss over approximately 3 km of trail. The path is partially shaded by mixed forest but has open sections where the sun is direct. Trail runners use this section regularly (it is a segment of the West Lake Hills trail-running circuit), so the path is worn enough to follow, but formal signage is minimal — look for worn ground, small cairns, and occasional coloured marker ribbons on branches. After approximately 40 minutes at a steady pace, the trail merges with the paved approach path from the Lingyin cable car station, approximately 200 metres below the North Peak summit. The final 200 metres are a paved stone-step climb to the summit plateau.
Caution: This is the most demanding single section of any route on the site. The trail is unmarked in sections — download a GPX track before starting. The dirt surface becomes slippery after rain — do not attempt this route in wet weather. Phone signal is weak on sections of this trail. Allow extra time: 40 minutes is a fast pace; 60 minutes is realistic for most hikers. Carry at least 1 litre of water for this section alone — there are no sources between Sanfena and the North Peak summit shop. Trekking poles are strongly recommended. The wild trail has loose stone sections that can turn ankles — wear high-ankle hiking shoes or trail-running shoes, not low-cut trainers.
Photo suggestion: The wild trail between Sanfena and North Peak, looking back toward the Shili Langdang ridge with the tea terraces visible in the distance.
North Peak summit and descent options
~20-40 min + descent timeThe summit of North Peak (314 m) is crowned by the Fortune Temple (灵顺寺, ~8 RMB). A shop sells water and snacks. The viewing platform offers the familiar West Lake panorama. Three descent options are available: Cable car (20 RMB one-way, ~10 min ride): Descends to the Lingyin Temple area. From Lingyin, bus 7 or 807 serves the city centre. This is the least demanding option and the recommended choice after the wild-trail effort. Walk to Fahua Temple (~25 min descent on stone steps): From the summit, follow the signposted path descending the north-west side toward Fahua Temple. The path loses ~250 metres over 1 km — demanding on tired knees. At Fahua Temple, a tea house serves vegetarian noodles (~30-40 RMB). A free shuttle bus runs to Dongyue metro station (Line 3, last departure ~17:00 — confirm before relying on this). Continue to Majiawu viewing platform (~30 min): From the summit, descend east toward the Majiawu / Nafu Yuntai platform, then down to Majiawu village and the Dongyue metro station. This adds approximately 1 km to the walk.
Caution: The Fahua Temple descent is ~250 m of continuous stone steps — demanding on tired legs. Trekking poles are strongly recommended. The cable car queue can exceed 20 minutes on peak weekends. The free shuttle bus from Fahua Temple has limited operating hours — confirm the last departure time before relying on it.
Photo suggestion: North Peak summit with the Fortune Temple and West Lake panorama — the finish point after the wild-trail crossing.
Photo Guide
Key photo points along the route. Real photos will be added after field checks.
Practical Notes
Food and water — critical
CRITICAL: Stock up at Sanfena (the last reliable water point). Meijiawu has tea houses at the start. A vendor stall operates at Sanfena on weekends (water ~8 RMB, snacks). North Peak summit has a shop at the finish. There are NO water sources on the wild trail between Sanfena and North Peak — carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person. The wild trail section can take 40-60 minutes in demanding terrain with no water.
Toilets
At Meijiawu (start), Sanfena (mid-point, near the vendor stall area), and North Peak summit (finish). No facilities on the wild trail section between Sanfena and North Peak.
Wild-trail navigation
The Sanfena → North Peak wild trail is unmarked in sections. Download a GPX track of the route before starting (search for 'Sanfena to North Peak' on trail-running apps). Look for worn ground, small cairns, and coloured marker ribbons on branches. Carry a power bank — phone battery drain is higher in weak-signal areas.
Trekking poles
Strongly recommended for both the wild-trail ascents and the North Peak descent. The wild trail has multiple short, steep sections where poles provide stability on loose surfaces. The North Peak → Fahua descent (250 m of stone steps) is significantly harder on the knees after the cumulative climb.
