Nenggao Historic Trail

The Nenggao trail follows a road cut across the central range in the Japanese period, contouring along steep slopes at around two thousand six hundred metres, and it is among the most walked high routes in Taiwan because the gradient is gentle for the altitude. Most people go as far as Tianchi lodge and the grassland ridge above it, where the slopes are open silvergrass and the cloud sea sits below in the mornings. Cabins along the way are booked in advance.

What you actually see

• The contour road - a graded route cut across the range, gentle for its altitude.
• The Tianchi ridge - open grassland above 2,800 metres with the cloud sea below.
• The mountain cabins - Yunhai and Tianchi lodges, booked ahead.
• The silvergrass - open slopes turning silver in autumn light.

When to go

October to April is the driest and clearest window. Summer brings afternoon storms and typhoon closures. Winter can bring snow to the ridge.

Honest expectations

Mountain permits and cabin bookings must both be arranged in advance and cabins are heavily oversubscribed. Landslides close sections of the trail regularly and it has been shut for long periods. The altitude affects some walkers.

Nearby

Aowanda is west, and Hehuanshan is north.