Lala Mountain Giant Tree Area (Lala Mountain National Forest Recreation Area) Introduction
The Fubaye Mountain Trail is temporarily closed. >> For more details, see the link (https://recreation.forest.gov.tw/forest/RA?typ_id=0200005). They say time is a knife, and visiting the giant trees located in the Lala Mountain National Forest Recreation Area, gazing up at the epic millennium scene, the exquisite craftsmanship of this knife is indeed breathtaking! The Lala Mountain giant tree area is situated at the junction of the Fuxing District in Taoyuan and the Wulai District in New Taipei City, with an elevation ranging from 1,500 to 2,130 meters. There are a total of 24 giant trees, with ages ranging from 500 to 1,495 years, making it another giant tree protected area in Taiwan that can rival Alishan. Travelers can follow the circular trail around the giant trees to capture all of them up close in one go. Among the giant trees, only Tree No. 9 is a Taiwan cypress, while the rest are Taiwan red cypress. A walk along the gravel path for about 700 meters from the Lala Mountain Visitor Center parking lot will lead you to Tree No. 1, whose magnificent form vividly displays the marks of the passage of time. Upon entering the trail, after enjoying the welcome gift brought by this primitive forest, the subsequent surprises are even more anticipated. Continuing forward, you will successively reach Trees No. 2 and 3, where the roots dramatically rise from the steep slopes, showcasing a wild posture of strength and beauty. There is a resting area next to Tree No. 4, where the sound of trickling stream water by the cedar bridge and the chirping of birds cleanse away the fatigue of hiking. After a short rest, you can turn right to sequentially visit each giant tree by number, or turn left on a gentle slope toward Tree No. 22. Turning right and walking to the end will reach Tree No. 5, which consists of three merged red cypress trees, with the largest one being around 848 years old. There is also a naturally formed large tree hole at its base. Standing before this century-old tree, humanity feels remarkably small, and a sense of awe arises. The towering tree shade gently filters the sunlight, making it comfortable to enjoy the coolness of the mountains without feeling the heat. Continuing onward to Tree No. 9, the "Mother and Son" giant trees, which are the rare Taiwan cypress. The original elder tree (the mother tree) has died, and the younger tree (the son tree) continues to grow in this primitive forest, now over 440 years old. The trail begins to descend here. Near the Daguan Pavilion, Tree No. 18, a sacred tree, is formed by two thousand-year-old sacred trees, with a circumference of 20.8 meters, making it the largest giant tree in the area. The oldest tree in the park is Tree No. 24, a red cypress giant tree, estimated to be around 1,495 years old, formed by four merged red cypress trees. The Lala Mountain Nature Reserve not only features rich flora but also hosts over 60 species of birds and rare animals, such as the Formosan serow, the muntjac, and the Swinhoe's red frog. While hiking, searching for these unique species adds extra enjoyment to the journey.
