Hehuanshan, located in central Taiwan, is a paradise for hikers, offering some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the region. Known for its stunning peaks and sweeping views, this area is unique in that it provide relatively easy access to high-altitude hiking experiences, making it a popular destination for both seasoned trekkers (as well as beginners which can do 4 out of the 5 main peaks). In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to conquer these peaks, from planning your hike and understanding the trails to practical tips for staying safe and making the most of your adventure.
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The mountain range is home to several peaks that rise above 3,000 meters, with the five main peaks—Hehuan Main Peak, East Peak, North Peak, West Peak and Shimen Peak. There is also an extra peak (Hehuanshan point) if you have time, though this peak is not part of the official Baiyue list. They are all fairly easy, except the West Peak which we do not recommend for beginners!
Did you know? The Baiyue, or 100 Peaks of Taiwan, is a list of 100 mountain peaks in Taiwan above 3000m that are considered the most worth hiking. The list was created in 1971 by a group of Taiwanese hikers who chose the peaks based on criteria such as height, danger, uniqueness, beauty, and prominence.
IMPORTANT! As of this writing, no permit is required to hike Hehuanshan. Since the regulation constantly change, please double check that this requirement is still waived, as it wasn’t the cases a few years ago
Where is the Hehuanshan Moutain Range?
Hehuanshan is located in central Taiwan, straddling the boundary between Nantou County and Hualien County. The mountain range is part of the Central Mountain Range, which runs the length of Taiwan’s interior. It is situated near Taroko National Park. The closest town is QingJing Farm in Ren’ai township which is where we recommend you to stay (unless score one of the few spots at the lodge inside the National Park).
How many days do you need for hiking all 5 peaks?
We suggest 2 days and 2 nights to be comfortable hiking all 5 peaks and to not be exhausted from driving and hiking all day. If you are coming from Taichung or another closer location, you could do all of the hikes in 2 days and 1 night.
2 Day Itinerary of Hiking Hehuanshan
For your convenience, here is a map with all the places we mention in this article.
Here is a detailed itinerary that we used to hike all 5 Hehuanshan peaks. Feel free to adjust to meet your needs.
| Day | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | 3pm – Commute from Taipei to QingJing Farm with our rental car 8pm – Pick up dinner on our way in Puli Township 9pm – Check-in at the Dingdai Glass Villa |
| Day 1 | 8am – Breakfast at the Dingdai Glass Villa 8:30am – Pick up lunch and snacks at 7-11 9:30am – Arrive at Parking lot #1 to hike North peak & West peak (This was too late of a start in hindsight, we recommend to start at 7am if doing both peaks) 1pm – Lunch at North peak 4pm – Reach West peak 7pm – Back to Parking lot #1 8pm – Arrive back at Dingdai Glass Villa |
| Day 2 | 8am – Breakfast at the Dingdai Glass Villa 9am – Pick up lunch snack at 7-11 10am – Arrive at Parking lot #2a to climb Main peak 12pm – Arrive at Parking lot #2b 12pm – Lunch 1pm – Climb East Peak 3pm – Climb Shimenshan 4pm – Start drive back to Taipei 5pm – Stop for a snack at Patisserie a la Montagne 8pm – Dinner along the highway 10pm – Back in Taipei |
Details on hiking Hehuanshan
Due to the length and location of the 5 peaks, we suggest that you conquer each of the peaks in this specific configuration. You can switch day 1 and 2 if you have a long drive in the morning but since we stayed overnight for 2 nights, we wanted to do the longest day first.
Day 1 – North peak and West peak (approximately 15km, 8-12 hours total)
The North peak and the West peak are on the same trail. They are also the longest of all the trails so we suggest that you do it on your first day as it can easily take 8-12 hours to complete based on your fitness level.
Note that the West peak is extra challenging! If you are a beginner, we strongly suggest that you skip the West peak and only do the North peak. Start as early as you can and bring a headlamp in case you cannot finish before it gets dark. Make sure you pack enough water, at least 2 liters per person. You will encounter a few signs on the trails warning you about the difficulty of West peak. Because we had a late start, there were many local hikers that warned us to be careful and to consider turning around. Not all of us were able to finish West peak due to how challenging and long it was. If you start early, go prepared and are fit, you should have no problems.
Day 2 – Main peak, East peak, Shimen peak (approximately 8km, 4-6 hours total)
On the second day, start by hiking the Main peak. It’s a bit far from the parking lot so you will have to walk for 15-20 minutes to the start of the trail. It will take about 2 hours total to complete this hike. There’s a beautiful ridge walk to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains.
For the second half of the day, drive to the second parking lot and hike the East peak which also takes about 2 hours and afterwards, you can quickly climb Shimen peak which only takes about 1 hour round trip. It is the shortest of all of the Baiyue peaks and an easy one to check off the list!
Other things to do in Taiwan
If you want to extend your stay in Taiwan, here are some itinerary ideas:
- Discovering Taitung’s Secrets: A Cross-Generational Experience
- Slow Food in Taitung: our top recommendation to immerse yourself in Taiwanese food culture
Getting to Hehuanshan
The best way to get to Hehuanshan is by car so we highly suggest renting a car. You can check for available listing on Klook. (We suggest to pick up your car from Taipei, Taoyuan International Airport – TPE or Taichung Train Station).
