The Northern Peak is the first one you will have to confront for an assault on the mountain. Although the smallest of the peaks here, it still provides a great challenge to climbers due to its devilish precipitousness. An old Chinese saying goes like this: "There is only one pathway in Huashan since ancient times."

The 12km pathway leads from the foot of the mountain to the south starts at the Jade Fountain Temple (Yu Quan Yuan). It doesn't become precipitous until Qing Ke Ping, where there is a huge rock engraved with Chinese characters meaning�the point where the horses turn back� It warns that the challenges ahead and those who are not well prepared both mentally and physically should retreat.

Continuing the climb, one will be confronted with the Thousand-foot Precipice (Qian Chi Zhuang). It is a steep stone staircase, excavated on the cliff, rising vertically about 370 steps up to the North Peak. It's the first, but a great test of one's determination when the climbers proceed upwards supported only by iron chains on the flanks.

Following the Thousand-food Precipice, the pathway winds through rugged places such as the Hundred-food Valley (Bai Chi Xia), the Immortals' Bridge (Xian Ren Qiao), the God's Palm (Xian Zhang), and the Ear Touching Cliff (Ca Er Yan) where the path is so narrow that people have to pass with their ears touching the cliff.

Before reaching the summit of the North Peak, the climbers have to clear another staircase of over 500 steps, which is called Lao Jun's Furrow (Lao Jun Li Gou). The legend goes that Laozi, the originator of Taoism, made stairs on the cliff with his buffalo when he settled in Huashan after retiring.

The path from the North Peak to the south is more exciting for daredevils. The Immortal Needle (Xian Ren Bian), the Heaven's Ladder (Tian Ti) and the Yama's Needle (Yan Wang Bian) dramatically speed up the climber's heart, but the worst is still to come.

Passing the Yama's Needle, the climbers will find themselves at the entrance to a mountain ridge, the Black Dragon Ridge (Cang Long Ling). The path on the ridge is tens of meters long, but as narrow as about 2 feet. On either side of the path, there are fatal steep cliffs. The deep valleys are invisible under the sea of clouds. Fortunately, iron chains are set on both sides of the way helping protect the passengers' lives, but when you arrive at the other end of the ridge, you will still feel like being reborn.

Is the Black Dragon Ridge the most precipitous places in Huashan Mountain? No. According to the visitors, the Floating-in-the-air Road (Chang Kong Zhan) and the Somersault Cliff (Yao Zi Fan Shen) are the most frightening. Some people who have been there still have had nightmares about falling.

Despite all the dangers in the pathway, the scenery along the roadside is superb, worth the sweat and tears one may shed on the way.

Photo Source (top down): 7msky.com; yzjy.com.cn; xtour.com; taxer.name, by Mr. Qi Wu