Classic Itineraries
Hiker Falls 30 Meters Down Slope on Hapen Ancient Trail, Rescued by Firefighters
On the afternoon of the 24th, near the 1.5-kilometer mark of the Hapen Ancient Trail in Wulai District, New Taipei City, a hiking accident occurred. A group of five hikers were on a trek when one member fell down a 30-meter slope during the descent. After receiving the report, firefighters rushed to the scene and successfully located the 60-year-old man. Another hiker in the group was also rushed to the hospital due to exhaustion. Due to the steep and rugged terrain of the fall site, the rescue operation took over two hours. Firefighters used a hoisting method to transport the 60-year-old man from the slope back onto the trail, and then carried him manually to the ambulance. The hiker was found with lacerations on his head and feet, but fortunately, he is in stable condition after being hospitalized.
Mountain climbing insurance payouts doubled, annual coverage limits increased
In the past, mountain climbers had to purchase climbing insurance in groups of five or more. Now, the rules have been relaxed so that even individuals planning to climb can buy the insurance. Additionally, the payout amount has been raised from the original NT$500,000 to NT$1 million (excluding air rescue services). Thanks to effective promotion by property insurers and mandatory insurance requirements imposed by some local governments, the number of insured climbers has grown year after year over the past three years. Mountain climber disappearances are not uncommon. In the past, many climbers were either unaware of the need for climbing insurance or restricted by the rule requiring at least five people to purchase coverage, resulting in relatively low insurance uptake. However, as property insurers have raised awareness about risk, sales of climbing insurance have shown a year-on-year upward trend. Premiums for climbing insurance amounted to NT$1.26 million in 2014, rising to NT$2.84 million and
The Central China Mountaineering Club has united nearly a thousand alumni over 50 years
The mountaineering club of Chung Yuan Christian University in Taoyuan City has a 50-year history, with nearly a thousand members across its generations. Lin Ting-fang, former president of the club’s 8th generation and founding president of the Camel Mountaineering Club, as well as chairman of the Chi Mei Group, said that promoting a healthy sports culture is very important. The Camel Mountaineering Club will hold a major gathering on Yangmingshan on October 1, and he also called on juniors from the mountaineering club to join in the event. Too many leaders of Taiwanese schools usually regard it merely as a student club activity, thinking of it as children's play, Lin Ting-fang said. He entered the Department of Civil Engineering at Chung Yuan Christian University (then the Department of Hydraulic Engineering at Chung Yuan Institute of Technology) in 1975. During his four years in university, in addition to studying diligently, he focused on sports and mountaineering. He was also a ski athlete for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, USA. After graduating from Chung Yuan Christian University, Lin Ting-fang worked hard to build his career,
Green Camp lawmakers question tourism bureau's push for mountain tourism: Heavy promotion with no support measures
Legislator Huang Guoshu held a press conference on the 19th, pointing out that the Tourism Bureau recently spent heavily on producing a promotional video for mountain tourism, but how do foreign visitors get there? How do they apply for mountain entry permits? The Tourism Bureau’s website introducing mountain tourism simply links to various mountain associations, with no support measures in place. Government agencies are also not coordinated, which is undoubtedly making a joke of the safety and rights of both domestic and international travelers.
Millions hit the trails: National Mountain Day features 150 hiking events
To encourage more people to step outdoors and experience Taiwan’s unique mountain landscapes, the Ministry of Education’s Sports Administration is promoting a series of events for the 2017 National Mountain Day. In collaboration with the Republic of China Mountaineering Association and other organizations, they plan to organize over 150 hiking activities across Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, aiming to rally one million hikers. The head of the Sports Administration, Lin Defu, had long hoped to help the public appreciate the beauty of Taiwan’s mountains without needing to travel abroad. Thus, aligning with the traditional custom of climbing heights and the national “Sports Month” from September 9 (Gregorian calendar) to September 9 (Lunar calendar)—which falls on October 28 (Gregorian calendar)—he partnered with the Republic of China Mountaineering Association, the Republic of China Hiking and Mountaineering Association, and the Taiwan Mountain Culture and Education Association to plan these 150 hiking events. In addition to encouraging the public to embrace outdoor activities, Lin Defu also hopes the National Mountain Day series will help people discover the beauty of our homeland.
