Author Archives: Taiwan Outdoors

Ranked at the C level (2nd highest difficulty level), the fifth of the ‘must-do’ mountains, Mt. Xiugulan (秀姑巒山) is on a whole other level. Standing at 3,895m, it’s the highest mountain on the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan, which is often referred to the “Spine” of Taiwan.

Listed as #006 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

Yushan South Peak 玉山南峰 reaches 3,852m and is one of the nine peaks of Jade Mountain.

These can roughly be divided into five in the “front” and four in the “rear”.

Getting to the four “rear” peaks is considerably harder and allows for a visit to Yuanfeng Cabin (圓峰山屋), the highest mountain house in Taiwan.

Listed as #005 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

The traditional trail to Jade Mountain’s main peak comes to a fork roughly 200m below the final summit.

For those wanting a special experience, they can opt to take the less-traveled road to Yushan North Peak (玉山北峰) at this fork.

From this junction, North Peak is roughly 2.5km away (one way), and starts (and finishes) with a very steep gravel field that all hikers must hike up and down.

The ridge itself is relatively easy and if done in the right season, hikers may be lucky enough to see fields of local Yushan Rhododendrons, the most famous mountain flower in Taiwan.

Listed as #004 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

Located just a few kilometers past the main peak of Jade Mountain, Yushan East Peak (玉山東峰) is considered by many to be the most thrilling of all the subsidiary peaks of Jade Mountain.

Listed as #003 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

Standing tall at 3,952m, Jade Mountain Main Peak (玉山), (aka Yushan Main Peak) is not only the tallest mountain in Taiwan, but also East Asia. Ingrained in Taiwanese popular consciousness and culture, this peak is the crown jewel of mountains in Taiwan and for many, a life-long goal to climb. Despite being the highest mountainContinue reading “#001 – Yushan Main Peak (玉山) – 3,952m”