Loving Taiwan means you can’t help but love mountain climbing. Taiwan has two-thirds of its land area covered by mountains and hills, making it one of the islands with the highest mountain density in the world. To truly see Taiwan, you have to climb its peaks step by step on foot.
Xing Zhengkang, who is passionate about outdoor activities, went on his first hike during his student days when a senior took him to Yushan, Taiwan’s highest peak. It was an exhausting yet eye-opening experience that sparked his lifelong love for mountain climbing. Because of this passion, he hopes to show more people the beauty of mountain landscapes and the importance of treating the ecological environment with care. That’s why he wrote “Taiwan Classic Highland Routes – 10 Suitable Hundred Peaks Trails for Beginners,” using text and photos to guide newcomers in their climbing journeys.
Aside from hiking, Xing Zhengkang is also a professional photographer in his daily life. He has worked as a photographer for several travel magazines. Carrying several kilograms of photography gear up the mountains has become second nature to him, which is why this book is not only a hiking guide but also a stunning collection of mountain photography.
“Mountain trekking is definitely the most suitable outdoor activity for development in Taiwan,” he points out. The threshold for mountain climbing in Taiwan isn’t high—you don’t need to go through long and tiring journeys because Taiwan isn’t a large island, and transportation is well-developed. As long as your car can reach the starting point, you can return home from any mountain trailhead within a day.
The joy of mountain climbing lies in enjoying the process.
What is the joy of mountain climbing? Everyone has different goals. Some are satisfied with conquering a certain number of peaks. Taiwan’s renowned mountaineer Xing Tianzheng once said, “Climbing a mountain isn’t about rushing or just following others. Mountains, rivers, plants, insects, fish, flowers, and birds all have their own charm. You should stay attentive with every step and glance; otherwise, it’s like entering a treasure mountain and coming back empty-handed. So what if you’ve climbed all the hundred peaks?”
For Xing Zhengkang, the number of peaks conquered isn’t important either. What matters most to him is the process. “Teammates help those who are less physically fit by sharing the load, and everyone cooks together. Along the way, we learn what kind of flowers or birds we see, how to move forward, and how to use a compass. Looking back in the future, it will be a wonderful hiking experience.”
The camaraderie of sharing hardships and relying on each other with companions, and witnessing the visual shocks of entering and exiting the mountains together, are the main reasons why mountain climbing remains unforgettable for him.
The Hehuan Mountain Range is the easiest for beginners.
The 10 hiking routes listed in the book are all ones that he feels are simple enough, beautiful enough, and representative enough. He believes the top choice for beginners is Hehuanshan, currently the easiest accessible hundred peaks-level highland route. As long as you’re in good health, you can visit it, and traveling light is no problem.
Among the peaks in the Hehuan Mountain Range — Hehuanshan Main Peak, Hehuanshan East Peak, Hehuanshan North Peak, Hehuanshan West Peak, and Shimen Mountain — all are listed as Taiwan Hundred Peaks. Among them, West Peak is slightly more challenging, while the other four feel like urban hiking trails, only at higher altitudes. You can go up and down within a day, “as easy as a day trip.”
Especially Shimen Mountain, the easiest of them all. Starting from the trailhead, it only takes 20 minutes to reach the summit. Here you can capture a 360-degree panoramic view. It would be a pity not to bring a camera.
In addition, he recommends other routes such as Qilai South Peak, Nanhua Mountain, Snow Mountain Main-East Peak, Tataga Main Peak Trail, Jioming Lake, Wuling Four Beauties, Qilai Main-North Peak, Nanhu Mountain, Dabajianshan, and Nenggao Main Peak. Beginners can progress step by step and challenge themselves according to their abilities.
“Of course, there are many more beautiful and climbable mountains in Taiwan beyond these 10. There are quite a few hidden gems.” These hidden gems include Beidawushan, Junshan, Liushunshan, Yangtoushan, and the South Cross Three Stars, all worth visiting for hikers.
Black Qilai – Just Be Cautious and There’s No Need to Fear
The often-discussed “Black Qilai,” frequently associated with mountain accidents or even ghost stories, is also among the 10 recommended hiking routes by Xing Zhengkang.
When viewed from Provincial Highway 14A, the Qilai Mountain Range appears black in the afternoon due to being backlit by the sun. Coupled with its rugged terrain and unpredictable fog, it used to have the highest rate of mountain accidents and has long been shrouded in mystery. Among hikers, it’s referred to as “Black Qilai.”
He says that actually, the Qilai Mountain area has become a quite popular hundred peaks route. The paths are now very well maintained, with marker stakes placed every 100 meters, making it highly suitable for beginners trying high-altitude climbing for the first time. The mountain is scenic and beautiful, offering many great spots for mountain photography enthusiasts.
“Climbing any high mountain comes with a certain level of risk. You need to know how to protect yourself.” Always climb with companions, find someone experienced to lead the way, do your homework before the trip, and don’t attempt anything beyond your ability. If you get lost, stay calm, assess whether you can return to the original path, and if not, it’s safest to stay put and wait for your teammates to come back for you.
Fast-Food Hiking Means Missing the Best Scenery
Regarding Taiwan’s hiking culture, Xing Zhengkang is more concerned about the current trend of “fast-food hiking,” where tourists, arranged by travel agencies, don’t have to carry gear and reach the summit in the shortest time possible. “I wonder if this kind of commercialized highland tourism has an impact on the environment? Do participants gain anything beyond exercise?”
Fast-food hiking is indeed time-saving and labor-saving, but rushing means missing out on the experience—the most interesting parts of hiking. You might chance upon a small flower or animal but have no time to stop and take photos to appreciate it. You can’t document or observe along the way, which is quite a pity.
He suggests that if you join a group hiking tour, learn more about the itinerary before signing up. Ask whether it includes photography lessons or ecological interpretation, rather than just aiming for the summit. That way, you can gradually enjoy the joy of the hiking process bit by bit.