Mt. Dulan Trail

Located in Hedong Township of Taitung County, Mount Dulan is an important sacred mountain to the Beinan and Amis tribes. The mountain sits on the Beinan Planes and is the highest peak in the southern seaside mountains. Mount Dulan is one of the Taiwan Little 100 Peaks. You can see a lovely blue view of the Pacific behind Taitung City from the viewing deck at the beginning of the trail. The gentle salty ocean breeze brings in abundant moisture surrounding Mount Dulan in misty clouds all year round, creating a mystical and beautiful vibe. This has also earned Mount Dulan the name of “Beauty Mountain.”

At the 151.5 km mark on Provincial Highway 11, you will see a sign pointing towards Mount Dulan. The beginning of the trail is just 4 km further. The trail is only about a half-hour drive from the city, making it a convenient hiking destination that many locals visit. Mount Dulan Trail is a 3.8 km long one-way trail. The first kilometer is a slow-rising dirt slope. After the first kilometer, hikers will enter the mountain roads that are nicely shaded and breezy. The ridge will be reached at around 1.7 km. While on the ridge, hikers can overlook the valley, see the Central Mountains in the distance, and spot the Luye and Beinan Rivers down below.

With the Pacific Ocean bringing in plenty of moisture to Mount Dulan, the forests can nurture thick and rich sceneries. There is a thick forest with natural ecosystems with an especially diverse range of ferns. Hikers will see many tall and straight trees including Subcostate Crape Myrtle, Cyathea lepifera, Chrysoglossum ornatum Blume, and Cymbidium lancifolium Hook. You may also spot Khasya Trichodesma, which local aboriginal Amis people commonly use to wrap glutinous rice in.

You will arrive at the Puyuma Sacrificial Altar at the 2.3 km mark where you’ll see a 2-meter tall Puyuma memorial rock ruins along with many other aboriginal relics. This was the border between the Beinan and Amis people, where they would come to give thanks or pray to their ancestors. Continue up a little further and you’ll reach the Mount Dulan summit mark. Mount Dulan is 1180 meters above sea level and has a 373-meter drop, which provides an amazing vantage point. There is a lot of primeval forests and greenery at this point. The trees are covered in vines, monogramma, Huperzia carinata, Taiwanese Haraella retrocalla, mountain cinnamon, and many other rare plants. Once you have reached the summit, you’ll have a view of the entire Taiyuan Basin, Taitung Rift Valley, and Taitung Planes. Look to the east and you’ll see the Pacific Ocean, and weather permitting, you may even see Green Island and Orchid Island. It’s no wonder why this location is a must-visit for many outdoor hiker fans.

There are many sites to visit near the Mount Dulan Trail, the “water flowing upwards” by the old Highway 11, Xiaoyeliu just north of Fugang Fishing Harbor, and Fugang Fishing Harbor itself. Consider visiting Jiamuzi Bay Recreation Area north of Dulan Bay to enjoy the sunset. We highly recommend spending a day or two visiting a few locations around Hedong on your next trip to Mount Dulan and enjoying the lovely nature Taitung has to offer.