Footwear
Wear high-ankle hiking shoes or trail-running shoes. The wild trail has loose stone sections that can easily turn ankles in low-cut footwear. The paved sections are fine in any shoe, but the wild trail demands proper ankle support.
Weather dependency
Do not attempt this route in rain or within 24 hours of significant rainfall. The dirt and loose-rock surface of the wild trail becomes extremely slippery when wet. The exposed rock sections are particularly hazardous. Check the weather forecast before setting out and have a backup plan (the tea ridge alone is worth the trip if conditions are not suitable for the wild trail).
Pacing strategy
Use a fast-walk, slow-rest cycle on the wild trail. Do not push hard on the tea-ridge ascent — it is easy to arrive at Sanfena tired and underestimate the difficulty of the wild trail. Take a proper rest at Sanfena (10-15 minutes) before starting the wild trail section.
Bail-out points
Two bail-out options: (1) At Sanfena — descend to Longjing Village (25 min) or back to Meijiawu (30 min) instead of continuing to North Peak. (2) At the wild trail midpoint — cut east toward the Lingyin cable car approach path (the paved path is visible from sections of the wild trail). Once you reach the paved approach to North Peak, the finish is 10 minutes away.
Group recommendation
The wild trail between Sanfena and North Peak is significantly quieter than the paved sections of the route. Consider hiking with a partner. If hiking solo, ensure someone knows your route and expected finish time, and carry a power bank.
Early start
Start by 7:30-8:30 am. The full route takes 4-6 hours. Starting early ensures you are off the wild trail well before dusk, avoids the midday heat on the exposed tea ridge, and puts you at the North Peak summit in time for the cable car (operates until approximately 16:30-17:00).
Safety Notes
- The Sanfena → North Peak wild trail is technical and unmarked in sections — download an offline GPX track before starting. Do not rely on phone signal for navigation on this section.
- Do not attempt this route in wet conditions — the dirt trail surface becomes extremely slippery. Check the forecast and have a backup plan.
- Carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person — there are no water sources on the wild trail between Sanfena and North Peak.
- Phone signal is weak on the wild trail section — tell someone your route plan and expected finish time before starting. Carry a power bank.
- The wild trail has loose rock surfaces that can cause ankle rolls — wear supportive footwear (high-ankle hiking shoes or trail runners).
- The North Peak to Fahua descent is approximately 250 metres of continuous stone steps — knees will feel the accumulated fatigue. Trekking poles are strongly recommended.
- Start early (7:30-8:30 am) — the full route takes 4-6 hours. Ensure you are off the wild trail well before dusk. Daylight hours are limited in winter.
- The wild trail is quieter than the paved sections — consider hiking with a partner. If hiking solo, be particularly cautious with navigation and carry a whistle.
Best Time to Go
Spring
RecommendedTea harvest season on the ridge — the Shili Langdang terraces are at their greenest. The wild trail can be overgrown with new vegetation. Check trail conditions before setting out — spring growth can obscure path markings. The best season for the paved section; recommended with caveats for the wild trail.
Summer
The wild trail is shaded in sections but the cumulative effort makes heat management critical. Start before 7:00 am. Carry 2L+ of water. The tea ridge is fully exposed — sun protection essential. Afternoon thunderstorms are a risk — be off the wild trail by early afternoon. Mosquito repellent essential on the wild trail.
Autumn
RecommendedThe best season for this route. Cool temperatures, clear skies, and stable trail conditions. The wild-trail vegetation has died back, making navigation easier and sightlines clearer. Weekend traffic restrictions at the North Peak finish do not affect the start or the return via cable car. Recommended.
Winter
The wild trail can be muddy and the North Peak summit is exposed to cold wind. Choose a clear, dry day — the dirt trail is hazardous when wet. Daylight is limited — start by 7:30 am at the latest. Dress in layers including a windproof outer shell. The tea ridge is exposed — the ridge wind can be biting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to common planning questions about transport, Chinese place names, timing, and safety for this route.
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Is this route suitable for beginners?
