Bilu and Yangtou Mountain, Taroko Gorge National Park

Walking through a frost covered forest in Taroko Gorge National Park

Mount Bilu and Yangtou are located near the top of Taroko Gorge National Park.  Both peaks are above 3000m and can be done as individual days hikes, a mad single day traverse or a 2-3 day traverse with camping.

Day 1

It’s a long drive from Taipei to Dayuling for the start of the hike.  With the restrictions on the Suhua Highway, we had to come via Lishan and it took almost 6 hours to get there.  The trailhead starts next to the Dayuling Tunnel which is the intersection for Lishan, Hehuanshan and Taroko Gorge.

Read Full Post »

The Holy Ridge – 聖稜線

The Holy Ridge is a razor thin ridge of mountains in the Sheipa National Park that runs from north to south connecting Snow Mountain to Dabajianshan.  This was definitely the toughest hike any of us have done, made all the more difficult given the poor weather we encountered on the most hardest day.

The Holy Ridge

A section of the ridge that we traversed

There are several routes that can be taken when doing the Holy Ridge, Barking Deer have some info here.  We chose to do the ‘O’ route in reverse purely because this was the only way we could get permit!

Read Full Post »

Xinshan – 新山

This is a nice little ridge hike just a bit north of Xizhi 汐止. I had the afternoon off the other week but unfortunately no one else did. However rather sitting around on me own I decided I would just go out for a drive/hike anyway.

Read Full Post »

Huang Di Dian – 皇帝殿

This is another excellent day hike that can be done in a day from Taipei. I’ve been to Huangdidian 皇帝殿 three times now and were it not for Wuliaojian 五寮尖, this would be my favourite Taipei hike.

Read Full Post »

Fengtoujian – 峰頭尖

The last time I was hiking in Pingxi, I went to Xiaozishan 孝子山 and Cimushan 慈母山. I had read in a friend’s copy of Taipei day trips 2 that in addition to these two peaks, there is an excellent ridge hike called Fengtoujian 峰頭尖 and so we decided to give it a go. Unfortunately Taipei Day Trips 2 is no longer available and so we had to rely on a map I found to guide us.

Read Full Post »

Wuliaojian – 五寮尖

This is actually review of a hike that I’ve done a few times now and without doubt it’s my favourite day hike within easy reach of Taipei. The trail starts next to the Hezuo Bridge 合作橋 just south of Sanxia 三峽. Next to the bridge there’s a small store that sells water, chocolate, beer and the like as well as the white gardening gloves that Taiwanese people often wear when hiking. I remember the first time we came here we all laughed at the number of people with these gloves on but there are so many fixed ropes on this trail that it’s a good idea to get a pair. My hands were covered with blisters from not wearing them.

Read Full Post »