Xueshan Trekking Made Easy: Your Comprehensive Guide to Taiwan's 2nd Highest Peak
Nestled in central Taiwan, Xueshan, aka Snow Mountain or Mt. Silvia, is a must-visit hiking gem known for its captivating glacial cirque and breathtaking landscape. At 3,886 meters, it offers stunning vistas, lush Taiwan White Fir forests, and the highest alpine lake in Taiwan.
Xueshan's ever-changing beauty, from snow in winter to vibrant rhododendrons in spring, makes it unforgettable. Whether you seek solitude in nature or a thrilling mountain challenge, Xueshan delivers, inviting you to explore Taiwan's stunning highlands.
I want to thank my hiking friends, Huang Jianping, Acer Lee, and Huang Jiachun, for letting me use their photos, especially Mt. Huang. Most photos here were taken by him, including the those to the beautiful Cuei Pond.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that a few of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you decide to use them, I'll earn a little commission without any extra cost to you. Your support is greatly appreciated! Cheers, Anusha
Table of Contents:
- The Most Popular Route: Xueshan Main and East Peak
- Extra Hike from Xueshan Main Peak to Cuei Pond, and Different Trail Routes
- How to Get to Xueshan/Wuling Farm, Accommodations, and Map/GPX Data
- Essential Gear and Clothing for A Safe and Successful Hike, Including Snow Season
- How to Apply for Hiking Permits at Shei-Pa National Park: Advanced and Regular Applications
- About Snow Mountain (Xueshan) and Shei-Pa National Park
- Related Posts
The Most Popular Route: Xueshan Main and East Peak
Distance: 21.8 km (13.5 miles)
Route type: Out and back
Days/Hours Needed: Pond: 2 days (some hikers do this in one day)
Total Ascent/Descent: 1,718m/1,674m
Snow Season Requirements: This trail is good to hike all year round. Yet, the snow season often starts from mid-December/January to March. Shei-Pa National Park requires training and extra gear if you hike in the snow season.
Permits: Required. Check permit appliction section.
Additional Information: Before your hike, please check Shei-Pa National Park Climbing Forums 雪霸國家公園登山資訊分享站 to see if the trail is open or other things that you need to know.
Difficulty Level:
Route type: Out and back
Days/Hours Needed: Pond: 2 days (some hikers do this in one day)
Total Ascent/Descent: 1,718m/1,674m
Snow Season Requirements: This trail is good to hike all year round. Yet, the snow season often starts from mid-December/January to March. Shei-Pa National Park requires training and extra gear if you hike in the snow season.
Permits: Required. Check permit appliction section.
Additional Information: Before your hike, please check Shei-Pa National Park Climbing Forums 雪霸國家公園登山資訊分享站 to see if the trail is open or other things that you need to know.
Difficulty Level:
Peaks or Places to Reach
- Mt. Xue, Xueshan, Mt. Snow, or Mt. Sylvia Main Peak 雪山主峰, 3,886 meters (12,749 feet) above sea level.
- Mt. Xue East Peak, Xueshan East Peak 雪山東峰, 3,201 meters (10,502 feet) above sea level.
Day 1 Brief itinerary: Xueshan Trailhead (0 km, 2,140 m) ➔ Qika Cabin (2 km, 2,510 m) ➔ Ku Po (4 km, m) ➔ Xueshan East Peak (5.2 km, 3,199 m) ➔ Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite (7.1 km, 3,150 m)
Day 2 Brief itinerary: Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite (leave at 3:30 am) ➔ Xueshan Glacial Cirques (9.8 km, 3,500 m) ➔ Xueshan Main Peak (10.9 km, 3,866 m) ➔ Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite ➔ Xueshan East Peak ➔ Ku Po ➔ Qika Cabin ➔ Xueshan Trailhead
A Cute Cabin at Xueshan Trailhead
This route is also called the East Xue Trail 雪東線. You will find a cute wooden cabin at Xueshan Trailhead. Every hiker has to watch a short video about Xueshan and the environment. Wuling Farm opened a new shop here in August 2020. You can get a coffee or souvenirs.
