Ancient trail ruins & pristine mountain forests—embrace nature in the urban wilds

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family, compiled report
 
Summer holidays have started, and the Taipei Grand Hike planned by the Taipei City Government has become very popular. The extremely sought-after eco-guided tours are always fully booked. This year’s third event will be held on July 27—travelers who want to join should sign up quickly！

This year’s third trail eco-guided tour takes place along the Fuzhou Mountain to Zhongpu Mountain trail, which is part of the southern branch of the hike. On July 27, participants will gather at 8:30 AM at the Linsheung Station on the MRT, then split into groups to set off. Following Wulong Street and Fuyang Street, when a lush forest comes into view, you’ll arrive at the Fuyang Nature Ecological Park at the foot of Fuzhou Mountain.

Fuyang Park was originally a military ammunition depot. The military logged and cleared the land within the park and built fire-fighting and disaster relief waterways. Due to the restrictions, the area retained its pristine appearance, providing the best natural barrier for its thriving woodlands.

The park’s remaining abandoned military culverts, naturally-successioned zones, conservation ecological ponds, and narrow, deep valleys provide the best habitats for animals. Low shrubs serve as homes for insects, various snakes, and frogs, while the denser forests at higher elevations are ideal nesting grounds for birds.

Zhongpu Mountain, located above the Xinhai Tunnel, was also once designated as a cemetery and military control zone, resulting in minimal human development and allowing it to maintain its natural, pristine ecology. It is the greenest and most lush woodland in the southern part of the Taipei Basin.