Trekking in East Asia
Trekking in East Asia spans ancient pilgrimage routes, dramatic river gorges, and remote wilderness that ranges from subtropical forest to windswept steppe. The region rewards walkers with a rare combination of natural grandeur and deep cultural resonance, whether following stone paths trodden by centuries of pilgrims or crossing landscapes barely touched by roads.
Infrastructure varies widely. Japan and Korea offer superbly maintained, well-signed trails with lodging and transport, while Mongolia and parts of China demand more self-sufficiency or a guide. Autumn is prime trekking season across most of the region.
From spiritual pilgrim ways to raw high-altitude wilderness, the routes below showcase the region’s finest walking.
Where to trek#
Kumano Kodo, Japan A network of ancient pilgrimage trails winding through the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula, linking grand shrines along stone-paved paths. Recognised by UNESCO, it can be walked over several days with stays in traditional inns and hot-spring villages.
Mount Fuji, Japan The classic multi-hour trek up Japan’s iconic volcano, timed to reach the crater rim for sunrise. Mountain huts allow an overnight break on the ascent, and the sense of shared pilgrimage adds to the achievement.
Tiger Leaping Gorge, China One of the world’s deepest canyons, this Yunnan trek follows a high trail above the roaring Yangtze between snow-capped peaks. Two days of walking with village guesthouses en route make it a beloved and accessible mountain adventure.
Jeju Olle Trail, South Korea A long-distance coastal path circling the volcanic island of Jeju, its numbered routes threading beaches, cliffs, villages, and farmland. Gentle and beautifully waymarked, it can be sampled a section at a time or walked in full.
Mongolia The vast steppe, taiga, and mountains of Mongolia offer some of Asia’s most remote trekking, often on horseback or with nomadic herders. Regions like the Altai and Khövsgöl reward the adventurous with true wilderness and traditional hospitality.
Zhangjiajie, China Beyond the famous glass walkways, forest trails wind between the towering sandstone pillars that inspired a blockbuster film. Walking the valley floors and clifftop paths reveals the scale of this otherworldly landscape.
Japan Alps and Kamikochi, Japan A pristine highland valley that serves as the gateway to Japan’s most spectacular alpine trekking, ringed by soaring peaks, clear rivers, and mountain huts. Well-marked trails range from gentle riverside strolls to multi-day traverses of the Northern Alps.
Yakushima, Japan A moss-draped subtropical island of ancient cedar forests and granite peaks, its rain-soaked trails winding to millennia-old trees said to have inspired a beloved animated film. Multi-day treks cross a UNESCO-listed wilderness of astonishing lushness.
Mount Kailash, China In remote western Tibet, the sacred peak is circled by pilgrims on a demanding high-altitude trek crossing a pass above 5,600 metres. The three-day kora around the holy mountain is one of the world’s most spiritually charged wilderness walks.
Everest North Base Camp, China From the Tibetan side, treks and overland journeys reach the base of the world’s highest mountain across a stark, wind-scoured plateau. The staggering view of Everest’s north face rising above Rongbuk Monastery is unforgettable.
Seoraksan, South Korea Korea’s most beloved mountain national park, a jumble of granite spires, forested valleys, and waterfalls that blaze with colour each autumn. Well-built trails and ridge routes offer everything from day hikes to demanding overnight scrambles.
Yushan, Taiwan Northeast Asia’s highest peak outside the Himalaya, its main summit reached by a classic overnight trek through cloud forest to a stark alpine ridge. Permits are limited, making the sunrise from the top of Taiwan a coveted mountaineering prize.