Recently, an online post titled “Climbing Routes for Mount Tai (Jailbreak Edition) — Unofficial Entry Ways” summarized six unofficial hiking routes to the mountain. The Mount Tai Management Committee warned that these routes involve many cliffs, ravines, and other hazards, making unauthorized entry extremely dangerous for hikers.
Northeast Route
Take a bus from Taian Railway Station to Aiwa, get off, and walk about 2 kilometers north along the village road, then turn left to Saozhuyu. Enter the gully from the bottom, bypass the ticket checkpoint, and go around the reservoir via the original path. Pass through Dagou Alley. There will be a ticket checkpoint along the way — backtrack about 150 meters to climb up to the ridge and bypass this point.
You will then encounter a valley running northeast to southwest. Walk about 300 meters into the valley, and you’ll see a stone-paved path on the left side of the hill. Follow the path uphill for about 90 minutes to reach the back gate of Nantianmen. From there, follow signs to reach Tianjie, Yuhuangding, Wanghaishi, and Guanrifeng.
Warning: This route involves many valleys and gullies with numerous rocky rivers made of variously sized stones, making it extremely difficult to traverse. The post mentions bypassing the ticket checkpoint, which inevitably requires passing by Datianzhufeng. The surrounding mountain paths are steep, densely wooded, and very hard to navigate.
The area around Dagou Alley has complex terrain, with slopes on the western hill reaching 60 to 70 degrees. Since the entire ascent follows fire prevention trails and features multiple forks, it is impossible to reach the back gate of Nantianmen in 90 minutes — even for those familiar with the route, it takes at least three hours.
Northeast Route 2
Similarly, get off at Xidajinkou. Walk northwest for 1 kilometer to Jiangjiagou, proceed to Xishaling, then to Damingtan, and follow a small path for about three kilometers to Tianjingwan. There are waterfalls in summer and icefalls in winter here, which can serve as water sources. After walking about three kilometers through Yaozigou, you’ll reach the back gate of Nantianmen.
Warning: The entire route consists of narrow footpaths and forest fire prevention trails, many of which are only about half a meter wide, with numerous forks that make getting lost very easy.
Northern Route
Travel west from Dajinkou to Heshangzhuang (500 meters along the highway), then take a left onto a small path and walk 4 kilometers to Maifanpeng. Go south along the old platform, hike up the mountain via the ridge to Nantianmen. Early in the morning, arrive in Taian, head to Xidajinkou on the northern foothills of Mount Tai to find a guide, and begin the climb. Planned climbing route: Tianlong Reservoir → Tianjingwan (620m) → Maifanpeng (1010m) → Xiannvwan → Laopingtai (1217m) → Yaoguanting (1476m) → Yuhuangding (1523.7m)
Warning: This is a long route overall. Descending takes about four hours, and ascending takes even longer. There are several sections of weathered rock slopes that look solid but crumble underfoot, making falls highly likely.
According to a reporter’s on-site investigation, Maifanpeng is at a high altitude, surrounded mostly by cliffs, with extremely steep and dangerous terrain. Some slopes have gradients of up to 70 degrees, and the narrowest parts are only half a meter wide — just enough for one person to pass, with a sheer cliff of over 1,000 meters on one side.
Southwest Route
Directly east of Yingtaoyuan, there is a mountain gully. Follow the path north through Songpeng, ascend the ridge to Longjiaofeng. If you can pass through, descending will lead you to Sanchalinchang (Taohuayu Cableway Station). From Sanchalinchang, you can go north to Taohuayu, east along the ridge to bypass Wangfushan and reach Nantianmen, or south to Aolaifeng and Shanzipi.
Southwest Route
From the north of Houchengtanyuan, there is a mountain valley path. Entering via this route also allows you to meet up with the Southwest Route at the western base of Longjiaofeng. The rest of the route is the same as above, except that this particular gully is covered with azaleas.
Warning: Both the so-called Southwest Route 1 and Southwest Route 2 pass by Longjiaofeng, which resembles dragon horns in shape. The terrain is hazardous, at high elevation, surrounded by ridges, and direction is very hard to discern. Even finding a narrow footpath is difficult, and those unfamiliar with the area can easily get lost. At the end of 2010, a hiker was injured and got lost here, then set a fire for help. This hiker was later sentenced for arson.
Mingtangyuan Tourist Route
Little known to outsiders, with no signs of artificial development. Suitable for adventure travel, exploration, and experienced hikers. This is a route rarely known or visited by ordinary tourists.
Warning: There are currently two checkpoints in this area strictly monitoring unauthorized entrants, along with surveillance measures. Anyone caught entering illegally will be fined according to the "Forest Fire Prevention Regulations." Wire fences have also been installed in the mountainous areas. (Source: Qilu Evening News)