Xueshan Main Peak Trail

Xueshan Main Peak Trail (also called Snow Mountain Main Peak Trail) is a high-altitude trek in Shei-Pa National Park in Taiwan, built around a summit push to Xueshan’s main peak (3,886 m). The reference distance for the main route is about 20.76 km, and the hike is commonly planned as an overnight itinerary (multi-day).

The standard approach runs from Wuling Farm area (trailhead near a ranger station at about 2,140 m) and uses two trail cabins as anchors: Qika Cabin at the ~2 km mark (around 2,400 m) and 369 Cabin around 7.1 km (about 3,100 m), where many hikers base for the summit day.

From the vicinity of 369 Cabin toward the summit, the route includes steep switchbacks with a named section called the Crying Slope and passes through a dense fir-tree stand referred to as the Black Forest before entering a large glacial cirque. The last approach is dominated by uphill switchbacks out of the cirque to reach the summit area.

Logistically, the trail is permit-gated inside Shei-Pa National Park: you need both an Entry Permit for Shei-Pa National Park and a Police Mountain Permit, which can involve a competitive lottery process and should be applied well ahead of your intended dates.

Timing is critical on Xueshan. Afternoon weather can shift quickly into fog and rain, and late starts can lead to a dangerous return in limited visibility; the trail has been the scene of rescues when hikers pushed on after adverse conditions and arrived late at key huts.

Expected effort is largely non-technical but serious due to altitude and sustained climbing/descending. Typical planning centers on 2–3 days total for the main trek, with summit attempts often starting before dawn so visibility and trail-finding remain manageable.

More information: Conditions, Wikipedia, Peaks to Parks: A List of the Best Nature Spots in Taiwan