Fell into a valley after reaching the summit but was saved by a large tree
A 60-year-old man surnamed Zhang fell into a valley on a gravel slope after reaching the summit of Bojinjia Mountain in Heping District on the afternoon of the 16th. Fortunately, trees below cushioned his fall, leaving him stranded in a valley about 60 meters deep. Rescue personnel successfully retrieved the injured man in the early hours of the 17th and sent him to the hospital. Doctors said Zhang had multiple abrasions and bruises on his face and body, but his vital signs were stable. The fire department stated that they received a report around 1 p.m. on the 16th. A group of over 30 hikers from the Zhonglong Mountaineering Club had just descended about 100 meters from the summit of Bojinjia Mountain when one male hiker accidentally fell into a valley 60 meters below. The injured man was conscious and able to communicate, and was suspected to have a leg fracture. The fire department noted that rescuers reached the injured man at 6:30 p.m. the previous evening and found he had a fractured left calf, head trauma, and abdominal pain. Internal bleeding was initially a concern, so they bandaged and stabilized him before placing him on a basket stretcher and carrying him down the mountain on foot. When they arrived at the mountain entrance late at night, the injured man was still conscious and was immediately taken to Fengyuan Hospital for treatment.
Perfect for holiday hiking trips: New Taipei’s mountain trails and hidden waterfall paradises
The globally renowned backpacker bible, Lonely Planet magazine (International Chinese Edition, September–October 2017), featured New Taipei’s mountain hiking trails as one of the must-do journeys for autumn holidays. In its Easy Trips column themed “Start Your Autumn Getaway Now,” the magazine highlighted trails along New Taipei City’s forested ancient paths to visit waterfalls and hidden spots, as well as journeys such as cruising the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar to explore ancient cities, or soaking in hot springs at Shirahama in Wakayama—one of Japan’s three great ancient hot spring resorts—while admiring natural wonders. New Taipei’s mountain hiking trails made their first appearance on this highly influential travel guide. Lonely Planet introduced three of New Taipei’s mountain trails: Dongshige Ancient Trail in Pingxi, Lingjiaoliao Mountain Trail in Wanggu, and Jingualiao Fish and Fern Trail in Pinglin. The article noted that these hiking routes boast rich natural beauty while also offering cultural and ecological charm, with easy access making them perfect for those looking to escape into cool mountain forests and connect with nature.
Navigation mishap: Elderly hiker lost in mountains
An 80-year-old man from Taichung took a train to Tainan for a day trip at noon on the 7th. After searching online, he found that Beiling Mountain in Yujing had a hiking trail that only took about 40 minutes, so he immediately rented a motorcycle and headed straight for the Yujing trailhead. Unexpectedly, after hiking for over four hours, he realized he was lost. His family, upon learning of the situation, quickly reported it to the authorities. Fortunately, when firefighters found the elderly man, he was unharmed aside from mild hypothermia, bringing an end to the scare.
Kinmen’s hiking event turns into a freebie scramble as woman faints and is hospitalized
Kinmen County Stadium held a National Sports Day hiking event today (the 9th), which, thanks to heavy promotion of limited-edition blue-and-white porcelain tableware giveaways, attracted thousands of people to Mount Wu early in the morning. The event saw chaotic scenes of people and vehicles competing for space, and one woman even fainted and was sent to the hospital. The 3,000 freebies were quickly claimed, leaving those who missed out furious. What was meant to be a pleasant holiday activity was thrown off course amid a chorus of complaints.
Mountain paths are often narrow and winding—use navigation as a reference only.
Modern people are increasingly reliant on smartphone navigation to find their way, but there are frequent reports of drivers or hikers venturing into mountainous areas, getting lost on unfamiliar, sparsely populated trails due to over-reliance on GPS, and having to call for police assistance. While mobile map navigation may work fine on regular roads, it’s best to carefully ask locals when heading into the mountains—don’t trust the navigation system blindly. With technological advancements, most people download navigation apps on their phones, intending to avoid getting lost, but ironically, this can sometimes lead them astray. Such frightening tales of wrong turns happen quite often. In March this year, a tour bus driver—with no passengers onboard—was attempting to drive from Liuying in Tainan to Dongshan’s Dongyuan. Unfamiliar with the route, he relied on his navigation system, only to find the road getting narrower and narrower. When he tried to turn back, the entire bus got stuck on a remote mountain path, turning into a scary ordeal.