No — this is the most challenging route on the site and is recommended only for experienced hikers with good fitness and navigation skills. The wild trail between Sanfena and North Peak involves technical terrain, loose surfaces, and sections where hands are needed for balance. Beginners should start with the Meijiawu to Longjing walk (~5-7 km, easy) on the same initial section. -
What is the highlight of this route?
The wild trail between Sanfena and North Peak — a completely different character from the paved paths that dominate the site. The transition from the open, groomed tea ridge to the technical, unpaved trail is the defining experience of this route. For experienced hikers who find the paved trails too tame, this section offers the challenge that is missing from the rest of the site. -
How fit do I need to be?
You should be comfortable with 12-14 km of mountain walking, approximately 500-700 metres of cumulative elevation gain, and 1+ hour of technical dirt trail with loose surfaces, steep sections, and uneven terrain. The route has no long flat sections — it is a continuous series of ascents and descents from start to finish. -
What is the wild trail like?
An unpaved path wide enough for one to two people, with a surface of packed dirt, loose stone, and exposed rock. It is significantly steeper and more uneven than the paved paths that make up the rest of the route. Some sections require hands-on scrambling over rock steps. The trail is a segment of the West Lake Hills trail-running circuit and is worn enough to follow, but signage is minimal. -
Can I bail out early?
Yes — two bail-out options: (1) At Sanfena, descend to Longjing Village (25 min via paved path) or back to Meijiawu (30 min via the ascent path) instead of continuing to North Peak. (2) At the wild trail midpoint, cut east toward the Lingyin cable car approach path — the paved path is visible from sections of the wild trail. Once you reach the paved approach to North Peak, the summit is 10 minutes away and the cable car is available for the descent. -
Do I need navigation skills?
Yes — the wild trail is unmarked in sections. Download a GPX track of the route before starting and carry a power bank. Phone signal is weak on parts of the wild trail so offline navigation is essential. The trail runners' path is reasonably well-worn but formal signage is minimal — look for worn ground, cairns, and marker ribbons. -
What Chinese place names should I save for this route?
Save these essential names: 梅家坞 (Meijiawu, start), 十里琅珰牌坊 (Shili Langdang archway), 三分岔 (Sanfena, ridge junction), 北高峰 (North Peak, finish), 灵顺寺 (Fortune Temple). For descent: 法华寺 (Fahua Temple), 东岳站 (Dongyue metro station). -
What should I wear?
High-ankle hiking shoes or trail-running shoes (not low-cut trainers — the wild trail has loose rock surfaces). Long pants for the wild trail (protection from vegetation and insects). Layered clothing — the tea ridge is exposed and warm, the wild trail is shaded and cooler, and the North Peak summit can be windy. Trekking poles are strongly recommended. -
Is there phone signal on the wild trail?
Weak — do not rely on it for navigation. Signal is reliable at the start (Meijiawu), at Sanfena, and at the North Peak summit, but the wild trail in between passes through dips and forested sections where signal drops out. Download offline maps and a GPX track before starting. -
Can I run this route?
Yes — trail runners use the wild trail section regularly; it is part of the West Lake Hills trail-running circuit. The full route from Meijiawu to North Peak via Sanfena is approximately 12-14 km with 500-700 m of gain — a solid half-day trail run for experienced runners. The tea-ridge ascent (paved steps) is runnable with effort; the wild trail requires careful footing at speed.
Nearby Routes
Other trails starting from the same area, worth combining or visiting on another day.
Meijiawu to Longjing via Shili Langdang
Covers only the paved tea-ridge section — the easier first half of this challenge route. Easy, ~5-7 km.
Meijiawu to Jiuxi Grand Traverse
Combines the tea ridge with the Nine Creeks stream valley. Easy, ~7-8 km — a moderate alternative.
Yangjiapailou to North Peak Loop
Approaches North Peak from the west via the paved Dragon Ridge. Moderate, ~9-11.5 km loop.
Field Notes
Route details are maintained through local notes, field checks, photo updates, and transport revisions.