Understanding Taiwan's Mountain Culture

Hehuanshan. Credit: 台灣阿成；Transferred from zh.wikipedia to Commons by Pbdragonwang using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14584119

Mountaineering in Taiwan isn’t merely recreation - it’s a form of cultural expression and national pride. The phrase “征服百岳” (conquering the hundred peaks) appears frequently in Taiwanese conversation, referring to a list of 100 major peaks above 3,000 metres compiled by Taiwanese mountaineers in 1970s. Completing this list represents a life achievement for many Taiwanese hikers, similar to how some Westerners might approach climbing all of Scotland’s Munros or America’s state highpoints.

This enthusiasm has historical roots. During Japanese colonial rule (1895-1945), systematic mountain surveys and the construction of trails opened Taiwan’s peaks to recreation. After 1949, when the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan, mountains became symbols of the island’s distinct identity and natural grandeur. Today, weekend hiking is a family activity, and you’ll encounter everyone from university students to retirees on popular trails.

For Western visitors, this presents both opportunity and consideration. Taiwan’s mountains are exceptionally well-maintained and accessible compared to peaks of similar altitude elsewhere in Asia, with established hut systems, regular patrols, and clear permit processes. However, this popularity means that some trails can be crowded, particularly during holidays and the autumn peak season. The culture of group hiking also means you’re likely to receive offers of food, encouragement, and trail advice from fellow hikers—an experience quite different from the solitary wilderness ethic common in parts of North America or Scandinavia.

One of the more surprising things about Taipei is how quickly the city disappears behind you — and the Taipei Grand Trail（台北大縱走） was built around exactly that idea. Launched in 2018 by the Taipei City Government, the trail stitches together several existing mountain paths into a single 130-kilometre route, connecting mountain ranges that ring the Taipei basin, from the volcanic highlands of Yangmingshan in the north to the tea plantations of Maokong in the south. The route is divided into eight sections, each accessible by public transport and completable in a single day, so there is no pressure to tackle it all at once — most visitors simply choose one or two sections that match their fitness and interests. The sections vary considerably in difficulty, with the Datunshan section widely regarded as the most demanding and the southern sections near Maokong offering a more accessible introduction — though whenever you go, avoid the summer months, when the heat and typhoon season make the ridgelines far less forgiving. Those who wish to track their progress can use the Hiking Note（健行筆記） app, which marks checkpoints along each section; completing all 56 checkpoints across the full trail qualifies hikers for an official certificate of completion from the city government. For more information about Taipei Grand Trail, please refer to the official website.

Last updated on April 8, 2026

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