[2025 Nantou Attraction] Travel Guide for Hehuanshan East Peak (Updated Jul)

Hehuan East Peak, 3,421 meters above sea level, is the second highest peak in the Hehuan Peaks. The trailhead is behind Songxue Tower, and the slope is steep. The drop from the trailhead to the summit is about 300 meters, and the round trip takes about 1.5-2 hours. The trail is 1.1 kilometers long, well-paved, and mainly consists of steps along the way. Hehuan Mountain has beautiful scenery, where you can see the sea of ​​clouds and the starry sky🌌 The trails have different seasons, and azaleas are in full bloom in spring🌺 Due to the gentle slope of the East Peak, it was used as a ski practice area in the early days. You can see the abandoned ski lift on the way up the mountain🚠 There may be snow on the trail in winter, so it is recommended to bring your own snow equipment such as snow boots and ice grippers. 🔸How to get there 1️⃣ Drive there 2️⃣ Nantou Bus operates three bus trips a day from the National Hotel to Xiaofengkou, passing through Songxue Tower. Since I was starting from Taipei, I chose the mountaineering carpooling group in the Facebook group. It is generally recommended to depart from Taichung and stay one night at Cingjing Farm Then make an appointment for a driver to take you directly to the Hehuanshan Tourist Service Center The trail to the ski resort is about 450 meters long. You can see the entrance to the Hehuan East Peak on the right side of the ski resort. *Some information comes from the official website of Taroko National Park #GlobalTravel

#summervacay Climbing Xueshan East Peak offers youthful trekkers a memorable alpine adventure: it’s a signature route into Taiwan’s high mountains, accessible yet rewarding, with dramatic views and strong community vibes. It’s ideal for those eager to earn a Baiyue in 2–3 days of well‑paced, thoughtfully prepared hiking. You would need to plan your transportation up there. #couplestrip #travel

Shimen Mountain and Hehuan East Peak The Hehuan Mountain range is considered one of the most accessible entry points for mountain hiking. Shimen Mountain features a gentle hiking trail that allows you to reach the summit in just half an hour. It's an easy way to enjoy stunning alpine scenery, with the round trip taking only about an hour. This makes it a great warm-up for tackling Hehuan East Peak. Hehuan East Peak stands at an elevation of 3,421 meters, making it the second-highest peak in the Hehuan Mountain range, surpassed only by Hehuan North Peak. Compared to Shimen Mountain, the trail to Hehuan East Peak is steeper and consists mostly of stairs, requiring a certain level of leg strength. The alpine rhododendrons along the way are mostly in a budding state.

Hehuan East Peak is about 3,421 meters above sea level. It is a relatively accessible peak among the Hehuan peaks and an excellent starting point for beginners to explore the 100 Great Mountains. This hike started at 8:30 in the morning. The weather was sometimes cloudy and sometimes sunny, and the air was filled with the freshness of dwarf arrow bamboo and mountain forest. Park the car at the Hehuan Mountain Lookout and walk to the back of Songxue Tower, where you can see the trail to the mountain entrance. The path along the way is clear, mostly made up of stairs and mountain paths intertwined. There are a lot of stairs. Although the journey is not long (about 1.2 kilometers one way), the stairs stretch to the horizon. Due to the high altitude, I still feel a little out of breath and my heartbeat accelerates when walking, which makes me pay more attention to my pace and breathing rhythm. When climbing alone, I can always hear my own breathing and heartbeat. As the altitude increases, the view gradually becomes wider. Surrounded by mountains, the Qilai Mountains and Hehuan North Peak in the distance are clearly visible. The moment you stand on the triangulation point of East Peak, you will be greeted by the cold mountain breeze and the magnificent sea of ​​clouds. The joy you feel from the bottom up will make you yearn for the mountains again and again. We took photos while walking, and the round trip took about two and a half hours. Although East Peak is not as good as the other 100 Great Mountains which require seven or eight hours to climb a thousand meters, the mountain is not high but the scenery is beautiful. East Peak may not be the most difficult of the 100 Great Mountains, but the tranquility and joy it brings me are definitely not inferior to any famous mountain.

