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  • Temperature:13 ℃
  • PoP:20%

Mt. Hehuan West Peak

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  • Last Updated:2024-11-22
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  • Mt. Hehuan West Peak Trail
  • Xiaofengkou Snow Scenery
Information
ManagementMt. Hehuan Service Station
Trail LevelGrade 4
Altitude3145Meter
The length of the trail6700Meter
Needed time 10-13 hours (out-and-back)
Remark1. Mt. Hehuan North Peak is en route to Mt. Hehuan West Peak. However, please note that the hike from Xiaofengkou to Mt. Hehuan West Peak and back takes roughly 10-13 hours. Please exercise caution.
2. Hikers do NOT need a Mountain Access Permit for the trail: this policy is as of February 2020.
3. The Mt. Hehuan West Peak Trail is a long, difficult and physically demanding trail, so please assess your physical condition and bring a headlamp, enough water and food with you. Please exercise caution.
4. Camping and cooking are prohibited, so please adhere to the National Park Act to avoid penalties for violations.
AddressMAP
Phone Number04-25991195

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.

Resources

Service Facitilies
Apron.
Traffic Information
BusThere is no direct public bus can reach to Xiaofengkou.
1. From East Taiwan: From Hualien Train Station or Taroko National Park Headquarters take Ubus #1141 (only serviced once daily) to Lishan alight at Dayuling station. Please confirm the bus timetable ahead in case of any changes. Ubus Phone Number: 03-8310192.
**NOTE: The 1141 bus service was suspended after the 403 Earthquake in 2024.
2. From Dayuling (at 41.5 km) to the trailhead at 36.9 km on Provincial Highway 14A (14Jia) walking times requires about an hour and 30 minutes/4.6 km. Hitchhike is not uncommon.
3. From Taichung (Eastbound), west Taiwan: A series of 3 buses connects Taichung via Songxue Lodge to Xiaofengkou. Leg 1: Taichung bus station – Puli (Nantou Buses #6670 via Taichung HSR Station (Taichung – Puli), 70 mins); Leg 2: Puli – Qingjing Farm (Nantou Bus #6658, 70 mins); Leg 3: Qingjing Farm – Xiaofengkou (Nantou Bus #6658A, 1 hr). Nantou Bus Company recommends visitors to take Bus #6670 leaving Taichung Gancheng Bus Station at 08:20 and 11:15 (Taichung HSR Station at 08:40 and 11:35 respectively) to be able to reach Songxue Lodge at 11:50 and 15:30 respectively and to the final stop at Xiaofengkou at 12:00 and 15:40 respectively. Sample itineraries are available from #iBus Info System, and please check Route Search/ Search by Bus Operator Nantou Bus #6670, #6658, and 6658A. Or #Nantou Bus Company website (Chinese version only). Please confirm the above schedules directly with Nantou Bus Company in case of any recent changes. Nantou Bus 6658A reservation telephone: +886-49-2984031 ext. #17. No bikes are allowed to the 20-sitter bus.
3. There is no lodging available at Xiaofengkou. (Mt. Hehuan Service Station) The nearest lodging is at Songxue Lodge (3150 m). #Room Booking, #Suggestion Box, TEL:+886-49-2802980.

DrivingThe trailhead is located at the 36.9 km marker on Provincial Highway 14A (14 Jia). The trailhead can be reached from Taroko by taking first the Provincial Highway 8 westwards and then taking the left fork at Dayuling. The drive will take roughly 3 hours.
ParkingParking is available at Xiaofengkou (Mt. Hehuan Service Station). If the upper parking lot is full, the lower parking lot will be made available. Xiaofengkou parking lot is about 300 meter west trailhead of Mt. Hehuan North and West Peak.