Why Surfaces Matter
Shanghai's routes are almost all man-made or manicured, so surfaces are more predictable than in wild mountains — but they still vary a lot. Knowing what is underfoot helps you pick shoes, decide if a stroller works, and plan around rain. None of the city routes require hiking boots; trainers are fine for most, with one exception noted below.
Paved Riverside Promenades
The West Bund, Pudong Riverside and Suzhou Creek paths are concrete or stone slab, wide and step-free. They are the most accessible surfaces in the city — suitable for wheelchairs, strollers and anyone unsteady on their feet. After rain they are dry and grippy. These are your default choice on wet days.
Forest Park Paths (Gongqing)
Gongqing Forest Park (共青森林公园) mixes compacted earth trails with wooden boardwalks over wetland. The earth sections turn soft and a little muddy after heavy rain, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty and skip the forest interior on a wet day — stick to the boardwalks and main lanes. The grade is gentle throughout.
Hill Trails: Sheshan, Tianma, Xiaokunshan
The western hills are the only routes with real elevation, and their surfaces are stone steps, packed earth and some loose gravel. Sheshan (佘山) has shaded stone staircases and bamboo boardwalks; Tianma (天马山) and Xiaokunshan (小昆山) are shorter but steeper in sections, with rooty, uneven earth. Trainers cope, but avoid these right after rain when steps get slick — and they are not stroller-friendly.
Expo Twin Hills & Boardwalks
Twin Hills in Expo Culture Park (世博文化公园) is an engineered landscape — grassy slopes, stone steps and viewing platforms rather than wild trail. It is exposed (little shade), so it is best in mild weather. Wetland boardwalks appear on several routes; they are solid and grippy but have gaps and edges, so keep an eye on small children.
What to Wear — Quick Reference
General guidance:
| Surface | Footwear | Stroller? | Rain okay? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside pavement | Trainers | Yes | Yes |
| Forest packed dirt | Trainers (washable) | Partial | Soft if wet |
| Hill stone steps | Trainers with grip | No | Slippery |
| Boardwalk | Any | Yes | Yes (mind edges) |
Carry a foldable rain layer in plum-rain season (Jun–Jul) and prefer paved routes on wet days.
