The Simatai Great Wall is on the blade of the mountains. Located northeast of Beijing, it is one of the few sections of the wall to retain the original features of the Ming dynasty Great Wall.

 The Simatai section of the wall along with the nearby Jinshanling section, are in a more natural state than the sections closer to Beijing, but the climb is tougher.    The most popular of the Great Wall hikes is the one from Jinshanling to Simatai.  It is about 10 km. and will take you roughly four hours depending on your pace.  Many parts of the wall along these sections have not been restored in any way.  That gives you a more authentic experience but the trek is also more difficult.  

 There are cable cars and trolleys that bring you half the way up to the wall, but they are not always in operation due to high winds.  There is also a zip line that wisks you accross the river as you approach the Simatai side or a hanging bridge if you prefer.  There is another part of the great wall which is wild and more steep, it is Jiankou great wall, search the google 'wild great wall trip' you can find detailed information about this section of great wall.