Taiwan offers much more than Taipei 101, historic streets, and delicious food. For travelers seeking a unique experience, Taiwan’s intermediate mountains provide an extraordinary alternative. These mid-sized peaks, standing between 1,000 and 3,000 meters, hold vast wilderness that remains largely unexplored.
While many tourists focus on Taiwan’s towering high peaks or the easily accessible bluffs near cities, Taiwan’s intermediate mountains cover nearly 45% of the island’s rugged terrain. However, they receive far fewer visitors. These mountains, characterized by steep slopes and dense vegetation, demand stamina, navigation skills, and a spirit for adventure.
Mountaineer Tsui Tsu-hsi, known as “Icey,” has spent over thirty years exploring these areas. He believes Taiwan’s intermediate mountains contain some of the island’s most magnificent landscapes, rich ecosystems, and important cultural sites. Unlike the crowded Top 100 Peaks, these mid-sized mountains offer solitude and raw nature.
Taiwan’s topography shapes the challenge. Unlike high mountains with well-marked trails and ridgelines, intermediate peaks are bulky and spread apart. Routes often require long, strenuous days, and hikers must navigate rugged valleys carved by fast-flowing rivers. Water shapes every contour here, making each hike unpredictable.
Moreover, Taiwan’s intermediate mountains host rare species in their humid cloud forests. Mist frequently cloaks these areas, creating magical “seas of clouds.” Forests here shelter Taiwan’s red and yellow cypress, along with the towering Taiwania trees. The diverse plant life rivals famous places like Japan’s Yakushima Island but remains less known.
Historically, indigenous communities lived in these mountains, forging cultures deeply linked to the land. However, conflicts during Qing Dynasty and Japanese rule displaced many people. Logging in the 20th century further disturbed the wilderness. Only after bans on old-growth logging in the 1980s did these mountains start reclaiming their wild character.
Today, hikers who visit Taiwan’s intermediate mountains face real challenges. Trails fade into animal paths, requiring expert map reading and climbing skills. The journey may include encounters with hornets, leeches, and wild boars. Despite these risks, the thrill of raw nature draws experienced adventurers back again and again.
For newcomers, some peaks like Mt. Beichatian or Mt. Shuishe offer manageable introductions. More advanced hikers can explore remote areas such as Mt. Luomen or Mt. Pingye for true wilderness experiences. Taiwan’s intermediate mountains await those ready to step off the beaten path.
In conclusion, Taiwan’s intermediate mountains provide a powerful reason to explore the island beyond its popular attractions. Their wild landscapes, rich ecology, and cultural history make them a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
