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Should you take The Mountain Pass or The Underdark in Baldur’s Gate 3

What’s the best way to reach the Moonrise Towers?

by Ryan Gilliam

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game of choice. Sometimes that choice is complex and political, like picking sides in a three-sided war. And sometimes the choice can seem as simple as “which route should I take to the next story mission?”

The latter of those two decisions is one you’ll face near the end of act 1, when you have to decide how you and your crew want to reach Moonrise Towers . Should you take the fungal, dark path of The Underdark ? Or should you delve into the mysterious Mountain Pass ?

In this Baldur’s Gate 3 guide, we’re going to tell you which path to take and break down the two different routes to the Moonrise Towers.

Should you choose The Mountain Pass or The Underdark?

There are character-critical story quests on both routes, so the answer to “should you go the route of The Mountain Pass or The Underdark” is, simply: Do both. Just make sure you do each route before you get too far into the Moonrise Tower quest, as some players report a point of no return in the latter parts of act 2 .

Should you do the Mountain Pass or the Underdark first?

So if the answer is just “do both,” let’s reframe the question: Should you do The Mountain Pass or The Underdark first ? That is also an easy one, albeit for reasons that will differ player to player.

The Underdark is significantly harder and longer. If you go through it first, you’ll blast through The Mountain Pass no problem. On the other hand, if you do The Mountain Pass first, you might have a bit of a harder time with the handful of combats encounters there, but you’ll be able to enter The Underdark with more XP under your belt and a ton of magical items from the First Light Inn shops.

Ultimately, we suggest doing The Mountain Pass first , but for reasons entirely divorced from combat or difficulty: Gale .

Gale is a wonderful party member and a delightful person to keep around in camp, but his constant need to consume magical items is a real bummer — especially in the early parts of the game, when magical items are hard to come by. But on your journey through The Mountain Pass, you’ll meet an old mentor of Gale’s — Elminster — who can progress your Wizard’s story quest and put a pause on his hunger for your items.

Because The Mountain Pass route is so much shorter and easier (relatively speaking) than The Underdark, it’s easy to pop over, grab Elminster, stop Gale’s curse, reach the First Light Inn, get the Waypoint, grab some new items, and start your adventure in The Underdark beefed up and ready to party.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, and your second path will be made easier by whatever trials and tribulations you experience on your first path. Like all things Baldur’s Gate 3 , take the information the game gives you, pair it with some of the context we’ve provided below, and choose what sounds best for your role-playing experience and party.

What to expect from The Mountain Pass

The Mountain Pass is an entirely new area located west of the Goblin Camp . And if you click on the loading door for it, it will scare you with a message that encourages you to wrap things up in the starter region first — almost as if it’s suggesting you can’t come back. This is a bizarrely worded warning, as you can still leave The Mountain Pass the way you came in and complete quests you missed earlier in the game.

Anyway, The Mountain Pass route is relatively quick and straightforward. Once you enter the area, you only have two options. You can head to the Abandoned Monastery for Lae’Zel to complete part of her sprawling side quest. Or you can follow the main quest and head straight to the Shadow-Cursed Lands , which is where you’ll find the Moonrise Towers and the Last Light Inn town.

The main route here is very quick, and we only ran into a single combat on our way through the pass to the Shadow-Cursed Lands. It’s also the road you’ll meet Elminster on.

What to expect from The Underdark

The Underdark is a dangerous path, but a fun one. You can get in a few different ways, but we recommend taking the path under the Goblin Camp , through the Defiled Temple puzzle . This will spit you out right before a Waypoint, a handful of cool monster battles, and within spitting distance of the Grymforge and Adamantine Forge — which you’ll need to pass through on the way to the Moonrise Towers.

You’ll also be able to nab some sweet gear from the nearby Arcane Tower , if you want a neat side quest to jump into.

Unlike The Mountain Pass — which offers several interesting conversations — The Underdark route is mostly about combat. You’ll need to battle many different monsters and fend off at least one ambush if you want to reach your destination alive. (If you haven’t grown accustomed to quick-saving early and often, The Underdark will be sure to help the muscle memory set in.)

It’s also worth mentioning that this is where you’ll find Shadowheart ’s companion quest. If she’s your main squeeze, or maybe just your favorite party member, this route will allow you to progress her story.

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Why Baldur's Gate 4 is Already Primed to Play Very Differently From BG3

Baldur's gate 3 playthrough goes horribly wrong right from the start, baldur's gate 3 player makes githyanki version of taylor swift.

