Note: The Mt. Hehuan West Peak Trail extends beyond the Mt. Hehuan North Peak Trail at Mt. Hehuan North Peak.
Trail introduction
The trail entrance of Mt. Hehuan North Peak and Mt. Hehuan West Peak is located at the 36.9 km marker on Provincial Highway 14A (14Jia). Hikers can park at Xiaofengkou and walk from there to the trail entrance, which is easy recognizable from the information plaque. Following the ridgeline northwards, hikers can reach the Mt. Hehuan North Peak Triangulation Station in 1-1.5 hours. Further along the ridgeline towards the west, it takes a further 3.5-4.5 hours to reach the West Peak Triangulation Station. The first section of trail, from the trailhead to Mt. Hehuan North Peak, is steep. Rhododendrons flourish within this section and bloom between May to June every year. Trees are mostly absent, so adequate sun protection is needed in sunny weather. On the other hand, the Hehuan mountain range is particularly prone to thick fog in the afternoon. Because hikers often lose the trail near the summit of the mountain during such inclement weather, the best times to hike this trail is before noon or when the weather is good and stable.
Note:
The Hehuan West Peak Trail takes 10-13 hours for a round trip, with at least 6-7 hours required to walk from the Mt. Hehuan West Peak Triangulation Station back to the trailhead by the highway. Please evaluate your physical condition before attempting this hike, as most of the trail terrain is very steep. From Hehuan North Peak to Hehuan West Peak, there are numerous steep ascents and descents, making the hike quite exhausting.
Consider the weather, time, and your own physical condition before embarking on this hike to avoid issues such as inadequate warm clothing, insufficient drinking water and food, and lack of physical strength. Many hikers on this trail have experienced problems due to insufficient physical preparation and loss of body heat.
Please note that camping and cooking are prohibited in the Hehuan Mountain area. Please follow the regulations of the National Park Act to avoid penalties for violations.
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