Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Yushan Main Peak to Paiyun Lodge: 2.4km, 1½ hours
»
Paiyun Lodge to Tatajia trailhead: 8.4km, four hours
Day Hikes
Most day hikes are concentrated at Tatajia (Tǎtǎjiā) around the Km108 mark on Hwy 18.
As these can get over 2800m, bring adequate warm, all-weather clothing, food and water
before you head out. Pick up a copy of the excellent
Tatajia: Guide to the Tataka Recre-
ation Area
at any visitor centre for an overview of the system.
A pleasant 1.7km walk through grassland and pine forest runs from the Tataka Visitor
Centre to the Tataka Squad (Tǎtǎjiā Xiǎoduì) and adjacent Paiyun Visitor Centre.
From the Tataka Squad you can follow the road an easy 3.5km to the
NCU Lulin Ob-
servatory
(NCU Lùlín Tiānwéntái). Another paved route runs south 2km to
Tatajia
Anbu
(Tǎtǎjiā Ānbù, Tatajia Saddle), the start of the trail to Yushan. From Tatajia it's
1km of steep trail up to
Mt Linjhih
(Línzhǐ Shān; elevation 2854m) or you can take an
easier 1.8km route that skirts the peak from the south.
Mt Lulin
(Lùlín Shān; elevation 2881m) can be tackled from the road to the observat-
ory or on a trail connecting with Mt Linjhih. The area is largely open grassland, with su-
perb views. Give yourself all day if you plan to hike the whole circuit.
Overnight Hikes
Yushan Peaks
HIKING
The trail to the main peak is straightforward and can be done by anyone in decent shape.
From the Tataka Squad and Paiyun Visitor Centre (a short walk up a sideroad from Hwy
18) where permits are processed, a shuttle bus transports hikers to Tatajia Saddle, the of-
ficial start of the trail to the
main peak
(Yùshān Zhǔfēng; elevation 3952m).
The trail runs relatively wide and flat most of the way, skirting the northern slopes of
the deep, V-shaped Cishan River valley. Elevation is gained in a couple of short steep
sections. Though Yushan National Park harbours six forest zones, here you're squarely in
a cool-temperate zone. The pure forests of hemlock are sublime. The yellowish grass try-
ing to reclaim the trail is actually dwarf bamboo (Yushan cane).
At
Paiyun Lodge
(Páiyún Shānzhuāng; elevation 3402m) hikers rest for the night in
preparation for the ascent on the main peak. Be on the lookout for yellow-throated martin
at the cabin, and even serow (goat-antelope) on the slopes.