In order to reach the Moonrise Towers in Baldur's Gate 3 , players must traverse the Mountain Pass or Underdark. While fans should feel free to pick either of these routes, some players may want more information about the options before they proceed. This guide is here to provide that information, and it will help fans decide whether they should travel across the Mountain Pass or pass through the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3 .

Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Travel Through the Underdark of Mountain Pass

It is first important to establish that it is possible to explore both the Mountain Pass and Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3 , and players are advised to do exactly that. Indeed, there is interesting content to experience and powerful rewards to earn in both areas, and here is a recommended order for fans to use:

RELATED: Baldur's Gate 3: What to Do with Owlbear Egg (& How to Get It)

• Fully explore the Underdark , stopping at the elevator in Grymforge (which leads to Act 2).
• Travel to the Mountain Pass and fully explore it.
• Enter the Shadow-Cursed Lands , through the west side of the Mountain Pass or by using the Grymforge elevator, to start Baldur's Gate 3 's second act .

If a player is not interested in exploring both the Underdark and the Mountain Pass in a single playthrough then they may want to base their decision on the scale of the two areas. Indeed, fans that are looking for an expansive route to the Moonrise Towers should consider passing through the Underdark, while players that want something more compact should set their sights on the Mountain Pass.

Alternatively, fans could allow their companion's quests to inform their decision. For example, players that want to pursue Lae'zel 's quest should take the Mountain Pass, as that is where the Githyanki Creche is located, while fans that want to pursue Shadowheart's quest should use the Underdark. Again, all of this can be experienced in one playthrough by exploring both areas before advancing into the Shadow-Crused Lands, which is sure to be exciting news to some players.

Finally, Baldur's Gate 3 players may want to consider difficulty when deciding between the Underdark and the Mountain Pass. More specifically, fans that are looking for a challenge may find the Underdark more exciting, while players that would prefer an easier journey may be happier with the Mountain Pass. That said, fans that only explore the above ground route may find themselves slightly under-leveled upon entering Act 2, which is yet another reason to take the time to visit both areas.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now on PC. A PS5 version releases on September 6.

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Travel through the Underdark

• 1 Objectives
• 2.1.1 Defiled Temple
• 2.1.2 Whispering Depths
• 2.1.3 Zhentarim Basement
• 2.1.4 The Hag's Basement
• 2.2 Getting to Grymforge
• 3 Consequences

Objectives [ edit | edit source ]

Objectives and journal entries may vary pending story decisions and outcomes.

• Halsin told us that there is a way to Moonrise Towers that leads through the Underdark. Tunnels beneath the temple of Selûne will lead us there.
• We learned that the best way to get to Moonrise Towers is through the Underdark. Tunnels beneath the temple of Selûne will lead us there.
• We found the old temple of Selûne. The entrance to the Underdark must be here somewhere.
• A room in the old temple of Selûne contains a secret entrance to the Underdark. Through it, we can reach Moonrise Towers.
• We unlocked a secret door in the old temple of Selûne. It leads to the Underdark.
• The Underdark is a twisted labyrinth of tunnels and ruins. To find the path to Moonrise Towers, we'll need to explore.
• We learned that the Absolute sent agents to Grymforge. There must be a route connecting Grymforge and Moonrise Towers.
• We discovered a lift in Grymforge that can bring us closer to Moonrise Towers. However, we were warned of a darkness that plagues the surface.
• Reach Moonrise Towers through Grymforge.
• We used the lift in Grymforge and arrived in the shadow-cursed lands.
• We decided to take the mountain pass. This road should lead us to Moonrise Towers.

Walkthrough [ edit | edit source ]

NOTE: The party does NOT need to choose between exploring the Underdark and the Mountain Pass. Both can be visited before going to the Shadow-Cursed Lands.

Finding an Entrance [ edit | edit source ]

There are several ways to enter the Underdark. Only one of these paths needs to be pursued to enter the Underdark.

Defiled Temple [ edit | edit source ]

However, if the potion is taken (and works), she chains up the party member and says she intends for them to become her pet squid.

Once in the Defiled Temple , there is a puzzle blocking the way forward. There are four overlapping circles. The goal is to get the black circles into the southernmost circle. Follow the combination to unlock the door:

Alternatively it is possible to find a lever on the right side of the door near the stairs upon a successful perception check. It can be then unlocked using lockpicks.

