Wuling Pass is the highest paved road in Taiwan

Wuling Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.281m (10,764ft) above sea level, located in Taiwan. It’s said to be the highest paved automobile pass in the country.

Wuling Pass

Where is Wuling Pass?

The pass, formerly known as Sakuma Pass, is located in Nantou County, in the central part of the island, at the western edge of Taroko National Park.

What is the highest paved road in Taiwan?

Set high in the Central Mountains, the road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called Highway 14, aka Hehuanshan Road. The road tops out at 3.281m (10,764ft) above sea level and it’s the highest paved automobile pass in Taiwan. At this altitude, there are few trees, so the views are plentiful and spectacular. Just beware that the weather can be very changeable and warm clothes/waterproofs are a good idea all year round.

How long is the road to Wuling Pass?

The pass is 41.2 km (25.60 miles) long, running south-north from Ren'ai Township to Zhongbu Cross-island Highway, the road through Taroko Gorge.

When is the best time to drive through Wuling Pass?

The summit hosts a parking lot. On weekdays, there's usually little traffic; on weekends and whenever there's snow, you can expect crowds of people and vehicles. It really gets crowded on weekends between December and February. Often during the winter, snow falls in the Hehuanshan area, which attracts tourists in great numbers wanting to experience something so unusual for a semi-tropical island. This road often becomes clogged in winter when many locals travel up the mountain to see snow.

Is the road to Wuling Pass in Taiwan dangerous?

The road is narrow and winding throughout and is considered a dangerous and difficult road by many drivers. After several incidents, buses and large trucks were banned from this stretch of road.