[Objective] The response of ecological environment to trampling disturbance by tourists was studied in order to provide theoretical support for sustainable tourism development and ecological environment protection. [Methods] Taking grassland travel route in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province， as an example, three transects were selected along the grassland travel route, and the vegetation cover, vegetation height, soil hardness and surface coverage were analyzed to reflect the response of the ecological environment to the trampling disturbance. [Results] ① The disturbance decreased from the edge of the travel route to both sides. However, due to the natural scenery of scenic spots and the observation deck development, tourists' activities of different intensities were found on the recreational belt around the top of the mountain, which were reflected in the differences in vegetation height. ② The vegetation coverage increased gradually from the edge of the footpath to both sides. ③ The soil hardness decreased from the edge of travel route to both sides. ④ The overall surface coverage was at a moderate level of disturbance. [Conclusion] In the future, the development of tourism in grassland travel route should be strengthened by grasping the opportunity to innovate the road of green development and to construct ecological civilized scenic spots, and divert and control the traffic system to improve the traffic of scenic spots, so as to achieve the coordinated development of tourism development and ecological protection.