Go through the now-unlocked door and climb down the ladder to enter a Selûnite Outpost . The gate forward is closed and guarded by moon magic, but can be opened by using ranged attacks on the Moonstone held by the Selûne Statue. Another option is to exit out of the broken window on the western wall of the outpost.

Whispering Depths [ edit | edit source ]

Zhentarim Basement [ edit | edit source ]

• Read his mind.

• [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION]  Careful. You won't kill me, but you will make me mad. (DC 15)
• [PERSUASION]  Just calm down - I'm not here to fight. (DC 15)
• [DRACONIC SORCERER] [PERSUASION]  Fire is in my blood. Do it. Let's see who survives. (DC 15)
• [WILD MAGIC] [PERSUASION]  Every spell I cast could be my last. You think I fear death? (DC 15)

The Hag's Basement [ edit | edit source ]

Past the Hag Servants is a waterfall and a winding path filled with noxious fumes and explosive traps. On this path, there is a door to the north (X:-354, Y:577) that can only be passed while wearing a Whispering Mask. Pass through the door and move to the Mushroom Circle to enter the Underdark.

Getting to Grymforge [ edit | edit source ]

Consequences [ edit | edit source ]

Entering the Shadow-Cursed Lands is considered the "point of no return" for Act One and is the official start of Act Two . As such, using the elevator in Grymforge means that several quests automatically update. Before entering the elevator, complete all desired quests.

Notes [ edit | edit source ]

• Both the Mountain Pass and the Underdark have unique quests and loot. For the most complete playthrough, it is recommended that the party explores the Mountain Pass, Underdark, and Grymforge before going to the Shadow-Cursed Lands.

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The Lake District does not only host some of the UK's most breathtaking scenery.

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Often referred to as " The Lakes" or "Lakeland" , the famous mountainous region in the Northwest of England is a popular holiday destination for people from all over the world.

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Ashness Bridge

It is said that Ashness Bridge is the most photographed pack horse bridge in the Lake District. This is no surprise to us here at Mountain Goat because it is positioned in a stunning location with breath-taking views looking over Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.

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Blackwell Arts and Craft House

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Explore the house at your leisure, join a talk or meet the Holts through our digital augmented realities. See original features, furniture and objects by leading Arts and Crafts designers and studios including metalwork by WAS Benson, ceramics by William De Morgan and furniture by Stanley Webb Davies and Baillie Scott.

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Situated at the side of Coniston Water, Brantwood offers a fascinating insight into the later life of John Ruskin. The house, filled with many fine paintings and Ruskin's personal treasures, has retained the character of its famous resident.

Ruskin was famous as a writer, artist, and social reformer who has influenced many great thinkers. 

The house, gardens and estate remain a source of inspiration, reflecting the wealth of cultural associations with Ruskin’s legacy – from the Pre Raphaelites and the Arts and Crafts Movement to the founding of the National Trust and the Welfare State.

Brantwood plays host to many contemporary exhibitions, concerts, courses and also carries out education work in the wider community, continuing to promote Ruskin's idea that "there is no wealth but life".

Brook House Inn

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Brook House Inn has been owned and run by the Thornley family for the last 20 years, with 3rd generation Emma now full time in the kitchen! Brook House was originally built in the 1800’s as a family home, but soon converted to a small hotel, over the years the building has been extended and now has 8 en suite guest rooms, restaurant and bar area. 

Eskdale is a wonderland of natural beauty, surrounded by the high fells at the top near the Roman Fort, then sweeping westwards down into the Irish sea. No lake in this valley but the local fells are dotted with tarns and Devoke Water sits just above the valley on Birker Fell. The valley was once rich in minerals including iron ore, which was extensively mined in the last two centuries, this brought the need for transport into the valley and so the  Ravenglass and Eskdale railway was born. Affectionately known as the Laal Ratty, this is now a major attraction, winning awards year after year. The station at Dalegarth is a 5 minute walk from Brook House Inn, and trains run every day from mid March to the end of October. The whole trip on the train takes about 45 mins passing through lovely countryside and terminating at the village of Ravenglass on the coast.

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Visit this charming Peak District village which is surrounded by gritstone and limestone landscapes and marvel at the views from this beautiful location.

Castleton is also home to Peveril Castle, which you will see during your stop in the village. Nestled on the top of an overlooking hill this castle is thought to be one of the earliest Norman fortressess built in England by Henry II.

