The last section of Highway 24 is a gorgeous winding highway that leads you deep into the mountains. Not for the fainthearted, some parts of the road run along very steep cliffs. Do check the road conditons before you set off, as the area is often inaccessible when there are heavy rains. You have to register at the police station (at 26.8km mark) before you enter the Wutai area.
This section of the road, between Sandimen and Wutai (霧台, Wùtái), is 18km long and the altitude changes from 100m to above 1000m. Expect head-spinning views of the river, valleys, waterfalls, cliffs and aboriginal villages. Wutai (after the Km39 mark) is one of the most attractive settlements of the Rukai, with a striking Presbyterian church and traditional slate-walled houses straddling the road.
From Wutai, you can continue the last 8km to the abandoned village of Ali , or head back and make a detour to Dewen (德文, Déwén), a beautiful coffee-growing village sitting 800m to 1200m above sea level. To get to Dewen, switch to County Rd 31 (northbound) before you reach the police station (if you're going downhill). From this turn-off, it's a 6km drive to the vllage.
