South Section 2 南二段: A 7-Day Thru-Hike in Taiwan's Central Mountain Range
South Section 2 of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range, known locally as Nan Er Duan (南二段), is a remote 7-day high-mountain traverse from Xiangyang to Dongpu. The approximately 89-kilometer route passes Jiaming Lake, crosses nine of Taiwan's 100 Peaks, and eventually joins part of the Japanese-era Batongguan Traversing Trail.
Unlike many long mountain traverses in Taiwan, cabins are available along the route, so hikers who successfully obtain all the required cabin reservations may not need to carry a tent. However, long days, limited water, changing weather, and several remote sections make this a route for experienced and well-prepared hikers.
I completed this challenging trek in November 2025 and was awed by the spectacular landscapes, diverse vegetation, and the hike itself. However, I also had a close encounter during the journey, and I hope you can learn from my mistakes.
Disclaimer
Table of Contents:
Trail Information: South Section 2 at a Glance and Cabins
Trail Name: South Section 2 of the Central Mountain Range, Nan Er Duan 南二段
Distance: 89.3 km (55.5 miles)
Route type: Point-to-point
Ascent/Descent: m/m 待查
Permits: Both park and police permits are required.
Difficulty Level:
Distance: 89.3 km (55.5 miles)
Route type: Point-to-point
Ascent/Descent: m/m 待查
Permits: Both park and police permits are required.
Difficulty Level:
Peaks to Reach (10 of them are listed in Taiwan's 100 Peaks.)
- Mt. Siangyang 向陽山, 3,602 meters, Class 3 Triangulation Stone
- Mt. Sancha 三叉山, 3,496 meters, Class 1 Triangulation Stone
- Jiaming Lake 嘉明湖: 3,310 meters, a popular hiking destination in Taiwan that is worth visiting.
- Mt. Nanshuangtou (South Shuangtou Mountain) 南雙頭山, 3,356 meters, not listed in the 100 Peaks.
- Yufeng (Yuan Peak) 雲峰, 3,564 meters, Class 2 Triangulation Stone
- Mt. Lulu 轆轆山, 3,279 meters, Class 3 Triangulation Stone
- Mt. Tafen 塔芬山, 3,090 meters, Class 2 Triangulation Stone
- Mt. Dafenjian 達芬尖山, 3,208 meters
- Mt. Nandashuiku (South Dashuiku Mountain) 南大水窟山, 3,381 meters, not listed in the 100 Peaks.
- Mt. Dashuiku 大水窟山, 3,642 meters
- Mt. Xiuguluan 秀姑巒山, 3,825 meters. Mt. Xiuguluan is actually not in the South Section 2, and is listed in the Mabolasi Crossing Trail (Mabolasi Traversing Trail) 馬博橫斷. We included this in our South Section 2 hike.
- Mt. Batongguan 八通關山, 3,335 meters
Cabins to Stay
- Siangyang Cabin 向陽山屋: elevation: 2,850 meters, capacity: 70 people. When doing the South Section 2 hike, hikers usually don't stay at the Jiaming Lake Cabin 嘉明湖山屋. Phone signals are good at both cabins.
- Lakuyin River Cabin 拉庫音溪底山屋: elevation: 2,690 meters, capacity: 20 people. Phone signal is patchy.
- Lulu Valley Cabin (Lulugu Cabin) 轆轆谷山屋: elevation: 2,991 meters, capacity: 20 people. No phone signal inside the cabin, and it is patchy at the front door. There is a river by the cabin.
- Tafen Valley Cabin (Tafengu Cabin) 塔芬谷山屋: elevation: 2,605 meters, capacity: 20 people. No phone signal inside the cabin, and it is patchy at the front door. Water tanks are available at the cabin, but the water might be low during droughts.
- Dashuiku Cabin 大水窟山屋: elevation: 3,227 meters, capacity: 20 people. No phone signals inside or outside of the cabin. Water tanks are available at the cabin, but the water might be low during droughts.
- Baiyang Mine Cabin (Baiyangjinkuang Cabin) 白洋金礦山屋: elevation: 2,575 meters, capacity: 20 people. There's a campground here, too. No phone signal inside the cabin, and it is patchy at the front door. Water tanks are available at the cabin, but the water might be low during droughts.
- Jhongyang Mine Cabin (Jhongyangjinkuang Cabin) 中央金礦山屋: elevation: 2,823 meters, capacity: 20 people. No phone signal inside the cabin, and it is patchy at the front door.
- Guangao Cabin 觀高山屋: elevation: 2,575 meters, capacity: 42 people. Phone signal is patchy inside the cabin. It's much better at the junction.
- Lele Cabin 樂樂山屋: elevation: 1,670 meters, capacity: 12 people. Phone signal is patchy. There are water tanks at the cabin, but you can find water sources heading to the Dongpu side.
Additional Information:
- The trail to the famous Batongguan Grassland 八通關大草原 has become inaccessible due to numerous typhoons, earthquakes, and landslides. As a result, many hikers, including us, bypassed the old route and took a detour.
- We didn't stay in all the cabins mentioned above. Some hikers completed this hike in eight days or started from the Dongpu trailhead. We took the southern route, which is easier than the Dongpu side.
- 待決定
2026 Yushan Permit Application Guide 待決定要不要換
The hardest part of Yushan isn't the climb — it's the permit. My 2026 Yushan permit application guide walks you through the government site screen by screen, so you don't lose a date to a missed checkbox.
Planning a permit-free hike by bus?
Skip the research. This guide covers 41 relaxing, permit-free trails in every Taiwan county — with trailhead maps and the exact public transport to reach each one. Everything you need to just show up and hike.
Get all 41 trails + maps →Why Hike South Section 2, and Is This Hike Suitable for You?
Seven-Day Itinerary
2026 Yushan Permit Application Guide
The hardest part of Yushan isn't the climb — it's the permit. My 2026 Yushan permit application guide walks you through the government site screen by screen, so you don't lose a date to a missed checkbox.
Planning a permit-free hike by bus?
Skip the research. This guide covers 41 relaxing, permit-free trails in every Taiwan county — with trailhead maps and the exact public transport to reach each one. Everything you need to just show up and hike.
Get all 41 trails + maps →How to Apply for Permits to Hike South Section 2
Transportation and Weather
Shorter Hiking Option: Badashiu (八大秀)
2026 Yushan Permit Application Guide
The hardest part of Yushan isn't the climb — it's the permit. My 2026 Yushan permit application guide walks you through the government site screen by screen, so you don't lose a date to a missed checkbox.
Planning a permit-free hike by bus?
Skip the research. This guide covers 41 relaxing, permit-free trails in every Taiwan county — with trailhead maps and the exact public transport to reach each one. Everything you need to just show up and hike.
Get all 41 trails + maps →2026 Yushan Permit Application Guide
The hardest part of Yushan isn't the climb — it's the permit. My 2026 Yushan permit application guide walks you through the government site screen by screen, so you don't lose a date to a missed checkbox.
Planning a permit-free hike by bus?
Skip the research. This guide covers 41 relaxing, permit-free trails in every Taiwan county — with trailhead maps and the exact public transport to reach each one. Everything you need to just show up and hike.
Get all 41 trails + maps →