Chatsworth House Open Grounds

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Derwent Dam

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Grizedale Forest

Grizedale Forest, in the heart of the Lake District, offers an unrivalled day out for everyone. Situated between the lakes of Coniston and Windermere, Grizedale is an ideal place to go walking on one of our waymarked trails, with views of the lakes and mountains whilst in the shelter of the trees enjoying the sculptures in the forest, or simply discover a quiet spot to admire the wildlife.

Grizedale is a haven for art lovers and has an amazing new exhibition space with a full program throughout the year, with talks from the artists and even a chance to become part of the exhibition.

If you are feeling adventurous there are many Mountain bike trails for all the family to enjoy either with your own bike or hired bikes, we also have Segway treks, Tree Top Junior, Ziptrekking and Tree Top Adventure.

Afterwards you can relax and enjoy some refreshment in their Café in the Forest.

Gunnerside is a typical dales village in Swaledale, settled by the Vikings, with a history of lead mining and hill farming. Now a great location for tourists to explore the northern dales.

The name Gunnerside comes from the Nordic ‘Gunnar’s Saetr’ meaning the ‘Viking King’s summer pasture’. The Vikings who settled and shaped large parts of Northern England, thus had an impact on Gunnerside and the surrounding area as well. There doesn’t, however, seem to have been an entry for Gunnerside in the Domesday Book so it would appear there was no noteworthy settlement in the area in 1086.

Hadrians Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is almost 80 miles long and was the northern boundary of the mighty Roman Empire for around three centuries. It was built by a force of 15000 men over a 7-year period and comprises of forts, Mile Castles and, every third of a mile, a Turret, stretching from the North Sea to the Irish Sea. Originally, up to 3m wide and 5-6m high but much of the ruin today is around 1-2m high. To the south of the wall is the Vallum, a ditch mound, designating the south boundary of the militarised zone. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Hardknott Pass

Hardknott shares the title of steepest road in England with Rosedale Chimney Bank in Yorkshire, both have a maximum gradient of 1 in 3 (33%). The first road over the pass was built by the Romans to join Mediobogdum, the fort on the pass, and the area is still home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins in Britain.

Hawkshead is a charming medieval village of narrow alleys and characterful squares in the valley between Windermere and Coniston. Hawkshead is home to a Grammar School, established in 1585, where the famous Lake District poet, William Wordsworth went to school. There has been a church on the hill overlooking the village since the 14 th Century but the current church was built in the 16 th Century.

Hill Top was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1906 eventually leaving it to the National Trust on her death in 1943. It was opened to the public by the Trust in 1946 and displayed many of her original drawings but these have subsequently been moved to the old offices of William Heelis where they are currently displayed. Hill Top remains open to the public as a museum to Beatrix and still retains the character of the house as it was when she died.

Honister Pass

Honister Pass is another of the Cumbria’s highest mountain passes, rising to 1167 feet at the summit. The pass offers a beautiful scenic drive from Keswick, which includes Newlands Pass, Buttermere and Crummock Water, which are all “off the beaten track” areas and not as busy as other parts of the Lake District.

Honister Slate Mine

Located at the head of Honister Pass in the centre of the Lake District, Honister Slate Mine offers a range of indoor and outdoor adventures for a range of ages and abilities. An all weather, all ages, all adventure in one beautiful location.  Honister is also the last working slate mine in England and home to the iconic Westmoorland Green Slate.

Keswick is a traditional market town with so much to offer, from restaurants to shops and not forgetting the Pencil Museum. Keswick is positioned between the stunning 931 metre summit, Skiddaw and the gentle beauty of Derwentwater, it has become a popular destination for tourists in the North Lakes.

Kirkstone Pass

Kirkstone Pass has an altitude of 1,489 feet making it the highest tarmac road in the National Park. It connects Ambleside in the Rothay Valley to Patterdale in the Ullswater valley. Near the summit built on the site of a 15 th Century Monastery is the old coaching inn, now popular with tourists, with low beams, open fires and good beer. From the car park opposite there’s a commanding view down to Windermere and Morecambe Bay in the distance. To the north of the pass you can also enjoy views of Brotherswater and Place Fell.

Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England surrounded by spectacular mountains and small villages. It is fed by the rivers Brathay, Rothay, Cunsey and Troutbeck. The lake has 18 islands and the main fish in the lake are trout, char, perch and the top predator is the pike; growing to 1.5m in length. If you would like to enjoy a cruise on England’s largest lake, head over to the Windermere Lake Cruises website!

