Guanshan & Kuharnosin Mountain: Traversing the Southern Cross Twin Peaks (Part 1)
Auto-TranslationThe rugged Guanshan is the first peak of southern Taiwan, its pyramid-like shape rising majestically between Taitung and Kaohsiung. It is one of the Ten Peaks, while the relatively gentle Kuharnosin Mountain of the Southern Cross is also noteworthy. Both mountains share a single trailhead, making this a classic route for traversing the southern section.
In 2009, Typhoon Morakot severely impacted southern Taiwan. The storm claimed hundreds of lives and nearly swept away the entire Southern Cross Highway.
The winding Nator River beside the Nansalaru village was scoured by the raging floodwaters, returning its riverbed to its former route, giving Namasha back to nature. In Xiaolin Village, Jiasian District of Kaohsiung, torrential rain poured down forcefully onto the fragile soil, with over a thousand millimeters of rainfall causing a landslide lake to burst its dam with a thunderous roar. Millions of tons of collapsing earth and rock surged down, swallowing the settlements downstream. In an instant, over four hundred residents of Xiaolin Village vanished from the world forever.
Over a decade has passed, and the ruined homeland still harbors deep love and memories. But with roots in the mountains, how could the villagers easily leave their ancestral homeland? Thus, they made efforts to revive, cautiously finding a way to coexist with the land, discovering the strength to be reborn among the ruins. The Southern Cross Highway, which once fought against the heavens and was shattered, has been fully restored after many years, once again basking in sunlight.
The reopening of the highway also means that the four central peaks towering above it are once again welcoming mountain friends. This includes Guanshan Ridge, Taguan Mountain, and Kuharnosin Mountain, collectively known as the "Southern Cross Three Peaks," with their trailheads located along the Southern Cross Highway. The section from Meishan in Kaohsiung to Xiangyang in Taitung is a controlled area due to its unstable terrain, which poses a risk of sporadic landslides. Additionally, this measure allows the land to breathe. Therefore, the gate opens every morning at seven and must be vacated by five in the afternoon. For this trip, we opted for a more leisurely pace, choosing to traverse Kuharnosin Mountain and Guanshan, staying overnight at the mountain hut.
The winding Nator River beside the Nansalaru village was scoured by the raging floodwaters, returning its riverbed to its former route, giving Namasha back to nature. In Xiaolin Village, Jiasian District of Kaohsiung, torrential rain poured down forcefully onto the fragile soil, with over a thousand millimeters of rainfall causing a landslide lake to burst its dam with a thunderous roar. Millions of tons of collapsing earth and rock surged down, swallowing the settlements downstream. In an instant, over four hundred residents of Xiaolin Village vanished from the world forever.
Over a decade has passed, and the ruined homeland still harbors deep love and memories. But with roots in the mountains, how could the villagers easily leave their ancestral homeland? Thus, they made efforts to revive, cautiously finding a way to coexist with the land, discovering the strength to be reborn among the ruins. The Southern Cross Highway, which once fought against the heavens and was shattered, has been fully restored after many years, once again basking in sunlight.
The reopening of the highway also means that the four central peaks towering above it are once again welcoming mountain friends. This includes Guanshan Ridge, Taguan Mountain, and Kuharnosin Mountain, collectively known as the "Southern Cross Three Peaks," with their trailheads located along the Southern Cross Highway. The section from Meishan in Kaohsiung to Xiangyang in Taitung is a controlled area due to its unstable terrain, which poses a risk of sporadic landslides. Additionally, this measure allows the land to breathe. Therefore, the gate opens every morning at seven and must be vacated by five in the afternoon. For this trip, we opted for a more leisurely pace, choosing to traverse Kuharnosin Mountain and Guanshan, staying overnight at the mountain hut.
Discover Taiwan's Hidden GemsUncover Taiwan's coziest cafés, must-try local dishes, or secret spots — journé will take you to the stories behind the streets, guided by locals and shop owners.
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhere
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhereScan on your phone to open this article
Discover Taiwan's Hidden GemsUncover Taiwan's coziest cafés, must-try local dishes, or secret spots — journé will take you to the stories behind the streets, guided by locals and shop owners.Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhere
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhereScan on your phone to open this article
