Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert
How many of the Taiwan Hundred Peaks have you climbed? Surrounded by boundless green meadows and star-filled skies, breathing unpolluted air — these are just some of the enchanting aspects of hiking and mountaineering. With a professional guide, you can tackle various climbing challenges and fulfill your dream of hiking and exploring nature!
This time, our editor has specially compiled a list of the Top 10 most beautiful Taiwan Hundred Peaks, which we’re also working on completing. See how many of these mountain spots you’ve already conquered!
As one of the more beginner-friendly Taiwan Hundred Peaks in terms of climbing difficulty, Hehuan Mountain is not hard to access or navigate, requiring only basic hiking skills to reach the summit. The journey offers vast, open scenery, and before you know it, you're immersed in the embrace of the mountains along its gently ascending path. Yet despite its accessibility, it remains a true member of the Taiwan Hundred Peaks.
Hehuan Mountain could be called the most beautiful memory for many Taiwanese. Whether it's the snow-covered peaks in winter or the dawn breaking through the morning mist, its breathtaking beauty often leaves people in awe that such a stunning hiking destination is right here in Taiwan.
A typical trip to Hehuan Mountain involves a two-day round-trip to the summit. Most hikers camp overnight at a small stream campsite under a sky full of stars. Since the climb isn’t too tough, some even bring guitars to play under the starlit sky, with everyone gathering around the campfire to sing — truly the pinnacle of life’s enjoyments. P.S., the Hehuan Mountain Range was also the first Taiwan Hundred Peak I ever conquered!
Recommended Hiking Spot in Taiwan – Hehuan Mountain in Nantou. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Enjoy walking through boundless wilderness, with rolling green mountains on either side and distant high mountain ridges that aren’t overly steep. Trek above the sea of clouds, with birds circling overhead — each step forward driven by the allure of even more stunning views ahead.
This is the romance of Qilai Nanhua. When planning a hiking route, most will choose to conquer both “Qilai South Peak” and “Nanhua Mountain” in one go, as the overall difficulty isn’t too overwhelming, making it an ideal challenge for newcomers to the Taiwan Hundred Peaks — aside from Hehuan Mountain, of course.
The full trek from the hiking entrance to the overnight spot “Tianchi Mountain Hut” is 13 kilometers, mostly a gentle uphill climb. After passing the Cloud Sea Power Line Station, several suspension bridges, and a large cliff face, you’ll eventually arrive at the 200-meter-high Naoku Waterfall, a famous alpine waterfall. On the second day, at the Tianchi fork, first tackle “Qilai South Peak,” then proceed to “Nanhua Mountain.” Before you lies a vast green carpet — why not kick off your shoes, lie down in the grass, and soak in the tranquility of Taiwan’s high mountains?
Recommended Hiking Spot in Taiwan – Qilai Nanhua. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Like a place not of this earth, dead trees stand upright in a high mountain lake in Taiwan, their reflections shimmering gently on the water’s surface. The early morning mist makes the lake’s dead trees appear like water spirits, guarding the forest and all its creatures.
Visiting this dreamlike Shuiyang Forest takes two days. On the first day, you’ll mostly weave through bamboo and tree groves taller than a person, embarking on a jungle adventure. Camp is set up by an alpine lake formed by geographical changes, and if time allows, you can even paddle around the lake in an inflatable boat, with towering dead trees drifting past you.
On the second day, descend via the forest trail, passing a water station. Though the route is long, it is mostly flat and easy going, allowing you to breathe in the fresh mountain air and release the fatigue of the past two days. You’ll return to the trailhead at Shanlinxi Recreation Area. If you have time, you can also visit a few waterfalls in the park, putting a perfect end to this enriching journey into a hidden paradise.
Songluo Lake in northern Taiwan has hiking trailheads in both Taipei and Yilan, making it easier for busy urbanites to get close to nature. Most hiking groups opt to start from the Songluo Village trailhead in Yilan. Due to the humid climate, the Songluo Lake hiking trail is muddy year-round, and despite your best efforts to dodge the mud, your pant legs will likely still get dirty — but that just adds to the fun of hiking Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks.