Lanercost Priory

The Augustinian priory of Lanercost stands nearby to Hadrian’s Wall and was much involved in the Anglo-Scottish wars. During King Edward I campaign in 1306 – 1307 he stayed at the Lanercost Priory for 6 months and it suffered terribly from Scottish raids, almost destroying the building. In 1537 it was finally dissolved by Henry VIII and almost all of the building were stripped of lead, apart from the church. Today the beautiful 13 th century church remains remarkably well-preserved.

Lowther Caslte

Nothing will prepare you for the scale and beauty of Lowther Castle, surrounded by quintessential English parkland. A remarkable Gothic castle ruin set in ancient Gardens – now an award-winning attraction. Your clients will leave feeling both enlightened and inspired not just by the setting of Lowther in this stunning and unspoilt corner of the Lake District National Park - but also by the story of both the colourful characters who have lived here and its transformation in recent times. 

The restoration of Lowther Castle & Gardens is a remarkable story. In 1999, Lowther’s gardens were overgrown and lost to a commercial chicken farm and spruce forest; the castle, deroofed in 1957, was derelict. Today, the castle ruins are planted as a garden while the remainder of the 130-acre gardens have been rescued and are now widely acclaimed in horticultural circles. The Garden continues to evolve, as the 20-year masterplan is implemented, and new developments open each year. 

Mam Tor, which means Mother Hill, is a hill near the village of Castleton in the High Peak of Derbyshire. Known as the Mother Hill due to frequent landslips which have created smaller hills around its base it is a favourite for photographers due to its views of the Peak District, on a clear day you can even see the city of Manchester. 

It is also known locally as the "Shivering Mountain", join us on tour to find out why! 

Muncaster Castle is a Grade 1 listed building and has been the home to the Pennington family since the 13 th century; it is situated towards the west end of Muncaster Fell overlooking Eskdale. The oldest parts of the Castle include the Great Hall and Peel Tower. The grounds are extensive with a rhododendron collection of many colours. If you time your visit well, you will be able to enjoy their spectacular birds of prey show.

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Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England, known affectionately as La’al Ratty meaning “little railway“ in olde Cumbrian dialect. It was 105 years ago in April 1913 that the original 3ft line closed and in 1915 the new 15in La’al Ratty was born. The heritage steam engines transport passengers from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park and of huge significance in Roman times, being an important last defence point of the infamous Hadrians Wall, to Dalegarth for Boot some 210ft above sea level.

The journey itself was one of Wainwright's favourites; crossing through seven miles of spectacular scenery within sight of England’s highest mountains, the Scafell Range. The journey takes 40 minutes up the line from the protected nature reserves of the Ravenglass Estuary through ancient woodlands to the fells of the Eskdale Valley. En route keep your eyes peeled for Greylag Geese, Curlew, Shelduck, Red Squirrels and Buzzards. The cosy covered and open top carriages provide the best of comfort and views as you travel up the line. On arrival at Dalegarth there is something for everyone, with our cafe serving home made treats, a gift shop with plenty of pocket money gifts as well as great trails and walks to explore in this beautiful corner of the Lake District National Park. ‘Britain’s Favourite View’, Wastwater is just around the corner.

Robert Burns Mausoleum

Visit the resting place of Robert Burns, "Scotland's poet", a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and Scotish cultural icon.

The Mausoleum is located in St Michael's Church yard in the market town and former royal burgh of Dumfries.

Roman Army Museum

Roman Army Museum lies on the site of Carvoran Roman Fort adjacent to sections of Hadrian’s Wall. The museum’s artefacts, videos and reconstructions give great insight into the life of a Roman Soldier and the building of the wall at the northerly boundary of the Roman Empire. The award winning 3D film illustrates the military and civil engineering accomplishments of the Roman’s in Britain.

If history’s your thing, relish the fact that Sedbergh is mentioned in the Doomsday book, and the name’s a derivative from the Norse ‘Set Berg’ meaning ‘flat-topped hill’. The town was granted a market charter by Henry III in 1251 and Sedbergh School started here in 1525. In 1652, in the early days of the Quaker movement, George Fox, founder of the Quakers, preached to a congregation of a thousand from a large rock on the fellside just outside Sedbergh, which became known as Fox’s Pulpit.

If you prefer the here and now, simply enjoy the 21st century pleasures of an elegant market town, with space to breathe, and potter: a friendly approach to life; quality shopping; great pubs and local food and drink; comfortable places to stay to suit all tastes and budgets. There’s lots to see and do, both indoors and out, and wonderful views all around: whether you’re an adrenaline enthusiast or prefer something more relaxing.

