Dabajian Mountain Introduction
Daba Jianshan, at an elevation of 3,492 meters, is part of the Xueshan mountain range and lies within the boundaries of Shei-Pa National Park. It is one of the endpoints of the Holy Ridge and is renowned as the "Century Marvel" due to its majestic and unique mountain form. Historically, it has been a sacred mountain for the Atayal and Saisiyat indigenous peoples. The mountain has a prominent shape with steep walls on all sides, resembling a large wine barrel, hence it is also known as "Wine Barrel Mountain." Along with Central Jianshan and Dafeng Jianshan, it is collectively referred to as the "Three Peaks of Taiwan." To access the mountain, one can enter from Guanwu and drive along Dalu Forest Road, reaching the Mala River trailhead after about 20 kilometers. The trail from the trailhead to Daba Jianshan is approximately 10 kilometers, passing through Jiujiu Mountain Lodge at the 4-kilometer mark, and then continuing past Jiali Mountain, 3050 Heights, and Yize Mountain. A trip to Daba Jianshan allows climbers to ascend three hundred peaks, and with its beautiful name and relatively short climbing time, it has always been a popular destination among peak climbers. Traveling via Dalu Forest Road East, drivers can reach the trailhead and can ascend to Jiujiu Mountain Lodge in about 4 hours. Generally, hiking groups can complete the round trip in three days, while those with exceptional fitness may complete the journey in just two days. The path is teeming with traces and droppings of wildlife, accompanied by continuous sounds of animal activity, especially from numerous deer and macaques, with the occasional sighting of wild boars. Furthermore, the variety of bird species makes it an excellent location for observing wildlife ecology.