Then, you can't miss the iconic reservoir behind the trailhead cabin. This reservoir was for the aggregation of the farms nearby. After hiking to Xueshan became popular, Wuling Farm removed the farms and built parking lots. This reservoir was kept and later became a tourist attraction. (Hint: it's not big.)
If you only want to take photos without hiking, please ask the staff first.
The Xueshan trail is easy to recognize, and soon, you will reach Qika Cabin at 2 km. Quka Cabin is big.
Located 2 km on the Xueshan Trail with an elevation of 2,510 meters (8,235 feet), Qika can accommodate 106 people in the cabin and 30 people at the campsite. There is a water source, bio-toilets, and decent phone signals.
After the steep ascending, you will see an observation deck 4 km, Ku Po Observation Deck. Ku Po literally means Crying Slope in Chinese so that you can foresee the more challenging climbing ahead.
Ku Po is a slope with giant boulders. Please take your time and climb with caution. When I first climbed here, I thought it wasn't too bad.
From here, it's the ridgeline hike. The views are great when the weather is good.
Xueshan East Peak, View of Turtle Island, Quadruple Mountains and More
Then, here comes the first 100 Peaks of this hike: Xueshan East Peak, at 5.2 km. It takes around one and a half hours from Ku Po deck to the east peak.
The views are wonderful here. A helipad is near here.
You can see Sanliujiu Cabin (369 Cabin) and Xueshan Glacial Cirques from here, too.
It takes around one hour from Xueshan East Peak to Sanliujiu Campsite, with more stunning views.
Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite
Finally, the Sanliujiu Cabin is at 7.1 km.
Due to the renovation, hikers cannot get inside the cabin. Yet, you can enjoy the fantastic views, like seeing Mt. Pintian and other Wuling Quadruple Mountains from Sanliujiu,
Turtle Island in the distant Pacific Ocean,
Mt. Nanhu and more.
When I hiked to Sanliujiu Cabin in 2017, we experienced thundershowers and pouring rain. The water went inside the cabin, and the floor was flooded. It felt like a typhoon hitting the fragile house. Needless to say, the rain, the endless noise, and snoring gave me a sleepless night.
Now, hikers stay at one-person tents at Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite. I haven't tried that yet, but I assume your sleeping quality might improve if you stay warm enough.
Some hikers say the footpath to the temp campsite is challenging to walk. Please pay attention when you get there.
Start Early to Xueshan Main Peak
As to the next day's hike, many hikers will get up around 2 a.m. and head to Xueshan at 3 to start their journey to Xueshan, which means you will be woken up anyway unless you have a strong heart. It takes around 3 hours from Sanliujiu Cabin to Xueshan Main Peak.
Important:There is a junction near Sanliujiu Cabin, and one trail goes to Mt. Kailantekun 凱蘭特昆山. Pay extra attention if you hike in the dark.
Hikers go through the Taiwan White Fir Forest in the dark. This forest is called Black Forest 黑森林 here in Taiwan. There is a junction going to Mt. Kalantekun Mountain North Peak. Please pay attention to your track.
The famous Xueshan Glacial Cirques is at 9.8 km with an elevation of 3,500 meters. This place is stunning.
Then comes the second-highest peak in Taiwan, Xueshan, at 10.9 km with an elevation of 3,886 meters.
After taking a break at Sanliujiu, you can pack and take the same way back to Xueshan Trailhead and Wuling Farm.
Extra Hike from Xueshan Main Peak to Cuei Pond 翠池, and Different Trail Routes
The Highest Alpine Lake in Taiwan: Cuei Pond, also spelled as Cui or Ts'ui Pond
Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles)
Route type: Out and back
Days/Hours Needed: Pond: 3 days
Total Ascent/Descent: 2,456m/2,459m
Snow Season Requirements: This trail is good to hike all year round. Yet, the snow season often starts from mid-December/January to March. Shei-Pa National Park requires training and extra gear if you hike in the snow season.
Permits: Required. Check permit appliction section.
Additional Information: If you do this route, you must carry everything from Sanliujiu Campsite to Cuei Pond and return. Check Shei-Pa National Park Climbing Forums 雪霸國家公園登山資訊分享站 before your hike.