Shap Abbey stands in a secluded valley by the River Lowther just to the north of the village of Shap. It was founded in the late 12 th Century by the Premonstratensian order of canons and was one of their 32 religious houses in Britain. Some of the main monastic buildings were incorporated into a farm, but most were gradually dismantled, and the materials were reused to build nearby Lowther Castle. Today the remains can be explored with the help of information panels which guide you around the abbey and illustrate daily monastic life.

Surprise View

Surprise View is located just up the hill from Ashness Bridge, perched high on an oak-lined cliff edge overlooking the whole of Derwentwater, Keswick and beyond to Bassenthwaite Lake! It really is worth a visit.

Sycamore Gap

The Sycamore Gap has become an iconic image associated with Hadrian's Wall and it is one of the most photographed trees in the country. Back in 2016 it even took the crown for English Tree of the year!

The tree is also known as the 'Robin Hood' tree and it became a star back in 1991 when it appeared in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves film, starring Kevin Costner. However, what makes the Sycamore Gapt really special is that its appearance is all down to geology happening over thousands of years.

Tarn Hows is a picturesque beauty sport just to the north of Coniston, originally three smaller tarns, Low, Middle and High, but the building of a dam raised the water level to create a larger body of water. Tarn How’s is accessible to everyone, regardless of age and physical ability due to it’s manageable footpath. The footpath around the tarn is just short of two miles long and offers the most stunning views!

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The Lakes Distillery

The Lakes practises holistic whisky making, with the whiskymaker at the helm throughout the journey through the distillery and beyond. His single-minded focus at every stage provides continuity of character; our assurance that every flavour possibility is achieved. Experience the excitement of a working distillery - see 'behind the scenes' on a distillery tour.

The Langdale Pikes

The Langdale Pikes are iconic and the most easily recognisable peaks in the Lake District. Viewed from Langdale their flanks are craggy and appear very steep, the sort of territory that appeals to climbers rather than walkers. However this is something of an illusion, for although there are plenty of crags to keep climbers happy the fells that lay between them are not as steep as they first appear - a trick of perspective. This provides adventurous walking in a very dramatic setting.

Thirlmere, at 3.5 miles long, 1.2 mile wide and 158 feet deep, was originally two smaller lakes, which were purchased by Manchester City Corporation Waterworks in 1889. The area was dammed with a dam whose greatest height is 104 feet, and the area became one vast reservoir. 

Thirlmere has a stunning setting, with impressive views of Helvellyn and Dollywagon Pike around the reservoir.

Wordsworth’s visit to Glencoyne Park gave William Wordsworth the inspiration for his most famous poem, Daffodils. Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District, being approximately 9 miles long, it has also been described as the most beautiful lake in England.

Vindolanda is an amazing working archaeological dig site to the south of Hadrian’s Wall. There were 9 forts built on the site over the 400 years of occupancy of the Roman’s. Each day during the summer, treasures are uncovered by the volunteer excavators. The on-site museum, extended for 2018, displays the best of the artefacts. You can wander through the fort or Vicus remains imagining the sights and sounds the building walls would have heard.

Wastwater is the deepest lake in England at 80m, flanked on the south by the famous Wastwater screes, the weathered crumbled rock on the slope down into the lake. It was voted by viewers of a 2007 ITV programme to be the ‘best view in England’. The lake now supplies water to the Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing plants. The views from here are simply breath-taking

Wensleydale Creamery

The Wensleydale Creamery is situated in the market town of Hawes in Wensleydale in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The location is simply beautiful as they are surrounded by the most stunning dales landscape.The Wensleydale Creamery is an award-winning, independent traditional cheese-maker and specialist blender of cheese with ingredients. They use traditional methods to handcraft cheese to time-honoured recipes, using milk from local farms, as well as being innovative with the development of new cheese recipes.

One of Mountain Goat's favourites is their Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries - it's delicious!

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Zhang jia jie Guide .Com

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Tianmen Mountain Guide

Locating in the southern suburb of Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain, or Zhangjiajie Heaven's Gate Mountain, is 1,518 meters high. The name of Tianmen came from the famous natural arch which has the highest elevation on this planet. The mountain has charming scenery, giant trees in the old-growth forest and many cultural sites with rich history. It is the natural landscape screen of Zhangjiajie and enjoys a reputation of "the No. 1 Holy Mountain in Western Hunan province".

Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park in which the Tianmen Mountain is located, is rated as a national level AAAAA scenic area. It receives four million visitors annually.

Opening Hours and Tickets

Best time to visit, best places to see.

• Trip Itinerary by Public Transport
• Mountaintop Travel Guide

Travel Tips and Reminders

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park opens from 06:30 to 18:00 in the peak season from March 1st to November 30th and opens from 08:00 to 17:30 in the off season from December 1st to February 29th of the following year.

According to the latest notice from the Development and Reform Commission of Hunan Province, starting from March 1st, 2020, the ticket price of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park has been reduced from CNY 238 Yuan per person to CNY 225 Yuan per person which includes the admission fee at CNY 62 Yuan per person and transportation cost at CNY163 Yuan per person.

Children with height under 120 cm don't need to purchase tickets of any type; Children who are under 14 years old, seniors who are 65 years old and above, disabled people, military in service and military retired cadres just need to pay half of the transportation ticket to be admitted, meaning admission fee is not required.

Minors who are 14 to 18 years old, seniors who are 60 to 65 years old and full-time college students can purchase half tickets.

Best seasons to visit Tianmen Mountain are spring, summer, and autumn.

In winter, the fog is heavy, and the icy roads on the mountain are slippery, and thus it is not a good time to visit. Besides this, the annual cableway inspection and maintenance start early November and last about one month, many attractions will be temporarily closed because of this and visitor number reduces largely during this time. However, the scenery of Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain has its own charm in winter, the snow, the mists, the clouds and the blue sky are all nice and beautiful.

Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain has attractions that are quite concentrated, various travel routes that are clearly outlined as well as complete service facilities. With cable cars, escalators and sightseeing buses moving up and down the mountain, visitors do not need to be physically strong to visit here and it is quite suitable for family tour.

The lengthy cableway, transparent glass skywalk, Ghost Valley plank road, and the tunnel elevator all bring visitors with unforgettable experiences. Therefore, Tianmen Mountain is favored by young people and adventurous travelers as well.

Excluding transfer and waiting times, it takes 4 to 5 hours to visit Tianmen Mountain.

When visiting Tianmen Mountain, visitors should not miss the following attractions:

➀. The longest cableway in the world------ Tianmen Mountain cableway. It takes half an hour to take the cable car to travel from Zhangjiajie downtown to the mountain top. The first half way is gentle, and the second is a bit rushed. Throughout the journey, travelers can see countless views of towns, villages, rivers, forests and mountains changing quickly one after another. The cable journey is really impressive.

➁. Heaven's Gate or Tianmen Cave. It is a world famous natural arch.

➂. Stairway to Heaven with 999 steps.

➃. Escalators running inside the mountain tunnels. The escalator is divided into upper and lower parts with a total of 12 sections, and the lower part with 5 sections is paralleled to the 999 steps. Additional charge is required to use the tunnel escalator.

➄. Mountain Road with 99 Turns. It is known as one of the most dangerous road in the world.

➅. The Ghost Valley Plank Road and glass skywalks. Hanging above the cliff, the glass skywalks bring visitors with really thrilling experience.

➆. Tianmen Temple

➇. Biye Yaotai Old Growth Forest

Tianmen Mountain Public Transport Itineraries

There are actually five public transport itineraries making to the Heaven's Gate.😤

🚇 🔃 🚇 Line A with Round Trip Cable Car. ❶ For this option, travelers can take the cable car from the lower station in Zhangjiajie city to go directly to the mountaintop firstly. After going through the mountaintop tour, travelers can then take the tunnel elevator to continue the tour to Tianmen Cave. From Tianmen Cave, travelers can take the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car to go downhill to the entrance of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park and then take the shuttle bus to return to Zhangjiajie city center. ❕ Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car opened on March 2020. With the length of 1209 meters, Tianmen Cave Cable Car can transport tourists from the entrance of the park at the foot of the mountain to Tianmen Cave Square on the hillside in just 4 minutes.

🚇 🔃 🚇 Line B with Round Trip Cable Car. ❷ Go through ticket check at the park entrance and then take the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car to go uphill to take a tour around Tianmen Cave. Take the tunnel escalator to go to the mountaintop. Once having completed the mountaintop tour, travelers can then take the cable care there to go directly to Zhangjiajie downtown.

