[Family Travel] Free Firefly Spotting Secret Spot: Hemeshan Trail

The “Hemeshan Trail” is a great place to see fireflies from April to June each year, but in recent years it has transformed from a hidden gem into a destination for tour groups.
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Photographing fireflies requires a lot of patience because there are so many variables—not just the location or the people, but also the mood of the fireflies themselves. After my last visit to the “Uncle Niu Butterfly Ecological Park” in Xindian, I’ve been thinking about fireflies elsewhere, so I set off again with fellow enthusiasts.

Many people have heard of the “Hemeshan Trail,” but I doubt many know its exact location. Actually, you just take the MRT to the other side of Bitan Suspension Bridge, walk straight a bit further, and you’ll see No. 35, Bitan Road, with a sign for the “Hemeshan Trail.” Walk up a bit and you’ll find signs pointing to the firefly-watching trail.

April is a season of fluctuating temperatures, and the number of people out and about gradually increases. But I never expected it to be like a pilgrimage group—people carrying signs, swarming up the mountain noisily. Some had flashlights, and countless others had forgotten to turn off their camera flashes. It was truly chaotic. Here’s a reminder of a few key details to keep in mind when watching fireflies.
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1. Please do not wander around shining your flashlight aimlessly upon entering, and do not shine it directly at the fireflies. (Fireflies are sensitive to light and easily startled; being startled may cause them to hide or even die.)
2. Please add a layer of red cellophane over your flashlight.
3. Fireflies mostly do not come out on rainy nights.
4. Do not keep your flashlight on for long periods, so please pay extra attention to the path underfoot.
5. There are many snakes in the mountains, so wear long boots just in case.
6. If it’s a full moon night, choose a more sheltered area of the park to watch fireflies, such as among the trees, otherwise the fireflies won’t come out.
7. Do not try to catch fireflies with your hands or make loud noises. Any startling or touching may cause the fireflies to die.
8. Do not step into the grass and destroy the fireflies’ habitat.

The first part of the uphill walk is an industrial road—you’ll need to walk a few minutes before reaching the “Hemeshan Trail.” At the entrance of the “Hemeshan Trail,” there are clusters of fireflies welcoming everyone, but this area is quite noisy. Visitors with good stamina are advised to walk further up.

The “Hemeshan Trail” is a circular route, so no matter which way you go, you’ll find an exit—no worries. However, once you reach the trailhead, the lights are not turned on during firefly season, so we don’t use flashlights to light the way. Get used to the darkness; actually, the path is quite clear.

After a while, you’ll find fireflies flying all around you—that’s magical.

There are actually quite a number of fireflies here, and also quite a few people. Most of the fireflies are deep in the woods, in the darker areas. For us photographers, we can only observe from afar without being able to focus—it’s like being blind.

Both my friend and I feel this place isn’t really suitable for photography. But it’s great for coming here to relax, listening to the sounds of insects and birds, and watching the fireflies dance.

Actually, both DSLR and mirrorless cameras can be used for shooting, but it’s best if the lens has a wide aperture—preferably f/2.8 or wider—for bright, round spots of light and better control over exposure time. Since the exposure time is longer, a tripod is absolutely necessary (no need for a large one, since fireflies usually appear in low shrubs).

For practice, it’s best to pick one area and visit it multiple times to get familiar with the terrain and likely firefly spots. The shooting window is short—only about two hours—so it’s recommended not to keep changing locations.
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1. The wider the aperture, the better—aperture value of 2.8 or above.
2. ISO can be set between 100 and 2000; too high a value will affect image quality.
3. Adjust exposure time using the B shutter according to the brightness on-site.