The Hiking Trail of China's Five Great Mountains (Hengshan Section) was newly added to the IMTA International Model Mountain Hiking Routes in 2024. Located in Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, it serves as the core hiking section of North Hengshan, one of China's Five Great Mountains. Highlighting "precipitous mountain landforms and a thousand years of Taoist culture", it connects the most representative natural landscapes and cultural relics of Hengshan, making it a classic route to experience the grandeur and cultural heritage of North Hengshan among the Five Great Mountains. Situated at the transitional zone between the Loess Plateau and the Inner Mongolia Plateau, Hengshan boasts a unique geological structure. Hikers can directly witness the spectacular integration of Danxia landforms and mountain canyons along the way.

The core section of the trail is the cross-country route from Hengshan Mountain Gate to Hanging Temple and finally to Tianfengling Peak, stretching approximately 12 kilometers and taking 4–5 hours to complete with moderate difficulty. The altitude climbs from 1,200 meters to Tianfengling Peak, the main peak of Hengshan, at 2,016 meters above sea level. The first section follows the Jinlong Gorge Valley, with steep, jagged cliffs on both sides and gurgling streams flowing through the canyon, offering a cool and pleasant retreat in summer. In the middle section, hikers reach the Hanging Temple, a thousand-year-old ancient temple built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Perched precariously on the cliff face with exquisite mortise and tenon structures, it allows visitors to marvel at the wisdom and courage of ancient craftsmen. The final section ascends along the mountain trail to Tianfengling Peak, passing natural scenic spots such as Guolao Ridge and Gusao Rock. Upon reaching the summit, hikers can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hunyuan Basin and gaze at the meandering Sanggan River like a silk ribbon in the distance, with an exceptionally wide field of vision.

Cultural experience is the core highlight of this route. In addition to the Hanging Temple, a cluster of Taoist temples including the Hengzong Hall and Huixian Mansion are scattered along the way. These temple buildings are constructed against the mountains, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. During the annual Hengshan Temple Fair, held on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, hikers can encounter folk activities such as prayer ceremonies and traditional opera performances, deeply experiencing the integration of Taoist culture and local customs. In terms of supporting facilities, a tourist service center at the starting point of Hengshan Mountain Gate offers route planning, tour guide booking, and equipment rental services. Rest platforms and supply stations are set up every 1.5 kilometers along the trail, providing drinking water and light meals. The trail features a well-developed signage system with Chinese-English bilingual signs and safety warning boards. The best hiking seasons are April–June and September–October each year, when the climate is mild, vegetation is lush, and there is neither the scorching heat of summer nor the bitter cold of winter, allowing hikers to fully appreciate the grandeur and tranquility of Hengshan.