Best trails in Yushan National Park
Yushan National Park is Taiwan's largest national park and contains the summit Yushan, the highest peak located in the park. This park encompasses sections of the Central Mountain Range and accommodates over thirty peaks! Compared to other national parks, Yushan is not as heavily visited but still does garner a lot of visitors and attention.
Top trails
- 4.7 (169)·Hard·16.5 miPeak bag the highest mountain (3,952 m / 12,966 ft.) in Taiwan, also known as one of the "Asian Triologies." Yushan is located in central Taiwan and is the highest mountain in Taiwan and the fourth highest mountain on the island. Yushan is not only popular among Taiwanese hikers. Many international peak baggers also summit it together with Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia and Mount Fuji in Japan to collect the special "Asian Trilogy" experience. To summit Yushan, you must attain a permit from...
- 4.8 (201)·Hard·5.2 miThis trail follows a gradual but inclining slope along the side of the mountain. Hikers will cross dozens of wooden bridges and catwalks that span steep ravines and cliff faces. The route passes through a serene and beautiful sub-alpine forest of Taiwan Hemlock, fir, and rhododendron, with views that open up as the altitude increases. The Paiyun Lodge serves as the essential high-altitude base camp where all hikers stay overnight to rest and prepare for their pre-dawn summit attempt.
- 4.9 (61)·Hard·5.4 miThe Yushan Main Trail consists of a long, steady ascent involving some rocky, exposed path and a famous scramble along a narrow ridge using fixed chains for safety. At the summit, hikers can catch a spectacular sunrise with views across the entire Central Mountain Range. The North Peak offers the most iconic photograph of the central peak.
- 4.8 (63)·Hard·2.9 mi·Est. 1.5–2 hrThe Walami Trail follows a gentle river valley deep into the eastern side of Yushan National Park. It follows the path of the former Batongguan Traversing Route, built during the Japanese era, and is renowned for its lush subtropical rainforest, numerous suspension bridges, and rich biodiversity. This well-maintained, wide path has a gentle gradient and takes hikers across several scenic suspension bridges and past the beautiful Shanfeng Waterfall.
- 4.7 (61)·Moderate·7.5 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrThe Linzhi Mountain Trail is known for its well-maintained paths and a mix of gentle slopes and steeper sections. The trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the majestic peaks of the Yushan mountain range. The environment along the trail is diverse, transitioning through pine forests with Taiwan red pines and Armand pines, and sections covered in arrow bamboo. Visitors can also spot various wildlife, including sightings of Eurasian nutcrackers,...
- 4.8 (37)·Hard·4.4 miThis trail begins at the Tataka Anbu Trailhead. The ascent is steep, taking you through a serene cloud forest of native Taiwan Hemlock and Taiwan Fir. The most famous section is the final push to the summit. After a steady, long climb, the trail becomes an exposed staircase of steep, massive stone slabs. The reward for the climb is the panoramic view from the summit, looking out over the majestic Central Mountain Range and the main peaks of Yushan. A mandatory permit from the National Park...
- 4.6 (15)·Moderate·2.8 mi·Est. 1.5–2 hrThe Walami Trail was originally built by the Japanese colonial government during the 1920s to control and govern the indigenous Bunun tribe in the remote mountains. The path maintains its original, relatively gentle gradient as it contours the mountain slopes, offering continuous views of the deep, forested gorge below. The path ascends through a lush, cool subtropical montane forest, characterized by native Taiwan acacia and large fern species. Hikers must stay alert for wild Taiwan Macaque...
- 4.7 (27)·Hard·2.7 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrTaguan Shan/ Taguan Mountain/ Mount Taguan (塔關山) is a popular mountain peak in Yushan National Park. This mountain is accessible via the highway of Southern Cross-Island Highway. Due to its location, along with three other peaks (Guanshanling, Guanshan, Kuhanuosin), they're known as the “Southern Cross-Island F4.” The route to the peak is steep and should not be done during bad weather. Taguanshan is one of the shorter trails, however a permit is required to hike the mountain. Visitors can...
- 4.5 (22)·Hard·5.4 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrThis trail begins in the valley and follows a well-maintained trail that runs parallel to the mountain stream. The path is characterized by a mix of earthen tracks and sections of wooden and stone steps that wind through a lush, cool subtropical broadleaf forest. Hikers ascend through areas dense with native bamboo and camphor trees. Yunlong Waterfall is the largest cascade in the area, often appearing in three distinct tiers, and is most impressive during the summer rainy season.