Note:
Due to damage caused by Typhoon Kong-rey, only applications for entry from the Mt. Yangtou Trailhead to Mt. Yangtou and Mt. Bilu on a roundtrip route will be accepted for the Mt. Bilu Day Ascent and Bilu-Yangtou Traverse trails, starting January 3, 2025.
Trail introduction
The Bilu-Yangtou traverse usually begins at the entrance to the 820 Forest Road, adjacent to the north exit of the Mt. Hehuan Tunnel at Dayuling. This route will travel eastwards from Mt. Bilu to Mt. Yangtou, and descends roughly 700 m over the course of the traverse. Hikers can also choose to start at the 132.4 km marker of Provincial Highway 8 and travel westwards towards Dayuling; however, due to more stringent constraints on water sources, distances to available campgrounds, and overall hiking time, most hikers will prefer an eastward route. At the Bilu river on the 820 Forest Road, which is the last and only available water source en route, hikers should refill at least 2 liters of water for cooking and hiking to last the remaining portion of the traverse.
The combination of a heavy pack (food plus tents), 2+ liters of water, and steep terrain for the majority of the traverse will test a true hiker's endurance. Many hikers choose this route to relish the great wilderness. Upon reaching the ridgeline, hikers have the opportunity to put down their rucksacks and observe the panoramic view at the Mt. Bilu triangulation point adjacent to the trail. A campground is located five minutes past the junction.
Geology and Ecology
Mt. Bilu: 3371 m (elevation); #39 in the Taiwan baiyue (a list of Taiwan's 100 most spectacular mountains)
Mt. Yangtou: 3035 m (elevation); #98 in the Taiwan baiyue. Mt. Yangtou gets its namesake ("sheep's head") from the shape of the mountain, which resembles a sheep's head.
Mt. Ju: a series of 7 peaks stretching across 2 kilometers, with the highest peak at 3276 m elevation. As its name suggests, the series of peaks resembles a sawtooth. Mt. Ju is one of the "9 cliffs" of Taiwan's mountains. Its forests are primarily comprised of Taiwan fir (Abies kawakamii), with Yushan bamboo (Yushania niitakayamensis) interspersed among the trees.
Resources