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  4. 2024 Quest for Lakulaku’s Ferns: Exploring the Eastern Section of the Batongguan Traversing Trail, Its Natural Landscapes, and Cultural History

2024 Quest for Lakulaku’s Ferns: Exploring the Eastern Section of the Batongguan Traversing Trail, Its Natural Landscapes, and Cultural History

Yushan National Park organized the “Quest for Lakulaku’s Ferns,” a series of activities designed for high school students during the 2024 winter break. To visit the Walami Trail in the eastern part of Yushan National Park, participants departed from the Nan’an Visitor Center, led by professional Bunun guides. Using the Walami Cabin as their base, participants explored the surrounding forests and developed essential wilderness skills, including proper hiking techniques.

alt-2024 Quest for Lakulaku’s Ferns: Exploring the Eastern Section of the Batongguan Traversing Trail, Its Natural Landscapes, and Cultural History-1
Yushan National Park organized the “Quest for Lakulaku’s Ferns,” a series of activities designed for high school students during the 2024 winter break.

The Walami Trail, located about 1,000 meters above sea level, is part of the eastern section of Batongguan Traversing Trail. It follows the Lakulaku River Valley, offering views of rich forest ecosystems, ranging from subtropical to temperate zones.

“Walami” means “follow me” in the Bunun language, which sounds like “walabi,” meaning “fern” in Japanese. The event name, “Quest for Lakulaku’s Ferns,” was chosen to reflect the region’s geography (the Lakulaku River) and the abundance of fern species found there. The Walami Trail spans 13.6 kilometers and is home to 165 documented fern species, six of which are rare.

The Walami Trail, located about 1,000 meters above sea level, is part of the eastern section of Batongguan Traversing Trail.
The Walami Trail, located about 1,000 meters above sea level, is part of the eastern section of Batongguan Traversing Trail.

Considering the cabin capacity in Yushan National Park, the winter hiking conditions, and the diverse mid-altitude ecosystems, the park decided to hold the 2024 Winter Youth Camp at the Walami Trail. During a cold wave in January 2024, daytime temperatures in the park dropped below 10°C, and nighttime temperatures approached 0°C. Participants packed warm clothing and met with Bunun instructors who are experts in the high mountain environment. The instructors taught traditional hunting skills and demonstrated how to create traps using natural materials and local terrain, offering participants a glimpse into the ancestral wisdom of the Bunun people.

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The instructors taught traditional hunting skills and demonstrated how to create traps using natural materials and local terrain, offering participants a glimpse into the ancestral wisdom of the Bunun people.

The Walami Cabin, which accommodated the participants, was once a police post but has since been renovated and equipped with solar panels. The cabin features aluminum bunk beds and an accessible water supply to practice cooking. Participants spent their days exploring the wilderness and practicing hiking safety skills and techniques. In the evenings, they attended lectures on mountain cabin etiquette and hiking gear, followed by reflection sessions.

The Walami Cabin, which accommodated the participants, was once a police post but has since been renovated and equipped with solar panels.
The Walami Cabin, which accommodated the participants, was once a police post but has since been renovated and equipped with solar panels.

Walami is a key area for research on Formosan black bears. During the camp, participants discovered bear claws marks on the trunk of a poison peach (Trema tomentosum) tree near the Shanfeng #1 Suspension Bridge. Poison peach is a native Taiwanese plant whose fruits provide an essential food source for black bears in the summer and autumn. Reports of Formosan black bear sightings in Yushan National Park have been steadily increasing in recent years. Seizing this opportunity, the Yushan National Park Headquarters worked to strengthen the conservation network for the species by raising participants’ awareness of coexistence and potential human-bear conflicts, equipping them with knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively.。

alt-2024 Quest for Lakulaku’s Ferns: Exploring the Eastern Section of the Batongguan Traversing Trail, Its Natural Landscapes, and Cultural History-3
Walami is a key area for research on Formosan black bears. Seizing this opportunity, the Yushan National Park Headquarters worked to strengthen the conservation network for the species by raising participants’ awareness of coexistence and potential human-bear conflicts.

