Starting in the town of Gubeikou, this stage follows one of the Wall’s most strategic valleys—assaulted repeatedly by Mongol armies and later the Japanese—where layers of history sit side by side. A gentle approach road soon gives way to rammed-earth relics from earlier dynasties (Han/Qin) before the route climbs onto the familiar Ming brickwork, whose watchtowers still bear regiment marks and the tell-tale “sticky rice” mortar. With wide, open views—including the distant Simatai ridge—the first half traces “wild Wall” that feels authentic yet remains generally safe underfoot, punctuated by DJ’s story of how 18th-century visitors helped popularize the name “Great Wall.”

After dropping off the ridge to a woodland path and roadside hut just past 8 km (an optional exit), the team refuels and pays to enter a maintained section (≈65 RMB), where the restored surface speeds progress but the gradients still bite. Planned as 15 km, the hike stretches toward 18 km in golden evening light as water runs low and time runs tight; they hustle past a checkpoint to reach a locked gate, then luck into a builders’ cut-through to descend the valley back to their car. Expect spectacular views and a mix of wild and reconstructed masonry, but allow far more time than a normal hike, start early, and carry extra water—the longest walk of the series is also one of its highlights.