Yangminshan west trails 陽明山西縱走

Picture this: a ridge above Beitou in late October, with silver grass moving in the wind. It's the reason we're out here, and we're crossing our fingers 🙏 that the typhoons go easy on it.

We didn't quite finish the east trails last time. So this time we're switching sides and taking on 陽明山西縱走, the west traverse. It's a full day on foot with a few ropes along the way.

The trail in numbers

Your legs will notice the details: about 800 m of climbing and over 1000 m of descent. Our pace decides whether it takes 5 hours or 7.

Level: easy to moderate, with one catch.

Monday, Oct 26: getting to the start

Meet at Beitou Metro Station, Exit 1, at 9:30 AM. From there we all take bus S6 to Qingtian Temple, which is where the hike begins.

Please be on time. That bus doesn't run often, and if we miss it we could be waiting a long while.

Pack list

• 2L+ water. At least that much.

• Lunch

• Sun and rain protection

• Insect repellent

• Proper hiking clothes and long trousers

• Gloves for the ropes

Look at the route first

Want to see the trail before you commit? There's route info on 健行筆記 and an English write-up on Taiwan Trails and Tales.