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While
Taiwan is well known for its manufacturing prowess and
simmering tensions with China, few realize steep mountains
over 1,000 meters high constitute about 31 percent of
the island's land. Being situated on the tropic of cancer
(a similar latitude as The Bahamas, and the Sahara)
and with over 100 peaks over 3000m, it is rich in lush
subtropical valleys (abundant in endemic flora and fauna),
and peaks often topped with snow in the winter months.
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While there are many well marked trails, mountain shelters
and the hiking is rarely technical, trekking in the
central mountain ranges can still be challenging even
for the most experienced and prepared. Many of the most
famous peaks can be bagged in a weekend, other summits
and cross-range traverses involve 7-14 day expeditions
into remote areas. A typical hiking day will often involve
a variety of terrains – dense forest, alpine meadow,
slopes scarred by typhoon/earthquake activity, and subtropical
jungle. Year-round hiking is possible, though preparation
for ice/snow should be taken in winter (Jan/Feb) in
the more northern, higher mountains; heavy summer rain
(esp. May) and typhoon activity (esp. Aug/Sept) - when
permission to enter the high mountains is suddenly withdrawn
and road connections can be cut due to flooding and
landslides.
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Taiwanese people are very friendly and welcoming to
visitors. Unfortunately the infrastructure for visitors
lags way behind, as well as information in English being
very patchy much of what is out there is misleading
or virtually useless. Barking Deer Adventures lead ‘All-In
Treks’, accompanying you from start to finish,
or; can offer a ‘Supported Trek’ service,
organizing permits, transport to trailhead, and pre-trek
information, then letting you go on your own merry way.
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Some other noteworthy adventures. In addition to the
itineraries listed on the left:
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Yushan Extension:
This is a 3 day (further days possible) traverse of Yushan.
Instead of returning from the peak of Yushan on the original
route we descend into the valley to the NW, source of
the Lao-nung stream, wild-camp near Patungkuan alpine
meadow, and on the last day follow part of the (beautifully,
cut into the cliff-face) Batung trail to the Tung-pu hot
springs resort. The latter part is the northern-most section
of the ‘Southern Second Section Traverse’.
This option is more demanding than the regular Yushan
ascent but very much worth it.
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Yushan – Peak Bagging:
Spend 5 days camping at the highest campsite (3333m) in
Taiwan, bagging as many of Yushan’s 11 peaks possible
including the second highest North Peak at 3858m.
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Southern Second Section Traverse:
(There must be a better name to describe this
epic hike in English!) This North-South trail is one of
our favorites, starting on the Southern-Cross Island Highway,
7 days of hiking, mostly over 3000m, takes you to, or
near, the top of 6 major peaks, Chai-ming meteor lake,
part of the Patung Ancient trail, and exiting at Tung-pu
hot springs in Nan-tao county. This route is well serviced
with mountain huts, great views of Yushan, and chances
to spot Sika/Sambar deer. Only suitable for the experienced
and fit.
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Patungkuan Ancient Trail:
This 7/8 day cross-island traverse follows the stunning
trail first walked by the aboriginal people and later
by Japanese colonial forces in their attempt to divide
and rule this remote area. This hike includes summiting
(or at least skirting) five 3000+ peaks, Bai-yang gold
mine, and the Da-fen bear zone. Several sections of the
trail depend on paths cut into sheer cliff-face or suspension
bridges. A route only for the most prepared and ready.
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