[Family Travel]Barrier-Free Forest Therapy Trail: Auer Forest Classroom

Nicknamed the "Back Garden of Taoyuan," "Tiger Head Mountain" boasts picturesque scenery and lush greenery, making it the perfect leisure spot for locals. Designed with the principle of not disrupting the park’s landscape or trees, it offers a zero-distance connection with nature — a natural playground beloved by children.

We happened to have the chance to bring our hyperactive little boy here to run around and burn off his boundless energy.

Our first visit was when Mentaiko (our son) was about to turn three. Back then, he didn’t really understand the concept of playing, and due to his cautious personality and fear of being bumped into, he was always very conservative when choosing play equipment. He’d play with just a few things before pulling us to walk up the stairs or explore around. But now that he’s almost six, his appetite for play has grown immensely — there’s hardly anything he can’t handle. Now, we’re more worried about him accidentally bumping into others.

The public restrooms were also revamped this year, with a more complete and thoughtful layout.

Suitable for ages one to forty, or even older, almost everyone loves it. Kids and adults who crave thrills and speed will definitely ride up and down multiple times. Look at our kid, who used to be so timid — ever since successfully conquering it just after turning three, he’s been less interested in other slides.

There are 3–4 slides in the "Auer Forest Classroom." We don’t always play on the same one each time. For kids, different and fresh experiences are one of the reasons they keep coming back.

The slide near the main road is more challenging (and taller), so older kids tend to prefer it. I used to struggle to figure out how to climb it and would give up quickly, but now I can do it with ease — no help needed, I can manage it all by myself.
This method allows tense muscles to gradually relax, leading to more stable sleep quality at night.

The "All-Ages Trail" is located behind the play area, built flat enough for even those with wheels to use.

The charm of "Tiger Head Mountain" also lies in its lush greenery. The tall, big trees here make the summer heat vanish with just a gentle breeze.

The platform has resting spots. Sitting here is cool and the air is fresh. Whether traveling with family or friends, you can comfortably chat and sip tea, enjoying a relaxing date with nature.

Watching what others are doing from up here is also kind of fun.

The paths are interconnected, so no matter which direction you go, you can always find your way back to the play area. This design makes it convenient for visitors to adjust their routes anytime.

In the small pond, you can witness what “a dragonfly skimming the water” looks like at any moment.

The signs by the pond are not only colorful and lively in design but also complete and detailed in content — it’s basically a free nature lesson right there.

The circular steel mesh structures are uniquely shaped, flat, and easy to walk on. We even saw several families pushing strollers taking walks here.

Mentaiko gets really excited whenever he sees small animals. By the pond, he eagerly searched and tried to say hi to the turtles.

He suddenly spotted a turtle crawling onto the shore and shouted in delight — but then the turtle quickly dove back into the water. Remember not to make sudden loud noises; it’ll scare them away.

Interestingly, many people take photos near that round ball — our mom-and-son duo couldn’t resist joining in for a shot too.

Kids rarely see green-colored water. Mentaiko was curious and wanted to know what it was and why it was green.

These are aquatic plants. The frogs need a humid habitat to stay moist and not dry out — the bottom is home to tadpoles, and the lotus leaves serve as a “bed” where frogs can hop around.

The city is so far removed from nature. It’s no wonder this child is so curious about these things. After hearing the explanation, he gained some knowledge — too bad the frogs didn’t jump out of the water to say hello to him.

From this angle, Mentaiko said it looks like a train in the forest. What do you think?

The "Auer Forest Classroom" isn’t just a paradise for kids — it’s also a space that caters to adults’ leisure needs. Just register with the nearby Confucius Temple, and you can accompany your kids while enjoying a barbecue.

A new public restroom nearby is nearing completion and is almost ready for use.

The hexagonal "Tree Reading Classroom" lets you observe tree ecology up close, while the boat-shaped "Green Field Ark" serves as a stage for kids’ performances.

Taoyuan’s "Tiger Head Mountain" and its "Auer Forest Classroom" continue to improve. Entry is free, kids have fun, adults enjoy it, and even out-of-towners fall in love with the place. If you’re not sure where to go on a holiday, come here for a picnic, barbecue, or to experience the brand-new wooden boardwalk — it’s all great.

Business Hours: 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Contact number: 03-394-6061
Address: No. 42, Gongyuan Road, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City
※ Mosquito prevention measures are recommended in mountainous areas
※ Parking available

[Authorized reprint from “Fish x Hand-in-Hand Mentaiko’s ‘Vision’ Travel” originally published on “Hutou Mountain Aol Forest School (New) All-Ages Forest Wooden Boardwalk”]

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