The Yilan Luodong Forest District Office spent NT$7 million restoring the “Su-Hua Ancient Trail,” which offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean near Su’ao and ancient rock formations, attracting many hiking enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Taipei County Government has launched a “Hiking & Walking Festival” event, featuring twelve recommended hiking routes. Those who complete six of them before the end of November may win prizes such as a Wii game console. For details, visit www.1783.tw.
The century-old Su-Hua Ancient Trail was once a vital route during the Japanese colonial period for locals transporting illegal salt and alcohol, but it fell into disuse as transportation improved. This time, the Luodong Forest District Office has invested over NT$7 million to restore a section starting from the Dakan’ao mountain-crossing area (at the 192km mark of Provincial Highway 9), spanning approximately 4.1 kilometers in one direction, with a round trip taking about six hours.
Forest officials say that due to tectonic movements caused by earthquakes, the Su-Hua Ancient Trail also features Taiwan’s oldest “Dakan’ao schist formations.” The trail is also home to a rich variety of wildlife, including swallowtail butterflies, green-backed tits, and crested goshawks, making it another important recreational spot in the Su’ao area.
The Taipei County Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau has also launched a “Hiking & Walking Festival” this year, selecting twelve of the most distinctive trails from a total of fifty-six in the county. The festival brochure not only introduces the historical background of each trail but also includes difficulty ratings marked with one star (easy), two stars (moderate, good for fitness), and even three stars (challenging, not suitable for elderly or weak hikers).
The cross-Taipei-Yilan “Caoling Ancient Trail” and the “Yuan Mountain Trail” in Sanxia are the two most popular hiking routes, stretching 8 kilometers and 4 kilometers respectively. However, due to their gentle terrain, they are categorized as “easy.” In contrast, the Tamsui Tianyuan Temple hiking trail, with its steep slopes in the Datun Mountain Range, is rated as more challenging with a three-star difficulty level.
Xindian City’s Hemingshan in New Taipei City boasts abundant natural ecology. The Xindian City Government has renovated its aging trails, with the first phase of the project nearly completed. The newly upgraded trails are scenic and comfortable, making firefly viewing more convenient.
Mayor Wang Meiyue stated that the Hemingshan Trail follows the “National Trail System Design Guidelines” issued by the Forestry Bureau. The total length is 3 kilometers, with the first phase already finished and the second phase scheduled to begin in November. Hikers reaching the mountaintop along the trail can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the entire Bitan Lake, offering exceptional scenery.