🚇 🔃 🚇 Line C with Round Trip Cable Car. ❸ Go through ticket check at the entrance and then take the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car to go uphill to take a tour around Tianmen Cave and then take the tunnel escalator to go to the mountaintop. After the mountaintop tour, take the tunnel escalator to return to Tianmen Cave and then return to the entrance of the park with the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car and go back to the city with the shuttle bus.

🚇 🔃 🚌 Route D cable car + bus ❹ Going uphill by cable car, and downhill by bus. Firstly, take the cable car from the lower station in the downtown directly to the mountaintop; Secondly, take the escalator down to the Front Cave Square (Dongqian Square); Thirdly, take the sightseeing bus down to the mountain base via the Avenue to Heaven with 99 Turns; Lastly, change to shuttle bus at the gate of the park and return to the city.

🚌 🔃🚇 Route E bus+cable car

❺ Going uphill by bus and downhill by cable car.

Firstly, take the shuttle bus to the entrance gate of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park from the lower cableway station in the downtown; Secondly, change to sightseeing bus and go up to the Front Cave Square by the Avenue to Heaven with 99 Turns; Thirdly, take the Stairway with 999 steps or the tunnel escalator to reach the Tianmen Cave (need to pay extra); Lastly, take the free escalator to the top of the mountain and use the cable car to return to the city center.

❗ The three lines and two routes cost exactly the same, and the attractions visitors see are exactly the same, except that the order of the tour and the travel experience are a little bit different. Tourists for more travel experience are advised to choose intermodel transport including Route D and Route E. Tourists with tight schedule can use the cable car for both journeys.

Mountaintop Sightseeing Guide

It is said that there are gods living on the top of Tianmen Mountain as the mountaintop has the most beautiful scenery. Three core scenic areas are divided on the mountaintop: the eastern line scenic area, the western line scenic area and the central line scenic area. The eastern line scenic area is dominated by old growth forest; the western line scenic area is full of beautiful sights, including thrilling glass skywalks and ghost valley plank Road; the central line scenic area mainly has human made landscape with Tianmen Mountain Temple and Qiu'er Cave as its core. Most tourists would take the west line firstly, then the east line. This way, tourists can travel counterclockwise and complete the tour in two to three hours. You can visit the central line scenic area only if you have time.

Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain has been a popular and flourishing Buddhist center in West Hunan province since the Tang Dynasty. There is a Tianmen Altar of Worship in front of the stairway to heaven. On top of the mountain is Tianmen Temple which has the highest elevation among all Buddhist buildings in Hunan Province. Tianmen Mountain Temple holds a sarira from the Sakyamuni Buddha which attracts believers from all over the place come here to visit and worship.

A. Accommodation is not available inside Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park and visitors are advised to finish the tour in one day as the ticket is validated for one day only. B. Temperature difference between the mountain top and the ground is about 8 degrees Celsius. Visitors are advised to bring additional more clothes with them to visit the mountain. C. There are 365 days for a year but more than 200 days in Tianmen Mountain area are rainy and foggy. Travelers have good luck to see the real appearance of the Tianmen Mountain only on a sunny day. To make sure you will have better mountain view, travelers are advised to check the weather forecast in advance and try to go there on a sunny day. D. There are restaurants on the mountain peak, serving fried and fast food. However, they offer too few choices and the food price is also high. E. To visit Tianmen Mountain in winter, tourists should wear both anti-slip safety shoes and gloves. On the other hand, to visit it in summer, tourists are advised to bring with sunblocks, sun hats, snacks and drinks. F. Each autumn, extreme sport competitions such as wingsuit flying are held on Tianmen Mountain which attract lots of people. For visitors who want to watch such activities please confirm the event schedule in advance so that you can watch such activities as soon as you arrive here. G. The tourist service center at the entrance of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park provides safe luggage storage. H. There are overwhelming crowds of tourists during winter and summer vacations as well as Labor Day and China National Day holidays (known as the Golden Week). If you happen to visit Tianmen Mountain during these times, please try your best to get up in the early morning to avoid the crowds.

Related Articles

• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Guided Tour
• 📖 How to Get to Tianmen Mountain
• 📖 Best Time to Visit Tianmen Mountain
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Tickets
• 📖 How Long to Spend on Tianmen
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain 99 Bends Road
• 📖 Stairway to Heaven with 999 Steps
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Tunnel Escalator
• 📖 The Heaven's Gate - Tianmen Cave
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk
• 📖 Tianmen Temple

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