Conquer a 300-meter vertical slope — a thrilling must-visit log trail on the ridge

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
 
The Dakeng Scenic Area in Beitun, Taichung, is a key leisure destination for locals to go hiking and enjoy nature on weekends and holidays. It currently has 12 hiking trails, covering a total length of about 15.6 kilometers, each with its own unique characteristics and varying difficulty levels. Trails 6 to 9 have gentle slopes and are easy to walk, making them more suitable for family outings and relaxed hikes, while Trails 1 to 5 and 10 are more challenging, especially Trail 4, which is the most famous.

Dakeng Trail 4 is located at an altitude between 470 and 850 meters, with dramatic elevation changes. Among these, there is a roughly 300-meter-long steep vertical section known as the “Leg-Weakening Slope,” which challenges hikers’ strength and endurance. Thanks to its distinctive terrain, this trail has also gained popularity among photography enthusiasts in recent years — it’s both perilous and filled with a raw, natural beauty.

The trail that stretches along the mountain ridge seems to extend infinitely. It requires not only ample physical stamina but also courage — the full hike takes about two hours. Like Trails 1, 2, and 3, Trail 4 connects at the end to Trail 5, reaching the highest elevation of 859 meters, atop the peak known as Dian Tou Shan.