Difficulty Level:
Route type: Out and back
Days/Hours Needed: Pond: 3 days
Total Ascent/Descent: 2,456m/2,459m
Snow Season Requirements: This trail is good to hike all year round. Yet, the snow season often starts from mid-December/January to March. Shei-Pa National Park requires training and extra gear if you hike in the snow season.
Permits: Required. Check permit appliction section.
Additional Information: If you do this route, you must carry everything from Sanliujiu Campsite to Cuei Pond and return. Check Shei-Pa National Park Climbing Forums 雪霸國家公園登山資訊分享站 before your hike.
Difficulty Level:
Day 1 Brief itinerary: Trailhead (0 km, 2,140 m) ➔ Qika Cabin (2 km, 2,510 m) ➔ Ku Po (4 km, m) ➔ Xueshan East Peak (5.2 km, 3,199 m) ➔ Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite (7.1 km, 3,150 m)
Day 2 Brief itinerary: Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite (leave at 3:30 am) ➔ Xueshan Glacial Cirques (9.8 km, 3,500 m) ➔ Xueshan Main Peak (10.9 km, 3,866 m) ➔ Junction (distance: 0.4 km, 3,804 m) ➔ Cuei Pond and Cabin (distance: 1.2 km, 3,510 m)
Day 3 Brief itinerary: Cuei Pond and Cabin ➔ Junction ➔ Xueshan Main Peak ➔ Xueshan Glacial Cirques ➔ Sanliujiu Temporary Campsite ➔ Xueshan East Peak ➔ Ku Po ➔ Qika Cabin ➔ Xueshan Trailhead
The junction to Cuei Pond is about 20 minutes from Xueshan Main Peak toward the north. From there comes a steep descent on the scrambled boulders.
It takes around one and a half hours to get to Cuei Pond and the highest alpine lake, Cuei Pond.
About Cuei Pond:
According to the National Park Service Ministry of the Interior website, Cuei Pond is a tarn, a small mountain lake or pond, typically found nestled in a steep, bowl-shaped area formed by glaciers called a cirque.
The width of Cuei Pond is less than 30 meters (98 feet), and sitting by the pond is a lovely escape for hikers.
Hikers who visited Cuei Pond before July 2021 would see a small earth god temple, the highest one in Taiwan, by the side of the highest alpine lake, Cuei Pond. However, Shei-Pa National Park relocated this temple to a lower altitude in fear of possible forest fire.
You will see the fantastic Single-seed Juniper 玉山圓柏 around here. Those stunning trees are largely distributed in the alpine tundra more than 3,400 meters above sea level. They are a major member of the dwarf shrub that grows above the timberline and are extremely important to soil and water conservation.
When striving to adapt to a harsh natural environment, some that grow on the slopes exposed to the cutting winds shape in various postures at high mountains, like the famous one near Mt. Xiangyang.
The hike extended to Cuei Pond is more challenging, but the landscape and views are stunning and worth visiting.
About Cuei Pond Hut/Campsite 翠池山屋/營地
With an elevation of 3,510 meters (11,516 feet), Cuei Pond Hut can accommodate 12 hikers and the campsite 20. The phone signal is not good. Hikers can draw water from Cuei Pond and filter the water.
The phone reception is not good here. Those with permits to stay at Cuei Pond take the beds according to the issued numbers.
Other More Challenging Routes -Zhijiayang Xueshan Route 志佳陽雪山線
In 1915, during the Japanese era, a survey team led by Kazuhiro Izutsu 財津久平 ventured from Pyanan Village (now Nanshan Village 南山村) through the Puyuma Saddle (now Siyuan Saddle 思源啞口), Chi Jia Yang Village (now Sqoyaw or Huanshan Village 環山部落) to Mt. Zhijiayang (3,345 meters/10,974 feet) and finished the survey.
Since then, this route became a major one to explore Xueshan till the 1970s. The new route replaced this route, the current Xueshan Major and East Peak route, in the 1970s. Some hikers still take the Chijiayang Route to enjoy the rugged terrain and stunning landscape.
This route takes at least 3 days.