📍 Location Located at the border of Ren'ai Township, Nantou County and Xiulin Township, Hualien County, in Taroko National Park ⸻ 🚗 Transportation • Driving by yourself: Starting from Taichung, take National Highway 6 to the Wushe diversion road, then take Provincial Highway 14 through Cingjing Farm, turn to Provincial Highway 14A to the Hehuanshan Visitor Center at 33 kilometers. The trailhead is located behind Songxue Tower.  • Public Transportation: Take the Nantou bus to Cingjing Farm, then take a shuttle bus or taxi to the Hehuan Mountain Visitor Center. Walk to the back of Songxue Tower to reach the trailhead. ⸻ 📝 Personal experience Hehuan Mountain East Peak, with an altitude of 3,421 meters, is numbered 35th among the 100 Peaks of Taiwan. It is the second highest peak in the Hehuan Group, second only to Hehuan Mountain North Peak.  The trailhead is located near the Hehuan Mountain Visitor Center at km 33 of Provincial Highway 14A. The trail is 1.1 km long and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours one way. Although the distance is short, the slope is steep, which is suitable for those with good physical strength and initial mountaineering experience.  There are wooden plank roads along the trail, along which you can enjoy alpine plants such as Yushan azalea and Taiwan fir. In spring, the mountaintops are dotted with a sea of ​​pink azalea flowers, creating a charming scene.  In addition, along the trail you can see the abandoned cable car transfer station of the former ski training ground, which is a witness to the history of this place.  After reaching the summit, you will have a broad view and can overlook the magnificent mountain scenery such as the Hehuan Peaks and Qilai Mountain. When the weather is clear, you can also see the main peaks of the northern section of the Central Mountain Range, such as Central Jianshan and Nanhu Dashan.  Due to the high altitude and changeable climate, it is recommended to bring warm clothing and pay attention to altitude symptoms. In winter, the trail may be covered with snow and the path may be slippery, so you need to bring snow equipment and assess your own ability before going.  Overall, Hehuan Mountain East Peak is an excellent choice for beginners of the 100 Great Mountains. Whether it is the natural scenery, historical relics, or mountaineering challenges, it can bring you an unforgettable experience. #AprilGoodDestinations2025

I stayed at Cingjing Chenxi Villa. I decided to stay there because the room rate was discounted. In fact, there are so many insects that mosquito swatters are useless. The room looked OK, I took some photos of the night view. the next day The light of dawn had just broken through the horizon, and the sky over Hehuan East Peak began to change from dark blue to soft pink and orange. There was a gentle breeze and the air was filled with a fresh mountain scent. At this quiet moment, the mountains are like sleeping giants, quietly waiting for the sunrise. As the sun slowly rises, golden sunlight shines on the mountain peaks, instantly lighting up the entire valley. The sunlight shines through the clouds, forming gorgeous beams of light, illuminating the hillside covered with rhododendrons. The rhododendrons look particularly beautiful in the morning light, and their red, pink and white petals are like a colorful painting, spreading across the green hillside. The sea of ​​rhododendrons on the East Peak of Hehuan Mountain seems like an endless ocean of flowers. Each flower blooms in the morning light, and the dewdrops on the petals sparkle in the sunlight, like countless crystal clear gems. When the wind blows, the sea of ​​flowers rises and falls like waves, emitting a faint floral fragrance that makes people feel relaxed and happy. #trip #relax #like

Hehuanshan is one of the best mountains to watch the sunrise. The sun will emerge from the mountain range. Along the road, there will be cars stopping to watch the sunrise, both private cars and tour buses. It is another highlight that if you come to Cingjing, you must watch the sunrise at Hehuanshan. The wind is cool and the grass is swaying. It is very beautiful. You can come by yourself or with a tour. #summerdream

This is our trip/tour last january 28,2024 at hehuanshan taiwan. It was really a nice experience because if you don’t know snow will fall at the highest part of the mountain here in taiwan so we need to travel atleast 2 hours from taichung city. Aside from the snow you can also visit na sheeps in the lower part of the mountain and it was an unforgettable experience, just need to buy some for the sheep so you can feed them. 🥰