Zhongsha Hiking Trail: Councilor Claims It Was Built Just to Use Up Budget
A hiking trail in Zhongsha, located on Fengren Street in Zhongzheng District, Keelung, leading to Haimen Tianxian, was completed in 2009 at a cost of NT$3.2 million. However, it was only in use for two years before being interrupted by the construction of the East Coast Outer Road tunnel project. The trail has been abandoned ever since. Recently, city councilors visited the site and questioned the municipal government’s wasteful spending, urging prompt plans for restoration. Councilor You Xiangyao pointed out that the Zhongsha Hiking Trail was originally built alongside the expansion project of the Zhengxin Tunnel. The approximately 340-meter-long trail was supposed to include features such as steps, railings, and streetlights. However, despite costing over NT$3 million, it was only paved with wooden sleepers and lacked any railings or lighting—features that have drawn public criticism for years.
Another case of navigation gone wrong: 80-year-old man lost in Beiling Mountain, Beiling
An 80-year-old man from Taichung took a train to Tainan at noon on the 7th. After searching online, he found that there was a hiking trail in Beiling Mountain, Yujing, that only took 40 minutes, so he rented a motorcycle and headed to Yujing for the hike. However, what was supposed to be a 40-minute trek ended up taking over four hours, and the elderly man became lost. His family, upon learning of the situation, quickly reported it to the authorities. Fortunately, when firefighters found him, he was unharmed apart from slight hypothermia, bringing an end to the scare. According to reports, the elderly man took a train from Taichung to Tainan at noon to go sightseeing. Having prior experience hiking alone, he searched on Google and found the hiking trail in Beiling Mountain, Yujing, which he believed would take just 40 minutes to reach the summit trig point. Confident, he rented a scooter, rode for over an hour to Yujing, and began his solo hike. The elderly man started climbing at around 12 noon on the 7th.
The western section of the Yushan Batongguan Trail will be temporarily closed from September 15 to October 12 due to construction work.
The western section of the Batongguan Trail has been damaged by years of storms and heavy rains and is in urgent need of repair. To ensure the safety of hikers, the Yushan National Park Headquarters announced on the 8th that the section from 2 kilometers inside the Dongpu entrance to the Batongguan Grassland will be closed to the public from the 15th until October 12. Zhang Yazhi, head of the Recreation Service Section at the Yushan National Park Headquarters, stated that the main construction involves building a new truss bridge near the 2.3-kilometer mark inside the Dongpu entrance, close to the Father-Son Cliff platform. Additionally, a damaged footbridge near the 4.7-kilometer mark by the Yunlong Waterfall needs to be removed and replaced. For safety reasons during the construction period, even visitors planning to hike only to the Yunlong Waterfall must postpone their trips. The Yushan National Park Headquarters noted that trails within the Yushan area have suffered continuous landslides due to fragile geology and frequent natural disasters. Hikers are advised to understand current environmental conditions, assess their own capabilities, and take safety precautions. The management office
Alps Tragedy: 1 Skier Falls, Killing 5
The European Alps are a destination where many top mountaineers and rock climbers challenge themselves, but the rugged terrain also poses hidden dangers. On the 27th, six German hikers were involved in an accident while climbing the Zillertal Alps in Austria. Sharing a single rope, one of them slipped and pulled the other five down with them, resulting in five deaths and one person seriously injured. The report states that the six hikers were all secured to the same rope. At an altitude of 3,000 meters, the second person on the rope suddenly fell, dragging the other five down with fatal consequences—five died and one was severely injured. The seriously injured hiker, from Bavaria, Germany, suffered multiple injuries and has been taken to a hospital in Salzburg for treatment. The bodies of the deceased have also been retrieved by helicopter.
Hiker dies after falling into valley while climbing Puli Butterfly Waterfall
A group of 38 hikers from Changhua County were climbing the popular trail above the Butterfly Waterfall in Puli Township, Nantou County yesterday when a 59-year-old female hiker surnamed Ko fell and went missing amid slippery conditions due to rain. Police, firefighters, and civilian rescue teams responded overnight. This morning (25th), at around 9 a.m., a helicopter from the Air Rescue Squadron spotted the missing hiker on the riverbed but she showed no signs of life. At approximately 11 a.m., her body was hoisted to the Zhushan Fire Department Training Center for examination by authorities.