Other More Challenging Routes - Holy Ridge (Shengleng) Trail Route
In 1927, the renowned Japanese mountaineer Numai Tetsutaro 沼井鐵太郎 made the first ascent of the majestic Dabajian Mountain in Taiwan. As he stood on the summit, gazing southward at the winding, dragon-like ridge that stretched all the way to the pinnacle of Xueshan, he couldn't help but exclaim, "This holy ridge! Who can truly complete the traverse from Dabajian to Xueshan, don the crown of victory, and narrate the genuine beauty of this first-ever achievement?"
Three years later, he fulfilled his dream by conquering this Holy Ridge, and the name Holy Ridge or Sheng Leng in Chinese has endured ever since.
Holy Ridgeline Trail has 3 routes: Y Route, I Route, and O Route (loop), ranging from 5 to 9 days. There are several strenuous sections. Those routes are only for very seasoned and fit hikers. I love solo hikes, but I don't recommend doing solo hikes on the Holy Ridge.
How to Get to Xueshan/Wuling Farm, Accommodations, and Map/GPX Data
Xueshan/Wuling Farm Free Bus Guide
Here's a flowchart about how you get to Wuling Farm or the trailhead.
You take Kuokuang Bus 1751 from Yilan Transfer Station, or Kuokuang Bus 1764 from Luodong Transfer Station, and get off at Wuling Visitor Center.
I also have a detailed free guide with the trains, buses, and the links to the stations/stops to Xueshan/Wuling Farm on Gumroad. Or click the image below.
How to Buy Wuling Farm E-Ticket Online
Whether you drive or take a bus, you must purchase a ticket to visit Wuling Farm. To save time, you can purchase a Wuling Farm e-ticket online. However, the e-ticket doesn't have an English version, and you must leave a cellphone number.
So, if it's too much hassle, you can still buy the admission ticket at the booth when you arrive.
GPX Track
The following track includes hike to Cuei Pond.
Route map for Xueshan Main East And Cuei Pond Updated by Anusha Lee on plotaroute.com
Click Menu in the map to download, print, or share the map.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click
to change the speed to meet your condition.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click
to change the speed to meet your condition.
Essential Gear and Clothing for A Safe and Successful Hike, Including Snow Season
Gear List during Non-snow Season
Taiwan is a tropical island, but the high mountain areas are still freezing cold. As the altitude increases, the temperature decreases. See the following graphic for the relationship between altitude and temperature.
Other factors, including wind chill and rain, will decrease the temperature even more. Please dress in layers and prepare warm clothing (including a warm hat) when you do high mountain hikes in Taiwan.
A rain jacket and rain pants are a must. Wearing a poncho is not recommended because of the terrain. You need to see your feet on the rough terrain.
Gear for Snow Season
The snow season is usually between mid-December/January and March. Shei-Park National Park has requirements for hikers during snow season.
The gear list from Shei-Pa National Park during snow season: a helmet, hiking boots and crampons (at least 10 points), gaiters, an ice axe, a headlamp, snow goggles, warm & waterproof clothing, wool socks, waterproof gloves, and other essentials.
Altitude Sickness
Acute mountain sickness is a severe threat to all hikers, whether you are new or a seasoned hiker. It can happen when we travel at higher altitudes, usually above 2,400 meters (8,000 feet).
The United States Government's website, Medline Plus, has a detailed article about acute mountain sickness. Please read it carefully before your travel. This illness also has alternative names, according to Medine Plus: High altitude cerebral edema, Altitude anoxia, Altitude sickness, Mountain sickness, and High-altitude pulmonary edema.
Emergency Contact Information
You must leave at least two emergency contacts: one who is your family member and the other (emergency coordinator on the permit application form) who fully understands the trail and mountains you will hike.
Unless your family member knows the trail and mountains you will hike, please do not leave both as the same person.
Safety and Health Tips
I have two posts: Things to Know Before Hiking in Taiwan and What to Do when Getting Lost on the Trail in Taiwan. Please read them before you do any trails, especially if you have never hiked in Taiwan.
