Without a doubt, the Batongguan Ancient Road (八通關古道) is the longest and most famous ancient Japanese trail in Taiwan, and this peak is directly on that route.
Steeped in aboriginal lore, this peak, and the trail it’s named after, are deeply ingrained in Aboriginal Taiwanese culture, and provide hikers with a vivid sense of history for colonial Taiwan under Japanese occupation.
The trail leading up to this peak is perched alongside a deep valley and river, and is prone to landslides and rockfalls, making it one of the more dangerous routes in Taiwan.
Make no mistake though, this is one of the best peaks, one of the best routes on the whole island, and is an absolute must hike for history buffs.
The north end of the Battongguan Ancient serves as a trailhead for the longer South Second Section and Mabolasi Traverse Routes. For those looking for a shorter hike, this peak can also be climbed as a shorter out-and-back hike called the BaDaXiu Route.
Resources for hiking Mt. Batongguan 八通關山:
- Check the BaDaXiu Route (八大秀), please click here. (Coming Soon)
- Check the South Second Section (南二段), please click here. (Coming Soon)
- Check the Mabolasi Traverse (馬博橫斷), please click here. (Coming Soon)
