As deep autumn arrives, silvergrass blossoms gradually turn the mountain peaks white, with swaying silver waves and dancing seed tufts along the trails. In November, aside from the Silvergrass Season at Caoling Historic Trail, there are nine other silvergrass-viewing trails where everyone can enjoy this uniquely autumnal scenery. The trails are, in order:Caoling Historic Trail, Taoyuan Valley Trail, Jinbaoli Avenue, Datun Mountain Main Peak Trail, Keelung Mountain Trail, Earless Teapot Mountain Trail, Nanziling Hiking Trail, Wufen Mountain Hiking Trail, Hutou Mountain Hiking Trail, and Our Lady's Hiking Trail, where silvergrass blooms abundantly along the paths, swaying in the wind to welcome travelers. Find some time to admire the crisp autumn beauty of dancing seed tufts!
A snowy silvergrass season adorns the autumn scenery of Caoling Historic Trail. (Photo provided by Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration)
Caoling Historic Trail is one of the most representative ancient trails in the Northeast region. It is part of the Danlan Ancient Trail, originally established by early settlers to connect Tamsui and Kavalan. Passing through the mountain pass known as “Caoling,” which lies on the boundary between New Taipei City and Yilan County, it came to be called “Caoling Historic Trail.” When the autumn air is crisp and the mountain peaks are covered in swaying white waves, it signals that the white-backed silvergrass has begun to bloom. The Tourism Bureau’s Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area also holds the “Caoling Historic Trail Silvergrass Season” in November, inviting everyone to walk the historic trail and intellectually appreciate the autumn silvergrass!
Silvergrass dances in the wind along Caoling Historic Trail, swaying gracefully. (Photo provided by Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration)
Taoyuan Valley Trail
Entering Taoyuan Valley, you’re greeted by vast green grasslands and open vistas. Located atop the mountain ridge where land meets sea, Taoyuan Valley sits on a plateau at an altitude of 500 meters. From here, you can gaze at Guishan Island in the sea, with blue waters alongside and green mountains as its attire—an incredibly picturesque scene. Overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean and Guishan Island, the grassland landscape and the sea-sky beauty complement each other, resembling a paradise on earth, hence the name “Taoyuan Valley.”
Expansive views of Taoyuan Valley, with beautiful, wide grassland scenery. (Photo source / taipeimarathon)
Jinbaoli Avenue
Jinbaoli Avenue (Fish Road Ancient Trail) is located in Jinshan District, New Taipei City. It was the essential route used by fishermen from Jinbaoli (Jinshan) to transport fish to places like Dadaocheng in the past. Starting from Dingbayan Station on Yangjin Highway and extending to Lengshuikeng, the trail features rich cultural and ecological elements, making it the most fascinating and well-preserved section of the ancient path. Every autumn, areas such as Xiaoyoukeng, the summit of Datun Mountain, Lengshuikeng, Qingtiangang, and Jinbaoli Avenue are graced with seas of silvery white silvergrass.
Fish Road Ancient Trail. (Photo source / travelking)
Datun Main Peak Trail
Datun West Peak is situated between South Peak and Miantian Mountain, at an elevation of 1,092 meters. From its high vantage point, you can see a landscape of towering boulders and steep mountain ridges. Climbing to the top requires considerable effort, whereas South Peak, with its rounded shape and southern ridgeline extending through Zhongzheng Mountain to Xinzhuangbei, is a highly popular ridge hiking route. As a conical volcano, it offers an excellent spot for sunset viewing and autumn silvergrass appreciation. After mid-October, the silvergrass blooms vigorously, swaying like magnificent ocean waves. Additionally, Datun Main Peak boasts spectacular views, allowing you to take in the beautiful sunset over the Taipei Basin.
Sunlight spills onto the silvergrass, the silvery tufts shimmering with golden highlights. (Photo source / np.cpami.gov)
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