How to Apply for Hiking Permits at Shei-Pa National Park: Advanced and Regular Applications
Only Qika Cabin Is Available for Advanced Applicants
Sanliujiu Cabin (369 Cabin) is under renovation, and the new cabin might be finished in 2025. Now, Shei-Pa National Park provides a temporary campsite that accommodates 24 hikers. Yet, this campsite is only available for regular applications. The advanced applications can only apply for Qika Cabin.
I don't recommend stay at Qika on day 1, unless you do a three-day hike. The distance from the trailhead to Qika Cabin is only 2 km, and easy to hike. However, it is challenging to hike from Qika Cabin to Xueshan Main Peak and back to Qika Cabin.
Moreover, what's the point for you to stay at Qika Cabin for one night and walk 2 km to the trailhead? Unless you plan to walk to the Wuling Farm Visitor Center.
The most suitable itinerary will be staying at 369 Temporary Campsite, which means you must go through the standard application process, and you may not get one. It's first come, first serve.
Only Need to Apply for Park Permits
Shei-Pa National Park scraped the requirements of applying for the Police Mountain Permits. Hikers only need to apply for the Park Permits.
Here is the Shei-Pa National Park application website.
Please note that the Advanced Applications are only for hiking Xue Mountain (Xueshan) Trail and Daba Peaks (Mt. Dabajian) Trail.
You can download my guide "How to plan and apply for hiking permits in Taiwan" by clicking the image below for details.
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About the Names of Snow Mountain (Xueshan) and Shei-Pa National Park
Xueshan might be the mountain that owns the most different names in Taiwan. Here's a brief list of where those names came from, according to a hiking database website, Hiking Biji.
From the Indigenous Atayal People
The Snow Mountain region has been a hunting ground for the indigenous Atayal people, who have various names for it.
Babo Hagai 巴布哈蓋山 or Hagai 哈蓋山 is used by the Atayal people living on the eastern slopes of Snow Mountain. "Babo" means big mountain, and "Hagai" refers to snow collapses (I assume they refer to avalanches.)
In the Atayal language, Snow Mountain is also known as "Mahamayan 馬哈馬顏山," which can be translated as "Mahamayan Mountain."
On the western slopes of Snow Mountain, the Atayal people of the Beishi tribe 北勢部族泰雅族 call it "Sekoan," meaning "rock wall furrows." It's phonetically translated as "Xuegaoweng" and later simplified to "Xueweng Mountain" or "Snow Mountain."
From the Qing Dynasty
Many government officials at that time were impressed by this snow-capped mountain. The then-Miaoli County governor, Shen Mao Yin 沈茂蔭, amazed by the remaining snow in summer, depicted this splendid view as the eighth most famous scenery in Miaoli.
In 1893, during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Shen Maoyin 沈茂蔭, the governor of Miaoli at the time, depicted Snow Mountain as the fifth of "Eight Scenic Views of Miaoli" by writing "Yu Shan Ji Xue 玉山霽雪," literally meaning glistening snow that made the mountain look like jade. The Jade Mountain here refers to Snow Mountain or Xueshan, not Yushan.
From the British Captain
In 1867, while passing through Taiwan's waters, the British warship HMS Sylvia reportedly spotted the towering Snow Mountain. The ship's captain named the mountain "Sylvia." In early Western literature, it was referred to as Mt. Sylvia.
From the Japanese Colonial Period
During the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan in 1915, surveyors, including Hisakatsu Toshitsune 財津久平, successfully reached the summit of Snow Mountain's main peak via the eastern ridge of the East Peak. They measured its height as 12,972 feet, discovering it was taller than Japan's Mount Fuji.
In 1923, Prince Hirohito (Emperor Showa) visited Taiwan and named Snow Mountain the "Second Highest Mountain in Taiwan 次高山" just after Mount Jade (Yushan, the New Highest Mountain). The long-gone Second Highest Shrine was established at the summit, with a shrine gate and torii.
I hope you enjoy this post. Have you hiked Xueshan or Cuei Pond? Or even more challenging hikes like Holy Ridge? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.
Disclaimer:
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Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
All content provided is for inspirational and informational purposes only. Creating, using, hiking, or traveling with Taiwan Hikes' suggested services or itineraries is at your own risk. Please use your best judgment and follow all safety precautions, as Taiwan Hikes and Anusha Lee are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from using this information.
Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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