Segment times are from my own track — my pace, not advice; guidebook times are transcribed verbatim from Sunriver Culture's step-time charts (Gaoshan Baiyue topographic maps), a public yardstick. Every station's position and name was checked by hand and aligned with Sunriver's naming, so names and elevations match what hikers actually call them. Route is for reference only.This route wasn't planned — it's a GPS-recorded log of my own hike in March 2025: the Nanhu peaks, a five-day traverse, seven Baiyue peaks, 54.6km actual distance, 5368m total elevation gain. A few things to note:
- Zhongyangjian wasn't open for this trip, but the other seven Baiyue peaks were all completed. The weather during this window was very good, with only patches of snow left — with the right boots and careful foot placement, traction spikes weren't strictly necessary, but I'd still recommend bringing them.
- It also happened to be snowmelt season, so with the changing conditions the trail wasn't always clearly defined, and some sections involved backtracking to find the way. So treat my GPX track as a reference only — go by the text descriptions and actual conditions on the ground, and don't follow my back-and-forth detours as if they were leg-day training!
- Taiwan's high mountain trips require an entry permit (Taroko National Park), and hut bunks are allocated by lottery — make sure everything is arranged before you set out.
- Wuyan Peak is rugged with steep climbs, an exposed trail, and strong wind, and some of the railing anchor points have come loose — wear a climbing helmet against falling rocks, and confirm each handhold is solid before moving.
- Day 03's Mabishan loop is a long way, with the return following the creek valley — start early and check your pace and supplies to avoid finishing in the dark; if you can manage the weight, bring a stove and fuel.
- On Day 04, at the junction toward the South Peak, take the roped trail on the right as you face the sign — we rushed and went left down the boulder-field slope instead, which was dangerous and unprofessional. Please don't make the same mistake.
- On the way back on Day 03, about 338 meters from the junction into the creek valley wasn't recorded due to a device power issue — that ground was definitely walked and the path is well-defined; it's been filled in using the OpenStreetMap trail network and clearly marked as such, the only non-recorded stretch in the whole trip. The length was measured from the timestamps in the exported file.
- This GPX keeps the original timestamps — that's the record of my own pace, not a suggested pace; hikers should judge by their own condition and the weather. The points without timestamps are the sections that weren't recorded and were filled in from the trail network — you don't need this note to tell them apart, the file itself makes the distinction.
The switch points between full pack and summit pack are at Yun Ling Mountain Hut and Nanhu Cabin. Actual conditions on the ground and the leader's instructions take priority over this record.