Typhoon Hato Land Alert: The Sixth Brigade of the 7th Security Police Corps Advised 624 Mountaineers to Leave Yushan
Typhoon Hato is approaching with great force. On the afternoon of the 21st, the Central Weather Bureau issued a land alert special report. To ensure mountain safety, officers from the Sixth Brigade of the 7th Security Police Corps under the Ministry of the Interior’s National Police Agency, together with personnel from the Yushan National Park Headquarters, advised hikers today not to force their way into the mountains at the Yushan trailhead. The Sixth Brigade of the 7th Security Police Corps stated that during the typhoon, to ensure the safety of the public engaging in mountain activities, officers began calling hikers in the morning to dissuade them from climbing, and controlled access at the trailhead to prevent hikers from getting trapped or encountering accidents due to the typhoon. During the control operation, the brigade advised a total of 624 people to descend as soon as possible or dissuaded them from ascending. The Sixth Brigade of the 7th Security Police Corps urges hikers that, given the formidable power of recent typhoons, for safety reasons, please cherish your own lives during the typhoon period,
Typhoon Hato Approaches: The 7th Brigade Mobilizes to Deter Hikers from Entering the Mountains
As Typhoon Hato approaches, the Central Weather Bureau issued a sea warning at 11:30 PM on the 20th. The Shei-Pa National Park Administration has completely banned entry into the park starting at 11:00 AM today. All previously issued entry permits have been revoked. After the typhoon warning is lifted, entry activities will resume depending on the recovery from the disaster. The 5th Brigade of the 7th Brigade deployed police forces to patrol and inspect mountainous areas, posting warning notices at trailheads in the Wuling and Guanwu regions under their jurisdiction to prevent hikers from being stranded in the mountains due to the approaching typhoon. According to statistics from the 5th Brigade, between August 21 and 23, a total of 185 groups comprising 756 people applied to enter Shei-Pa National Park. Among them, 55 groups (214 people) were dissuaded by police and did not enter the mountains, 65 groups (241 people) had already exited, 1 group (6 people) had reached mountain huts and were safely accommodated, and 42 groups (174 people) could not be contacted. The uncontacted groups are mainly on routes such as the Daba Line, Snow Mountain Main Peak, Sacred Ridge, and Four Beauties Line. Police will continue efforts to reach them.
Online Hiking & Camping Event: Hikers Lost on Mountain Trail Rescued
At approximately 11:50 PM on a recent day, Officer Yang Zhixiong of the Fushan Police Station under the Xindian Precinct of New Taipei City Police Department received a report from the public stating that two hikers were stranded on the Hupen Ancient Trail and needed police assistance. Upon receiving the report, the police immediately notified the fire department and joined the search and rescue task force to head to the scene. According to the police investigation, a group of hikers organized an online hike up the Hupen Ancient Trail, with a total of 21 participants. On the afternoon of the 12th, they entered the trail and set up camp at the 10-kilometer mark. On the morning of the 13th, while on their way back, Mr. Wu, one of the hikers, began to feel unwell and rested by the trail before accidentally getting separated from the group. When the hiking party counted heads during their descent, they realized one person was missing. Mr. Wang, another hiker, turned back to look for him, but in the end, neither of the two could be contacted. Around 11 PM on the 13th, fellow hikers, realizing the seriousness of the situation, quickly reported it to the police.
Hikers Injured on Mountain, Awaiting Rescue; Zhongpu Police Rush to the Scene
Weekends are often when people go out for hiking and outdoor activities. On the 13th, the Gongtian Police Station of Zhongpu Sub-bureau in Chiayi County received a report from a man surnamed Xiao, who said that he and his wife were hiking on the Goat Trail in Fanlu Township when his wife accidentally fell and injured her left hand, prompting them to request police assistance. A couple surnamed Xiao regularly hike in the suburbs on weekends. On the morning of the 13th, the two went hiking together on the Goat Trail in Fanlu Township. Along the way, due to the slippery mountain path, Mrs. Xiao accidentally fell and injured her left hand, requiring urgent descent and medical treatment. Mr. Xiao then immediately called 110 to seek police help. After receiving the report, the Chiayi County Police Department’s operations center, based on the caller’s phone location, notified the Gongtian Police Station of Zhongpu Sub-bureau. Station Chief Zhou Xinhong and Officer Li Zhengjie quickly rushed to the scene.
The reigning legend lives up to the hype—Shark Nibali conquers Taiwan’s King of the Mountain Cycling Challenge!
The most star-studded lineup in history delivered the most jaw-dropping results yet. After an epic 105-kilometer high-intensity race, Vincenzo Nibali from Bahrain-Merida claimed victory in the 2017 Taiwan King of the Mountain Cycling Challenge with a time of 3:19:54.04, also breaking the event record. British rider Emma Pooley set a new women’s course record with 3:52:35.51 while defending her women’s title. Among Taiwanese riders, Peng Yuantang from the Giant Columbus team secured the best national result at 17th overall with a time of 3:38:20.47.