After passing the Faucet Camp, the trail becomes steeper and the difficulty level increases slightly. Next comes Tiepai Camp, where you’ll see the swamp-like Black Dragon Pool. The trail gets progressively steeper, sometimes requiring ropes for assistance, and you’ll also pass a large cliff face before reaching the highest point, “Cross Ridge Saddle,” then descending to Songluo Lake.
Songluo Lake is often described as the “Seventeen-Year-Old Girl Lake” because it’s frequently shrouded in mist, adding to its mysterious allure. Whether it’s really that enchanting is something you’ll have to discover for yourself by hiking there.
Recommended Hiking Spot in Taiwan – Songluo Lake. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Snow Mountain Main and East Peaks, as the name suggests, are two peaks in the Snow Mountain range. Taiwan’s second-highest peak, Snow Mountain, together with Yushan, Xiuguluan Mountain, Nanhu Mountain, and Beidawu Mountain, are collectively known as the “Five Great Mountains” — representing the five most iconic peaks in Taiwan. The best seasons to hike Snow Mountain are spring, summer, and autumn. Winters are not recommended for beginners due to heavy snowfall and limited sunlight.
The Snow Mountain hiking entrance is located within Wuling Farm. The trail starts gently, but soon leads to the very challenging “Crying Slope.” Climbing through laughter and tears, you’ll reach Snow Mountain East Peak, then pass “369 Mountain Hut” and ascend a switchback path into the famed “Black Forest.” After descending to the bottom of Snow Mountain’s first cirque valley and tackling a steep, rugged scree slope, you’ll finally arrive at the long-awaited Snow Mountain Main Peak.
Climbing Snow Mountain is a lifelong goal for many hikers. In addition to its rich landscape and diverse wildlife, the varying difficulty levels of the Snow Mountain trail provide a great opportunity to build up your Taiwan Hundred Peaks hiking skills. Consider planning a three-day, two-night Snow Mountain adventure — it’s sure to ignite the hiking spirit deep within you.
Recommended Hiking Spot in Taiwan – Snow Mountain. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Like “Songluo Lake,” “Jiaruo Lake” is also located in Yilan, but its hiking entrance is in a different direction and the difficulty level is slightly higher. Sunlight filtering through the clouds illuminates the calm surface of Jiaruo Lake, soothing the weary hearts of travelers and offering a long-forgotten sense of peace and serenity. Jiaruo Lake won’t disappoint.
From the Giant Tree hiking entrance, you’ll trek straight up through the forest — the path is slippery, winding through tall grass and bamboo thickets. After passing Weidan Pond and continuing forward, climb over a small hill to reach Jiaruo Lake. For a two-day trip, you can camp by the lake and enjoy a natural baptism amid green grass and water. A one-day round trip is also possible, though you’ll need to manage your time and stamina accordingly. The lake is usually shrouded in mist in the afternoon, creating a dreamy yet low-visibility scene. If you have the time, a two-day immersive nature experience is highly recommended!
Recommended Hiking & Camping Spot in Taiwan – Yilan’s Jiaruo Lake. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
“Nanhu Mountain,” part of the Central Mountain Range’s northern section, is majestic, awe-inspiring, and grand — words that perfectly describe it. It’s almost too daunting to approach up close, and actually reaching this sacred site requires a solid four days and three nights of hiking with considerable difficulty.
The route includes rugged mountain paths that demand extensive hiking experience to tackle. Although the difficulty is high, it’s a dream destination for hiking enthusiasts, thanks to its deeply spiritual atmosphere — only felt when immersed in nature. The ever-changing landscapes, glacial-carved terrains, cold desert geology, and diverse native species accompany you throughout. The indescribable beauty and grandeur leave many hikers forming an unbreakable bond with Nanhu Mountain, like finding a personal sanctuary they return to again and again.
