【 Type of attraction open for tourism 】

• Length of trail: About 32km.
• Time required for the trip: About 5-7 days.
• Difficulty: The trip up the Nanhu Valley is considered to be of medium difficulty. The trip along the full section of central Nanhu is more difficult.

【 Management 】

• Environmental limits: Part of the trip goes through the Chilan Wildlife Sanctuary and the Taroko National Park Ecological Reserve.
• Intensity of development/Type of facility: Not apt for exploration and it is proposed to keep tourists limited in number, as in the Type 3 Trails of the National Trail System.

The Nanhu Mountains are located on the northern tip of the Central Cordillera, where the mountain trail stretches about 32km. The entire route of the trail includes Nanhudashan, the Central Peak, Nanhudongshan, the Nanhun South Peak, the Shenmazhenshan, the Baba Mountain and the Mabishan Mountain, and another 800 high mountains. The Nanhudashan, which measures 3,742m in height, is the highest point in the north part of the Central Cordillera and is known as one of the 5 highest mountains in Taiwan. The Central Peak, 3,705m in height, is composed of rigid conglomerate and is resistant to decaying. The elevated and conic peak stands out in the Central Cordillera as it looks like a pyramid.

The Nanhu and Central Peak are part of the Nanhu Mountain Group, which is one of the 5 major terrains of the Mountain Ridge in Taiwan. Between the south tip of the Sanxing Mountains to the Nengaoshan measures 50km and is a well developed ice-age terrain in the new era. This is shown in the No. 1 and No. 2 circles at Nanhudashan, plus the ice funnel, U-shape valleys, ice-eroded lakes and ice basins.

The trail in the North 1 section of the mountain is around 2,800m and has a high mountain ecosystem. Also , there is a coniferous ecosystem similar to the Arctic, that is usually to be found 3,700m above sea level. Common species are round-shaped pines near Jade Mountain, high mountain azalea, Taiwanese cold fir trees and Taiwanese hemlock spruce. Rich in virgin forests, the area is good for mammals, hence the number of Taiwanese monkeys, munt-jac, wild boar, goats and white-faced flying squirrels. Birds include the wren, tailorbird, house finch and Taiwanese lesser coucals.

Nanhu Mountains in the Central cordillera taking northeast trade winds, a renowned snow site in Taiwan.   By Guo, Y. Yuri	The Nanhu East Peak (right) and the Nanhu Circle.   By Tsai, Wun Sing
Ice caves, U caves (ice basins) and glacier remains in Nanhu Valley, key evidence to glacier studies.   By LAI Xingyi	The Nanhu glacier shows outstanding signs in the Nanhu mountain faults.   By Tsai, Wun Sing
The Central Jian Mountain, one of the highest peaks in Taiwan that outstands the north section of the Central Cordillera.   By Tsai, Wun Sing	The cliffs in the south side of the Central Cordillera.   By Tsai, Wun Sing
Overlooking the Duojiatung Mountain from a trail.   By LAI Xingyi	Inviting cypress in the snow, an excellent species in the alpine of Taiwan.   By LAI Xingyi