It is technically possible to take public transportation but you won’t be able to fit in all 5 peaks within 2 days due to the bus schedule. Another option is to join a group tour which will arrange the transportation, lodging and guide you on the hike.
Where to Stay near Hehuanshan
Songsyue Lodge
There is a great lodge close to the hiking trails that provides the best location for this hike. However it is on a first come, first serve basis and your best chances of booking a room is by going on a weekday. These spots fill up within minutes so you have to be prepared on the day that the reservations open.
Pro-tip: you’ll need to first sign up, log in, then you’ll be able to book a spot in the dorms or for a private room anywhere from 4 to 30 days in advance. New rooms are released 30 days in advance every morning at 8am Taipei local time (GMT+8)
Even though we tried to be as prepared as possible, we failed to book our dorm spots. Instead we went for the more comfortable accommodation which turned out to be a completely fine alternative. Booking an accommodation in QingJing Farm adds a 45 minutes drive to and from the hiking trails everyday which is not too bad.
Dingdai Glass Villa
We stayed at the beautiful Dingdai Glass Villa. This is a wonderful guesthouse with some stunning views over the mountain that make for an amazing sunrise at 6:30am that we enjoyed each morning. The guesthouse offers a generous and filling local breakfast that includes tofu, noodles, vegetables, mushrooms, cabbage, tea and coffee. And you get to enjoy your breakfast with some of the best morning views you can imagine!
Here are alternatives guesthouses that you can consider as well:
- Qingjing Baiyun Resort – This resort is rated 8.5 on booking.com. It has a garden, wifi and offer rooms with private bathrooms and showers. Breakfast is included as well and offers a terrace for you to enjoy it.
- Shiyai Taoyuan – This property is rated 8.6 on booking.com. Room are furnished with hardwood floors and a classy decor. Breakfast is included and you can take it from their terrace.
- Tian Hsiang Tea B&B – This B&B is rated 9.1 on booking.com. Rooms comes with a FlatTV, a fan and some unit have view on their garden. For breakfast is known to include a fabulous breakfast.
- Zu Sin Garden B&B – This B&B is rated 7.9 on booking.com. Each room include a terrace where you can enjoy moutain view as well as garden view! Breakfast is also included.
Many of the lodgings looked quite similar so in the end, we booked based on availability, room type and price.
Where to Eat near Hehuanshan
Hakka restaurant in Puli
On our way to our Villa, we stopped in Puli to have dinner at this Hakka restaurant: 埔里美食 家味香客家廚房. This restaurant featured traditional dished such as chicken, tofu and vegetables.
Pâtisserie à la Montagne
We also found a gem of a French patisserie (Patisserie a la Montagne) on the way down that you don’t want to miss. It is called Patisserie a la Montagne and feature French caliber goods.
All of our other meals we packed for the trail. We mainly bought rice triangles, chicken breast, tea eggs and sweet potato at the 7-11 or Family Mart.
Cost of Trip to Hehuanshan in Taiwan
At under $300 for two peope, a trip to hike all the peaks in Hehuanshan is quite affordable and totally worth the money! Here is the breakdown of how much money we spent during this 2D/2N itinerary commuting from Taipei.
Note: We shared this trip with 3 other friends, so accommodation and car costs have been split accordingly which is making our share cheaper for the shared expenses
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| Category | Total Cost USD | Details (for 2 people) |
| Accommodation | $140.52 | 2 nights at Goose Nest guesthouse |
| Local Transportation | $88.93 | Rental car + gas + toll |
| Dining Out | $46.75 | 2 Lunches (snacks mostly) & 3 Dinners |
| Recreational Activities | $0 | Park access is free |
| Snacks | $3.84 | Sweet snacks |
| TOTAL | $280 | Total for 2 people |
Other Tips
- If you want to stay at the Songsyue Lodge, book 30 days in advance: As we said. reservations fill up fast, so try booking as soon as spots open. Practice using the booking system ahead of time, as it can be tricky.
- Get proper hiking gear: Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes and pack layers for changing weather. Include essentials like a down jacket, gloves, hat, trekking poles, and a 20-30L backpack.
- Train for high-altitude elevation hiking: Make sure you’ve practice high elevation hiking before doing these hike so you learn to recognize altitude sickness symptoms and make sure you are fit enough.
- Stay Hydrated and Fuel Up Regularly: Carry enough water and energy snacks to keep you going, especially if you attempt to get to the West peak.
Final Thoughts on the Itinerary for Hiking Hehuanshan
Climbing the Hehuanshan peaks is an excellent experience if you love hiking and are visiting Taiwan. The views are amazing, and on this journey, you will get the opportunity to enjoy various types of terrain and vistas. Plus, some of the B&Bs provide an amazing experience and views for you to enjoy during breakfast. It is one of the most comfortable experiences you can have climbing the peaks above 3000m.
What do you think of the Hehuanshan hike? Have you considered hiking all of them? Please leave us a comment, we’d love to hear from you.
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