The Hengchun Traverse has been a hidden gem route developed by eco-tourism guides over the past two years, gaining popularity due to its rich biodiversity. However, once hikers learned about this trail, they invited friends to join them for outings. Not only did they trample the grass bare, but they also tied banners along the way—putting up 300 to 400 banners over just 7 to 8 kilometers. Volunteers would remove the banners, only for hikers to tie them back up, which is incredibly frustrating.
The Hengchun Traverse is a north-south route that goes from Chiniuling through Dashanmu Mountain to Dajianshan in Kenting. It was originally a mountain path used by local Hengchun residents, but fell into disuse after the advent of convenient road transport. Li Dongfang, head of the Oriental Footprints Interpretation Team, rediscovered this trail two years ago and began offering guided tours. The area is rich in pristine ecology and has become quite popular.
Li Dongfang said that to avoid too many tourists damaging the original ecological environment, they only lead one group every one or two months. Because grass and trees grow back quickly, they have to clear the trails before each tour. Later, after several hikers came to experience the trail, they started inviting friends, even chartering tour buses to share this newly discovered hidden scenic spot.
But hikers have also brought unsightly habits—various hiking groups have tied banners bearing their club names along the trail to “stake their claim.” In less than 10 kilometers, they’ve put up 300 to 400 banners. Li Dongfang removed them once last November, but was shocked to find the trail covered in banners again on a recent climb. After taking photos and posting them online, netizens strongly criticized the behavior.
Li Dongfang said that although the route isn’t high in altitude, it is very pristine, and those unfamiliar with it can easily get lost. There was even a hiker getting lost incident last year. Now, with a large influx of hikers, the grass along the trail has been trampled bare, and the ecology has been severely affected. Since they can’t ban access outright, they can only rely on moral persuasion or public opinion to impose some restraint.
(China Times)