2020 Year of Mountain Tourism

Giant Trees Hiking Trail

After Alishan Sacred Tree fell down, in order to prevent the soil from being stomped over and to protect red cypress giant tree and roots, other sacred trees within the Park were gradually organized into 2 sections. Giant Trees Hiking Trail was built amongst 36 thousand-years-old red cypress giant trees, offering tourists an opportunity to appreciate Alishan area’s most ancient and vigorous cypress trees. Guangwu Cypress (Xianglin Sacred Tree), Thousand-Years Cypress, Tree Spirit Tower, and Shenmu Station are all key scenic spots in the Area.

Tefuye Hiking Trail

Following County Highway 169 towards Dabang and Tefuye – turning right after entering the symbolic entrance of Tefuye Village, the starting point of the Trail can be immediately seen. The Trail is 1.6km long and a leisurely hiking trail friendly for all ages. Along the way, bird chirping of collared bush robin, vinaceous rosefinch, white-whiskered laughing thrush, white-eared sibia, and other species can be heard. Or over the branches of cherry blossoms in springtime, sights of coal tit, green-backed tit, black-throated bushtit, flamecrest, Taiwan yuhina, and others can also be discovered.  

Tefuye Ancient Trail

Tefuye Ancient Trail was originally a hunting trail that Cou people had especially opened up in the early days. During the period of Japanese rule, later segment of the Historic Trail was transformed into a log transporting railway – “Shuishan Line”; and till this day, there are still many railway ruins remained. Early segment of the Trail is fairly flat and is surrounded by Japanese cedars along the way. In the later segment, there is the steeply downward wooden pathway within a primeval broadleaf forest, which offers scenery changes of four seasons. Diverse ecosystem of animals and plants here also make it an excellent bird-appreciating hiking trail.

Mihu Trail

Located by Alishan Township Office is the starting point for the 1.2km-long Miyang Creek Trail. A beautiful and elegant Miyang Suspension Bridge quietly stands over the river valley, and the hiking trail is softly summoning the tourists at the other end of the Suspension Bridge. Along the way, there are also many plum trees. And at the meeting point with Fushan Ancient Trail, visitors could also find the “FO’na” or “life bean” that symbolizes life and romance in Cou tribe. Miyang Creek Trail is also a great bird-watching trail, which offers views of Steere's Liocichla, Taiwan Sibia, red-headed tree babbler, barbet, and more.

Yuemeishan Trail

In 1961, the residents on Yuemei Mountain opened a country road to facilitate transportation of the crops they grew. That was the forerunner of some sections of the trail. There are low-altitude broadleaf forests. Many epiphytes grow here because there is plenty of water. The uncommon phenomenal faulting of active faults can be seen here. It records the orogenic movement of the Coastal Mountains. The triangulation station at the summit is a large open area with butterflies hovering all over. It is a great spot for butterfly watching. From the observation deck, one can overlook the Huadong Rift Valley and see the Coastal Mountains in the distance.

Hu Tou Shan Trails

The trailhead section is a little steep, but the rest of Hutoushan Trail is smooth. It runs through low-altitude lush green broadleaf forests. Makino bamboo, maple trees and camphor trees are the largest groups of plants along the way and all kinds of birds can be seen. The Huadong Rift Valley, the Xiuguluan River, the Coastal Mountain Range, the Wuhe Terrace and the streets of Ruisui are visible. It is a hiking trail suitable for family outings.

Fu Shing Trail

The Fuxing Trail is in a low-altitude mountainous area about 320m above sea level. It runs through bamboo and acacia forests. Makino bamboo takes up the largest area. From higher points, one can see the Huadong Rift Valley in the distance. The trail rises slowly and a round trip takes about an hour. The Fuxing Community used to be called Miaozikeng; therefore, the trail is also referred to as Miaozikeng Trail.

Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area Trails

The camphor forest in the Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area is the largest in Taiwan. There are several walking trails in the area, respectively designed for visitors to walk around the creek, to experience the ecology and to bathe in phytoncides. The trails connect into network. Visitors can enjoy the views of waterfalls, suspension bridges, huge rocks and bat caves along the way. The ecological resources are rich. Among them, fireflies, moths and butterflies are the most representative. Beautiful sparkles hover in the air in April. Close to one hundred types of butterflies can be seen between March and August. It is a magnificent sight and the area has long been referred to as the Butterfly Valley.

Batongguan Traversing Trail

The Lumingdiaoqiao Section of the Batongguan Ancient Trail is located in Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County. It used to be part of the Batongguan Mountain-crossing Path during the Japanese Rule Period. It begins at the Luming Suspension Bridge and ends at Zhuole Elementary School. One way takes about 2 hours and a roundtrip 4 hours. The entire trail is in a broadleaf forest. The gradient is low and it is easy to walk. Along the way, one can see subtropical plants, the magnificence of the Laku Laku River, and also learn about the culture and history of the Batongguan Mountain-crossing Path and the Bunon Tribe indigenous people.