Shui She Ta Mt. Trail

Shui She Ta Mt. Trail (水社大山步道-伊達邵線) is a hard long-distance hike in Taiwan built around a steep stair climb. The route’s character is defined by thousands of wooden and stone steps, so progress depends more on pacing up the grade than on finding easier terrain.

Plan on a full-day effort: the trip is typically described as about 10.9 km as an out-and-back, taking roughly 7 to 7.5 hours. The elevation gain is reported at about 1,376 m, which is why the descent is as punishing as the climb for the knees.

You start through dense, lush moso bamboo forest, then the vegetation shifts as you gain elevation into older Formosan cypress and camphor stands.

A demanding late section comes after the main stair grind: the final ~1.5 km includes some rope-assisted scrambling before you reach a densely forested high point.

If you hike this route, start early—reports commonly emphasize beginning in the morning because the total time runs a bit over 7 hours.

Trekking poles are strongly recommended to manage the steep steps, especially on the descent.

Bring plenty of water and food; the climb is sustained and the elevation gain is large enough that you’ll want to keep energy and hydration steady throughout the day.

More information: Booking, JINMIAN SHAN SUNRISE HIKE (金面山日出) - Taiwan Trails and Tales, 17 Days Hillary Classical Trek | Itinerary \u0026 Cost