Taiwan is located at the junction of the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate and due to the compression of those plates has a high density of mountains. It has hundreds of mountains above 3,000 meters, ranging from low altitude to high altitude, tropical to temperate zones; with rich ecological landscapes from broadleaf forests and coniferous forests to alpine grassland.
However, the risk of climbing such charming mountains increases due to the changeable terrain and climate and doing so without adequate preparation can be disastrous. According to statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, the top three main causes of mountain disasters in Taiwan are: getting lost (38%), falling into a valley (11%), and losing contact (5%). On average, more than 300 people have to be rescued every year, and nearly 200 die. As such, in addition to preparing basic mountaineering equipment before a trip (for details, refer to the "Preparations" section on the website), climbers should also download an "offline map".
What is an offline map?
An "offline map" is a map data package that can be downloaded in advance and be used "without an Internet connection." In the mountains, there is not always a signal or Internet access as at ground level, so it is recommended climbers download an "offline map" before setting off so they can see their "own location" through GPS signals in places without Internet access. No matter where you go, the offline map draws the route taken so in the event of an accident individuals can accurately report their coordinates and call for help. The most common file format is GPX (GPS Exchange Format, GPS Exchange Format), which can be used to describe road points, tracks and distances.
Offline map use tutorial
Instructions
Step1
Download APP
Download an "Offline Map" APP that can read GPX format.
Step2
Query offline map
Search the Internet for a tracking file (GPX) of the route you want to take, and pay attention to whether the source of the file is correct.
Step3
Download GPX archive
Click to download the file.
Step4
Enter APP operation
After importing the file into the APP, you can see the path route file and allow the APP to use GPS positioning to confirm your location.
Precautions
- Before departure, please check whether the "Offline Map" APP has been updated to the latest version.
- The GPX tracking file is for reference use only. Before climbing, you should still make judgments based on the actual situation to avoid minimize risk.
- Do not check your mobile phone while on the move. If you need to check it, stop and use the phone in a safe place.
- When climbing mountains, be sure to keep your mobile phone charged. In addition to carrying a portable power bank, you can also turn off Bluetooth and WiFi, reduce screen brightness and reduce use to effectively save power (turning off mobile data and turning on airplane mode can also be used to increases the battery life of mobile phones, but can only be used for positioning and tracking routes).
The following provides downloads of GPX, KML, KMZ and other file formats for all the Danlan trails and each route. Feel free to make use of it.
Complete trail map download list
Title name |
File type |
Danlan Culture Path |
|
Northern Path |
|
Central Path |
|
Southern Path |
|
Yilan Path |
|
Route map download list
Title name |
File type |
Zhuzaitan Historic Trail |
|
Liulanglu Hiking Trail |
|
Shumeiping Historic Trail |
|
Tsanguangliao Historic Trail |
|
Yangtingli Historic Trail |
|
Longling Historic Trail |
|
Jinzibei Historic Trail |
|
Caoling Historic Trail |
|
Nuandong Canyon Hiking Trail |
|
Old Nuandong Trail |
|
Wufenshan Hiking Trail |
|
Yunmei Trail |
|
Fangzikeng Hiking Trail |
|
Pinghu West Hiking Trail |
|
Pinghu East Hiking Trail |
|
Dakeng Mountain Ridge Hiking Trail |
|
ShangneiPinglin Hiking Trail |
|
Zhongkeng Historic Trail |
|
Fangshankeng Historic Trail |
|
Kuolai Historic Trail |
|
Bengshankeng Historic Trail |
|
Beishixi Historic Trail |
|
Wantan Historic Trail |
|
Wushan Yueling Historic Trail |
|
Pingxi Historic Trail |
|
Shikong Historic Trail |
|
Zhongpushan Hiking Trail |
|
Tudigongling Historic Trail |
|
Tiaomi Historic Trail |
|
Miaogaotai Hiking Trail |
|
Shumei Historic Trail |
|
Dakeng Waigu Historic Trail |
|
Wai'an Historic Trail |
|
Wutuxi Hiking Trail |
|
Sifenzi Historic Trail |
|
Lielijian Hiking Trail |
|
Shitsao Bihu Hiking Trail |
|
Paoma Historic Trail |
|
Danlan Cultural Trail North Path |
|
Danlan Cultural Trail South Path |
|
Water Path |
|
Mountain-river connecting section |
|
City Cultural Trail |
|
Bangka Cultural Trail |
|
Dadaocheng Cultural Trail |
|
Historical Route |
|
Promotion Main Line |
|
Mountain Circle Branch Line |
|
Canal Branch Line |
|
Wetland Branch Line |
|
Mountain Border Branch Line |
|
Pastoral Branch Line |
|