For over three decades, Yushan National Park, in collaboration with Professor Mei-hsiu Hwang’s team from the Institute of Wildlife Conservation at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, has been studying the health and habitat conservation of Formosan black bears in the mountain forests where the Bunun people live their everyday lives. Through these camp activities, the headquarters aims to guide participants into the mountain forests and instill in them the idea of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Through these camp activities, the headquarters aims to guide participants into the mountain forests and instill in them the idea of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
Through these camp activities, the headquarters aims to guide participants into the mountain forests and instill in them the idea of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

 

 

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Yushan

Yushan

Accommodation in Yushan

Published: 2009-08-12

Please read articles in our website for more information about accommodation in Yushan National Park.
HotelTelFaxAddress
Jian pu Lodge886-5-2679917--
Pai yun Lodge886-5-2679713--
China Youth Corps886-7-6866166886-7-6866167No.55, Meishan Lane, Taoyuan Township, Kaohsiung County 848, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Sheng Hwa Hotel886-49-2701511~3886-49-2701903No.60,Shen-yi Road, dong-pu village,Nantou county,Taiwan(R.O.C)
Ya Kou Youth Hostel886-7-6866057886-7-6866167No.5 Yakou ,Li-dao village, Hai-ruei Township , Taidong County

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Travel Guide

Published: 2009-08-12

【Tataka High Mountain Ecotourism】

Climbing Yushan Main Peak
Day 1: Starting Point → Alishan Forest Recreation Area、Dongpu Hot Spring (lodging)
Day 2: Alishan Forest Recreation Area、Dongpu Hot Spring → Tataka pass entry (1.7K) → Menglu Pavillion (1K) → pass entry of Yushan Front Peak (2.3K) →Forest of White Wood (1.7K) → Great Cliff (1.8K) → Paiyun Lodge (lodging)
Day 3: Paiyun Lodge (2.4K) → Yushan Main Peak (10.9K) →Tataka pass entry→ Return
Yushan Main Peak to Batongguan Hiking Tour
Day 1: Starting Point → Alishan Forest Recreation Area (lodging)
Day 2: Tataka pass entry (8.5 K) → Paiyun Lodge (lodging)
Day 3: Paiyun Lodge (2.4 K) → Yushan Main Peak (1.8 K) → Laonong Campsite (4.2 K) → Batongguan   Ancient Trail (2.8 K) → Guangao Mountain-Climbing Service Station (lodging)
Day 4: Guangao Mountain-Climbing Service Station (14 K) → Dongpu pass entry → Return
Tataka Recreation Area --- Nature Trail Routes
Route 1: Visitor Center (0.1K) → Dongpu Prairie(1.7K) → Tataka Police Station (0.4K) → New Central Cross Island 95K Parking Area (on foot around 12 hours)
Route 2: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (0.8K) → Linjhih Mountain (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (0.8K) → Giant Hemlock (1.4K) → Shangdongpu (on foot around 2.5 hours)
Route 3: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (1.2K) → Lulin Mountain (0.7K) → Lulin Lodge   (1.1K) → Lulin Gap → Shangdongpu (on foot around 3 hours, reverse around 4 hours)
Route 4: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → trail entrance of Linchushan (2.1K) →Tataka Anbu (1.4K) → Giant Hemlock (1.4K) → Shangdongpu (on foot around 7 hours)

【Jhongjhihguan Ancient Trail, Southern Cross-Island Highway】

Southern Cross-Island Highway Jhongjhihguan Rest Area (30 min) → Jhihguan Police Station (20 min) → Charcoal Kiln (60 min) → Lonely Wood (15 min) →Tianchih (Tian Pond) (10) → Changching Shrine

Nanan-Walami

【Nanan-Walami Trail：Tour for discovering fern ecotype】
Route 1: Trail (0.65 K) → Shanfong (0.25 K) → Shanfong bridge1 (0.8 K) →Shanfong Waterfall → Return (a round trip about 3 hours)
Route 2: Trail (1.7 K) → Shanfong   Waterfall (3.2 K) → Juasin (4.9 K) → Huangma no.1 bridge → Return (a round trip about 8 hours)
Route 3: Trail (9.8 K) → Huangma bridge1 (0.8 K) → Huangma bridge2 (3.4 K) → Walami → Return (a round trip about 12 hours)

