Trek the Great Wall of China for Bolton Hospice 2027

The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic and enduring symbols of Chinese history, culture, and ingenuity. Its origins can be traced back over 2,000 years to the 7th century BC, when early walls were built by rival kingdoms to defend against northern invasions. These fragmented walls were later unified and expanded, most famously during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), when the structure we recognise today took shape. The Ming emperors rebuilt and reinforced the Wall to protect China from Mongol and other nomadic incursions, creating an extensive defence system that included watchtowers, signal beacons, garrison stations, and stone fortresses.

At its greatest extent, the Great Wall stretched over 21,000 kilometres across mountains, deserts, plains, and plateaus, using the natural landscape to enhance its defences. Built using local materials like tamped earth, stone, and bricks, the Wall was not a single continuous barrier, but a network of fortifications tailored to the terrain.

Beyond its military function, the Wall became a symbol of China’s unity, strength, and resilience. Though large portions have eroded or collapsed, many key sections have been preserved or restored. Today, the Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains a powerful reminder of China’s rich and complex past.

You will be led by experienced local English-speaking guides with excellent knowledge of the region, the Great Wall’s history, and the trekking routes. They are first-aid trained and will be with you throughout, offering support, guidance, and encouragement.

In addition, you will be supported by a dedicated local assistant team, including drivers who help ensure the trek runs smoothly. A Different Travel Company UK tour manager will also accompany the group to provide further support and coordination from start to finish.

You must be 18 or over to join this trek. Participants aged 16 or 17 may be able to take part if accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit, enthusiasm, preparation, and the right attitude are what matter most.

This challenge is ideal for someone who enjoys stepping outside their comfort zone and embracing new experiences. Adventure travel can be unpredictable, and conditions may differ from what you’re used to at home. Pace, weather, terrain, or local circumstances can occasionally result in changes to the itinerary, so flexibility is essential.

To get the most out of your trek, you should be positive, adaptable, and prepared to take on the physical and mental challenges of multi-day trekking in a remote setting. A good level of fitness and training before departure will greatly enhance your enjoyment and success.

The terrain is hilly and undulating with steep sections. You will not trek on the wall the entire time, often you will walk next to it through the countryside so be prepared for a variety of ground underfoot from the grassy, dry terrain of the countryside to the stone steps of the Great Wall.

The Great Wall has been restored in some sections so you will find smooth paved ground with steps built up the hillside. In the original sections the Wall may be crumbling, with earth and stone rubble that shifts underfoot like scree, making it challenging to climb and leaving some exposed areas with drops.

In general, you should expect to climb a lot of steps during the challenge, so you must train with this in mind and ensure you do plenty of hill walking to prepare for the hills.

This trek is rated moderate to challenging and requires good physical preparation. The Great Wall follows dramatic ridgelines, and you will face many steep uphill and downhill sections each day. Although daily distances may appear relatively short, the continuous ascents and descents, ranging from approximately 515m to 695m per day, make this a demanding trek.

Expect some days where it may take 6–7 hours to cover as little as 5km, due to the steep gradients, uneven steps, and rugged terrain. You will also need to carry a daypack weighing around 6–7kg, which adds to the physical challenge.

With the right training and a positive mindset, this trek is incredibly rewarding. The effort is more than worth it for the spectacular views, sense of achievement, and the opportunity to walk along one of the most iconic structures in the world.

You should have a good level of fitness before taking on this challenge to ensure you can recover well after each day of trekking and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

It is essential to undertake regular training in the lead-up to the trek. This should include plenty of walking up and down hills or stairs, alongside activities such as hiking, running, cycling, gym workouts, or boot-camp-style training to build strength and stamina.

There are many free fitness apps available to help you plan and track your training, such as MapMyWalk, C25K, and MyFitnessPal. Attempting to complete this trek without preparation will make the challenge significantly harder and may affect both your experience and the experience of your teammates. A solid training routine will give you the confidence and endurance needed to fully embrace this remarkable adventure.

Temperatures will be dependent upon the weather which is usually mild and dry at this time of year. On average the temperature will average around 21°C during the day, dropping down to 15°C at night. It’s important to be prepared for all weather conditions and temperatures by packing non-cotton trek layers and waterproofs. It’s better to have warm layers and waterproofs and not need them than to not have any when you need them!

Although the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate, climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. Should this happen, the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimately, the safety of the group as a whole.

Each morning begins with a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day, typically including hot drinks, noodles or rice, eggs, Chinese dumplings, and fresh fruit.

You will then prepare your own packed lunch from a selection of items such as sandwiches (with jam or peanut butter), fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, and biscuits such as Oreos. On some days, hot lunches may also be provided, which will be brought to you on the Wall. We recommend bringing your own favourite snacks to enjoy during the trek for an extra energy boost.

In the evenings, you will enjoy a freshly cooked traditional Chinese meal served at the guesthouse. These dishes often include rice, noodles, vegetables, tofu, and meat-based options, offering a delicious and satisfying end to each day on the trail.

You will stay in a hotel in Beijing before and after the trek, and in traditional guesthouses along the route. Accommodation is typically twin or triple share throughout.

During the trek, the group may be accommodated across two or more neighbouring guesthouses, depending on final numbers. However, you will dine together and spend your evenings as a group, giving you plenty of time to relax, socialise, and reflect on each day’s achievements.

The hotels have en-suite facilities with flushing toilets and hot showers. Toilet paper should always be placed in the bin, not flushed.

During the trek there are basic toilet and shower facilities available (shared). Towels are provided. Toiletries are not provided at the guesthouses so please bring your own. Toilet paper is provided in limited quantities at the guesthouses so you will need to bring your own for use here and also for use on the trek and at any public toilets (where toilet paper is never provided).

During the trek you will need to pack up any toilet paper you use to dispose of properly at your guesthouse bin. NEVER leave toilet paper, fruit peel, nut shells or other litter on the trail. You are recommended to bring a small pack of baby wipes and hand sanitizer for your general hygiene throughout the day (e.g. to clean your hands after toilet visits and/or before lunch).

Visit here to find the kit list relevant to this trip.