Ranked third, the mysterious Black Qilai — just hearing the name feels intriguing. This massive mountain range lies in the sun’s shadow for much of the year, casting a vast shadow that gives Black Qilai an air of mystery, making it a must-visit hiking spot for many. Searching online for the history of Black Qilai often brings up countless unexplained and mysterious stories. Perhaps influenced by these tales, Qilai has acquired an aura of enigma — and the only way to uncover its secrets is to hit the trails yourself.
Fortunately, advancements in hiking and mountaineering techniques and equipment nowadays have made Heilaiqi (Black Qilai) far less out of reach. With an elevation of 3,560 meters, Qilai Main Peak ranks 20th among Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks, yet its towering, rugged, and magnificent mountain ranges are truly among the best. With alpine meadows, forests, and sea of clouds enveloping the area, its breathtaking scenery attracts countless people to climb it. From the summit, you can gaze at the distant peaks of the Hehuan Mountain range. Though it’s a more challenging climb, it remains one of the must-conquer routes among Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks for any serious hiker.
Yushan (Jade Mountain), the mountain that best represents Taiwan, is etched in everyone’s heart from childhood. As the highest peak in Northeast Asia and the tallest in Taiwan at 3,952 meters, its grand and majestic presence, along with its boundless vistas, makes standing atop it feel like soaring like an eagle with the entire mountain range spread out beneath you.
As Yushan is a popular hiking destination, the trails are well-maintained, and even the overnight lodging spot, “Paoyun Lodge,” offers well-equipped facilities. Therefore, you only need to carry light gear for the entire journey, and the climbing difficulty isn’t particularly high.
Although Yushan’s high altitude may cause altitude sickness or cold discomfort, especially for beginners tackling Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks, and the chance of securing a mountain hut on a holiday may be as low as 10%, the sense of achievement upon successfully reaching the highest point in Taiwan is indescribable. Whether you’re waving a national flag or proposing to your loved one, under the witness of nearly 4,000 meters of altitude, everything feels possible.
Recommended hiking spot in Taiwan – Yushan. (Photo / Tripbaa, Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Located in Taitung, Lake Jiaming, at an elevation of 3,311 meters, is the second-highest alpine lake in Taiwan. Known as “Shinubeshi Pond” during the Japanese colonial period, the lake is oval-shaped with crystal-clear azure water and a depth of 6 meters. Despite having no inflowing streams or creeks, its waters remain unfrozen year-round, earning it the nickname “Angel’s Tear” among hikers. Being within the traditional territory of the Bunun people also adds to its sacred aura.
The stunning azure hue of Lake Jiaming is like a sapphire embedded among Taiwan’s emerald green mountain peaks, and its beautiful elliptical outline is clearly visible from above. The hike from the trailhead to Xiangyang Mountain Hut is just 4 kilometers, but involves an ascent of about 560 meters. This level of difficulty poses a significant physical challenge for novice hikers, but the rewards of reaching such beauty make the effort worthwhile. When standing atop the mountain, the glistening lake reflecting the sunlight paired with the backdrop of mountain ranges earns it the title of Taiwan’s most beautiful mountain scenery, attracting countless hikers to make this pilgrimage among the Hundred Peaks.
Recommended hiking spot in Taiwan – Lake Jiaming. (Photo / Tripbaa, Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
“The mountain is always there!” This famous hiking motto reminds us that what we might lack is merely the courage to take that first step. The moving forest landscapes shaped over tens of thousands of years, the ever-changing vast sceneries, and the enchanting sights waiting around the next corner—these priceless treasures are calling us. How many of Taiwan’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains have you conquered? Perhaps, at this moment, you’ve made a wish in your heart. Step out and speak to the mountain. Awaken your hiking spirit, because the mountain is always waiting for you.
[Authorized Repost from Tripbaa] Original article from [Top 10 Taiwanese Mountains Every Hiker Must Climb]
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