About 2,000 ft elevation gain from the trailhead, the hike through pine forest to sacred Tiger's Nest is about 5-6 hours roundtrip with tea or lunch at the teahouse a little less than halfway. Once you have managed the last 700 stone steps along the cliffside and next to a waterfall, all phones, cameras, and backpacks must be stored in lockers outside the monastery to gain entrance. Dating to the 8th century, legend says that Guru Rinpoche flew to this auspicious location on the back of a tigress. The monastery was built in 1692, and partially rebuilt after a fire in 1998 likely caused by butter lamps. Buddhist figures and statues beckon you inside small cavernous rooms with wooden floors, monks chant in the meditative silence, and the sun gently shines into the colorful inner sanctums. Innermost is an outstanding large gold Buddha holding the vase representing Eternity sitting between Guru Rinpoche and a demon slayer god. Quite powerful.