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


Visitor Safety

Published: 2009-08-12

Attention for visitors

steep mountain

 

【The must-know for engagement in various activities】
  1. Road conditions in the mountain area are unstable. Falling rocks or landslide could happen easily. Please do not stay or take photographs at dangerous zones where there are falling rocks and landslides.
  2. In the summer afternoons, intermittent rain or dense fog form frequently, whereas in winter, the surface of the road could easily freeze up and becomes slippery. Please drive carefully and reduce speed.
  3. Along the provincial highway, Taiwan rock-monkeys, Mikado Pheasants and Swinhoe’s Pheasant often appear. Drive carefully and please do not feed the animals.
  4. From June to November every year, is the breeding period for killer bees, of when they could be easily terrified and sting on people. Please be cautious.
  5. For mountain hiking, please equip yourself with sufficient mountain hiking equipment and in accordance with the regulations. In addition, getting mountain/park entrance permit ready beforehand is required.
  6. Leaving the team and acting alone, leaving the trail without the knowledge of other members and taking shortcuts are strictly prohibited during mountain hiking. Also, do not linger along the way.
  7. Water resource is scarce in the mountain area. Please conserve on water usage.
  8. Be careful while cooking with fire to avoid the outbreak of fire in the forests.
  9. Please do not litter and bring the garbage downhill.
  10. Please abide stringently on the principle of countryside activities, “Leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but photographs,” in order to protect the environment of the nature, leaving behind a land of purity for later generations.

Last Updated: 2018-09-20


Park Contacts

Published: 2009-08-12

Information of Visitor Center

yushan

 

LocationOpening HoursContact Information
Administration-Tel:886-49-2773121 ext.605/606
Fax:886-49-775466
Shuili Visitor Center-Tel:886-49-348269
Fax:886-49-2773121 ext. 605/606
TatakaVisitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-49-2702200~2
Fax:886-49-702250
NananVisitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-3-8887560
Tel:886-3-8880742
Fax:886-3-8880743
Meishan Visitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-7-6866181~3
Fax:886-7-6866128

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Map Of The Park

Published: 2009-08-12

map of Yushan

Yushan National Park is located in the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. Centering around Jade Mountain Main Peak, the park covers a vast area of over 105,000 hectares spread out over the four counties of Nantou, Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Hualien. It is a typical subtropical mountainous national park.

Within the park, there are spectacular views of the peaks. The park covers 30 out of Taiwan’s One Hundred Mountains, including Jade Mountain Peaks, Siouguluan Mountain, Mabolasih Mountain, Dafenjian Mountain, Sinkang Mountain, and Guan Mountain. Each mountain has its own particular style; some are magnificently elegant and full of fury, while others display bizarre and marvelous peaks. Naturally formed, such landscapes are extremely beautiful. The park also includes the origin of the hydro system for the central, southern and eastern areas of Taiwan Province, which was closely related with the livelihood of the public at the lower reaches of the river.

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


How To Get There

Published: 2009-08-12

yushan 

Transportations

  1. Highway Administration Information
Highway Administration Information
Shueili AreaProvincial Highway 16(049) 2234181Nantou Branch
New Central Cross-Island HighwayProvincial Highway 21(049) 27915102nd Maintenance Office of Sinyi Branch
Provincial Highway 21 - Syuefong(049) 2702033126K Station of New Central Cross-Island
Alishan HighwayProvincial Highway 18(05) 25924265th Maintenance Office of Alishan Branch
Southern Cross-Island HighwayJiasian- Meishan(07) 7510143rd Maintenance Office of Jiasian Branch
Haiduan- Yakou(089) 8110243rd Maintenance Office of Guanshan Branch
Southlink HighwayTaitung- Dawu(089) 3250733rd Maintenance Office of Taitung Branch
Dawu- Fonggang(08) 87711143rd Maintenance Office of Fonggang Branch
East Coast LineHualien Section(03) 82305704th Maintenance Office of Hualien Branch
Taitung Section(089) 3250733rd Maintenance Office of Taitung Branch

Last Updated: 2018-09-20