Join us on July 19th to hike the Hengling Ancient Trail on Yangmingshan and explore a mysterious air-raid shelter

▲ Walking along the Shamao Mountain section of the Hengling Ancient Trail, you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery. (Photo / Courtesy of Taipei City Geotechnical Engineering Office, same below)

By Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive Report

Located within Yangmingshan National Park, the Hengling Ancient Trail has connected the Hushan and Hudi areas for over a century. Winding gently along the foothills of Shamao Mountain, the area also hides a little-known three-story underground air-raid shelter covering about 700 pyeong (approximately 2,300 square meters). On July 19th (Saturday), the Geotechnical Engineering Office of Taipei City Government’s Public Works Department is hosting a guided ecological tour of the trail, where participants can observe the rich flora and fauna along the ancient path and uncover the mysteries of the Caoshan Air-Raid Shelter.

▲ Along the Hushan Elementary School Trail, in addition to dense vegetation, there’s also a massive camphor tree.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office stated that participants will gather at 8:00 AM on the day of the event at the Yangmingshan Bus Terminal. The first stop will be a visit to the Caoshan Air-Raid Shelter, which is not yet open to the public. The guide will also provide a detailed introduction to the shelter’s architectural features and historical background.

After passing through the air-raid shelter, the route continues along the Hengling Ancient Trail, circling around the foothills of Shamao Mountain. Upon reaching the red altar at the end of the trail, participants will then enter the Banling Ancient Trail, which connects to the Hushan Elementary School Trail, leading back to the starting point. It’s a gently sloping, easy-to-walk, and very family-friendly loop trail.

▲ The bamboo forest section of the Hengling Ancient Trail is covered with wood chips, making for a very comfortable walk.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office noted that the section of the Hengling Ancient Trail included in the event is only about 800 meters long, lined with lush green bamboo on both sides and wood chips on the ground, offering a soft and pleasant walking experience. When flowers are in bloom, visitors can also enjoy the natural beauty of butterflies gathering nectar. This event is suitable for both adults and children, providing a healthy and educational summer outing as everyone explores Yangmingshan together—hiking the trails and uncovering the secrets of the shelter.