There are two hiking paths leading up to Yu-shan main peak. Most people choose to start at the Ta-taka trailhead and hike to Pai-yun Lodge, where they spend a night before ascending the peak on day two. The other option is to start at the -Dongpu trailhead and hike up via Guan-gao and Ba-tong-guan. This route takes an extra day, so fewer people take it.
攀登玉山主峰有兩條路徑，一般多選擇從塔塔加登山口起步，在排雲山莊過一夜，第二天登玉山主峰；另外一條從東埔登山口經觀高、八通關上山的路線，因多一天的路程，較少人走。