Dulanshan Trail: The Beauty of the South Coastal Mountain Range in Taitung
Dulanshan (or Dulenshan), located just north of Taitung, is one of Taiwan's charming "Minor 100 Peaks." Despite its modest height, the trail offers a delightful adventure. Its short, relatively easy trail rewards hikers with breathtaking glimpses of the East Rift Valley and the distant silhouette of Green Island.
The summit may have little view, but Dulanshan's true beauty lies in its enchanting forests. These woods are Lush and vibrant and often shrouded in a mystical fog, which creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting out, Dulanshan's natural charm and gentle terrain make it a rewarding journey into Taitung's wilderness.
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Trail Information: Dulenshan (Dulan Mountain or Mt. Dulan)
Trail Name: Dulenshan Trail (Dulanshan Trail)
Distance: 7.6 km (4.8 miles)
Route type: Out and back
Days/Hours Needed: 4-6 hours
Total Ascent/Descent: 810m/807m
Best Time to Go: All seasons except heavy rain or typhoons. Check to see if the trail is open.
Permits: Not required
Difficulty Level:
Distance: 7.6 km (4.8 miles)
Route type: Out and back
Days/Hours Needed: 4-6 hours
Total Ascent/Descent: 810m/807m
Best Time to Go: All seasons except heavy rain or typhoons. Check to see if the trail is open.
Permits: Not required
Difficulty Level:
Peaks or Places to Reach
- Mt. Dulan, Dulanshan, or Dulenshan 都蘭山, 1,190 meters (3,904 feet) above sea level. There is a Class 1 Triangulation on the top, but the views are blocked by the surrounding tall trees.
- Puyuma Scarification Area (Puyuma Altar) at 2.3 km on the trail.
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Map/GPX and How to Get There
GPX Track From My Hike
Route map for Dulanshan by Anusha Lee on plotaroute.com
Click Menu in the map to download, print, or share the map.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click
to change the speed to meet your condition.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click
to change the speed to meet your condition.
How to Get There
There is no public transport near the trailhead. You either drive a car or ride a scooter to get here.
The closest bus stop is 4.4 km (2.7 miles) away. You can consider walking from the bus stop to the trailhead, making this a 16.4 km (10 miles) hike.
This might sound taxing, but the good news is that you will enjoy the fantastic Taitung coast on your way back to the bus stop.
Public Transport Plus on Foot to the Trailhead
The closest bus stop is Junjie Stop 郡界站.
Buses from Taitung Transfer Station
- 8101(to the Deleishan 德蕾莎 direction)
- 8102 (to the Deleishan 德蕾莎 direction)
- 8103 (to the Chenggong 成功 direction)
From Taitung (not from the transfer station)
From Hualien Transfer Station or Taitung Transfer Station
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Details of the Dulanshan Trail
Brief itinerary: Dulanshan Trailhead ➔ 1.75 Km ridge ➔ Puyuma Sacrificial Area (Puyuma Altar) ➔ Dulanshan
We drove from Taipei and arrived at the trailhead when it was still dark. We waited to see the stunning sunrise.
Green Island can be seen from the pavilion at the trailhead, where you can find a parking lot.
My hiking mates included a young, spoiled preschool and overprotective grandparents. In case you wonder why we were so slow, the young child threw tantrums during our hike, which slowed down our pace.
06:19 We started the hike.
I saw the map at the trailhead, and this trail is well-marked.
07:03 We passed the 1 km post.
08:05 We reached a ridge with a post explaining the views from the ridge around 1.75 km. This is a great place to have a break and enjoy the best views from this trail.
From my Jiaming Lake hike, I saw Guanshan, Mt. Siangyang, and Mt. Sancha, as well as the amazing East Rift Valley.
09:09 We passed the 2 km post.
09:37 We reached the Puyuma Scarification Area (Puyuma Altar) 普悠瑪祭台 at the 2.3 km post. We took a short break here.
09:55 We passed the 2.5 km mark, and the trail went downhill from there, which means there will be more ascending later.
10:56 We passed the Rock Face 大石壁.
11:16 We arrived at Dulanshan (Mt. Dulan), 1,190 meters. Although there is a Class 1 Triangulation Stone at the summit, there is no view because of the trees. We had a one-hour lunch break.
Although there was little to see at the peak, the forests were beautiful, and the weather was great when we started the hike.
Then, the fog gathered and cast a veil among the trees, which made the landscape mysterious.
After the break, we returned the same way, and the kid still threw tantrums. I can't stress enough the importance of choosing the proper hiking mates.
15:12 We finished the hike. This 7.6 km hike took us 8 hours to finish.
Luckily, the weather improved when we returned to the trailhead, and I saw the famous and breathtaking Taitung Blue.
Uncover Taiwan's hidden gems - hotels, restaurants, transport, and more — on
Uncover Taiwan's hidden gems - hotels, restaurants, transport, and more — on
Uncover Taiwan's hidden gems - hotels, restaurants, transport, and more — on
About Dulanshan and Puyuma Altar
Dulanshan
Dulan Mountain, located around 21 km north of Taitung City between Donghe and Dulan villages, is the highest peak in the south section of Coastal Mountain Range 海岸山脈 and one of Taiwan's "Minor 100 Peaks" (Xiao Baiyue) 小百岳.
Rising from the Beinan Plain 卑南平原, it offers panoramic views of the Coastal Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean, with Lanyu (Orchid Island) and Green Island visible on clear days.
Puyuma Scarification Area (Puyuma Altar)
Puyuma Scarification Area (Puyuma Altar), at 2.3 km on the trail, marks a boundary between the Puyuma and Amis people. According to Puyuma legend, their ancestors came from southern islands and first settled in the Dulan area. They threw soil into the sea from Dulan Mountain, causing waters to recede and forming fertile plains.
The Puyuma name, derived from "punuyuma" (meaning "gather" or "unite"), reflects their deep connection to this sacred land.
How to Use the Hike Smart Taiwan Service to Apply for Hiking Permits and Checklist
Please remember to send your application to Hike Smart Taiwan Service 臺灣登山申請一站式服務網 between 7:00 - 23:00 (GMT+8).
Since "Hike Smart Taiwan Service" has been improved and made more straightforward, I have only included a short video to help you understand how to use the website.
The Only Checklist You Need to Hike Yushan
Here's the Yushan hike checklist that saves you 3+ hours of Googling. In this check list, you will know what to do for your Yushan hike within 10 minutes:
- A schedule to apply for permits and arrange your transport, accommodation, and catering service
- What to do during your hike, and more
- Things to know when doing Yushan in a day
- Gear list
- Snow season and mountain regulations
- Weather, temperature, and typhoon warnings
Disclaimer:
All content provided is for inspirational and informational purposes only. Creating, using, hiking, or traveling with Taiwan Hikes' suggested services or itineraries is at your own risk. Please use your best judgment and follow all safety precautions, as Taiwan Hikes and Anusha Lee are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from using this information.
Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
All content provided is for inspirational and informational purposes only. Creating, using, hiking, or traveling with Taiwan Hikes' suggested services or itineraries is at your own risk. Please use your best judgment and follow all safety precautions, as Taiwan Hikes and Anusha Lee are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from using this information.
Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
